Inside the Soviet Army

Viktor Suvorov

Viktor Suvorov. Inside the Soviet Army

Copyright (C) 1982 by Viktor Suvorov

Macmillan Publishing Co! "nc 8## $hir% &v'nu'! (') *ork! (* 1++22
,ibrary o- Congr'ss Cataloging in Publication .ata
Suvorov! Viktor "nsi%' th' Sovi't &rmy "nclu%'s in%'/
1 Sovi't 0nion &rmiia " $itl'
0&11+S888 1982 2334++951 8262292+
1+ 9 8 1 # 3 5 2 2 1
Print'% in th' 0nit'% Stat's o- &m'rica

$o &n%r'i &n%r''vich Vlasov

Contents

7or')or% by 8'n'ral Sir 9ohn :ack'tt

Part I: The higher military leadership
;hy %i% th' Sovi't $anks not thr'at'n <omania=
;hy )as th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation s't up lat'r than (&$>=
$h' ?'rmu%a $riangl'
;hy %o's th' syst'm o- high'r military control app'ar complicat'%=
;hy is th' mak'6up o- th' .'-'nc' Council k'pt s'cr't=
$h' >rganisation o- th' Sovi't &rm'% 7orc's
:igh Comman%s in th' Strat'gic .ir'ctions

Part II: Types of armed services
:o) th' <'% &rmy is %ivi%'% in r'lation to its targ'ts
$h' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's
$h' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's
$h' ,an% 7orc's
$h' &ir 7orc's
;hy %o's th' ;'st consi%'r &%miral 8orshkov a strong man=
$h' &irborn' 7orc's
Military "nt'llig'nc' an% its <'sourc's
$h' .istorting Mirror

Part III: Combat organisation
$h' .ivision
$h' &rmy
$h' 7ront
;hy ar' th'r' 2+ Sovi't .ivisions in 8'rmany but only 3 in C@'choslovakia=
$h' >rganisation o- th' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction

Part IV: obilisation
1
$yp's o- .ivision
$h' "nvisibl' .ivisions
;hy is a Military .istrict comman%'% by a Colon'l68'n'ral in p'ac'tim'! but only
by a MaAor68'n'ral in )artim'=
$h' Syst'm -or Bvacuating th' Politburo -rom th' Cr'mlin

Part V: Strategy and tactics
$h' &/' $h'ory
$h' Strat'gic >--'nsiv'
D>p'ration .'t'nt'E
$actics
<'ar Suppli's

Part VI: !"uipment
;hat sort o- )'apons=
,'arning -rom Mistak's
;h'n )ill )' b' abl' to %isp'ns' )ith th' tank=
$h' 7lying $ank
$h' Most "mportant ;'apon
;hy ar' &nti6tank 8uns not s'l-6prop'll'%=
$h' 7avourit' ;'apon
;hy %o Calibr's vary=
S'cr'ts! S'cr'ts! S'cr'ts
:o) much %o's all this cost=
Copying ;'apons

Part VII: The soldier#s lot
?uil%ing 0p
:o) to avoi% b'ing call'% up
"- you can4t! )'4ll t'ach youF i- you %on4t )ant to! )'4ll mak' you
1!551 Minut's
.ay a-t'r %ay
;hy %o's a sol%i'r n''% to r'a% a map=
$h' $raining o- S'rg'ants
$h' Corr'ctiv' Syst'm

Part VIII: The officer#s path
:o) to control th'm=
:o) much %o you %rink in your spar' tim'=
.rop in! an% )'4ll hav' a chat
;ho b'com's a Sovi't o--ic'r an% )hy=
:igh'r Military $raining Coll'g's
.uti's an% Military <anks
Military &ca%'mi's
8'n'rals

Conclusion

"n%'/


2
$ore%ord

$h' book! Inside the Soviet Army! is )ritt'n un%'r th' nam' o- DViktor SuvorovE
&s a %'-'ctor! un%'r s'nt'nc' o- %'ath in th' 0SS<! th' author %o's not us' his o)n
nam' an% has chos'n inst'a% that o- on' o- th' most -amous o- <ussian g'n'rals
$his is a book that shoul% comman% )i%' att'ntion! not only in th' arm'% -orc's o-
th' -r'' )orl%! but among th' g'n'ral public as )'ll "t is an account o- th' structur'!
composition! op'rational m'tho%! an% g'n'ral outlook o- th' Sovi't military in th'
cont'/t o- th' Communist r'gim' in th' 0SS< an% th' party4s total %ominion! not only
ov'r th' Sovi't 0nion! but ov'r th' cli'nt stat's o- th' ;arsa) Pact as )'ll
$h' book starts )ith a surv'y o- th' high'r military l'a%'rship an% an analysis o-
th' typ's o- arm'% s'rvic's! an% o- th' organi@ation o- Sovi't &rmy -ormation &n
'/amination o- th' <'% &rmy4s mobili@ation syst'm that -ollo)s is o- particular
int'r'st $h' chapt'rs that -ollo) on strat'gy an% tactics an% on 'Guipm'nt ar' also o-
high int'r'st $h' -irst! on op'rational m'tho%! 'mphasi@'s th' supr'm' importanc'
attach'% in Sovi't military thinking to th' o--'nsiv' an% th' s)i-t '/ploitation o-
succ'ss .'-'nsiv' action is har%ly stu%i'% at all '/c'pt as an asp'ct o- attack $h'
s'con%! on 'Guipm'nt! '/amin's Sovi't insist'nc' on simplicity in %'sign an% sho)s
ho) 'Guipm'nt o- high t'chnical compl'/ity (th' $612 tank! -or instanc') is also
%'v'lop'% in anoth'r -orm! ra%ically simpli-i'% in )hat th' author calls Dth' monk'y
mo%'l!E -or s)i-t )artim' pro%uction $h' last t)o chapt'rs on D$h' Sol%i'rs4 ,otE
an% D$h' >--ic'r4s <ol'E )ill b' -oun% by many to b' th' most valuabl' an% r'v'aling
o- th' )hol' book ;' hav' h'r' not so much a %'scription o- )hat th' <'%
&rmy looks lik' -rom th' outsi%'! but )hat it feels lik' insi%'
$his book is bas'% on th' author4s -i-t''n y'ars o- r'gular s'rvic' in th' Sovi't
&rmy! in troop comman% an% on th' sta--! )hich inclu%'% comman% o- a motor ri-l'
company in th' invasion o- C@'choslovakia in 19#8 &bout this h' has )ritt'n anoth'r
book! The Liberators! )hich is a spirit'% account o- li-' in th' <'% &rmy! highly
in-ormativ' in a painl'ss sort o- )ay an% o-t'n v'ry -unny $h'r' is rath'r l'ss to
laugh at in this book than in that on'H Viktor Suvorov )rit's h'r' in %'a%ly 'arn'st
$h'r' is no %oubt at all o- th' author4s right to claim unGu'stion'% authority on
matt'rs )hich h'! as a Aunior o--ic'r! coul% b' '/p'ct'% to kno) about at -irsthan%
an% in gr'at %'tail ('v'rth'l'ss! not 'v'ryon' )oul% agr'' )ith 'v'rything h' has to
say $hough " kno) him p'rsonally rath'r )'ll! Viktor Suvorov is a)ar' that " cannot
mys'l- go all th' )ay )ith him in som' o- his argum'nts an% " am som'tim's boun%
to )on%'r )h'th'r h' is al)ays int'rpr'ting th' 'vi%'nc' corr'ctly
:aving sai% this! ho)'v'r! " hast'n to a%% som'thing that s''ms to b' o- ov'rri%ing
importanc' $h' valu' o- this book! )hich in my vi') is high! %'riv's as much -rom its
appar'nt )'akn'ss's as -rom its cl'arly 'vi%'nt str'ngths66an% p'rhaps 'v'n mor'
$h' author is a young! highly train'% pro-'ssional o--ic'r )ith v'ry consi%'rabl' troop
s'rvic' b'hin% him as )'ll as sta-- training :' )'nt through th' 7run@' Military
&ca%'my (to )hich almost all th' <'% &rmy4s 'lit' o--ic'rs ar' s'nt) an% )as
th'r'a-t'r 'mploy'% as a sta-- o--ic'r :' t'lls th' r'a%'r ho) h'! b'ing )hat h' is66
that is to say! a pro%uct o- th' Sovi't &rmy an% th' soci'ty it s'rv's66Au%g's th'
military machin' cr'at'% in th' Sovi't 0nion un%'r Mar/ism6,'ninism! an% ho) h'
r'spon%'% to it :' -oun% that h' coul% tak' no mor' o- th' in'--ici'ncy! corruption!
an% blatant %ishon'sty o- a r'gim' )hich claim'% to r'pr's'nt its p'opl'! but ha%
slaught'r'% millions o- th'm to sustain its o)n absolut' supr'macy
"t )oul% b' un)is' to suppos' that )hat is -oun% in this book is p'culiar only to th'
visions an% opinions o- on' young o--ic'r )ho might not n'c'ssarily b' typical o- th'
group as a )hol' "t might b' s'nsibl' to suppos' that i- this is th' )ay th' sc'n' has
b''n obs'rv'%! analy@'%! an% r'port'% on by on' <'% &rmy o--ic'r o- his g'n'ration!
3
th'r' is a high probability that oth'rs! an% probably v'ry many oth'rs! )oul% s''
things in much th' sam' )ay ;h'r' h' may s''m to som' r'a%'rs to g't it )rong!
both in his conclusion about his o)n army an% his opinions on military matt'rs in th'
;'st'rn )orl%! h' is almost c'rtainly r'pr's'nting vi')s v'ry )i%'ly h'l% in his o)n
s'rvic' $hus! it is Aust as important to tak' not' o- points upon )hich th' r'a%'r may
think th' author is mistak'n as it is to pro-it -rom his obs'rvation on thos' parts o-
th' sc'n' )hich h' is almost uniGu'ly -itt'% to Au%g'
$his book shoul% not! th'r'-or'! b' r'gar%'% as no mor' than an argum'nt
%'ploy'% in a %'bat'! to b' Au%g'% on )h'th'r th' argum'nt is thought to b' )rong
or right "ts high importanc' li's -ar mor' in th' %isclosur' o- )hat Sovi't o--ic'rs ar'
taught an% ho) th'y think $his )in%o) op'n'% into th' arm'% -orc's o- th' Sovi't
0nion is! up to th' pr's'nt tim'! uniGu' o- its kin%! as -ar as " am a)ar' Bv'ry
s'rving o--ic'r in th' ;'st'rn )orl% shoul% r'a% it! )h'th'r h' agr''s )ith )hat h'
r'a%s or not! an% particularly i- h' %o's not &ll politicians shoul% r'a% it! an% so
shoul% any m'mb'r o- th' public )ho tak's s'riously th' thr'at o- a thir% )orl% )ar
an% )on%'rs about th' mak'up an% outlook o- th' arm'% -orc's in th' -r'' )orl%4s
main a%v'rsary

General Sir John Hackett


Part &ne
The 'igher ilitary (eadership

)hy did the Soviet Tanks not threaten *omania+

1

"t look'% as though th' sol%i'rs ha% lai% a v'ry larg'! v'ry h'avy carp't at th'
bottom o- th' )oo%'% ravin' & group o- us! in-antry an% tank o--ic'rs! look'% at th'ir
)ork -rom a slop' high abov' th'm )ith astonishm'nt! '/changing )il% i%'as about
th' -unction o- th' %appl'%! gr'yish6gr''n carp't! )hich gl'am'% %ully in th' sun
I"t4s a contain'r -or %i's'l -u'l!4 sai% th' comman%'r o- a r'connaissanc' party
con-i%'ntly! putting an 'n% to th' argum'nt
:' )as right ;h'n th' h'avy sh''ting! as larg' as th' hull o- an airship! )as
-inally un-ol%'%! a numb'r o- grubby6looking sol%i'rs lai% a n't)ork o- -i'l% pip'lin's
through our battalion position
&ll night long th'y pour'% liGui% -u'l into th' contain'r ,a@ily an% un)illingly it
b'cam' -att'r! crushing bush's an% young -ir tr''s un%'r its tr'm'n%ous )'ight
$o)ar%s morning th' contain'r b'gan to look lik' a v'ry long! -lat! broa% hot )at'r
bottl'! ma%' -or som' giant chil% $h' r'sili'nt sur-ac' )as car'-ully %rap'% )ith
camou-lag' n'ts Sapp'rs hung spirals o- barb'% )ir' aroun% th' ravin' an% a
h'a%Guart'rs company s't up -i'l% picGu'ts to cov'r th' approach's
"n a n'ighbouring ravin' th' -illing o- anoth'r 'Gually larg' -u'l contain'r )as in
progr'ss ?'yon% a str'am! in a %'pr'ssion! )orn6out r's'rvists )'r' slo)ly
spr'a%ing out a s'con% hug' canopy Struggling through bogs an% cl'arings! cov'r'%
-rom h'a% to -oot in mu%! th' sol%i'rs pull'% an% h'av'% at an 'n%l'ss )'b o- -i'l%
pip'lin's $h'ir -ac's )'r' black! lik' photographs n'gativ's! an% this ma%' th'ir
t''th s''m unnaturally )hit' )h'n th'y sho)'% th'm! in th'ir 'nAoym'nt o-
obsc'niti's so monstrous that th'y ma%' th'ir young r's'rv' o--ic'r blush
4
$his )hol' a--air )as %'scrib'%! bri'-ly! as D<'ar 0nits B/'rcis'E ?ut )' coul% s''
)hat )as going on )ith our o)n 'y's an% )' r'alis'% that this )as mor' than an
'/'rcis' "t )as all too s'rious >n too larg' a scal' $oo unusual $oo risky ;as it
lik'ly that th'y )oul% amass such 'normous stocks o- tank -u'l an% ammunition! or
buil% thousan%s o- un%'rgroun% comman% posts communications c'ntr's! %'pots an%
stor's on th' v'ry bor%'rs o- th' country Aust -or an '/'rcis'=
$h' sti-ling summ'r o- 19#8 ha% b'gun Bv'ryon' r'alis'% Guit' cl'arly that th'
sultrin'ss an% t'nsion in th' air coul% su%%'nly turn into a summ'r storm ;' coul%
only gu'ss )h'n an% )h'r' this )oul% happ'n "t )as Guit' cl'ar that our -orc's
)oul% inva%' <omania but )h'th'r th'y )oul% also go into C@'choslovakia )as a
matt'r -or sp'culation
$h' lib'ration o- <omania )oul% b' a Aoy6ri%' :'r mai@' -i'l%s suit'% our tanks
a%mirably C@'choslovakia )as anoth'r matt'r 7or'sts an% mountain pass's ar' not
goo% t'rrain -or tanks
$h' <omanian army ha% al)ays b''n th' )'ak'st in Bast'rn Burop' an% ha% th'
ol%'st 'Guipm'nt ?ut in C@'choslovakia things )oul% b' mor' complicat'% "n 19#8
h'r army )as th' strong'st in Bast'rn Burop' <omania ha% not 'v'n a th'or'tical
hop' o- h'lp -rom th' ;'st! -or it ha% no common -ronti'r )ith th' countri's o- (&$>
?ut in C@'choslovakia! in a%%ition to C@'ch tank %ivisions! )' risk'% m''ting
&m'rican! ;'st 8'rman! ?ritish! ?'lgian! .utch an% possibly 7r'nch %ivisions & )orl%
)ar might br'ak out in C@'choslovakia but th'r' )as no such risk in <omania
So! although pr'parations )'r' b'ing ma%' -or th' lib'ration o- <omania! )'
cl'arly )oul% not go into C@'choslovakia $h' risk )as too gr'at

2

7or som' r'ason! though! %'spit' all our calculations an% in th' -ac' o- all common
s'ns'! th'y %i% s'n% us into C@'choslovakia ('v'r min%! )' r'assur'% ours'lv's66
)'4ll %'al )ith .ubc'k an% th'n )'4ll g't aroun% to C'auc'scu 7irst o- all )'4ll mak'
th' C@'ch p'opl' happy an% th'n it4ll b' th' turn o- th' <omanians
?ut -or som' r'ason it n'v'r )as
Bl'm'ntary logic sugg'st'% that it )as 'ss'ntial to lib'rat' <omania an% to %o so
imm'%iat'ly $h' r'asons -or acting )ith lightning sp''% )'r' 'ntir'ly convincing
C'auc'scu ha% %'nounc'% our valiant p'r-ormanc' in C@'choslovakia as aggr'ssion
$h'n <omania announc'% that h'nc'-orth no '/'rcis's by ;arsa) Pact countri's
might b' h'l% on h'r t'rritory ('/t sh' %'clar'% that sh' )as a n'utral country an%
that in th' 'v'nt o- a )ar in Burop' sh' )oul% %'ci%' -or h'rs'l- )h'th'r to 'nt'r th'
)ar or not an% i- so on )hich si%' &-t'r this sh' v'to'% a proposal -or th'
construction o- a rail)ay lin' )hich )as to hav' cross'% h'r t'rritory in or%'r to link
th' Sovi't 0nion an% ?ulgaria Bach y'ar! too! <omania )oul% r'A'ct sugg'stions by
th' Sovi't 0nion that sh' shoul% incr'as' h'r involv'm'nt in th' activiti's o- th'
;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation
$h'n th'r' )as a truly scan%alous occurr'nc' Sovi't military int'llig'nc' r'port'%
that "sra'l )as in gr'at n''% o- spar' parts -or Sovi't6built tanks! )hich ha% b''n
captur'% in Sinai! an% that <omania )as s'cr'tly supplying th's' spar' parts :'aring
o- this! th' comman%'r o- our r'gim'nt! )ithout )aiting -or instructions! or%'r'% that
a start shoul% b' ma%' )ith bringing 'Guipm'nt out o- mothballing :' assum'% that
th' last hour ha% struck -or th' stubborn <omanians "t turn'% out to b' his last hour
that ha% com' :' )as rapi%ly r'li'v'% o- his comman%! th' 'Guipm'nt )as put back
in storag' an% th' r'gim'nt -'ll back into a %''p sl''p
$hings b'cam' 'v'n )ors' $h' <omanians bought som' military h'licopt'rs -rom
7ranc' $h's' )'r' o- gr'at int'r'st to Sovi't military int'llig'nc'! but our <omanian
5
alli's )oul% not allo) our '/p'rts to '/amin' th'm! 'v'n -rom a %istanc' Som' o-
th' mor' ha)kish g'n'rals an% th'ir Auniors still b'li'v'% that th' Sovi't l'a%'rship
)oul% chang' th'ir min% an% that <omania )oul% b' lib'rat'% or at l'ast giv'n a goo%
-right by troop mov'm'nts o- a scal' b'-itting a sup'r6po)'r along h'r bor%'rs ?ut
th' maAority o- o--ic'rs ha% alr'a%y giv'n <omania up as a ba% Aob ;' ha% got us'%
to th' i%'a that <omania )as allo)'% to %o anything that sh' lik'%! that sh' coul%
tak' any lib'rti's sh' pl'as'% $h' <omanians coul% '/chang' 'mbrac's )ith our
arch6'n'mi's th' Chin's'! th'y coul% hol% th'ir o)n opinions an% th'y coul% mak'
op'n criticisms o- our o)n b'lov'% l'a%'rship
;' b'gan to )on%'r )hy th' slight'st pi'c' o- %isob'%i'nc' or 'vi%'nc' o- -r''
thinking )as crush'% )ith tanks in Bast 8'rmany! in C@'choslovakia! in :ungary or
insi%' th' Sovi't 0nion its'l-! but not in <omania ;hy )as th' Sovi't 0nion r'a%y to
risk annihilation in a nucl'ar holocaust in or%'r to sav' -ar6o-- Cuba but not pr'par'%
to try to k''p <omania un%'r control= ;hy! although th'y ha% giv'n assuranc's o-
th'ir loyalty to th' ;arsa) $r'aty! )'r' th' C@'ch l'a%'rs imm'%iat'ly %ismiss'%!
)hil' th' rul'rs o- <omania )'r' allo)'% to sh'% th'ir yok' )ithout complications o-
any sort= ;hat ma%' <omania an '/c'ption= ;hy )as sh' -orgiv'n -or 'v'rything=

2

Many '/planations ar' put -or)ar% -or th' b'haviour o- Sovi't Communists in th'
int'rnational ar'na $h' most popular is that th' Sovi't 0nion is! 'ss'ntially! th' ol%
<ussian Bmpir'66an% an 'mpir' must gro) & goo% th'ory Simpl' an% 'asy to
un%'rstan% ?ut it has on' %'-'ct66it cannot '/plain th' cas' o- <omania "n -act!
non' o- th' popular th'ori's can '/plain )hy th' Sovi't rul'rs took such ra%ically
%i--'ring approach's to th' probl'ms o- in%'p'n%'nc' in C@'choslovakia an% in
<omania (o singl' th'ory can '/plain both th' intol'ranc' )hich th' Sovi't
l'a%'rship sho)'% to)ar%s th' g'ntl' criticism )hich cam' -rom C@'choslovakia an%
th'ir astonishing imp'rviousn'ss to th' -urious abus' )ith )hich <omania sho)'r'%
th'm
"- th' Sovi't 0nion is to b' r'gar%'% as an 'mpir'! it is impossibl' to un%'rstan%
)hy it %o's not try to '/pan% south6'ast)ar%s! to)ar%s th' -'rtil' -i'l%s an%
vin'yar%s o- <omania 7or a thousan% y'ars! poss'ssion o- th' ?lack S'a straits has
b''n th' %r'am o- <ussian princ's! tsars an% 'mp'rors $h' roa% to th' straits li's
through <omania ;hy %o's th' Sovi't 0nion l'ap into )ars -or Vi'tnam an%
Cambo%ia! risking collision )ith th' gr'at'st po)'rs in th' )orl% an% y't -org't about
<omania! )hich li's right un%'r its nos'=
"n -act th' '/planation is v'ry simpl' $h' 0SS< is not <ussia or th' <ussian
Bmpir'F it is not an 'mpir' at all $o b'li'v' that th' Sovi't 0nion con-orms to
'stablish'% historical stan%ar%s is a v'ry %ang'rous simpli-ication Bv'ry 'mpir' has
'/pan%'% in its Gu'st -or n') t'rritori's! subA'cts an% )'alth $h' motivating -orc' o-
th' Sovi't 0nion is Guit' %i--'r'nt $h' Sovi't 0nion %o's not n''% n') t'rritory
Sovi't Communists hav' slaught'r'% scor's o- millions o- th'ir o)n p'asants an%
hav' nationalis'% th'ir lan%! )hich th'y ar' unabl' to %'v'lop! 'v'n i- th'y )ish'% to
$h' Sovi't 0nion has no n''% o- n') slav's Sovi't Communists hav' shot si/ty
million o- th'ir o)n subA'cts! thus %'monstrating th'ir compl't' inability to rul' th'm
$h'y cannot rul' or 'v'n '--'ctiv'ly control thos' )ho r'main aliv' Sovi't
Communists hav' no n''% o- gr'at'r )'alth $h'y sGuan%'r th'ir o)n limitl'ss
r'sourc's 'asily an% -r''ly $h'y ar' r'a%y to buil% hug' %ams in th' %'s'rts o- &-rica
-or n'/t to nothing! to giv' a)ay th'ir oil at th' '/p'ns' o- Sovi't "n%ustry! to pay
lavishly! in gol%! -or any a%v'nturous sch'm'! an% to support all sorts o- -r''6boot'rs
6
an% anarchists! no matt'r )hat th' cost! 'v'n i- this brings ruination to th'ir o)n
p'opl' an% to th' national '/ch'Gu'r
.i--'r'nt stimuli an% oth'r %riving -orc's ar' at )ork upon th' Sovi't 0nion in th'
int'rnational ar'na :'r'in li's th' -un%am'ntal %i--'r'nc' )hich %istinguish's it -rom
all 'mpir's! inclu%ing th' ol% <ussian v'rsion! an% h'r' too li's th' main %ang'r
$h' Sovi't Communist %ictatorship! lik' any oth'r syst'm! s''ks to pr's'rv' its
o)n '/ist'nc' $o %o this it is -orc'% to stamp out any spark o- %issi%'nc' )hich
app'ars! 'ith'r on its o)n t'rritory or b'yon% its bor%'rs & communist r'gim' cannot
-''l s'cur' so long as an '/ampl' o- anoth'r kin% o- li-' '/ists any)h'r' n'ar it! )ith
)hich its subA'cts can %ra) comparisons "t is -or this r'ason that any -orm o-
Communism! not only th' Sovi't vari'ty! is al)ays at pains to shut its'l- o-- -rom th'
r'st o- th' )orl%! )ith a curtain! )h'th'r this is ma%' o- iron! bamboo or som' oth'r
mat'rial
$h' -ronti'rs o- a stat' )hich has nationalis'% its h'avy in%ustry an% coll'ctivis'%
its agricultur'66)hich has! in oth'r )or%s! carri'% out a Dsocialist trans-ormationE66
ar' al)ays r'minisc'nt o- a conc'ntration camp! )ith th'ir barb'% )ir'! )atch6to)'rs
)ith s'archlights an% guar%6%ogs (o Communist stat' can allo) its slav's -r''
mov'm'nt across its -ronti'rs
"n th' )orl% to%ay th'r' ar' millions o- r'-ug''s &ll o- th'm ar' in -light -rom
Communism "- th' Communists )'r' to op'n th'ir -ronti'rs! all th'ir slav's )oul%
-l'' "t is -or this r'ason that th' .'mocratic <'public o- Campuch'a has s't up
millions o- traps along its bor%'rs66sol'ly to pr'v'nt anyon' -rom att'mpting to l'av'
this Communist para%is' $h' Bast 8'rman Communists ar' 'n'mi's o- th'
Campuch'an r'gim' but th'y! too! hav' install'% th' sam' sort o- traps along th'ir
o)n bor%'rs ?ut n'ith'r &sian cunning nor 8'rman or%'rlin'ss can pr'v'nt p'opl'
-rom -l''ing -rom Communism an% th' Communist l'a%'rs ar' th'r'-or' -ac'% )ith
th' imm'ns' probl'm o- %'stroying th' soci'ti's )hich might captur' th' imagination
o- th'ir p'opl' an% b'ckon to th'm
Mar/ )as rightH th' t)o syst'ms cannot co6'/ist &n% no matt'r ho) p'ac'6loving
Communists may b'! th'y com' un-ailingly to th' conclusion that )orl% r'volution is
in'scapabl' $h'y must 'ith'r annihilat' capitalism or b' put to %'ath by th'ir o)n
p'opl'
$h'r' ar' som' Communist countri's )hich ar' consi%'r'% p'ac'6loving66&lbania!
.'mocratic Campuch'a! *ugoslavia ?ut th' lov' o- p'ac' )hich th's' countri's a--'ct
is simply th' pro%uct o- th'ir )'akn'ss $h'y ar' not y't strong 'nough to sp'ak o-
)orl% r'volution! b'caus' o- th'ir int'rnal or '/t'rnal probl'ms ?ut r'gim's )hich
can har%ly b' much mor' s'l-6con-i%'nt than th's'! such as Cuba! Vi'tnam an% (orth
Cor'a! Guickly plung' into th' h'roic struggl' to lib'rat' oth'r countri's! o- )hich
th'y kno) nothing! -rom th' yok' o- capitalism
Communist China has h'r o)n v'ry cl'ar b'li'- in th' in'vitability o- )orl%
r'volution Sh' has sho)n h'r han% in Cor'a! in Vi'tnam! in Cambo%ia an% in &-rica
Sh' is still )'ak an% th'r'-or' p'ac'6loving! as th' Sovi't 0nion )as %uring its p'rio%
o- in%ustrialisation ?ut China! too! -ac's th' -un%am'ntal probl'm o- ho) to k''p h'r
billion6strong population -rom th' t'mptation to -l'' -rom th' country $raps along th'
bor%'rs! th' Aamming o- ra%io broa%casts! almost compl't' isolation66non' o- th's'
pro%uc's th' %'sir'% r'sult an% )h'n China b'com's an in%ustrial an% military sup'r6
po)'r sh'! too! )ill b' -orc'% to us' mor' ra%ical m'asur's Sh' has n'v'r c'as'% to
sp'ak o- )orl% r'volution
$h' -act that Communists o- %i--'r'nt countri's -ight b't)''n th'ms'lv's -or th'
l'a%ing rol' in th' )orl% r'volution is unimportant ;hat is signi-icant is that all hav'
th' sam' goalH i- th'y c'as' to pursu' it th'y ar'! in '--'ct! committing suici%'
7
I>ur only salvation li's in )orl% r'volutionH 'ith'r )' achi'v' it )hat'v'r th'
sacri-ic's! or )' )ill b' crush'% by th' p'tty bourg'oisi'!4 sai% (ikolay ?ukharin! th'
most lib'ral an% p'ac'6loving m'mb'r o- ,'nin4s Politburo $h' mor' ra%ical m'mb'rs
o- th' Communist -orum a%vocat'% an imm'%iat' r'volutionary )ar against bourg'ois
Burop' >n' o- th'm! ,'v $rotsky! -oun%'% th' <'% &rmy66th' army o- ;orl%
<'volution "n 192+ this army tri'% to -orc' its )ay across Polan% to r'volutionary
8'rmany $his att'mpt collaps'% $h' )orl% r'volution has not tak'n plac'H it has
b''n %isastrously %'lay'% but soon'r or lat'r th' Communists must 'ith'r bring it
about or p'rish

5

$o th' Sovi't 0nion <omania is an oppon'nt &n 'n'my &n obstinat' an% unruly
n'ighbour $o all int'nts an% purpos's an ally o- China an% o- "sra'l *'t not a singl'
Sovi't subA'ct %r'ams o- 'scaping to <omania or aspir's to '/chang' Sovi't li-' -or
th' <omanian v'rsion $h'r'-or' <omania is not a %ang'rous 'n'my :'r '/ist'nc'
%o's not thr'at'n th' -oun%ations o- Sovi't Communism! an% this is )hy %rastic
m'asur's hav' n'v'r b''n tak'n against h'r :o)'v'r! th' -irst stirrings o- %'mocracy
in C@'choslovakia r'pr's'nt'% a pot'ntially %ang'rous contagion -or th' p'opl's o-
th' Sovi't 0nion! Aust as th' chang' o- r'gim' in :ungary r'pr's'nt'% a v'ry
%ang'rous '/ampl' -or th'm $h' Sovi't l'a%'rs un%'rstoo% Guit' cl'arly that )hat
happ'n'% in Bast 8'rmany might also happ'n in Bsthonia! that )hat happ'n'% in
C@'choslovakia might happ'n in th' 0krain'! an% it )as -or this r'ason that Sovi't
tanks crush'% :ungarian stu%'nts so pitil'ssly b'n'ath th'ir tracks
$h' '/ist'nc' o- <omania! )hich! )hil' it may b' unruly! is n'v'rth'l'ss a typical
Communist r'gim'! )ith its cult o- a supr'm' an% in-allibl' l'a%'r! )ith psychiatric
prisons! )ith )atch to)'rs along its -ronti'rs! pr's'nts no thr'at to th' Sovi't 0nion
?y contrast! th' '/ist'nc' o- $urk'y! )h'r' p'asants cultivat' th'ir o)n lan%! is lik' a
%ang'rous plagu'! an in-'ction )hich might spr'a% into Sovi't t'rritory $his is )hy
th' Sovi't 0nion %o's so much to %'stabilis' th' $urkish r'gim'! )hil' %oing nothing
to uns'at th' unruly gov'rnm'nt in <omania
7or th' Communists any sort o- -r''%om is %ang'rous! no matt'r )h'r' it '/ists66in
S)'%'n or in Bl Salva%or! in Cana%a or in $ai)an 7or Communists any %'gr'' o-
-r''%om is %ang'rous66)h'th'r it is compl't' or partial! )h'th'r it is 'conomic!
political or r'ligious -r''%om I;' )ill not spar' our -orc's in -ighting -or th' victory
o- CommunismH4 th's' ar' th' )or%s o- ,'oni% ?r'@hn'v I$o achi'v' victory -or
Communism throughout th' )orl%! )' ar' pr'par'% -or any sacri-ic'H4 th's' ar' th'
)or%s o- Mao $s'6$ung $h'y also soun% lik' th' )or%s o- -'llo)6think'rs 7or that is
)hat th'y ar' $h'ir philosophi's ar' i%'ntical! although th'y b'long to %i--'r'nt
branch's o- th' sam' Ma-ia $h'ir philosophi's must b' i%'ntical! -or n'ith'r can sl''p
soun%ly so long as th'r' is! any)h'r' in th' )orl%! a small gl'am o- -r''%om )hich
coul% s'rv' as a gui%ing light -or thos' )ho hav' b''n 'nslav'% by th' Communists

3

"n th' past 'v'ry 'mpir' has b''n gui%'% by th' int'r'sts o- th' Stat'! o- its
'conomy! o- its p'opl' or at l'ast o- its ruling class Bmpir's cam' to a halt )h'n th'y
sa) insup'rabl' obstacl's or invincibl' opposition in th'ir paths Bmpir's cam' to a
halt )h'n -urth'r gro)th b'cam' %ang'rous or 'conomically un%'sirabl' $h' <ussian
Bmpir'! -or '/ampl'! sol% &laska -or a million %ollars an% its coloni's in Cali-ornia at a
similarly ch'ap pric' b'caus' th'r' )as no Austi-ication -or r'taining th's' t'rritori's
$o%ay th' Sovi't Communists ar' sGuan%'ring millions o- %ollars 'ach %ay in or%'r to
8
hang on to Cuba $h'y cannot giv' it up! no matt'r )hat th' cost may b'! no matt'r
)hat 'conomic catastroph' may thr'at'n th'm
Cuba is th' outpost o- th' )orl% r'volution in th' )'st'rn h'misph'r' $o giv' up
Cuba )oul% b' to giv' up )orl% r'volution an% that )oul% b' th' 'Guival'nt o- suici%'
-or Communism $h' -angs o- Communism turn in)ar%s! lik' thos' o- a python "- th'
Communists )'r' to s't about s)allo)ing th' )orl%! th'y )oul% hav' to s)allo) it
)hol' $h' trag'%y is that! i- th'y shoul% )ant to stop! this )oul% b' impossibl'
b'caus' o- th'ir physiology "- th' )orl% shoul% prov' to b' too big -or it! th' python
)oul% %i'! )ith gaping Aa)s! having buri'% its sharp -angs in th' so-t sur-ac'! but
lacking th' str'ngth to )ith%ra) th'm "t is not only th' Sovi't python )hich is
att'mpting to s)allo) th' )orl% but th' oth'r br''%s o- Communism! -or all ar' ti'%
in'scapably to pur' Mar/ism! an% thus to th' th'ory o- )orl% r'volution $h' pythons
may hiss an% bit' on' anoth'r but th'y ar' all o- on' sp'ci's
$h' Sovi't &rmy! or mor' accurat'ly th' <'% &rmy! th' &rmy o- ;orl% <'volution!
r'pr's'nts th' t''th o- th' most %ang'rous but also th' ol%'st o- th' pythons! )hich
b'gan to s)allo) th' )orl% by sinking its -angs into th' sur-ac' an% th'n r'alis'% Aust
ho) big th' )orl% is an% ho) %ang'rous -or its stomach ?ut th' python has not th'
str'ngth to )ith%ra) its -angs


)hy %as the )arsa% Treaty &rganisation set up later than
,AT&+

1

$h' countri's o- th' ;'st s't up (&$> in 1959 but th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation
)as cr'at'% only in 1933 7or th' Communists! comparison o- th's' t)o %at's mak's
'/c'll'nt propagan%a -or consumption by hun%r'%s o- millions o- gullibl' souls 7acts
ar' -acts66th' ;'st put tog'th'r a military bloc )hil' th' Communists simply took
count'r6m'asur's66an% th'r' )as a long %'lay b'-or' th'y 'v'n %i% that (ot only
that! but th' Sovi't 0nion an% its alli's hav' com' -or)ar% r'p'at'%ly an% p'rsist'ntly
)ith proposals -or br'aking up military blocs both in Burop' an% throughout th' )orl%
$h' countri's o- th' ;'st hav' r'A'ct'% th's' p'ac'6loving proposals almost
unanimously
,'t us tak' th' sinc'rity o- th' Communists at -ac' valu' ,'t us assum' that th'y
%o not )ant )ar ?ut! i- that is so! th' %'lay in 'stablishing a military allianc' o-
Communist stat's contra%icts a -un%am'ntal t'n't o- Mar/ismH I;ork'rs o- th' ;orl%
0nit'J4 is th' chi'- rallying cry o- Mar/ism ;hy %i% th' )ork'rs o- th' countri's o-
Bast'rn Burop' not hast'n to unit' in an allianc' against th' bourg'oisi'= ;h'nc'
such %isr'sp'ct -or Mar/= :o) %i% it happ'n that th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation )as
s't up! not in accor%anc' )ith th' Communist Mani-'sto but sol'ly as a r'action to
st'ps tak'n by th' bourg'ois countri's66an% th'n so b'lat'%ly=
Strang' though it may s''m! th'r' is no contra%iction )ith pur' Mar/ism in this
cas' ?ut! in trying to un%'rstan% th' aims an% structur's o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation! th' int'rr'lationships )ithin it an% th' %'lay in its 'stablishm'nt ()hich
at -irst sight is in'/plicabl')! )' shall not imm'rs' ours'lv's in th'ory nor att'mpt to
-ollo) th' intricat' )orkings o- this un)i'l%y bur'aucratic organisation "- )' stu%y
th' -at' o- Marshal C C <okossovskiy )' shall com' to un%'rstan%! i- not 'v'rything!
at l'ast th' 'ss'ntials

2
9

Constantin Constantinovich <okossovskiy )as born in 189# in th' ol% <ussian to)n
o- V'likiy' ,uki &t 'ight''n h' )as call'% up by th' <ussian army :' sp'nt th' )hol'
o- th' )ar at th' -ront! -irst as a privat'! th'n as an (C> "n th' v'ry -irst %ays o- th'
<'volution h' )'nt ov'r to th' Communists an% Aoin'% th' <'% &rmy :'
%istinguish'% hims'l- -ighting against both th' <ussian an% Polish armi's :' mov'%
rapi%ly up)ar%s! 'n%ing th' )ar in comman% o- a r'gim'nt &-t'r th' )ar h'
comman%'% a briga%'! th'n a %ivision an% th'n a corps
&t th' tim' o- th' 8r'at Purg' th' Communists tortur'% or shot thos' p'opl' )ho
ha% miraculously surviv'% until th'n %'spit' past conn'ctions )ith th' <ussian
gov'rnm'nt! army! polic'! %iplomatic s'rvic'! church or cultur' <'% &rmy Corps
Comman%'r <okossovskiy -oun% hims'l- among th' millions o- victims b'caus' o- his
s'rvic' )ith th' <ussian army
.uring th' inv'stigations h' un%'r)'nt appalling tortur's (in' o- his t''th )'r'
knock'% out! thr'' o- his ribs )'r' brok'n! his to's )'r' hamm'r'% -lat :' )as
s'nt'nc'% to %'ath an% sp'nt mor' than thr'' months in th' con%'mn'% c'll $h'r' is
t'stimony! inclu%ing his o)n! that! t)ic'! at l'ast! h' )as subA'ct'% to mock
shootings! b'ing l'% to th' plac' o- '/'cution at night! an% ma%' to stan% at th' '%g'
o- a grav' as g'n'rals on his right an% l'-t )'r' shot! )hil' h' )as I'/'cut'%4 )ith a
blank cartri%g' -ir'% at th' nap' o- his n'ck
>n th' 'v' o- th' )ar b't)''n 8'rmany an% th' Sovi't 0nion <okossovskiy )as l't
out o- gaol an% giv'n th' rank o- MaAor68'n'ral o- $ank 7orc's an% comman% o- a
m'chanis'% corps :o)'v'r! th' charg' r'sulting -rom his s'rvic' )ith th' <ussian
army )as not %ropp'% an% th' %'ath s'nt'nc' )as not annull'% I$ak' comman% o-
this m'chanis'% corps! prison'r! an% )'4ll s'' about your %'ath s'nt'nc' lat'r4
>n th' s'con% %ay o- th' )ar! <okossovskiy4s 9th M'chanis'% Corps struck an
un'/p'ct'% an% po)'r-ul blo) against 8'rman tanks! )hich )'r' br'aking through in
th' ar'a o- <ovno an% ,utsk! at a mom'nt )h'n th' r'st o- th' Sovi't -orc's )'r'
r'tr'ating in panic "n a situation o- con-usion an% %isorganisation! <okossovskiy
sho)'% calmn'ss an% courag' in his %'-'nc' o- th' Sovi't r'gim' :' manag'% to
maintain th' -ighting '--ici'ncy o- his corps an% to mak' s'v'ral succ'ss-ul count'r6
attacks >n th' t)'nti'th %ay o- th' )ar h' )as promot'%! b'coming Comman%'r o-
th' 1#th &rmy! )hich %istinguish'% its'l- both in th' battl' o- Smol'nsk an%!
'sp'cially! in th' battl' -or Mosco)! )h'n! -or th' -irst tim' in th' cours' o- th' )ar!
th' 8'rman army )as h'avily %'-'at'% .uring th' battl' o- Stalingra% <okossovskiy
comman%'% th' .on -ront! )hich play'% a %'cisiv' rol' in th' 'ncircl'm'nt an%
compl't' %'struction o- th' strong'st 8'rman battl' group! consisting o- t)'nty6t)o
%ivisions
.uring th' battl' -or Cursk! )h'n )'ath'r con%itions put th' cont'stants on 'Gual
t'rms! <okossovskiy comman%'% th' C'ntral 7ront! )hich play'% a maAor part in
smashing :itl'r4s last att'mpt to achi'v' a %'cisiv' succ'ss $h'r'a-t'r <okossovskiy
succ'ss-ully comman%'% -orc's in op'rations in ?y'lorussia! Bast Prussia! Bast'rn
Pom'rania an%! -inally! in ?'rlin
Stars rain'% upon <okossovskiy $h'y -'ll on to his shoul%'r boar%s! on to his ch'st
an% aroun% his n'ck "n 1955 h' )as a)ar%'% th' %iamon% Marshal4s Star an% a gol%
star to pin on his ch'st "n 1953 h' )as a)ar%'% both th' Victory or%'r! on )hich
sparkl' no l'ss than on' hun%r'% %iamon%s! an% a s'con% gol% star Stalin con-'rr'%
th' high'st honour on <okossovskiy by giving him comman% o- th' Victory Para%' on
<'% SGuar'
?ut )hat has all this to %o )ith th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation= $h' -act that!
imm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' )ar! Stalin s'nt his -avourit'! <okossovskiy! to ;arsa) an% gav'
him th' titl' o- Marshal o- Polan% to a%% to his '/isting rank as Marshal o- th' Sovi't
10
0nion "n ;arsa) <okossovskiy h'l% th' posts o- Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! .'puty
Pr'si%'nt o- th' Council o- Minist'rs an% M'mb'r o- th' Politburo o- th' Polish
Communist Party $hink -or a mom'nt about th' -ull signi-icanc' o- this66a Marshal o-
th' Sovi't 0nion as %'puty to th' h'a% o- th' Polish gov'rnm'ntJ
"n practic' <okossovskiy act'% as military gov'rnor o- Polan%! s'nior )atch%og ov'r
th' Polish gov'rnm'nt an% sup'rvisor o- th' Polish Politburo &s all6po)'r-ul rul'r o-
Polan%! <okossovskiy r'main'% a -avourit' o- Stalin4s! but a -avourit' )ho )as un%'r
s'nt'nc' o- %'ath! a s'nt'nc' )hich )as li-t'% only a-t'r th' %'ath o- Stalin in 1932
& -avourit' o- this sort coul% hav' b''n shot at any mom'nt ?ut! 'v'n i- th' %'ath
s'nt'nc' ha% b''n li-t'%! )oul% it hav' tak'n long to impos' a n') on'=
(o) l't us s'' th' situation -rom th' point o- vi') o- th' 8'n'ralissimo o- th'
Sovi't 0nion! 9 V Stalin :is subor%inat' in ;arsa) is Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion
<okossovskiy $his subor%inat' carri's out all or%'rs unGu'stioningly! accurat'ly an%
sp''%ily ;hy shoul% Stalin conclu%' a military allianc' )ith him= Bv'n to cont'mplat'
such a st'p )oul% sho) a -lagrant %isr'gar% -or th' principl's o- subor%ination an%
)oul% b' an o--'nc' in its'l- & s'rg'ant has no right to mak' an agr''m'nt o- any
kin% )ith th' sol%i'rs un%'r him or a g'n'ral )ith his o--ic'rs "n th' sam' )ay! a
8'n'ralissimo is not 'ntitl'% to conclu%' allianc's )ith his o)n Marshal "t is th' right
an% %uty o- a comman%'r to giv' or%'rs an% a subor%inat' is boun% to ob'y th's'
or%'rs &ny oth'r kin% o- r'lationship b't)''n comman%'rs an% th'ir subor%inat's is
'ntir'ly -orbi%%'n $h' r'lationship b't)''n Stalin an% <okossovskiy )as bas'% upon
th' -act that Stalin gav' th' or%'rs an% that <okossovskiy carri'% th'm out )ithout
Gu'stion

2

$h' -act that h' kn') no Polish %i% not %isturb <okossovskiy in th' slight'st "n
thos' glorious %ays not a singl' g'n'ral in th' Polish army spok' Polish! r'lying
inst'a% on int'rpr't'rs )ho )'r' constantly in att'n%anc'
"n <ussia in 1911 a Polish nobl'man! 7'li/ .@'r@hinskiy! 'stablish'% a bloo%6stain'%
organisationF this )as th' Ch'ka! th' -or'runn'r o- th' 8P0! (CV.! M8?! an% C8?
?'t)''n 1929 an% 195+ this organisation %'stroy'% th' -lo)'r o- th' Polish o--ic'r
corps .uring th' )ar a n') Polish army )as -orm'% in th' Sovi't 0nion $h' sol%i'rs
an% Aunior o--ic'rs o- this army )'r' Pol's! th' s'nior o--ic'rs an% g'n'rals )'r'
Sovi'ts ;h'n th'y )'r' trans-'rr'% to th' Polish army th' Sovi'ts r'c'iv'% Aoint
Polish6Sovi't nationality an% Polish military ranks! )hil' r'maining on th' str'ngth o-
th' Sovi't military hi'rarchy :'r' is on' cas' history -rom many thousan%sH
7yo%or P'trovich Polynin )as born in 19+# in th' provinc' o- Saratov :' Aoin'% th'
<'% &rmy in 1928 an% b'cam' a pilot "n 1928629 h' -ought in China )ith th' -orc's
o- Chiang Cai6Sh'k :' us'% a Chin's' nam' an% )as giv'n Chin's' nationality
&lthough thus a Chin's' subA'ct! h' )as n'v'rth'l'ss ma%' a I:'ro o- th' Sovi't
0nion4 :' r'turn'% to th' Sovi't 0nion an% r'v'rt'% to Sovi't nationality .uring th'
)ar h' comman%'% th' 12th ?omb'r .ivision an% th'n th' #th &ir &rmy :' b'cam'
a ,i'ut'nant68'n'ral in th' Sovi't &ir 7orc' "n 1955 h' b'cam' a Polish g'n'ral :'
n'v'r l'arn'% Polish :' )as ma%' Comman%'r o- th' &ir 7orc' o- sov'r'ign!
in%'p'n%'nt Polan%
"n 195#! )hil' still hol%ing this high position in Polan%! h' r'c'iv'% th' rank o-
IColon'l68'n'ral o- th' &ir 7orc'4 $h' &ir 7orc' conc'rn'% )as! o- cours'! th' Sovi't
on'! -or Polynin )as also a Sovi't 8'n'ral $h' announc'm'nt that this rank ha% b''n
a)ar%'% to th' o--ic'r comman%ing th' Polish &ir 7orc' )as sign'% by th' Pr'si%'nt o-
th' Council o- Minist'rs o- th' 0SS<! 8'n'ralissimo o- th' Sovi't 0nion! 9 V Stalin
11
&-t'r a -urth'r short p'rio% in Polan%! as i- this )as an 'ntir'ly normal
%'v'lopm'nt! 7'%ya Polynin r'sum'% his Sovi't rank an% )as giv'n th' post o-
.'puty to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' Sovi't &ir 7orc's .uring his y'ars in
comman% o- th' Polish &ir 7orc'! h' l'arn'% not a singl' )or% o- Polish ;hy shoul%
h' both'r to %o so= :is or%'rs r'ach'% him -rom Mosco) in <ussian an% )h'n h'
r'port'% that th'y ha% b''n carri'% out h' %i% so in <ussian! too (on' o- his
subor%inat's at th' h'a%Guart'rs o- th' Polish &ir 7orc' spok' Polish 'ith'r! so that
th'r' )as no point in l'arning th' languag'
>nc' again! )hy shoul% Stalin conclu%' a military allianc' )ith 7'%ya Polynin! i- th'
latt'r )as no mor' than a subor%inat' o- <okossovskiy! )ho )as hims'l- subor%inat'%
to Stalin= ;hy s't up a military allianc' i- a mor' r'liabl' an% simpl'r lin' o- %ir'ct
comman% )as alr'a%y in '/ist'nc'=

5

$h' Polish &rmy! )hich )as s't up in 1952 on Sovi't t'rritory! )as simply a part o-
th' <'% &rmy! h'a%'% by Sovi't comman%'rs! an% it %i% not! o- cours'! r'cognis' th'
Polish gov'rnm'nt6in6'/il' in ,on%on "n 1955 th' Communists 'stablish'% a n')
Ip'opl'4s4 gov'rnm'nt! a larg' part o- )hich consist'% o- inv'stigators -rom th' (CV.
an% -rom Sovi't military count'rint'llig'nc' (SMB<S:) :o)'v'r! 'v'n a-t'r th'
Ip'opl'4s4 gov'rnm'nt ha% b''n 'stablish'%! th' Polish army %i% not com' un%'r its
comman%! r'maining a part o- th' Sovi't &rmy &-t'r th' )ar! th' Ip'opl'4s4
gov'rnm'nt o- Polan% )as Guit' simply not 'mpo)'r'% to appoint th' g'n'rals in th'
IPolish4 army or to promot' or %'mot' th'm $his )as un%'rstan%abl'! sinc' th'
g'n'rals )'r' also Sovi't g'n'rals an% posting th'm )oul% amount to int'r-'r'nc' in
th' int'rnal a--airs o- th' 0SS<
$h'r' )as no r'ason )hy th' Sovi't gov'rnm'nt shoul% hav' ha% th' slight'st
int'ntion o- s'tting up any kin% o- ;arsa) $r'aty! Consultativ' Committ'' or oth'r
similarly non6-unctional sup'rstructur' (o on' n''%'% a tr'aty! sinc' th' Polish army
)as nothing mor' than a part o- th' Sovi't army! an% th' Polish gov'rnm'nt! brought
up to str'ngth )ith Sovi't cut6throats an% bully boys! )as not allo)'% to int'rv'n' in
th' a--airs o- th' Polish army
('v'rth'l'ss! a-t'r th' %'ath o- Stalin! th' Sovi't gov'rnm'nt! h'a%'% by Marshal
o- th' Sovi't 0nion ?ulganin! %'ci%'% to conclu%' an o--icial military agr''m'nt )ith
th' countri's it )as occupying Communist propagan%a proclaim'%! at th' top o- its
voic'! as it continu's to %o! that this )as a voluntary agr''m'nt! ma%' b't)''n -r''
countri's ?ut a singl' '/ampl' -rom th' tim' )h'n th' o--icial %ocum'nt )as sign'%
is an in%ication o- th' truth $h' signatory -or th' Sovi't 0nion )as Marshal o- th'
Sovi't 0nion 8 C Khukov! an% -or -r''! in%'p'n%'nt! popular! socialist Polan% Marshal
o- th' Sovi't 0nion <okossovskiy! assist'% by Colon'l68'n'ral S 8 Poplavskiy66
<okossovskiy4s %'puty Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion ?ulganin! )ho )as pr's'nt at th'
c'r'mony! took th' opportunity to a)ar% Colon'l68'n'ral Poplavskiy th' rank o-
8'n'ral o- th' &rmy *ou hav'! o- cours'! gu'ss'% that Poplavskiy! )ho sign'% -or
Polan%! )as also a Sovi't g'n'ral an% th' subor%inat' o- Marshals ?ulganin! Khukov
an% <okossovskiy ;ithin t)o y'ars Poplavskiy ha% r'turn'% to th' 0SS< an% b'com'
%'puty to th' "nsp'ctor 8'n'ral o- th' Sovi't &rmy $h's' )'r' th' sort o- miracl's
)hich took plac' in ;arsa)! irr'sp'ctiv' o- th' '/ist'nc' o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty
<okossovskiy! Poplavskiy! Polynin an% th' oth'rs )'r' comp'll'% by Sovi't l'gislation
to carry out th' or%'rs )hich r'ach'% th'm -rom Mosco) $h' $r'aty n'ith'r
incr'as'% nor l'ss'n'% Polan%4s %'p'n%'nc' upon th' 0SS<
:o)'v'r Polan% is a sp'cial cas' ;ith oth'r Bast Burop'an countri's it )as much
'asi'r "n C@'choslovakia th'r' )'r' r'liabl' p'opl' lik' ,u%)ig Svobo%a! )ho
12
n'utralis'% th' C@'ch army in 1958 an% %i% so again in 19#8 :' carri'% out th'
or%'rs o- th' 0SS< promptly an% to th' l'tt'r an% it )as th'r'-or' not n'c'ssary to
k''p a Sovi't Marshal in Pragu' hol%ing a minist'rial post in th' C@'ch gov'rnm'nt
;ith th' oth'r Bast Burop'an countri's! too! 'v'rything )'nt )'ll .uring th' )ar all
o- th'm ha% b''n 'n'mi's o- th' 0SS< an% it )as th'r'-or' possibl' to '/'cut' any
political -igur'! g'n'ral! o--ic'r or privat' sol%i'r! at any giv'n mom'nt an% to r'plac'
him )ith som'on' mor' coop'rativ' $h' syst'm )ork'% p'r-'ctlyF th' Sovi't
ambassa%ors to th' countri's o- Bast'rn Burop' k'pt a clos' 'y' on its op'ration
;hat sort o- ambassa%ors th's' )'r' you can Au%g' -rom th' -act that )h'n th'
;arsa) $r'aty )as sign'% th' Sovi't &mbassa%or to :ungary! -or instanc'! )as *uriy
&n%ropov! )ho subs'Gu'ntly b'cam' h'a% o- th' C8? "t )as th'r'-or'
un%'rstan%abl' that :ungary shoul% )'lcom' th' tr'aty )armly an% sign it )ith %''p
pl'asur'
0n%'r Stalin! Polan% an% th' oth'r countri's o- Bast'rn Burop' )'r' gov'rn'% by a
syst'm o- op'n %ictatorship! uncamou-lag'% in any )ay $h' ;arsa) $r'aty %i% not
'/ist -or on' simpl' r'ason66it )as not n''%'% &ll %'cisions )'r' tak'n in th' Cr'mlin
an% monitor'% by th' Cr'mlin $h' .'-'nc' Minist'rs o- th' Bast Burop'an countri's
)'r' r'gar%'% as 'Gual in status to th' Comman%'rs o- Sovi't Military .istricts an%
th'y cam' un%'r th' %ir'ct comman% o- th' Sovi't Minist'r o- .'-'nc' &ll
appointm'nts an% postings )'r' %'ci%'% upon by th' Cr'mlin $h' .'-'nc' Minist'rs
o- th' Isov'r'ign4 stat's o- Bast'rn Burop' )'r' 'ith'r appoint'% -rom th' ranks o-
Sovi't g'n'rals or )'r' Iassist'%4 by Sovi't military a%vis'rs "n <omania an%
?ulgaria! -or instanc'! on' such Ia%vis'r4 )as Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion $olbukhin
"n Bast 8'rmany th'r' )as Marshal Khukov hims'l-! in :ungary Marshal o- th' Sovi't
0nion Con'v Bach a%vis'r ha% at his %isposal at l'ast on' tank army! s'v'ral all6arms
armi's an% sp'cial SMB<S: punitiv' %'tachm'nts $o %isr'gar% his Ia%vic'4 )oul% b'
a v'ry risky busin'ss
&-t'r Stalin4s %'ath th' Sovi't l'a%'rship 'mbark'% on th' proc'ss o-
Ilib'ralisation4 "n Bast'rn Burop' 'v'rything stay'% as it )as! -or all that happ'n'%
)as that th' Sovi't gov'rnm'nt ha% %'ci%'% to conc'al its )ol-4s Aa)s b'hin% th'
mask o- a Ivoluntary4 agr''m'nt! a-t'r th' (&$> mo%'l
$o som' p'opl' in Bast'rn Burop' it r'ally s''m'% as though %ictatorship ha% com'
to an 'n% an% that th' tim' -or a voluntary military agr''m'nt ha% arriv'% ?ut th'y
)'r' Guit' )rong 9ust on' y'ar a-t'r th' signing o- this Ivoluntary4 allianc' th'
actions o- Sovi't tanks in Polan% an% :ungary gav' cl'ar proo- that 'v'rything )as
still as it ha% b''n un%'r Stalin! '/c'pt -or som' small! cosm'tic alt'rations

3

Communist propagan%a Guit' %'lib'rat'ly bl'n%s t)o conc'ptsF that o- th' military
organisation in -orc' in th' Communist stat's o- Bast'rn Burop' an% that o- th'
;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation $h' military organisation o- th' Bast Burop'an countri's
)as s't up imm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' <'% &rmy arriv'% on th'ir t'rritori's! in 1955 an%
1953 "n som' cas's! -or '/ampl' Polan% an% C@'choslovakia! military pro6Communist
-ormations ha% b''n 'stablish'% 'v'n b'-or' th' arrival o- th' <'% &rmy
$h' armi's o- Bast Burop'an countri's )hich )'r' s't up by Sovi't Imilitary
a%vis'rs4 )'r' -ully sup'rvis'% an% controll'% -rom Mosco) $h' military syst'm )hich
took shap' )as n'ith'r a multilat'ral organisation nor a s'ri's o- bilat'ral %'-'nsiv'
tr'ati's! but )as impos'%! -orcibly! on a unilat'ral basis in th' -orm in )hich it still
'/ists
$h' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation is a chim'ra! call'% into b'ing to camou-lag' th'
tyranny o- Sovi't Communism in th' countri's un%'r its occupation in or%'r to cr'at'
13
an illusion o- -r'' )ill an% corporat' spirit Communist propagan%a claims that it )as
as a r'sult o- th' 'stablishm'nt o- (&$> that th' countri's o- Bast'rn Burop' cam'
tog'th'r in a military allianc' $h' truth is that! at th' 'n% o- th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar!
th' Sovi't 0nion took -ull control o- th' armi's o- th' countri's )hich it ha% ov'rrun!
long b'-or' (&$> cam' into '/ist'nc' "t )as many y'ars lat'r that th' Communists
%'ci%'% to conc'al th'ir mail'% -ist an% att'mpt to pr's'nt th' cr'ation o- (&$> as
th' mom'nt )h'n th' military -ram')ork o- Bast'rn Burop' )as s't up
?ut th' Communists lack'% th' imagination to 'stablish this pur'ly ornam'ntal
organisation! )hich '/ists sol'ly to conc'al grim r'ality! tact-ully an% )ith tast'
.uring th' >rganisation4s -irst thirt''n y'ars th' Minist'rs o- .'-'nc' o- th' sov'r'ign
stat's! )h'th'r th'y )'r' pro6Sovi't pupp'ts or actual Sovi't g'n'rals an% Marshals!
)'r' subor%inat'% to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'-! )ho )as appoint'% by th' Sovi't
gov'rnm'nt an% )ho )as hims'l- .'puty Minist'r o- .'-'nc' o- th' 0SS< $hus! 'v'n
in a l'gal s'ns'! th' Minist'rs o- th's' th'or'tically sov'r'ign stat's )'r' %ir'ctly
subor%inat'% to a Sovi't Minist'r4s %'puty &-t'r th' C@'choslovak a--air th' similarly
spurious Consultativ' Committ'' )as s't up "n this committ'' Minist'rs o- .'-'nc'
an% :'a%s o- Stat' gath'r suppos'%ly to talk as 'Guals an% alli's ?ut this is pur'
play6acting Bv'rything r'mains as it )as s'v'ral %'ca%'s ago .'cisions ar' still
ma%' in th' Cr'mlin $h' Consultativ' Committ'' tak's no %'cisions -or its'l-
&ny att'mpt to un%'rstan% th' compl'/ an% -anci-ul structur' o- committ''s an%
sta--s )hich mak' up th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation is a compl't' )ast' o- tim' "t
is rath'r lik' trying to un%'rstan% ho) th' Supr'm' Sovi't arriv's at its %'cisions or
ho) th' Pr'si%'nt o- th' Sovi't 0nion gov'rns th' country66th' natur' o- his authority
an% th' '/t'nt o- his r'sponsibiliti's *ou kno) b'-or' you start that! %'spit' its gr'at
compl'/ity! th' organisation has absolut'ly no r'ality $h' Supr'm' Sovi't n'ith'r
-ormulat's policy nor tak's %'cisions "t is pur'ly %'corativ'! lik' th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation! th'r' -or sho) an% nothing mor' "n th' sam' )ay! th' Pr'si%'nt o- th'
Sovi't 0nion hims'l- %o's nothing! tak's no %'cisions! an% has n'ith'r r'sponsibiliti's
nor authority :is post )as %'vis'% sol'ly to camou-lag' th' absolut' po)'r o- th'
8'n'ral S'cr'tary o- th' Communist Party o- th' Sovi't 0nion
$h' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation! th'n! is a bo%y o- th' sam' typ' as th' Supr'm'
Sovi't "t is a sho)pi'c' )hos' only -unction is to conc'al th' Cr'mlin4s %ictatorship
"ts Consultativ' Committ'' )as s't up sol'ly to hi%' th' -act that all %'cisions ar'
tak'n at th' :'a%Guart'rs o- th' Sovi't &rmy! on 8ogol ?oul'var% in Mosco) $h'
-unction o- th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation is pur'ly
%'corativ' ,ik' th' Pr'si%'nt o- th' Sovi't 0nion h' is )ithout authority &lthough h'
is still list'% among th' -irst %'puti's o- th' Sovi't Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! this is a l'gacy
o- th' past! an% is no mor' than an honour! -or h' is r'mot' -rom r'al po)'r
.uring a )ar! or any such un%'rtaking as I>p'ration .anub'4! th' Ialli'%4 %ivisions
o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation ar' int'grat'% in th' Sovi't &rmi's (on' o- th'
Bast Burop'an countri's has th' right to s't up its o)n Corps! &rmi's or 7ronts $h'y
hav' only %ivisions comman%'% by Sovi't g'n'rals "n th' 'v'nt o- )ar! th'ir
Minist'rs o- .'-'nc' )oul% b' conc'rn'% only )ith th' r'in-orc'm'nt! buil%6up an%
t'chnical s'rvicing o- th'ir o)n %ivisions! )hich )oul% op'rat' as part o- th' 0nit'%
(that is th' Sovi't) &rm'% 7orc's
,astly! a -') )or%s on th' ultimat' goal o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisationH th'
%isban%m'nt o- all military blocs! in Burop' an% throughout th' )orl% $his is th' r'al
aspiration o- our Sovi't I%ov's4 "t is bas'% on a v'ry simpl' calculation "- (&$> is
%isban%'%! th' ;'st )ill hav' b''n n'utralis'%! onc' an% -or all $h' syst'm o-
coll'ctiv' s'l-6%'-'nc' o- th' -r'' countri's )ill hav' c'as'% to '/ist "- th' ;arsa)
$r'aty >rganisation is %isban%'% at th' sam' tim'! th' 0SS< los's nothing '/c'pt a
cumb'rsom' publicity machin' "t )ill r'main in compl't' control o- th' armi's o- its
14
Ialli's4 $h' military organisation )ill surviv'! untouch'% &ll that )ill b' lost is th'
titl' its'l- an% th' organisation4s bur'aucratic rami-ications! )hich ar' n''%'% by
nobo%y
,'t us suppos'! -or '/ampl'! that 7ranc' shoul% su%%'nly r'turn to (&$> ;oul%
this b' a chang'= C'rtainly66on' o- almost global signi-icanc' ('/t! l't us suppos'
that Cuba %rops its Inon6alignm'nt4 an% Aoins th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation ;hat
)oul% this chang'= &bsolut'ly nothing Cuba )oul% r'main as aggr'ssiv' a pilot -ish
o- th' gr'at shark as sh' is to%ay

#

$h'r' ar' millions o- p'opl' )ho r'gar% (&$> an% th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation
as i%'ntical groupings ?ut to 'Guat' th's' t)o is absur%! b'caus' th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation has no r'al '/ist'nc' ;hat %o's '/ist Sovi't %ictatorship an% this has
no n''% to consult its alli's "- it is abl' to %o so! it s'i@'s th'm by th' throatF i- not it
bi%'s its tim'666Communists %o not ackno)l'%g' any oth'r typ' o- r'lationship )ith
th'ir associat's
$his is a truism! som'thing )hich is kno)n to 'v'ryon'! an% y't! 'v'ry y'ar!
hun%r'%s o- books ar' publish'% in )hich th' Sovi't &rmy is %'scrib'% as on' o- th'
-orc's making up th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation $his is nons'ns' $h' -orc's o- th'
;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation ar' a part o- th' Sovi't &rmy $h' Bast Burop'an
countri's ar' 'Guipp'% )ith Sovi't )'apons! instruct'% in Sovi't m'tho%s at Sovi't
military aca%'mi's an% controll'% by Sovi't Ia%vis'rs4 "t is tru' that som' o- th' Bast
Burop'an %ivisions )oul% b' gla% to turn roun% an% us' th'ir bayon'ts on th' Mosco)
l'a%'rship ?ut th'r' ar' Sovi't %ivisions )ho )oul% b' pr'par'% to %o this! too
Mutini's! on Sovi't ships an% in Sovi't %ivisions ar' -ar -rom rar'
& situation in )hich Sovi't propagan%a stan%s th' truth on its h'a% an% y't is
b'li'v'% by th' )hol' )orl% is by no m'ans a n') on' ?'-or' th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar
th' Sovi't Communists 'stablish'% an int'rnational union o- communist parti's66th'
Comint'rn "n th'ory! th' Sovi't Communist Party )as simply on' o- th' m'mb'rs o-
this organisation "n practic'! its l'a%'r! Stalin! )as abl' to caus' th' l'a%'r o- th'
Comint'rn! Kinovi'v! th'or'tically his sup'rior! to b' r'mov'% an% shot ,at'r!
%uring th' 8r'at Purg'! h' ha% th' l'a%'rs o- -rat'rnal communist parti's '/'cut'%
)ithout trial an% )ithout cons'Gu'nc's to hims'l- >--icially th' Sovi't Communist
Party )as a m'mb'r o- th' Comint'rn! but in -act th' Comint'rn its'l- )as a
subsi%iary organisation o- th' Sovi't Party $h' stan%ing o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation is '/actly similar >--icially th' Sovi't &rmy is a m'mb'r o- this
organisation but in practic' th' organisation is its'l- a part o- th' Sovi't &rmy &n%
th' -act that th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation is an o--icial
%'puty o- th' Sovi't Minist'r o- .'-'nc' is no coinci%'nc'
"n th' 193+s it )as %'ci%'% that a buil%ing shoul% b' 'r'ct'% in Mosco) to hous'
th' sta-- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation ?ut it )as n'v'r put up b'caus' nobo%y
n''%'% it66any mor' than th'y n''% th' )hol' organisation $h' Sovi't 8'n'ral Sta--
'/ists an% this is all that is r'Guir'% to %ir'ct both th' Sovi't &rmy an% all its
Iyoung'r broth'rs4


The -ermuda Triangle

1

15
& triangl' is th' strong'st an% most rigi% g'om'tric -igur' "- th' planks o- a %oor
)hich you hav' knock'% tog'th'r b'gin to )arp! nail anoth'r plank %iagonally across
th'm $his )ill %ivi%' your r'ctangular construction into t)o triangl's an% th' %oor )ill
th'n hav' th' n'c'ssary stability
$h' triangl' has b''n us'% in 'ngin''ring -or a v'ry long tim' ,ook at th' Bi--'l
to)'r! at th' m'tal -ram')ork o- th' airship :in%'nburg! or Aust at any rail)ay bri%g'!
an% you )ill s'' that 'ach o- th's' is an amalgamation o- thousan%s o- triangl's!
)hich giv' th' structur' rigi%ity an% stability
$h' triangl' is strong an% stabl'! not only in 'ngin''ring but in politics! too
Political syst'ms bas'% on %ivision o- po)'r an% on th' int'rplay o- thr'' balancing
-orc's hav' b''n th' most stabl' throughout history $h's' ar' th' principl's upon
)hich th' 0nion o- Sovi't Socialist <'publics is built
Bnormous probl'ms an% %i--iculti's ar' sai% to li' b'-or' th' Sovi't 0nion ?ut
Sovi't l'a%'rs hav' al)ays b''n con-ront'% by probl'ms o- consi%'rabl' magnitu%'!
-rom th' v'ry b'ginnings o- Sovi't po)'r $h'n! too! th' collaps' o- th' r'gim' )as
thought to b' in'vitabl' ?ut it surviv'% -our y'ars o- bloo%y struggl' against th'
<ussian armyF it surviv'% th' mutiny o- th' ?altic -l''t! )hich ha% its'l- h'lp'% to
bring about th' <'volutionF it surviv'% th' mass -light o- th' int'llig'ntsia! th'
opposition o- th' p'asants! th' massiv' bloo%6l'tting o- th' r'volutionary p'rio%! th'
Civil ;ar! th' unpr'c'%'nt'% slaught'r o- millions %uring coll'ctivisation! an% 'n%l'ss
bloo%y purg's "t also )ithstoo% %iplomatic isolation an% political blocka%'! th'
starvation o- scor's o- millions o- thos' it 'nslav's an% an un'/p'ct'% onslaught by
19+ 8'rman %ivisions! %'spit' th' un)illingn'ss o- many o- its o)n sol%i'rs to -ight
-or its int'r'sts
So on' shoul% not b' in a hurry to bury th' Sovi't r'gim' "t is still! -airly -irmly! on
its -''t $h'r' ar' s'v'ral r'asons -or its stability66th' scor's o- millions o- corps's
)ithin its -oun%ations! %isint'r'st'% ;'st'rn h'lp! th' r'luctanc' o- th' -r'' )orl% to
%'-'n% its o)n -r''%om ?ut th'r' is on' oth'r most important -actor )hich giv's th'
Sovi't r'gim' its int'rnal stability66th' triangular structur' o- th' stat'
>nly thr'' -orc's ar' activ' in th' Sovi't political ar'na66th' Party! th' &rmy an%
th' C8? Bach o- th's' poss'ss's 'normous po)'r! but this is '/c''%'% by th'
combin'% str'ngth o- th' oth'r t)o Bach has its o)n s'cr't organisation! )hich is
capabl' o- r'aching into hostil' countri's an% monitoring %'v'lopm'nts th'r' $h'
Party has its Control Commission66a s'cr't organisation )hich has almost as much
in-lu'nc' insi%' th' country as th' C8? $h' C8? is a grouping o- many %i--'r'nt
s'cr't %'partm'nts! som' o- )hich k''p an 'y' on th' Party $h' &rmy has its o)n
s'cr't s'rvic'66th' 8<066th' most '--'ctiv' military int'llig'nc' s'rvic' in th' )orl%
Bach o- th's' thr'' -orc's is hostil' to th' oth'rs an% has c'rtain! not unr'asonabl'
pr't'nsions to absolut' po)'r but its initiativ's )ill al)ays -ail in th' -ac' o- th'
combin'% opposition o- th' oth'r t)o
>- th' thr''! th' Party has th' small'st r'sourc's -or s'l-6%'-'nc' in op'n con-lict
?ut it has a strong l'v'r at its %isposal66th' appointm'nt an% posting o- all o--icials
Bv'ry g'n'ral in th' &rmy an% 'v'ry colon'l in th' C8? tak's up his post an% is
promot'% or %'mot'% only )ith th' approval o- th' &%ministrativ' .'partm'nt o- th'
C'ntral Committ'' o- th' Party "n a%%ition! th' Party controls all propagan%a an%
i%'ological )ork an% it is al)ays th' Party )hich %'ci%'s )hat constitut's tru'
Mar/ism an% )hat r'pr's'nts a %'viation -rom its g'n'ral lin' Mar/ism can b' us'%
as an a%%itional )'apon )h'n it b'com's n'c'ssary to %ismiss an un)ant'% o--icial
-rom th' C8?! th' &rmy or 'v'n th' Party $h' Party4s right to nominat' an% promot'
in%ivi%uals is support'% by both th' &rmy an% th' C8? "- th' Party )'r' to los' this
privil'g' to th' C8?! th' &rmy )oul% b' in mortal %ang'r "- th' &rmy took it ov'r! th'
C8? )oul% b' in an 'Gually %ang'rous situation 7or this r'ason! n'ith'r o- th'm
16
obA'cts to th' Party4s privil'g'66an% it is this privil'g' )hich mak's th' Party th' most
in-lu'ntial m'mb'r o- th' triumvirat'
$h' C8? is th' cra-ti'st m'mb'r o- this troika "t is abl'! )h'n'v'r it )ish's! to
r'cruit a party or a military l'a%'r as its ag'ntH i- th' o--icial r'-us's h' can b'
%'stroy'% by a compromis' op'ration %'vis'% by th' C8? $h' Party r'm'mb'rs! only
too cl'arly! ho) th' C8?4s pr'%'c'ssor )as abl' to %'stroy th' 'ntir' C'ntral
Committ'' %uring th' cours' o- a singl' y'ar $h' &rmy! -or its part! r'm'mb'rs ho)!
)ithin th' spac' o- t)o months! th' sam' organisation )as abl' to annihilat' all its
g'n'rals :o)'v'r! th' s'cr't po)'r o- th' C8? an% its cunning ar' its )'akn'ss as
)'ll as its str'ngth ?oth th' Party an% th' &rmy hav' a %''p -'ar o- th' C8? an% -or
this r'ason th'y k''p a v'ry clos' 'y' on th' b'haviour o- its l'a%'rs! changing th'm
Guickly an% %'cisiv'ly! i- this b'com's n'c'ssary
$h' &rmy is pot'ntially th' most po)'r-ul o- th' thr'' an% th'r'-or' it has th'
-')'st rights $h' Party an% th' C8? kno) v'ry )'ll that! i- Communism shoul%
collaps'! th'y )ill b' shot by th'ir o)n countrym'n! but that this )ill not happ'n to
th' &rmy $h' Party an% th' C8? ackno)l'%g' th' might o- th' &rmy ;ithout it th'ir
polici's coul% not b' carri'% out! 'ith'r at hom' or abroa% $h' Party an% th' C8?
k''p th' &rmy at a car'-ul %istanc'! rath'r as t)o hunt'rs might control a captur'%
l'opar% )ith chains! -rom t)o %i--'r'nt si%'s $h' tautn'ss o- this chain is -'lt 'v'n at
r'gim'ntal an% battalion l'v'l $h' Party has a political Commissar in 'v'ry
%'tachm'nt an% th' C8? a Sp'cial .'partm'nt

2

$his triangl' o- po)'r r'pr's'nts a ?'rmu%a $riangl' -or thos' )ho liv' )ithin it
$h' trio hav' long ago a%opt'% th' rul' that non' o- th' l'gs o- this tripo% may
'/t'n% too -ar "- this shoul% happ'n! th' oth'r t)o imm'%iat'ly int'rv'n'! an% chop
o-- th' '/c'ss
,'t us look at an '/ampl' o- th' )ay this triangl' o- po)'r -unctions Stalin %i'% in
1932 >bs'rv'rs conclu%'% unanimously that ?'riya )oul% tak' comman%66?'riya th'
chi'- inGuisitor an% h'a% polic'man ;ho 'ls' )as th'r'= ?'riya! his gang o- ru--ians!
an% th' )hol' o- his organisation r'alis'% that th'ir chanc' to l'a% ha% arriv'% $h'
po)'r in th'ir han%s )as unb'li'vabl' $h'r' )as a sp'cial -il' on 'v'ry s'nior party
-unctionary an% 'v'ry g'n'ral an% th'r' )oul% b' no %i--iculty in putting any on' o-
th'm b'-or' a -iring sGua% "t )as this v'ry po)'r )hich %'stroy'% ?'riya ?oth th'
&rmy an% th' Party un%'rstoo% th'ir pr'%icam'nt $his brought th'm tog'th'r an%
tog'th'r th'y cut o-- th' h'a% o- th' chi'- '/'cution'r $h' most po)'r-ul m'mb'rs o-
th' s'curity apparatus cam' to unpl'asant 'n%s an% th'ir )hol' machin' o-
oppr'ssion )as h'l% up to public ri%icul' $h' propagan%a organisation o- th' Party
)ork'% ov'rtim' to '/plain to th' country th' crim's o- Stalin an% o- his )hol'
s'curity apparatus
:o)'v'r! having toppl'% ?'riya -rom his p'%'stal! th' Party b'gan to -''l
uncom-ortabl'F h'r' it )as! -ac' to -ac' )ith th' captiv' l'opar% $h' (CV. ha%
r'l'as'% th' chain it h'l% aroun% th' animal4s n'ck an% it s'ns'% -r''%om $h'
in'vitabl' outcom' )as that th' &rmy )oul% gobbl' up its mast'r Marshal Khukov
acGuir'% '/traor%inary po)'r! at hom' an% abroa% :' %'man%'% a -ourth 8ol% Star
o- a :'ro o- th' Sovi't 0nion (Stalin ha% ha% only t)o an% ?'riya on') P'rhaps such
out)ar% sho) )as unimportant! but Khukov also %'man%'% th' r'moval -rom th'
&rmy o- all political commissars66h' )as trying to shak' o-- th' r'maining chain $h'
Party r'alis'% that this coul% only 'n% in %isast'r an% that! )ithout h'lp! it )as Guit'
unabl' to r'sist th' &rmy4s pr'ssur' &n urg'nt r'Gu'st -or assistanc' )'nt to th'
C8? an%! )ith th' latt'r4s h'lp! Khukov )as %ismiss'% $h' )artim' Marshals -ollo)'%
17
him into th' )il%'rn'ss! an% th'n th' ranks o- th' g'n'rals an% o- military int'llig'nc'
)'r' m'tho%ically thinn'% $h' military bu%g't )as %rastically r'%uc'% an% purg's
an% cuts -ollo)'% thick an% -ast $h's' cost th' Sovi't &rmy 1!2++!+++ m'n! many o-
th'm -ront6lin' o--ic'rs %uring th' )ar
$h' C8? )as still unabl' to r'cov'r th' statur' it ha% lost a-t'r th' -all o- ?'riya!
an% th' Party b'gan a n') campaign o- purg's an% o- ri%icul' against it 19#2 mark'%
th' Party4s triumph ov'r both th' C8?! %'-'at'% at th' han%s o- th' &rmy! an% th'
&rmy! humiliat'% )ith th' h'lp o- th' C8?F )ith! -inally! a s'con% victory ov'r th' C8?
)on by th' Party alon' $h' l'g o- th' tripo% r'pr's'nt'% by th' Party b'gan to
'/t'n% to a %ang'rous %'gr''
?ut th' triumph )as short6liv'% $h' th'or'tically impossibl' happ'n'% $h' t)o
mortal 'n'mi's! th' &rmy an% th' C8?! 'ach %''ply aggri'v'%! unit'% against th'
Party $h'ir gr'at str'ngth brought %o)n th' h'a% o- th' Party! Chrushch'v! )ho -'ll
almost )ithout a soun% :o) coul% h' hav' )ithstoo% such a combination=
$h' 'ra )hich -ollo)'% his -all provi%'% ampl' 'vi%'nc' o- th' r'markabl' inn'r
stability o- th' triangular structur' 'v'n in th' most critical situations66
C@'choslovakia! int'rnal cris's! 'conomic collaps'! Vi'tnam! &-rica! &-ghanistan $h'
r'gim' has surviv'% all th's'
$h' &rmy has not thro)n its'l- upon th' C8?! nor has th' C8? savag'% th' &rmy
?oth tol'rat' th' pr's'nc' o- th' Party! )hich th'y ackno)l'%g' as an arbitrator or
p'rhaps rath'r as a s'con% in a %u'l! )hos' h'lp 'ach si%' tri's to s'cur' -or its'l-
"n th' c'ntr' o- th' triangl'! or mor' accurat'ly! abov' th' c'ntr'! sits th'
Politburo $his organisation shoul% not b' s''n as th' summit o- th' Party! -or it
r'pr's'nts n'utral t'rritory! on )hich th' thr'' -orc's gath'r to grappl' )ith on'
anoth'r
?oth th' &rmy an% th' C8? ar' 'Gually r'pr's'nt'% in th' Politburo ;ith th'ir
agr''m'nt! th' Party tak's th' l'a%ing rol'F th' Party boss's r'strain th' oth'rs an%
act as p'ac'mak'rs in th' constant sGuabbl's
$h' Politburo plays a %'cisiv' part in Sovi't soci'ty "n '--'ct it has b'com' a
substitut' -or 8o% Portraits o- its m'mb'rs ar' on %isplay in 'v'ry str''t an% sGuar'
"t has th' last )or% in th' r'solution o- any probl'm! at hom' or abroa% "t has
compl't' po)'r in 'v'ry -i'l%66l'gislativ'! '/'cutiv'! Au%icial! military! political!
a%ministrativ'! 'v'n r'ligious
<'pr's'nting! as it %o's! a -usion o- thr'' po)'rs! th' Politburo is -ully a)ar' that
it %ra)s its o)n stability -rom 'ach o- th's' sourc's "t can b' compar'% to th' s'at
o- a thr''6l'gg'% stool "- on' o- th' l'gs is long'r than th' oth'rs! th' stool )ill -all
ov'r $h' sam' )ill happ'n i- on' o- th' l'gs is short'r than th' oth'rs 7or th'ir o)n
sa-'ty! th'r'-or'! th' m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo! )h'th'r th'y com' -rom th' Party!
th' C8? or th' &rmy! %o 'v'rything th'y can to maintain 'Guilibrium $h' s'cr't o-
?r'@hn'v4s survival li's in his skill in k''ping th' balanc' b't)''n th' trio! r'straining
any t)o -rom combining against th' thir%


)hy does the system of higher military control appear
complicated+

1

;h'n ;'st'rn sp'cialists talk about th' organisation o- Sovi't r'gim'nts an%
%ivisions! th'ir '/planations ar' simpl' an% compr'h'nsiv' $h' %iagrams th'y %ra)!
too! ar' simpl' &t a singl' glanc' on' can s'' )ho is subor%inat'% to )hom ?ut!
18
onc' th' sp'cialists b'gin talking about th' organisational syst'm o- control at high'r
l'v'ls! th' pictur' b'com's so complicat'% that no on' can un%'rstan% it $h'
%iagrams '/plaining th' syst'm o- high'r military control publish'% in th' ;'st
r's'mbl' thos' sho)ing th' %'-'nc's o- a si@'abl' bank in Kurich or ?asl'H sGuar'
bo/'s! lin's! circl's! int'rs'ctions $h' uninitiat'% might gain th' impr'ssion that
th'r' is %ual control at th' top66or! 'v'n )ors'! that th'r' is no -irm han% an%
th'r'-or' compl't' anarchy
"n -act! th' control structur' -rom top to bottom is simpl' to th' point o-
primitiv'n'ss ;hy! th'n! %o's it s''m complicat'% to -or'ign obs'rv'rs= Simply
b'caus' th'y stu%y th' Sovi't 0nion as th'y )oul% any oth'r -or'ign countryF th'y try
to '/plain 'v'rything )hich happ'ns th'r' in languag' th'ir r'a%'rs can un%'rstan%!
in g'n'rally acc'pt'% cat'gori's66in oth'r )or%s! in th' languag' o- common s'ns'
:o)'v'r! th' Sovi't 0nion is a uniGu' ph'nom'non! )hich cannot b' un%'rstoo% by
applying a -ram' o- r'-'r'nc' bas'% on '/p'ri'nc' 'ls')h'r' >nly 2L o- arabl' lan%
in th' Sovi't 0nion is in th' han%s o- privat' o)n'rs! an% not a singl' tractor or a
kilogram o- -'rtilis'r $his 2L -''%s practically th' )hol' country "- th' privat'
o)n'rs )'r' giv'n anoth'r 1M2 L th'r' )oul% b' no probl'm )ith -oo% pro%uction
?ut th' Communists pr'-'r to )ast' 5++ tons o- gol% 'ach y'ar buying )h'at abroa%
9ust try to '/plain this in normal common s'ns' languag'
$hus! )h'n '/amining th' syst'm o- high'r military control! th' r'a%'r must not
att'mpt to %ra) parall'ls )ith human soci'ty in oth'r parts o- th' )orl% <'m'mb'r
that Communists hav' th'ir o)n logic! th'ir o)n bran% o- common s'ns'

2

,'t us tak' a %iagram '/plaining th' syst'm o- high'r military control! %ra)n by
som' ;'st'rn sp'cialist on Sovi't a--airs! an% try to simpli-y it &mong th' ma@' o-
criss6crossing lin's )' )ill try to pick out th' outlin's o- a pyrami% o- granit'
>ur sp'cialist has! o- cours'! sho)n th' Pr'si%'nt at th' v'ry top! )ith th'
Pra'si%ium o- th' Supr'm' Sovi't n'/t an% th'n th' t)o chamb'rs o- th' Supr'm'
Sovi't ?ut th' Party must not b' -orgott'n So th'r'! tog'th'r )ith th' Pr'si%'nt! ar'
th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary o- th' Party! th' Politburo! an% th' C'ntral Committ'' :'r'
th'r' is %isagr''m'nt among th' '/p'rts about )ho shoul% b' sho)n high'r up th'
pag' an% )ho lo)'r66th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary or th' Pr'si%'nt
,'t us clari-y th' pictur' :'r' ar' th' nam's o- past 8'n'ral S'cr'tari'sH Stalin!
Chrushch'v! ?r'@hn'v $ry to r'm'mb'r th' nam's o- th' Pr'si%'nts o- th' Sovi't
0nion %uring th' p'rio%s )h'n thos' thr'' )'r' in po)'r Bv'n th' '/p'rts cannot
r'm'mb'r " hav' put oth'r Gu'stions to th's' '/p'rts ;hy! )h'n Stalin )'nt to
m''t th' Pr'si%'nt o- th' 0nit'% Stat's! %i% h' not tak' th' Sovi't Pr'si%'nt )ith
him= ;h'n th' Cuban rock't crisis )as at its h'ight an% Chrushch'v %iscuss'% th'
-at' o- th' )orl% on th' hot lin' )ith th' &m'rican Pr'si%'nt! )hy )as it h' )ho %i%
this rath'r than th' Sovi't Pr'si%'nt= Sur'ly it )as th' t)o Pr'si%'nts )ho shoul%
hav' talk'% th' matt'r ov'r= &n% )hy! )h'n ?r'@hn'v talks about missil's )ith th'
&m'rican Pr'si%'nt! %o's h' not giv' th' Sovi't Pr'si%'nt a s'at at th' con-'r'nc'
tabl'=
"n or%'r to %'ci%' )hich o- th' t)o66Pr'si%'nt or 8'n'ral S'cr'tary66shoul% b'
sho)n at th' top! it is )orth r'calling th' r'lationship b't)''n Stalin an% his
Pr'si%'nt! Calinin Stalin gav' or%'rs that Calinin4s )i-' an% his clos'st -ri'n%s shoul%
b' shot but that it shoul% app'ar that th' Pr'si%'nt hims'l- ha% issu'% th' or%'r >n'
Sovi't historian t'lls us that! as h' sign'% th' %'ath s'nt'nc' on his o)n )i-'! th'
Pr'si%'nt I)'pt -rom gri'- an% po)'rl'ssn'ss4
19
"n or%'r to simpli-y our %iagram! tak' a r'% p'ncil an% cross out th' Pr'si%'ncy "t
is nothing but an unn'c'ssary ornam'nt )hich l'a%s to con-usion "- )ar br'aks out!
no -utur' historian )ill r'm'mb'r that stan%ing by th' si%' o- th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary
)as som' Pr'si%'nt or oth'r no) totally -orgott'n )ho )as )''ping -rom gri'- an%
po)'rl'ssn'ss
&s )'ll as th' Pr'si%'ncy! cross out th' Pra'si%ium o- th' Supr'm' Sovi't an% both
o- its chamb'rs $h'y ar' not involv'% in any )ay )ith 'ith'r th' gov'rnm'nt o- th'
country or th' control o- its arm'% -orc's 9u%g' -or yours'l-66this Sovi't Iparliam'nt4
m''ts t)ic' a y'ar -or -our or -iv' %ays an% %iscuss's thirty to -orty Gu'stions 'ach
%ay ?'aring in min% that th' .'puti's %o not ov'r)ork th'ms'lv's! on' can calculat'
th' numb'r o- minut's th'y sp'n% on 'ach Gu'stion $h' Sovi't parliam'nt has
-i-t''n or so p'rman'nt committ''s %'aling )ith such Gu'stions as th' supply o-
consum'r goo%s ()h'r' to buy lavatory pap'r) or th' provision o- s'rvic's (ho) to
g't taps m'n%'%) ?ut non' o- th's' committ''s conc'rns its'l- )ith th' a--airs o- th'
arm'% -orc's! )ith th' C8?! )ith military in%ustry ()hich provi%'s 'mploym'nt -or
t)'lv' s'parat' ministri's)! or )ith prisons $h' Sovi't parliam'nt has n'v'r
%iscuss'% th' r'asons )hy Sovi't -orc's ar' in :ungary! C@'choslovakia! Cuba or
&-ghanistan .uring th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar it %i% not m''t onc' ;hy shoul% such an
organisation b' inclu%'% among thos' conc'rn'% )ith Gu'stions o- high'r military
control=

N "llustration
Military an% Political "n-rastructur' o- th' Sovi't 0nion
&n '/ampl' o- ;'st'rn misun%'rstan%ing ?ut )ho runs th' country=

?ut this is not th' most important point $h' Sovi't parliam'nt is nothing but a
parasit' &ll its %'cisions ar' r'ach'% unanimously $h' nomination o- a n')
Pr'si%'nt66unanimous $h' r'moval an% ignominious %ismissal o- his pr'%'c'ssor66
also unanimous "n r'ality! th's' nominations an% %ismissals took plac' many months
'arli'r Parliam'nt simply rati-i's th'm subs'Gu'ntly66an% unanimously ;h'n
Parliam'nt %o's not m''t -or s'v'ral y'ars! nobo%y kno)s th' r'ason an% nothing
chang's as a r'sult "- all its m'mb'rs )'r' tri'% as parasit's an% s'nt to prison
un%'r Sovi't la) nothing )oul% chang'H Sovi't Pr'si%'nts )oul% continu' to b'
appoint'% )ith gr'at c'r'mony an% chas'% -rom o--ic' in %isgrac' &ccor%ing to Sovi't
la)! th' rank o- Marshal must b' con-'rr'%66an% r'mov'%66by Parliam'nt ?ut s'v'ral
Marshals hav' b''n shot )ithout any r'-'r'nc' to Parliam'nt 9ust try an% )ork out
ho) many Marshals hav' b''n appoint'% an% ho) many shot )ithout th' kno)l'%g'
or cons'nt o- Parliam'nt &n% this %i% not only happ'n %uring th' Stalinist $'rror "t
)as un%'r Chrushch'v that Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion ?'riya )as shot! that Marshal
?ulganin )as struck o-- th' pay6roll! that 'l'v'n oth'r Marshals )'r' %ismiss'% -rom
th'ir posts &ll this )as %on' )ithout th' kno)l'%g' or cons'nt o- th' Sovi't
Parliam'nt
?ut! you )ill say! i- n'ith'r th' Pr'si%'nt nor Parliam'nt %o's anything or is
r'sponsibl' -or anything an% is th'r' only to approv' any66absolut'ly any66%'cision
unanimously! )hy )'r' th'ir positions in th' syst'm 'v'r cr'at'%= $h' ans)'r is! as
camou-lag'
"- all po)'r )'r' s''n to r'st 'ntir'ly in th' han%s o- th' Politburo! this might
o--'n% both th' Sovi't p'opl' an% th' r'st o- th' )orl% $o avoi% this! Sovi't
propagan%a compil's '/tr'm'ly complicat'% %iagrams! as complicat'% as thos' -or a
p'rp'tual motion machin'! )hich its inv'ntor purpos'ly mak's mor' an% mor'
intricat'! so that no on' )ill r'alis' that hi%%'n insi%' his brainchil% th'r' is a %)ar-
)ho is turning th' )h''ls
20
"t is a gr'at pity that many ;'st'rn sp'cialists! )ho kno) that %uring th' )ar th'
Sovi't Pr'si%'nt )as not allo)'% to att'n% th' m''tings o- th' military l'a%'rship!
n'v'rth'l'ss sho) him at th' v'ry top o- th'ir %iagrams Aust )h'r' h' is sai% to b' by
Sovi't propagan%a
$h'r' is on' situation in )hich th' Sovi't Pr'si%'nt can b'com' a p'rson o-
importanc'! an% this has happ'n'% only onc' in Sovi't history & 8'n'ral S'cr'tary
%'ci%'% that h' shoul% b' Pr'si%'nt as )'ll (aturally! this )as %on' )ithout an
'l'ction o- any sort $h' nam' o- this Pr'si%'nt )as66an% is66?r'@hn'v :o)'v'r! it is
only abroa% that h' is honour'% as Pr'si%'nt Bv'ryon' at hom' kno)s that
IPr'si%'nt4 is compl't'ly m'aningl'ss an% calls him by his r'al titl'668'n'ral
S'cr'tary66)hich has! o- cours'! th' tru' ring o- po)'r

2

;' hav' r'mov'% th's' us'l'ss 'mb'llishm'nts -rom th' %iagram but that is not
all )' must %o .o not cross out th' Council o- Minist'rs! but mov' th'm to on' si%'
;hy= you may ask "s th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' not subA'ct to th' %'cisions o- th'
Council o- Minist'rs= $hat is corr'ct :' is not $h' Council o- Minist'rs only has
control ov'r in%ustry! )hich in th' 0SS< is almost 'ntir'ly military $h' Sovi't 0nion
us's mor' cloth! o- much b'tt'r Guality! -or th' pro%uction o- parachut's than -or th'
manu-actur' o- cloth's -or 2#+ million p'opl' :o)'v'r! o- th's' 2#+ million! v'ry
many r'c'iv' military uni-orms! o- goo% GualityF all that is l'-t! -or th' r'main%'r! is
mat'rial o- appalling Guality! an% th'r' is not 'nough 'v'n o- that
"n th' Sovi't 0nion th' numb'r o- cars in privat' o)n'rship is lo)'r! p'r thousan%
h'a% o- th' population! than th' total o)n'% by th' black inhabitants o- South &-rica!
-or )hos' -r''%om th' 0nit'% (ations is -ighting so -'rv'ntly ?ut! against this! th'
numb'r o- tanks in th' Sovi't 0nion is gr'at'r than in th' r'st o- th' )hol' )orl% put
tog'th'r
$)'lv' o- th' Ministri's )hich th' Council controls pro%uc' nothing but military
'Guipm'nt &ll th' r'main%'r (coal! st''l pro%uction! 'n'rgy! 'tc) )ork in th'
int'r'sts o- thos' )hich pro%uc' arms
$hus! th' Council o- Minist'rs is! 'ss'ntially! a singl' gigantic 'conomic
organisation! supporting th' &rmy "t is! th'r'-or'! )ith all its military an% au/iliary
in%ustry! a sort o- subsi%iary r'ar organisation o- th' &rmy "t poss'ss's colossal
po)'r ov'r thos' )ho pro%uc' military 'Guipm'nt but! against this! it has not 'v'n
th' authority to s'n% a n') %oorman to on' o- th' Sovi't 'mbassi's abroa% $his can
b' %on' only by th' Party or! mor' accurat'ly! by th' Party4s C'ntral Committ''


)hy is the make.up of the /efence Council kept secret+

1

?y no) much o- our %iagram has b''n simpli-i'% $h' summit o- po)'r has b'com'
visibl'66th' Politburo! in )hich sit r'pr's'ntativ's o- th' Party! th' C8?! an% th' &rmy
.'cisions tak'n in th' Politburo by th' most s'nior r'pr's'ntativ's o- th's'
organisations ar' also impl'm'nt'% by th'm 7or instanc'! )h'n &-ghanistan )as
su%%'nly inva%'% by th' &rmy on th' or%'rs o- th' Politburo! th' C8? r'mov'%
unsuitabl' s'nior p'rsonn'l! )hil' th' Party arrang'% %iv'rsionary op'rations an%
)ork'% up propagan%a campaigns at hom' an% abroa%
21
$h' rol' o- th' Council o- Minist'rs is important but not %'cisiv' $h' Council is
r'sponsibl' -or incr'asing military pro%uctivity! -or th' prompt %'liv'ry to th' -orc's o-
military 'Guipm'nt! ammunition an% -u'l! -or th' unint'rrupt'% -unctioning o- th'
military in%ustri's an% o- th' national 'conomy! )hich )orks only in support o- th'
military in%ustri's an% th'r'-or' in th' int'r'sts o- th' &rmy $h' Chairman o- th'
Council )ill c'rtainly b' pr's'nt )h'n %'cisions on th's' subA'cts ar' tak'n but as
on' o- th' m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo! )orking -or th' int'r'sts o- th' &rmy! rath'r
than as th' h'a% o- th' Council
;hat %o's th' highly s'cr't organisation kno)n as th' .'-'nc' Council %o at a
tim' lik' this= >--icially! all that is kno)n about this organisation is that it is h'a%'%
by ?r'@hn'v $h' i%'ntiti's o- th' oth'r m'mb'rs o- th' Council ar' k'pt s'cr't ;hat
sort o- organisation is it= ;hy is its mak'6up giv'n no publicity= Sovi't propagan%a
publish's th' nam's o- th' h'a% o- th' C8? an% o- his %'puti's! thos' o- th' h'a%s o-
ministri's! o- th' h'a%s o- all military r's'arch institutions! o- th' .'-'nc' Minist'r
an% o- all his %'puti's $h' nam's o- thos' r'sponsibl' -or th' pro%uction o- atomic
)arh'a%s an% -or missil' programm's ar' o--icially kno)n! so ar' thos' o- th' h'a% o-
th' 8<0 an% o- th' h'a% o- th' %isin-ormation s'rvic' ;hy ar' th' nam's o- thos'
)ho ar' r'sponsibl' -or ov'rall %'cisions! at th' high'st l'v'l o- all! k'pt s'cr't=
,'t us '/amin' th' .'-'nc' Council -rom t)o %i--'r'nt points o- vi') 7irstly )ho
sits on such a council= Som' obs'rv'rs b'li'v' that it is ma%' up o- th' most
promin'nt m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo an% th' l'a%ing Marshals $h'y ar' mistak'n
$h's' o--icials att'n% th' Chi'- Military Council! )hich is subor%inat' to th' .'-'nc'
Council $h' .'-'nc' Council is som'thing mor' than a mi/tur' o- Marshals an%
Politburo m'mb'rs ;hat coul% b' sup'rior to such a group= $h' ans)'r is66m'mb'rs
o- th' Politburo )ithout any outsi%'rs (ot all th' m'mb'rsH only th' most in-lu'ntial
S'con%ly! )hat is th' position o- th' .'-'nc' Council vis6a6vis th' Politburo66high'r!
th' sam' or lo)'r= "- th' .'-'nc' Council ha% mor' po)'r than th' Politburo its -irst
act )oul% b' to split up this group o- g'riatrics! so that th'y )oul% not int'r-'r' "- th'
.'-'nc' Council )'r' 'Gual in po)'r to th' Politburo )' shoul% )itn'ss a %ramatic
battl' b't)''n th's' t)o giants! -or th'r' is only room -or on' such organisation at
th' top & %ictatorship cannot '/ist -or long )h'n po)'r is shar'% b't)''n t)o
groups $)o %ictators cannot co6'/ist P'rhaps! th'n! th' .'-'nc' Council is o- slightly
lo)'r status than th' Politburo= ?ut th'r' )oul% b' no plac' -or it in this cas'! 'ith'r
.ir'ctly b'lo) th' Politburo is th' Chi'- Military Council! )hich links th' Politburo )ith
th' &rmy! s'rving to bon% th' t)o tog'th'r $hus th' .'-'nc' Council cannot b'
'ith'r in-'rior or sup'rior to th' PolitburoF nor can it hol% an 'Gual position $h'
.'-'nc' Council '/ists! in -act! )ithin th' Politburo its'l- "ts m'mb'rship is k'pt
s'cr't only b'caus' it contains no on' but m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo an% it is
consi%'r'% un%'sirabl' to giv' unn'c'ssary 'mphasis to th' absolut' po)'r 'nAoy'%
by this organisation
('ith'r th' Sovi't 0nion nor its many vassal stat's contain any po)'r high'r than
or in%'p'n%'nt o- th' Politburo $h' Politburo poss'ss's all l'gislativ'! '/'cutiv'!
Au%icial! a%ministrativ'! r'ligious! political! 'conomic an% 'v'ry oth'r po)'r "t is
unthinkabl' that such an organisation shoul% b' pr'par'% to allo) any oth'r to tak'
%'cisions on th' mom'ntous probl'ms pro%uc'% by Sovi't usurpations an%
Ia%v'ntur's4 throughout th' )orl%! probl'ms o- )ar an% p'ac'! o- li-' an% %'ath $h'
%ay )h'n th' Politburo r'l'as's its hol% )ill b' its last $hat %ay has not y't com'

2

Many ;'st'rn sp'cialists b'li'v' th' .'-'nc' Council to b' som'thing n')! cr'at'%
by ?r'@hn'v ?ut nothing chang's in th' Sovi't 0nion! 'sp'cially in th' syst'm by
22
)hich it is gov'rn'% $h' syst'm stabilis'% its'l- long ago an% it is almost impossibl'
to chang' it in any )ay (')! %'corativ' organisations can b' %'vis'% an% a%%'% but
chang's to th' basic structur' o- th' Sovi't 0nion ar' out o- th' Gu'stion Chrushch'v
tri'% to intro%uc' som' an% th' syst'm %'stroy'% him ?r'@hn'v is )is'r an% h'
mak's no att'mpts at chang' :' rul's )ith th' h'lp o- a syst'm )hich )as
'stablish'% in th' 'arly %ays o- Stalin an% )hich has r'main'% unchang'% 'v'r sinc'
>nly th' lab'ls chang' in th' 0SS< $h' s'curity organisation has b''n kno)n
succ'ssiv'ly as th' VChC! 8P0! >8P0! (CV.! (C8?! M8?! an% C8? Som' think that
th's' s'rvic's %i--'r'% -rom on' anoth'r in som' )ay but it )as only th'ir lab'ls
)hich %i% so $h' Party has b''n call'% th' <CP(?)! th' VCP(?)! th' CPSS $h' &rmy
b'gan as th' <'% &rmy! th'n b'cam' th' Sovi't &rmy an% its high'st ov'rall council
has b''n succ'ssiv'ly lab'll'% CVM.! S(CMV.! (CMV.! (C>! (CVS! MVS! an% M>!
)hil' r'maining on' an% th' sam' organisation
B/actly th' sam' has happ'n'% )ith th' .'-'nc' Council "t chang's its nam' as a
snak' sh'%s its skin! painl'ssly ?ut it is still th' sam' snak' "n ,'nin4s %ay it )as
call'% th' ;ork'rs4 an% P'asants4 .'-'nc' Council or simply th' .'-'nc' Council! th'n
th' Council -or ,abour an% .'-'nc' Subs'Gu'ntly! sinc' its m'mb'rs all b'long'% to
th' Politburo! it b'cam' th' Military Commission o- th' Politburo
"mm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' outbr'ak o- )ar )ith 8'rmany! th' Stat' Committ'' -or
.'-'nc' )as 'stablish'%! )hich! 'ntir'ly l'gally an% o--icially! acGuir'% th' -ull po)'rs
o- th' Pr'si%'nt! th' Supr'm' Sovi't! th' 8ov'rnm'nt! th' Supr'm' Court! th'
C'ntral Committ'' o- th' Party an% o- all oth'r authoriti's an% organisations $h'
%'cisions o- th' Stat' Committ'' -or .'-'nc' ha% th' -orc' o- martial la) an% )'r'
man%atory -or all in%ivi%uals an% organisations inclu%ing th' Supr'm' Comman%'r!
an% th' Pr'si%'nt $h' Stat' Committ'' -or .'-'nc' ha% -iv' m'mb'rsH
Stalin66its Pr'si%'nt
Molotov66his -irst %'puty
Mal'nkov66th' h'a% o- th' Party4s bur'aucracy
?'riya66th' h'a% o- th' s'curity organisation
Voroshilov66th' s'nior o--ic'r o- th' &rmy
$h's' -iv' )'r' th' most in-lu'ntial m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo! so that th' Stat'
Committ'' -or .'-'nc' consist'% not o- th' )hol' Politburo! but o- its most in-lu'ntial
compon'nt parts $ak' anoth'r look at its composition an% you )ill r'cognis' our
triangl' $h'r' ar' th' Supr'm' ?'ing! his <ight :an% an%! b'lo) th'm! th' triangl'66
Party! C8?! &rmy (ot' th' abs'nc' o- th' Pr'si%'nt o- th' Sovi't 0nion! Calinin :' is
a m'mb'r o- th' Politburo! but a pur'ly nominal on' :' poss'ss's no po)'r an%
th'r' is th'r'-or' no plac' -or him in an organisation )hich is omnipot'nt
?'-or' th' )ar th' sam' po)'r-ul Guint't '/ist'% insi%' th' Politburo but at that
tim' th'y call'% th'ms'lv's simply th' Military Commission o- th' Politburo $h'n!
too! th's' -iv' )'r' all6po)'r-ul but th'y )ork'% %iscr''tly b'hin% th' sc'n's! )hil'
th' stag' )as occupi'% by th' Pr'si%'nt! th' Supr'm' Sovi't! th' 8ov'rnm'nt! th'
C'ntral Committ'' an% oth'r %'corativ' but sup'r-luous organisations an% in%ivi%uals
;h'n )ar b'gan nothing chang'%! '/c'pt that th' Guint't took ov'r th' stag' an%
)'r' s''n in th'ir tru' rol's! %'ci%ing th' -at' o- t'ns o- millions o- p'opl'
(aturally! this group %i% not allo) po)'r to slip -rom th'ir grasp )h'n th' )ar
'n%'%F th'y %isapp'ar'% back into th' sha%o)s! calling th'ms'lv's th' Military
Commission o- th' Politburo onc' again an% pushing to th' -ront o- th' stag' a s'ri's
o- pitiabl' clo)ns an% co)ar%s )ho I)'pt -rom gri'- an% po)'rl'ssn'ss4 )hil' this
group slaught'r'% th'ir n'ar'st an% %'ar'st
$h' S'con% ;orl% ;ar thr') up a group o- brilliant military l'a%'rs66Khukov!
<okossovskiy! Vasil'vskiy! Con'v! *'r'm'nko66but not on' o- th'm )as allo)'% by th'
Ibig -iv'4 to 'nt'r th' sacr'% pr'cincts o- th' Stat' Committ'' -or .'-'nc' $h'
23
Committ''4s m'mb'rs kn') Guit' )'ll that in or%'r to r'tain po)'r th'y must
sa-'guar% th'ir privil'g's )ith gr'at car' 7or this r'ason! throughout th' )ar! no
singl' in%ivi%ual! ho)'v'r %istinguish'%! )ho )as not a m'mb'r o- th' Politburo! )as
a%mitt'% to th' Committ'' &ll Gu'stions )'r' %'ci%'% by th' Politburo m'mb'rs )ho
b'long'% to th' Committ'' an% th'y )'r' th'n %iscuss'% )ith &rmy r'pr's'ntativ's
at a lo)'r l'v'l! in th' Stavka! to )hich both Politburo m'mb'rs an% l'a%ing Marshals
b'long'%
Pr'cis'ly th' sam' organisation '/ists to%ay $h' .'-'nc' Council is y'st'r%ay4s
Stat' Committ'' -or .'-'nc' un%'r anoth'r nam' "ts m'mb'rship is %ra)n
'/clusiv'ly -rom th' Politburo! an% th'n only -rom thos' )ith th' gr'at'st po)'r "t is
th'y )ho tak' all %'cisions! )hich ar' th'n %iscuss'% at th' Chi'- Military Council
(oth'r)is' kno)n as th' Stavka) )hich is att'n%'% by m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo an%
by th' l'a%ing Marshals
?r'@hn'v is th' ol% )ol- o- th' Politburo :is long p'rio% in po)'r has ma%' him th'
'Gual o- Stalin >n' can s'' )hy h' is %isinclin'% to '/p'rim'nt )ith th' syst'm by
)hich po)'r ov'r th' &rmy is '/'rcis'% :' -ollo)s th' roa% )hich Stalin built!
car'-ully a%h'ring to th' rul's lai% %o)n by that '/p'ri'nc'% ol% tyrant $h's' ar'
simpl'H 'ss'ntially! b'-or' you sit %o)n at a tabl' )ith th' Marshals at th' Chi'-
Military Council %'ci%' 'v'rything )ith th' Politburo at th' .'-'nc' Council ?r'@hn'v
kno)s that any mo%i-ication o- th's' rul's )oul% m'an that h' must shar' his pr's'nt
unlimit'% po)'rs )ith th' Marshals66an% that this is 'Guival'nt to suici%' $his is )hy
th' .'-'nc' Council66th' high'st institution )ithin th' Sovi't %ictatorship66consists o-
th' most in-lu'ntial m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo an% o- no on' 'ls'


The &rganisation of the Soviet Armed $orces

1

$h' syst'm by )hich th' Sovi't &rm'% 7orc's ar' controll'% is simpli-i'% to th'
gr'at'st possibl' '/t'nt "t is %'lib'rat'ly k'pt simpl' in %'sign! Aust lik' 'v'ry Sovi't
tank! -ight'r aircra-t! missil' or military plan Sovi't marshals an% g'n'rals b'li'v'!
not unr'asonably! that! in a )ar! oth'r things b'ing 'Gual! it is th' simpl'r )'apon!
plan or organisation )hich is mor' lik'ly to succ''%
;'st'rn sp'cialists mak' a car'-ul stu%y o- th' obscur' an% intricat' lay6out o-
Sovi't military organisation! -or th'y s'' th' Sovi't &rmy as b'ing similar to any
oth'r national army :o)'v'r! to any oth'r army p'ac' r'pr's'nts normality an% )ar
an abnormal! t'mporary situation $h' Sovi't &rmy (mor' accurat'ly th' <'% &rmy) is
th' striking -orc' o- )orl% r'volution "t )as brought into b'ing to s'rv' th' )orl%
r'volution an%! although that r'volution has not y't com'! th' Sovi't &rmy is pois'%
an% )aiting -or it! r'a%y to -an into li-' any spark or 'mb'r )hich app'ars any)h'r'
in th' )orl%! no matt'r )hat th' cons'Gu'nc's might b' (ormality! -or th' Sovi't
&rmy! is a r'volutionary )arF p'ac' is an abnormal an% t'mporary situation
"n or%'r to un%'rstan% th' structur' o- th' military l'a%'rship o- th' Sovi't 0nion!
)' must '/amin' it as it '/ists in )artim' $h' sam' structur' is pr's'rv'% in
p'ac'tim'! although a vari'ty o- %'corativ' -'atur's! )hich compl't'ly %istort th' tru'
pictur'! ar' a%%'% as camou-lag' 0n-ortunat'ly! most r's'arch'rs %o not att'mpt to
%istinguish th' r'ally important parts o- th' organisation -rom thos' )hich ar'
compl't'ly unn'c'ssary an% th'r' pur'ly -or sho)
;' alr'a%y kno) that in )artim' th' Sovi't 0nion an% th' countri's )hich it
%ominat's )oul% b' rul'% by th' .'-'nc' Council! an organisation -irst kno)n as th'
24
;ork'rs4 an% P'asants4 .'-'nc' Council! n'/t as th' ,abour an% .'-'nc' Council an%
th'n as th' Stat' Committ'' -or .'-'nc'
>n this Council ar' on' r'pr's'ntativ' 'ach -rom th' Party! th' &rmy! an% th' C8?
an% t)o oth'rs )ho pr'si%' ov'r th's' organisations66th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary an% his
clos'st associat' 0ntil his r'c'nt %'ath th' latt'r post )as h'l% by Mikhail Suslov
$h' .'-'nc' Council poss'ss's unr'strict'% po)'rs "t -unction'% in )artim' an%
has b''n pr's'rv'% in p'ac'tim' )ith th' %i--'r'nc' that! )h'r'as %uring )artim' it
)ork'% op'nly an% in -ull vi')! in p'ac'tim' it -unctions -rom b'hin% th' cov'r o--'r'%
by th' Pr'si%'nt o- th' Sovi't 0nion! th' Supr'm' Sovi't! 'l'ctions! %'puti's! public
pros'cutors an% similar irr'l'vanci's $h'ir only -unction is to conc'al )hat is going
on b'hin% th' sc'n's
.ir'ctly subor%inat' to th' .'-'nc' Council is th' :'a%Guart'rs (Stavka) o- th'
Supr'm' Comman%'r! )hich is kno)n in p'ac'tim' as th' Chi'- Military Council $o it
b'long th' Supr'm' Comman%'r an% his clos'st %'puti's! tog'th'r )ith c'rtain
m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo $h' Supr'm' Comman%'r is appoint'% by th' .'-'nc'
Council :' may b' 'ith'r th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! as )as th' cas' )ith Marshal
$imosh'nko! or th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary o- th' Party! as )ith Stalin! )ho also h'a%'%
both th' Stavka an% th' civil a%ministration "- th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' is not
appoint'% Supr'm' Comman%'r h' b'com's 7irst .'puty to th' latt'r $h'
organisation )orking -or th' Stavka is th' 8'n'ral Sta--! )hich pr'par's proposals!
)orks out th' %'tails o- th' Supr'm' Comman%'r4s instructions an% sup'rvis's th'ir
'/'cution

2

"n )artim'! th' arm'% -orc's o- th' 0SS< an% o- th' countri's un%'r its rul' ar'
%ir'ct'% by th' Stavka along t)o cl'arly %i--'r'ntiat'% lin's o- controlH th' op'rational
(-ighting) an% a%ministrativ' (r'ar)

The line of operational subordination:
.ir'ctly subor%inat' to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r ar' -iv' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'-
an% 'ight Comman%'rs $h' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- ar' r'sponsibl' -orH
$h' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction
$h' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction
$h' 7ar Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction
$h' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's
$h' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's
$h' Comman%'rs ar' r'sponsibl' -orH
$h' ,ong6<ang' &ir 7orc'
$h' &irborn' 7orc's
Military $ransport &viation
$h' (orth'rn 7l''t
"n%ivi%ual 7ront66(orth'rn! ?altic! $rans6Caucasian an% $urk'stan
$h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction has un%'r his
comman% -our 7ronts! on' 8roup o- $ank &rmi's an% th' ?altic 7l''t!
$h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction also comman%s
-our 7ronts! on' 8roup o- $ank &rmi's an% th' ?lack S'a 7l''t
$h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' 7ar Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction is r'sponsibl' -or
-our 7ronts an% th' Paci-ic 7l''t
$h' 7ronts subor%inat'% to th' Strat'gic .ir'ctions an% in%ivi%ual 7ronts!
subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Stavka! consist o- &ll6&rms! $ank an% &ir &rmi's $h'
&rmi's ar' ma%' up o- .ivisions Bast Burop'an .ivisions ar' inclu%'% in &rmi's!
25
)hich can b' comman%'% only by Sovi't g'n'rals $h' comman%'rs o- Bast Burop'an
%ivisions ar' thus subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to Sovi't comman%66to &rmy Comman%'rs!
th'n to 7ronts! Strat'gic .ir'ctions an% ultimat'ly to th' .'-'nc' Council66in oth'r
)or%s to th' Sovi't Politburo Bast Burop'an gov'rnm'nts can th'r'-or' '/'rt
absolut'ly no in-lu'nc' ov'r th' progr'ss o- military op'rations

The line of administrative subordination:
$h' 7irst .'puty o- th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' is subor%inat'% to th' Supr'm'
Comman%'r &t pr's'nt th' post is h'l% by Marshal S , Sokolov! un%'r )hom com'
-our Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- (&ir 7orc's! ,an% 7orc's! (aval 7orc's! ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation) an% si/t''n Comman%'rs o- Military .istricts
$h' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- ar' r'sponsibl' -or th' 'stablishm'nt o- r's'rv's! -or
bringing -orc's up to str'ngth! r'6'Guipm'nt! supply o- -orc's 'ngag'% in combat
op'rations! %'v'lopm'nt o- n') military 'Guipm'nt! stu%y o- combat '/p'ri'nc'!
training o- p'rsonn'l! 'tc $h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation
has pr'cis'ly th's' r'sponsibiliti's but only on b'hal- o- th' Bast Burop'an %ivisions
op'rating as part o- th' 0nit'% (i' Sovi't) -orc's :' has -ull control ov'r all th' Bast
Burop'an Ministri's o- .'-'nc' :is task is to 'nsur' that th's' Ministri's bring th'ir
%ivisions up to str'ngth! an% to r'6'Guip an% supply th'm accor%ing to sch'%ul' "n
)artim' h' has only a mo%'st rol' "t is no) cl'ar )hy th' -unction o- th'
Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation is s''n in th' 0SS< as b'ing
a pur'ly honori-ic l'gacy -rom th' past! r'mot' -rom r'al po)'r
Bach o- th' si/t''n Comman%'rs o- Military .istricts is a t'rritorial -unctionary! a
sort o- military gov'rnor "n Gu'stions conc'rning th' stability o- Sovi't authority in
th' t'rritori's 'ntrust'% to th'm! th'y ar' r'sponsibl' %ir'ctly to th' Politburo
(.'-'nc' Council)! )hil' on subA'cts conc'rning th' a%ministration o- military
in%ustri's! transport an% mobilisation th'y ar' subor%inat'% to th' 7irst .'puty o- th'
Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! through him to th' Stavka an% ultimat'ly to th' .'-'nc' Council
$roops acting as r's'rv' -orc's! to b' us'% to bring units up to str'ngth! -or r'6
'Guipm'nt! 'tc! may b' station'% in th' t'rritori's o- Military .istricts $h's' troops
ar' subor%inat'! not to op'rational comman%'rs but to th' Military .istrict
Comman%'rs! through th'm to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'-! to th' 7irst .'puty an% th'n
to th' Stavka 7or instanc'! %uring )ar! on th' t'rritory o- th' 0rals Military .istrict
th'r' )oul% b' on' &ir .ivision (to r'plac' loss's)! on' $ank &rmy (Stavka r's'rv')!
on' Polish tank %ivision (-or r'6'Guipm'nt) an% thr'' battalions o- marin' in-antry (a
n') -ormation) $h's' units )ill b' subor%inat' to th' Comman%'r o- th' 0rals
Military .istrict an% through him! as r'gar%s th' &ir .ivision! to th' Comman%'r6in6
Chi'- o- th' &ir 7orc's! )hil' th' $ank &rmy com's un%'r th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o-
,an% 7orc's! th' Polish %ivision to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation an% th' battalions o- marin' in-antry to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o-
(aval 7orc's Bach Comman%'r6in6Chi'- has th' right to giv' or%'rs to th'
Comman%'r o- a Military .istrict! but only in matt'rs conc'rning sub6units
subor%inat' to him ?'caus' th' compl'm'nt o- 'ach Military .istrict al)ays consists
mainly o- sub6units o- th' ,an% 7orc's som' ;'st'rn obs'rv'rs hav' th' impr'ssion
that Military .istricts ar' subor%inat'% to th' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- ,an% 7orc's
?ut this is not so $h' Comman%'r o- a Military .istrict has v'ry )i%' po)'rs! )hich
ar' not in any )ay subA'ct to th' control o- th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- ,an% 7orc's
&s soon as th' Stavka %'ci%'s to trans-'r on' or oth'r sub6unit to an op'rational
army! th' sub6unit c'as's to b' controll'% by th' lin' o- a%ministrativ' subor%ination
an% com's un%'r th' instructions o- th' op'rational comman%'r

2
26

"n )artim' th' syst'm -or controlling th' Sovi't 0nion! th' countri's )hich it has
occupi'% an% th' 'ntir' unit'% arm'% -orc's is stripp'% o- th' )hol' o- its
unn'c'ssary %'corativ' sup'rstructur' $h' %ivision b't)''n th' op'rational an%
a%ministrativ' lin's o- subor%ination th'n b'com's appar'nt
"n p'ac'tim' th' op'rational an% a%ministrativ' structur's ar' bl'n%'% )ith on'
anoth'rF this pro%uc's a misl'a%ing app'aranc' o- compl'/ity! %uplication an%
mu%%l' .'spit' this! th' syst'm )hich on' can s'' cl'arly in )artim' continu's to
-unction in p'ac'tim' >n' simply n''%s to look at it car'-ully! to %istinguish on'
structur' -rom anoth'r an% to ignor' us'l'ss 'mb'llishm'nts
?ut is it possibl' to spot th' summit o- th' '%i-ic' in p'ac'tim'66th' .'-'nc'
Council an% th' Stavka= $his is Guit' simpl' Bach y'ar on 1 (ov'mb'r a military
para%' tak's plac' on <'% SGuar' in Mosco) $h' )hol' military an% political
l'a%'rship gath'rs in th' stan%s on top o- ,'nin4s mausol'um $h' position o- 'ach
p'rson is cl'arly %isc'rnibl' 7or such a position! -or 'ach plac' in th' stan%s! th'r' is
a constant! savag' but sil'nt struggl'! lik' that )hich go's on in a pack o- )olv's -or
a plac' clos'r to th' l'a%'r! an% th'n -or th' l'a%'r4s plac' its'l- $his Aostling -or
position has alr'a%y continu'% -or many %'ca%'s an% 'ach plac' has cost too much
bloo% -or it to b' surr'n%'r'% )ithout a battl'
&s is to b' '/p'ct'%! th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary an% th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' stan%
shoul%'r to shoul%'r in th' c'ntr' o- th' tribun' $o th' l'-t o- th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary
ar' th' m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo! to th' right o- th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' ar' th'
Marshals $h' stan%s on th' mausol'um ar' th' only plac' )h'r' th' m'mb'rs o- th'
political an% military l'a%'rship para%'! 'ach in th' position )h'r' h' b'longs $his is
th' only plac' )h'r' 'ach in%ivi%ual sho)s his r'tinu'! his rivals an% his 'n'mi's! th'
)hol' country an% th' )hol' )orl% ho) clos' h' is to th' c'ntr' o- po)'r *ou can b'
sur' that i- th' h'a% o- th' C8? coul% tak' his plac' by th' si%' o- th' 8'n'ral
S'cr'tary h' )oul% %o so imm'%iat'ly! but this plac' is al)ays occupi'% by a mor'
in-lu'ntial in%ivi%ual66th' Chi'- "%'ologist *ou can b' c'rtain that i- th' Comman%'r6
in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation coul% mov' clos'r to th' c'ntr' h' )oul%
imm'%iat'ly %o so! but th' plac' h' is a-t'r is alr'a%y occupi'% by th' almighty Chi'-
o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--
>n th' %ay a-t'r th' para%' you can buy a copy o- Pravda -or thr'' kop'ks an% on
th' -ront pag'! imm'%iat'ly b'n'ath th' masth'a%! you can s'' a photograph o- th'
'ntir' political an% military l'a%'rship
$ak' a r'% p'ncil an% mark th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary an% th' -our oth'r m'mb'rs o-
th' Politburo stan%ing clos'st to him $h's' ar' th' m'mb'rs o- th' .'-'nc' Council
$h'y run th' country "t is to th'm that hun%r'%s o- millions ar' 'nslav'%! -rom
:avana to 0lan ?ator "t is th'y )ho )ill control th' -at' o- th' hun%r'%s o- millions in
th'ir po)'r )h'n th' tim' com's to Ilib'rat'4 n') p'opl's an% n') countri's
(o)! mark th' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary! th' m'mb'r o- th' Politburo clos'st to him an%
th' -iv' Marshals n'ar'st to him $his is th' Stavka


'igh Commands in the Strategic /irections

& platoon comman%'r has thr'' or -our! som'tim's -iv'! s'ctions un%'r his
comman% "t is pointl'ss to giv' him mor' than this :' )oul% b' Guit' unabl' to
'/'rcis' '--'ctiv' control ov'r so larg' a platoon "- you hav' anoth'r! si/th! s'ction it
)oul% b' b'tt'r to -orm t)o platoons o- thr'' s'ctions 'ach
27
& company comman%'r has thr''! -our! or som'tim's -iv' platoons un%'r his
comman% $h'r' is no point in giving him mor'66h' Aust coul% not control th'm
$his syst'm! un%'r )hich 'ach succ'ssiv' comman%'r controls b't)''n thr'' an%
-iv' %'tachm'nts! is us'% univ'rsally an% at all l'v'ls & 7ront Comman%'r! -or
instanc'! %ir'cts thr'' or -our an% som'tim's -iv' &rmi's &n% it is at Aust this l'v'l
that th' syst'm br'aks %o)n $h' Sovi't &rmy has si/t''n Military .istricts an% -our
&rmy 8roups "n th' 'v'nt o- all6out )ar 'ach .istrict an% 'ach &rmy 8roup is abl' to
-orm on' 7ront -rom its o)n r'sourc's :o)! though! can th' Stavka control t)'nty
7ronts simultan'ously= ;oul% it not b' simpl'r to int'rpos' a n') int'rm'%iat' link in
th' chain o- comman%! )hich )oul% control th' op'rations o- thr'' or -our an%
som'tim's -iv' 7ronts= "n this )ay th' Stavka coul% b' in imm'%iat' control not o-
t)'nty 7ronts but o- b't)''n thr'' an% -iv' o- th' n') int'rm'%iat' units Such an
innovation )oul% compl't' th' )hol' balanc'% syst'm o- control! in a logical -ashion
"n -act! int'rm'%iat' control links b't)''n th' Stavka an% th' 7ronts %o '/ist! but
th'y ar' giv'n no publicity $h'y ar' %'signat'% as :igh Comman%s in th' Strat'gic
.ir'ctions $h' -irst m'ntion o- th's' comman% links occurr'% in th' Sovi't military
pr'ss in 1929 $h'y )'r' s't up t)o y'ars lat'r! but th'ir '/ist'nc' )as k'pt s'cr't
an% )as not r'-'rr'% to o--icially "mm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' outbr'ak o- th' S'con% ;orl%
;ar th'y )'r' o--icially brought into '/ist'nc'
.uring th' -irst t)o )''ks o- th' )ar! o--icial announc'm'nts )'r' ma%' about th'
-ormation o- (orth6;'st'rn! ;'st'rn an% South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ctions Bach
.ir'ction consist'% o- b't)''n thr'' an% -iv' 7ronts &t th' h'a% o- 'ach .ir'ction
)as a Comman%'r6in6Chi'-! )ho )as subor%inat'% to th' Stavka
9ust ho) important 'ach o- th's' :igh Comman%s )'r' can b' Au%g'% by looking
at th' composition o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction $h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- )as
Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion S C $imosh'nko! )ho h'l% th' post o- Minist'r o-
.'-'nc' at th' outbr'ak o- )ar $h' Political Commissar )as Politburo m'mb'r ( &
?ulganin! on' o- thos' clos'st to Stalin! )ho lat'r b'cam' a Marshal o- th' Sovi't
0nion an% Pr'si%'nt o- th' Council o- Minist'rs $h' Chi'- o- Sta-- )as Marshal ? M
Shaposhnikov! th' pr'6)ar Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- $h' oth'r Strat'gic .ir'ctions
also ha% comman% p'rsonn'l o- appro/imat'ly th' sam' calibr'66all th' posts )'r'
occupi'% by Marshals or m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo
"n 1952 a -urth'r :igh Comman%! th' (orth Caucasus Strat'gic .ir'ction! )as
'stablish'%! incorporating t)o 7ronts an% th' ?lack S'a 7l''t "ts Comman%'r6in6Chi'-
)as Marshal S M ?u%'nniy
:o)'v'r it )as subs'Gu'ntly %'ci%'% that no -urth'r st'ps in this %ir'ction shoul%
b' tak'n -or th' tim' b'ing $h' :igh Comman%s o- th' Strat'gic .ir'ctions )'r'
abolish'% an% th' Stavka took ov'r %ir'ct control o- th' 7ronts! )hich totall'% -i-t''n
:o)'v'r th' i%'a o- an int'rm'%iat' link )as not aban%on'% 7r'Gu'ntly throughout
th' )ar r'pr's'ntativ's o- th' Stavka! usually Marshals Khukov or Vasily'vskiy! )'r'
%'tach'% to )ork )ith thos' )ho )'r' pr'paring larg'6scal' op'rations an%
coor%inating th' )ork o- s'v'ral 7ronts &mong th' most brilliant o- many '/ampl's o-
such coor%inat'% '--orts ar' th' battl's -or Stalingra% an% Cursk an% th' a%vanc' into
?y'lorussia ;hat amount'% to a t'mporary grouping o- 7ronts! un%'r a singl'
comman%! )as s't up -or 'ach o- th's' op'rations & syst'm o- this sort provi%'%
gr'at'r -l'/ibility an% Austi-i'% its'l- compl't'ly in con%itions in )hich op'rations )'r'
b'ing carri'% out against a singl' oppon'nt &s soon as th' %'cision ha% b''n tak'n
to go to )ar )ith 9apan! in 1953! th' 7ar Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction )as s't up!
consisting o- thr'' 7ronts! on' 7l''t an% th' arm'% -orc's o- Mongolia $h'
Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' .ir'ction )as Marshal & M Vasily'vskiy
"t is int'r'sting to not' that th' v'ry '/ist'nc' o- a 7ar Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction
)ith its o)n :igh Comman% )as k'pt s'cr't &s camou-lag'! Marshal Vasily'vskiy4s
28
h'a%Guart'rs )'r' r'-'rr'% to as IColon'l68'n'ral Vasily'v4s 8roup4 Many o--ic'rs!
inclu%ing som' g'n'rals! among th'm all th' %ivision an% corps comman%'rs! ha% no
i%'a o- Vasily'vskiy4s -unction! supposing that all th' 7ar Bast'rn 7ronts )'r' %ir'ct'%
-rom Mosco)! by th' Stavka $h' -act that h' ha% act'% as Comman%'r6in6Chi'- )as
only r'v'al'% by Vasily'vskiy a-t'r th' a%vanc' into Manchuria at th' 'n% o- th' )ar
$h' :igh Comman% o- th' 7ar Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction )as not abolish'% at th'
'n% o- th' )ar an% no o--icial instructions -or its %isban%m'nt )'r' 'v'r issu'% &ll
that happ'n'% )as that -rom 1932 on)ar%s all o--icial m'ntion o- it c'as'% .o's it
'/ist to%ay= .o :igh Comman%s '/ist -or oth'r Strat'gic .ir'ctions or )oul% th'y b'
s't up only in th' 'v'nt o- )ar=
$h'y '/ist66an% th'y ar' in op'ration $h'y ar' not m'ntion'% o--icially! but no
particular '--orts ar' ma%' to conc'al th'ir '/ist'nc' ,'t us i%'nti-y th'm $his is
Guit' simpl' "n th' Sovi't &rmy th'r' ar' si/t''n Military .istricts an% -our &rmy
8roups $h' s'nior o--ic'r in 'ach .istrict an% 'ach &rmy 8roup has th' %'signation
IComman%'r4 >nly in on' cas'! that o- th' 8roup o- Sovi't 7orc's in 8'rmany! is h'
giv'n th' titl' o- IComman%'r6in6Chi'-4 "n th' 'v'nt o- )ar most .istricts )oul% b'
ma%' into 7ronts ?ut 7ronts! too! ar' h'a%'% only by IComman%'rs4 $h' titl'
IComman%'r6in6Chi'-4 is consi%'rably s'nior to IComman%'r o- a 7ront4 "n a )ar th'
numb'r o- troops availabl' )oul% incr'as' many tim's ov'r Platoon comman%'rs
)oul% tak' ov'r compani's! battalion comman%'rs )oul% h'a% r'gim'nts an%
r'gim'ntal comman%'rs )oul% b'com' %ivisional comman%'rs "n this situation 'v'ry
o--ic'r might r'c'iv' a high'r rankF h' )oul% c'rtainly r'tain th' on' h' alr'a%y
hol%s & g'n'ral )ho in p'ac'tim' comman%s 'nough troops to b' 'ntitl'% to th'
%'signation IComman%'r6in6Chi'-4 can har%ly hav' his r'sponsibiliti's r'%uc'% to
thos' o- a 7ront Comman%'r at a tim' )h'n many mor' troops ar' b'ing plac'%
un%'r his comman% "- %uring p'ac'tim' th' importanc' o- his post is so gr'at! ho)
can it %iminish )h'n )ar br'aks out= >- cours' it cannot &n% a g'n'ral )hos'
p'ac'tim' titl' is IComman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' 8S784 )ill r'tain this rank! )hich is
consi%'rably high'r than that o- 7ront Comman%'r
$h'r' can b' no %oubt that th' organisation kno)n as th' I:'a%Guart'rs o- th'
8S784 in p'ac'tim' )oul% b'com'! not a 7ront :'a%Guart'rs! but th' :'a%Guart'rs o-
th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction
"t is signi-icant that! alr'a%y in p'ac'tim'! th' :'a%Guart'rs o- th' 8S78 controls
t)o $ank &rmi's an% on' Shock &rmy ('ss'ntially anoth'r $ank &rmy) 7or 'ach 7ront
can hav' only a singl' $ank &rmy an% in many cas's it %o's not hav' on' at all $h'
pr's'nc' in 8S78 o- thr'' $ank &rmi's in%icat's that it has b''n %'ci%'% to %'ploy at
l'ast thr'' 7ronts in th' ar'a cov'r'% by this .ir'ction "s this su--ici'nt= *'s! -or in a
)ar th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction )oul% hav' un%'r his
comman% not only all th' Sovi't troops in Bast 8'rmany but all thos' in
C@'choslovakia an% Polan%! tog'th'r )ith th' 'ntir' compl'm'nt o- th' 8'rman!
C@'ch an% Polish arm'% -orc's! th' Sovi't ?altic 7l''t an% th' ?y'lorussian Military
.istrict $his )ill b' %iscuss'% in gr'at'r %'tail 7or th' pr's'nt it is su--ici'nt to not'
that th' 8roup o- Sovi't 7orc's in 8'rmany is an organisation )hich is r'gar%'% by
th' Sovi't l'a%'rship as 'ntir'ly %i--'r'nt -rom any oth'r 8roup o- -orc's (o oth'r
-orc'66in Polan%! C@'choslovakia! Mongolia! Cuba! &-ghanistan or! 'arli'r! &ustria or
China66has 'v'r b''n h'a%'% by a Comman%'r6in6Chi'- &ll th's' 8roups )'r'
h'a%'% by a Comman%'r
,'t us list th' 8'n'rals an% Marshals )ho hav' h'l% th' post o- Comman%'r6in6
Chi'- o- th' Sovi't 8roup o- 7orc's in 8'rmanyH

Marshal 8 C Khukov! th' -orm'r Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--! )ho b'cam' 7irst
.'puty to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r an% subs'Gu'ntly Minist'r o- .'-'nc' an% a
29
m'mb'r o- th' Politburo! th' only man in history to hav' b''n a)ar%'% th' titl' o-
:'ro o- th' Sovi't 0nion -our tim's
Marshal V . Sokolovskiy! -orm'r Chi'- o- Sta-- o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction
an% lat'r Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--
8'n'ral o- th' &rmy V " Chuykov! subs'Gu'ntly a Marshal an% Comman%'r6in6
Chi'- o- th' ,an% 7orc's
Marshal & & 8r'chko! lat'r Minist'r o- .'-'nc' an% a m'mb'r o- th' Politburo
Marshal M V Kakharov! lat'r Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--
Marshal P C Cosh'voy
8'n'ral o- th' &rmy V 8 Culikov! lat'r a Marshal! Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- an%
th'n Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation

>nly on' o- this gala/y ros' no high'r66Marshal Cosh'voy! )ho b'cam' s'riously ill
?ut to r'ach th' rank o- Marshal is no m'an achi'v'm'nt66an% it )as in 8'rmany that
h' r'c'iv'% th' rank o- Marshal! at a tim' )h'n oth'r 8roups o- -orc's )'r'
comman%'% only by ,i'ut'nant68'n'rals an% Colon'l68'n'rals $hus Cosh'voy! too!
stan%s out -rom th' cro)%
>n' rul' appli'% to all66anyon' )ho h'l% th' post o- Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th'
8S78 )as 'ith'r a Marshal alr'a%y! )as promot'% to this rank on appointm'nt or )as
giv'n it shortly a-t'r)ar%s (othing o- this sort has occurr'% )ith oth'r 8roups o-
-orc's
$h' 8S78 is a kin% o- springboar% to th' v'ry high'st military appointm'nts
Comman%'rs o- oth'r groups hav' n'v'r achi'v'% such high stan%ing Mor'ov'r 'v'n
th' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- th' ,an% 7orc's! o- th' &ir 7orc's! 7l''t! <ock't $roops
or &ir .'-'nc' hav' n'v'r ha% such glitt'ring car''rs or such -utur' prosp'cts as
thos' )ho hav' b''n Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- in 8'rmany
Sur'ly this is 'nough to in%icat' that in )artim' som'thing -ar mor' po)'r-ul )ill
b' s't up on th' -oun%ation r'pr's'nt'% by th' 8S78 than in th' oth'r! or%inary!
Military .istricts an% 8roups o- -orc's=
(on' o- th' oth'r Military .istricts an% 8roups o- -orc's hav' Comman%'rs6in6
Chi'-66only Comman%'rs .o's this m'an that in p'ac'tim' th'r' ar' no Strat'gic
.ir'ctions= (ot at all $h' :'a%Guart'rs o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction (:O!
8S78) is har%ly conc'al'% at all )hil' th' '/ist'nc' o- th' oth'r Strat'gic .ir'ctions is
only lightly camou-lag'%! as )as IColon'l68'n'ral Vasily'v4s 8roup4 ?ut it is 'asy to
s'' through this camou-lag'
"t is su--ici'nt to analys' th' car''rs o- thos' comman%ing Military .istricts >n'
can th'n s'' that! -or th' ov'r)h'lming maAority! comman% o- a .istrict r'pr's'nts
th' high'st p'ak th'y )ill r'ach $hos' )ho a%vanc' -urth'r ar' rar' "n som' cas's
)hat -ollo)s is honourabl' r'tir'm'nt to posts such as .ir'ctor o- on' Military
&ca%'my or anoth'r or an "nsp'ctor4s post in th' Ministry o- .'-'nc' ?oth th's'
typ's o- appointm'nt ar' s''n as I'l'phants4 grav'yar%s4 $h'y r'pr's'nt! in -act! th'
'n% o- any r'al po)'r
:o)'v'r on' o- th' si/t''n Military .istricts is a cl'ar '/c'ption (on' o- its -orm'r
Comman%'rs has 'v'r l'-t -or an 'l'phants4 grav'yar% >n th' contrary66th' Ci'v
Military .istrict is a kin% o- %oor)ay to po)'r :'r' ar' th' car''rs o- all thos' )ho
hav' comman%'% this .istrict sinc' th' )arH

Colon'l68'n'ral & & 8r'chko b'cam' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- 8S78 an% a
Marshal! Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- ,an% 7orc's! Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa)
$r'aty >rganisation! Minist'r o- .'-'nc' an% a m'mb'r o- th' Politburo
8'n'ral o- th' &rmy V " Chuykov66C6in6C 8S78! Comman%'r! Ci'v Military .istrict!
Marshal! C6in6C o- ,an% 7orc's an% .'puty Minist'r o- .'-'nc'
30
Colon'l68'n'ral P C Cosh'voy667irst .'puty to th' C6in6C 8S78! Comman%'r! Ci'v
Military .istrict an% 8'n'ral o- th' &rmy! C6in6C 8S78! an% Marshal
8'n'ral o- th' &rmy " " *akubovskiy66C6in6C 8S78! Comman%'r! Ci'v Military
.istrict! C6in6C o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation an% Marshal
Colon'l68'n'ral V 8 Culikov66Comman%'r Ci'v Military .istrict! C6in6C 8S78 an%
8'n'ral o- th' &rmy! Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--! C6in6C o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation an% Marshal
Colon'l68'n'ral 8 " Salmanov66Comman%'r Ci'v Military .istrict! Comman%'r o-
th' $rans6?aykal Military .istrict

Surprisingly! as )' hav' b''n -ollo)ing th' brilliant car''rs o- th' Comman%'rs o-
th' Ci'v Military .istrict! )' hav' com' across som' ol% -ri'n%s! )hom )' m't
pr'viously as C6in6C 8S78 Strang'ly! th'r' has b''n an int'rchang' o- 8'n'rals
b't)''n ;Pns%or- an% Ci'v $hos' )ho hav' gon' to Ci'v hav' lat'r gon' to 8S78
$hos' )ho hav' r'ach'% 8S78 )ithout going to Ci'v hav' %on' so lat'r :o)'v'r! a
Comman%'r o- th' Ci'v Military .istrict %o's not s'' hims'l- as Aunior to th' C6in6C
8S78 $h' Aourn'y -rom 8S78 to Ci'v is not %'motion an% -or many it has
r'pr's'nt'% promotion Chuykov! -or instanc'! )as C6in6C 8S78 as a 8'n'ral an% )as
ma%' a Marshal )h'n h' mov'% to Ci'v
?ut p'rhaps th' Ci'v Military .istrict is o- gr'at'r num'rical str'ngth than th'
oth'rs= (ot at all66?y'lorussia has mor' troops an% th' 7ar Bast'rn Military .istrict
has mor' than both th' Ci'van an% ?y'lorussian put tog'th'r "n t'rritory Ci'v is on'
o- th' small'st o- th' .istricts $h' Sib'rian .istrict is si/ty6s'v'n tim's as larg' an%
Mosco) .istrict is -ar mor' important ?ut th' Comman%'r o- th' Mosco)! Sib'rian!
7ar Bast'rn! ?y'lorussian an% th' oth'r Military .istricts cannot 'v'n %r'am o- th'
prosp'cts )hich str'tch b'-or' Comman%'rs in Ci'v "n th' last t)'nty y'ars not on'
o- th' Comman%'rs o- Mosco) .istrict has b'com' a Marshal! )hil' all but on' o-
thos' -rom Ci'v hav' %on' so! th' '/c'ption b'ing th' most r'c'nt )ho is still young
an% )ho )ill c'rtainly soon b' promot'%
;hy is th'r' such a sharp contrast b't)''n th' Ci'van an% th' -i-t''n oth'r
.istricts= Simply b'caus' th' organisation %'signat'% :'a%Guart'rs Ci'v Military
.istrict is in -act th' :'a%Guart'rs o- th' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction! )hich in
th' 'v'nt o- )ar )oul% tak' control not only o- th' troops alr'a%y on its t'rritory! but
o- thos' in Sub6Carpathia! :ungary (both Sovi't an% :ungarian) an% also th' 'ntir'
arm'% -orc's o- <omania an% ?ulgaria! )ith th'ir -l''ts! an%! -inally! th' ?lack S'a
7l''t
;hil' r'lations )ith China )'r' goo% th'r' )'r' only t)o :igh Comman%s o-
Strat'gic .ir'ctions66th' ;'st'rn an% th' South6;'st'rn66but as soon as th'
r'lationship %'t'riorat'% th' 7ar Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction )as r''stablish'% "t
'ncompass's th' C'ntral &sian! Sib'rian! $rans6?aykal an% 7ar Bast'rn Military
.istricts! part o- th' Paci-ic 7l''t an% th' Mongolian arm'% -orc's "n p'ac'tim' th'
:'a%Guart'rs o- this Strat'gic .ir'ction is m'rg'% )ith that o- th' $rans6?aykal
Military .istrict an% is locat'% in Chita Cl'arly this is a most conv'ni'nt location!
occupying! as it %o's! a c'ntral position among th' Military .istricts bor%'ring on
China an% prot'ct'% by th' bu--'r stat' o- Mongolia


Part T%o
Types of Armed Services

'o% the *ed Army is divided in relation to its targets
31

1

>v'r th' c'nturi's! th' arm'% -orc's o- most countri's hav' tra%itionally b''n
%ivi%'% b't)''n lan% armi's an% -l''ts "n th' t)'nti'th c'ntury th' thir% cat'gory o-
air -orc's )as a%%'% Bach o- th' arm'% s'rvic's is %ivi%'% into %i--'r'nt arms o-
s'rvic' $housan%s o- y'ars ago! lan% -orc's )'r' alr'a%y %ivi%'% into in-antry an%
cavalry Much lat'r! artill'ry %'tachm'nts )'r' a%%'%! th's' )'r' 'v'ntually Aoin'% by
tank -orc's! an% so th' proc'ss continu'%
$o%ay4s <'% &rmy consists! unlik' any oth'r in th' )orl%! not o- thr''! but o- -iv'
%i--'r'nt &rm'% S'rvic'sH

$h' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's
$h' ,an% 7orc's
$h' &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's
$h' &ir 7orc's
$h' (avy

Bach o- th's' S'rvic's! )ith th' '/c'ption o- th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's! is ma%'
up o- %i--'r'nt arms o- s'rvic' "n th' ,an% 7orc's th'r' ar' s'v'n! in th' &ir .'-'nc'
7orc's thr''! in th' &ir 7orc's thr''! an% in th' (avy si/ $h' &irborn' 7orc's
constitut' a s'parat' arm o- s'rvic'! )hich is not part o- th' compl'm'nt o- any o-
th' main S'rvic's
"n a%%ition to th's' S'rvic's an% th'ir constitu'nt arms o- s'rvic'! th'r' ar'
supporting arms o- s'rvic'66'ngin''rs! communications! ch'mical )ar-ar' an%
transport troops an% oth'rs66)hich -orm part o- th' %i--'r'nt S'rvic's an% th'ir
compon'nt arms "n a%%ition th'r' ar' oth'r s'rvic's )hich support th' op'rations o-
th' )hol' <'% &rmy $h'r' ar' -i-t''n or so o- th's' but )' )ill '/amin' only th'
most importantH military int'llig'nc' an% th' %isin-ormation s'rvic'

2

&t th' h'a% o- 'ach o- th' &rm'% S'rvic's is a Comman%'r6in6Chi'- $h' stan%ing
o- th's' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- vari's $hr'' o- th'm66thos' in comman% o- th' ,an%
7orc's! th' &ir 7orc'! an% th' (avy66ar' no mor' than a%ministrativ' h'a%s $h'y ar'
r'sponsibl' -or th' improv'm'nt an% %'v'lopm'nt o- th'ir S'rvic's! an% -or 'nsuring
that th's' ar' up to str'ngth an% prop'rly 'Guipp'% $)o o- th' oth'rs66th'
Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- th' <ock't 7orc's an% o- th' &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's66ar'
r'sponsibl' not only -or a%ministrativ' Gu'stions but also -or th' op'rational control o-
th'ir -orc's in action
$h' %iscr'pancy in th' positions o- Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- r'sults -rom th' -act that!
in combat! th' <ock't 7orc's op'rat' in%'p'n%'ntly! )ithout n''%ing to )ork )ith any
oth'r S'rvic' "n th' sam' )ay! th' &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's op'rat' in compl't'
in%'p'n%'nc' $h' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- th's' t)o S'rvic's ar' subor%inat'%
%ir'ctly to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r an% ar' -ully r'sponsibl' -or th'ir -orc's both in
p'ac'tim' an% in )ar
;ith th' ,an% 7orc's! &ir 7orc's an% (avy th' situation is mor' compl'/ "n th'ir
op'rations th'y n''% to coop'rat' constantly an% clos'ly "- any o- th's' thr'' shoul%
%'ci%' to tak' in%'p'n%'nt action! th' r'sults )oul% b' catastrophic 7or this r'ason
th' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- th's' Itra%itional4 S'rvic's ar' %'lib'rat'ly %'ni'% th'
32
right to %ir'ct th'ir o)n -orc's in )ar $h'ir task is to sup'rvis' all asp'cts o- th'
%'v'lopm'nt an% 'Guipm'nt o- th'ir S'rvic's
Sinc' th' ,an% 7orc's! &ir 7orc's an% (avy can only op'rat' in clos' conAunction!
combin'% comman% structur's hav' b''n %'vis'% to control th'm in%'p'n%'ntly o-
th'ir Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- ;' hav' alr'a%y 'ncount'r'% th's' combin'%
structur's66th'y ar' th' 7ronts! )hich contain 'l'm'nts -rom both ,an% an% &ir
&rmi's! an% th' Strat'gic .ir'ctions )hich incorporat' 7ronts an% 7l''ts
$h' 'stablishm'nt o- th's' combin'% comman% structur's an% o- syst'ms o-
combat control! )hich ar' not subor%inat'% to in%ivi%ual Comman%'rs6in6Chi'-! has
ma%' it possibl' to solv' most o- th' probl'ms )hich r'sult -rom th' rivalry )hich has
'/ist'% b't)''n th' S'rvic's -or c'nturi's
,'t us tak' th' cas' o- a Sovi't g'n'ral )ho is slo)ly climbing th' rungs o- his
pro-'ssional la%%'r 7irst h' comman%s a motor6ri-l' %ivision! th'n h' b'com's %'puty
to th' Comman%'r o- a $ank &rmy (it is normal practic' to mov' o--ic'rs -rom motor6
ri-l' -orc's to tank -orc's an% vic' v'rsa) an% n'/t h' b'com's an &rmy Comman%'r
0ntil no) h' has al)ays b''n a -i'rc' champion o- th' int'r'sts o- th' ,an% 7orc's!
)hich h' supports -'rv'ntly So -ar! though! his position has b''n too lo)ly -or his
vi')s to b' h'ar% by anyon' outsi%' th' ,an% 7orc's ?ut no) h' ris's a littl' high'r
an% b'com's Comman%'r o- a 7ront :' no) has both an op'rational task! -or th'
-ul-ilm'nt o- )hich his h'a% is at stak'! an% th' -orc's )ith )hich to carry it out66
thr'' or -our ,an% &rmi's an% on' &ir &rmy $h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- ,an% 7orc's
suppli's his ,an% &rmi's )ith all th'y r'Guir'! th' Cbmman%'r6in6Chi'- o- &ir 7orc's
%o's th' sam' -or his &ir &rmy ?ut it is th' 7ront Comman%'r )ho is r'sponsibl' -or
%'ci%ing ho) to us' th's' -orc's in combat "n this situation 'v'ry 7ront Comman%'r
-org'ts! as soon as h' tak's ov'r his high post! that h' is an in-antry or a tank
g'n'ral :' has to carry out his op'rational task an% -or this all his &rmi's66,an% an%
&ir66must b' appropriat'ly pr'par'% an% suppli'% "- th' &ir &rmy is )ors' pr'par'%
an% suppli'% than th' &ll6&rms an% $ank &rmi's! th' 7ront Comman%'r )ill 'ith'r
imm'%iat'ly tak' st'ps hims'l- to r'stor' th' balanc' or )ill call on his sup'riors to
%o this $h'r' ar' si/t''n 7ront Comman%'rs in all &ll o- th'm ar' pro%ucts o- th'
,an% 7orc's! -or th's' provi%' th' basic str'ngth o- 'ach 7ront! but th'y ar' in no )ay
subor%inat' to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- ,an% 7orc's in Gu'stions conc'rning th'
us' o- th'ir r'sourc's "t is th' 7ront Comman%'rs )ho hav' th' task o- %ir'cting
th'ir -orc's to victory 7or this r'ason! i- th' ,an% 7orc's )'r' to b' incr'as'% at th'
'/p'ns' o- th' &ir 7orc's! all th' 7ront Comman%'rs )oul% prot'st imm'%iat'ly an%
sharply! %'spit' th'ir o)n upbringing in th' ,an% 7orc's
"- our g'n'ral shoul% climb still high'r an% b'com' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- a
Strat'gic .ir'ction! h' )ill hav' a 7l''t un%'r his control! as )'ll as -our 7ronts! 'ach
o- )hich contains a mi/tur' o- ,an% 7orc's an% &ir 7orc's
"n )artim' h' )ill b' r'sponsibl' -or combat op'rations cov'ring hug' ar'as an% h'
is alr'a%y conc'rn'%! in p'ac'tim'! to 'nsur' that all th' -orc's un%'r his comman%
%'v'lop proportionat'ly an% in balanc' )ith on' anoth'r "n this )ay y'st'r%ay4s tank
o--ic'r b'com's an ar%'nt champion o- th' %'v'lopm'nt not only o- th' ,an% 7orc's
but o- th' &ir 7orc's an% th' (avy

2

$h' &rm'% S'rvic's consist o- arms o- s'rvic' &t th' h'a% o- 'ach arm o- s'rvic' is
a Comman%'r :o)'v'r in most cas's th' latt'r has pur'ly a%ministrativ' -unctions
7or instanc'! th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- ,an% 7orc's has as on' o- his subor%inat's
th' Comman%'r o- $ank 7orc's ?ut t'ns o- thousan%s o- tanks ar' spr'a% throughout
th' )orl%! -rom Cuba to Sakhalin Bv'ry r'connaissanc' battalion has a tank platoon!
33
'v'ry motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt has a tank battalion! 'v'ry motor6ri-l' %ivision has a tank
r'gim'nt! 'v'ry &rmy a tank %ivision! 'v'ry 7ront a $ank &rmy! an% 'ach Strat'gic
.ir'ction has a 8roup o- $ank &rmi's (aturally! %'cisions on th' us' o- all th's'
tanks in combat ar' tak'n by th' combat comman%'rs as th' situation %'v'lops $h'
Comman%'r o- $ank 7orc's is in no position to play any part in th' control o- 'ach
tank unit! an% any such int'rv'ntion )oul% b' a violation o- th' principl' o- sol'
r'sponsibility -or th' con%uct an% r'sults o- combat op'rations 7or this r'ason! th'
Comman%'r o- $ank 7orc's is strictly -orbi%%'n to int'rv'n' in combat planning an% in
Gu'stions o- th' us' o- tanks in combat :is r'sponsibiliti's cov'r th' %'v'lopm'nt o-
n') typ's o- tank an% th'ir t'sting! th' sup'rvision o- th' Guality o- pro%uction o-
tank -actori's! 'nsuring that all tank %'tachm'nts ar' suppli'% )ith th' n'c'ssary
spar' parts an% th' training o- sp'cialists in th' $ank 7orc' &ca%'mi's! in th' -iv'
$ank :igh Schools an% in training %ivisions :' is also r'sponsibl' -or th' t'chnical
con%ition o- tanks in all th' arm'% -orc's an% acts as th' insp'ctor o- all tank
p'rsonn'l
$h' Comman%'r o- th' <ock't 7orc's an% &rtill'ry o- th' ,an% 7orc's! th'
Comman%'r o- th' &ir .'-'nc' o- ,an% 7orc's! th' Comman%'r o- 7l''t &viation an%
Comman%'rs o- oth'r arms o- s'rvic' hav' similar a%ministrativ' rol's
:o)'v'r th'r' ar' '/c'ptions to this rul' "t is possibl' that som' arms o- s'rvic'
may b' totally (or almost totally) %'ploy'% in a singl' %ir'ction $h' Comman%'rs o-
th's' arms o- s'rvic' hav' both a%ministrativ' an% combat rol's $h's' arms o-
s'rvic' inclu%' th' &ir 7orc's4 ,ong6<ang' (strat'gic missil'6carrying) &viation an%
Military $ransport &viation an% th' &irborn' 7orc's "n )artim'! an% on Gu'stions
conc'rning th' us' o- th'ir -orc's! th' Comman%'rs o- th's' arms o- s'rvic' ar'
subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Stavka


The Strategic *ocket $orces

1

$h' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's (S<7) ar' th' n')'st an% th' small'st o- th' -iv'
&rm'% S'rvic's )hich mak' up th' Sovi't &rmy $h'y ar' also th' most important
compon'nt o- that &rmy
$h' S<7 )as 'stablish'% as an in%'p'n%'nt S'rvic' in .'c'mb'r 1939 &t its h'a%
is a Comman%'r6in6Chi'- )ith th' titl' o- Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion 0n%'r his
comman% ar' thr'' <ock't &rmi's! thr'' in%'p'n%'nt <ock't Corps! t'n to t)'lv'
<ock't %ivisions! thr'' si@'abl' rock't rang's an% a larg' numb'r o- sci'nti-ic
r's'arch an% t'aching 'stablishm'nts $h' total str'ngth o- th' S<7 is about hal- a
million
$h' S<7 is both an op'rational an% an a%ministrativ' organisation "n p'ac'tim' its
Comman%'r6in6Chi'- is r'sponsibl' to th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' on all a%ministrativ'
Gu'stions an% to th' Politburo on all asp'cts o- th' op'rational us' o- rock'ts "n
)artim' th' S<7 )oul% b' controll'% by th' .'-'nc' Council! through th' Supr'm'
Comman%'r & -inal %'cision on th' mass us' o- strat'gic rock'ts )oul% b' ma%' by
th' .'-'nc' Council66i' th' Politburo
& <ock't &rmy consists o- t'n %ivisions & %ivision is ma%' up o- t'n r'gim'nts an%
a t'chnical bas' & rock't r'gim'nt may hav' -rom on' to t'n launch'rs! %'p'n%ing
on th' typ' o- rock't )ith )hich it is 'Guipp'% & strat'gic rock't r'gim'nt is th'
small'st in si@' o- any in th' Sovi't &rmy "ts -ighting str'ngth is b't)''n 23+ an%
5++ m'n! %'p'n%ing on th' typ' o- rock't )ith )hich it is 'Guipp'% "ts basic tasks
34
ar' to maintain th' rock'ts! to sa-'guar% an% %'-'n% th'm an% to launch th'm
>rganisationally! a rock't r'gim'nt consists o- th' comman%'r! his sta--! -iv' %uty
launch t'ams! an 'm'rg'ncy r'pair batt'ry an% a guar% company $his sub6unit is
%igni-i'% )ith th' titl' o- r'gim'nt sol'ly b'caus' o- th' v'ry gr'at r'sponsibility
)hich its o--ic'rs b'ar
Bach r'gim'nt has an un%'rgroun% comman% post in )hich th'r' is al)ays a %uty
t'am o- o--ic'rs )ith %ir'ct communication links )ith th' %ivisional comman%'r! th'
&rmy comman%'r! th' comman%'r6in6chi'- o- th' S<7 an% th' C'ntral comman% post
"- this un%'rgroun% post go's out o- action! th' comman%'r o- th' r'gim'nt
imm'%iat'ly %'ploys a mobil' control point )orking -rom motor v'hicl's "n a
thr'at'ning situation t)o t'ams ar' on %uty simultan'ously66on' in th' un%'rgroun%
comman% post an% th' oth'r at a mobil' on'66so that 'ith'r coul% tak' ov'r th' -iring
o- all th' r'gim'nt4s rock'ts
&ccor%ing to th' situation! th' %uty t'ams at comman% posts ar' chang'% 'ith'r
'v'ry )''k or 'v'ry month
"- a launch'r is %amag'%! it is %ismantl'% by th' r'gim'nt4s 'm'rg'ncy r'pair
batt'ry $h' guar% company is r'sponsibl' -or th' prot'ction o- th' comman% posts
an% o- th' launch'rs & larg' proportion o- th' r'gim'nt4s p'rsonn'l ar' involv'% in
guar% %uti's (ot on' o- th'm )ill hav' s''n a rock't or kno) anything about on'
$h'ir Aob is to guar% sno)6cov'r'% cl'arings in pin' -or'sts! cl'arings )hich ar'
surroun%'% by %o@'ns o- ro)s o- barb'% )ir' an% %'-'n%'% by min'-i'l%s $h' guar%
company o- a rock't r'gim'nt has -i-ty or so guar% %ogs
$h' principal task o- a rock't %ivision is th' t'chnical supply o- its r'gim'nts 7or
this! a %ivisional comman%'r has un%'r him a sub6unit kno)n as a t'chnical bas'!
)hich has a compl'm'nt o- 2!+++65!+++ an% is comman%'% by a colon'l $h'
t'chnical bas' carri's out th' transport! maint'nanc'! r'plac'm'nt! r'pair an%
s'rvicing o- th' r'gim'nt4s rock'ts
$h' str'ngth o- a rock't %ivision is 1!+++68!+++
$h' h'a%Guart'rs o- 'ach <ock't &rmy is r'sponsibl' -or coor%ination o- th'
op'rations o- its %ivisions! )hich )ill b' %'ploy'% throughout a v'ry larg' ar'a "n a
critical situation! th' h'a%Guart'rs o- a <ock't &rmy may mak' us' o- -lying comman%
posts to %ir'ct th' -iring o- th' rock'ts o- r'gim'nts an% %ivisions )hos' comman%
posts hav' b''n put out o- action $h' in%'p'n%'nt <ock't Corps ar' organis'% by th'
<ock't &rmi's! '/c'pt that th'y hav' thr'' or -our rath'r than t'n %ivisions $h'y ar'
also arm'% )ith comparativ'ly short6rang' rock'ts (2!+++6#!+++ kilom'tr's)! som' o-
)hich ar' -ir'% -rom mobil' rath'r than -rom -i/'% un%'rgroun% launch'rs
$h' '/ist'nc' o- th' rock't corps is %u' to th' -act that )hil' th' thr'' <ock't
&rmi's com' un%'r th' '/clusiv' control o- th' Supr'm' Comman%'r! th'y ar'
n''%'% to support th' -orc's o- th' thr'' main Strat'gic .ir'ctions an% ar' at th'
%isposal o- th' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- th's' .ir'ctions & )hol' Corps! or som' o-
its %ivisions! can b' us'% in support o- a%vancing -orc's in any o- th' .ir'ctions
S'parat' rock't %ivisions! subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th'
S<7! -orm his op'rational r's'rv' Som' o- th's' %ivisions ar' 'Guipp'% )ith
particularly po)'r-ul rock'ts $h' r'st hav' stan%ar% rock'ts an% can b' mov'% to
any part o- th' Sovi't 0nion! in or%'r to r'%uc' th'ir vuln'rability

2

$h' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's hav' a much r'v'r'% -ath'r -igur' "- h' %i% not '/ist
n'ith'r )oul% th' S<7 :is nam' is 7i%'l CastroH you may smil'! but th' S<7 %o's not
$h' story b'hin% this is as -ollo)s "n 1939 Castro an% his comra%'s s'i@'% po)'r
in Cuba (o on' in ;ashington )as alarm'% by this an% no r'action cam' -rom
35
Mosco)F it )as s''n as a routin' ,atin &m'rican coup6%4Qtat :o)'v'r it )as not long
b'-or' ;ashington b'cam' un'asy an% Mosco) b'gan to sho) int'r'st $h' Cr'mlin
sa) an un'/p'ct'% chanc' to loos'n th' hol% o- its hat'% 'n'my! capitalism! on th'
;'st'rn h'misph'r' $his )as obviously an '/c'll'nt opportunity but on' )hich it
s''m'% impossibl' to '/ploit b'caus' o- lack o- str'ngth on th' spot :ith'rto! th'
Sovi't 0nion ha% b''n abl' to support alli's o- this sort )ith tanks ?ut ho) coul% it
h'lp 7i%'l Castro at th' oth'r si%' o- an oc'an= &t that tim' th' Sovi't 7l''t coul% not
%r'am o- trying to tak' on th' 0S (avy! particularly on th' latt'r4s o)n %oorst'p
Strat'gic aircra-t '/ist'% but only -or para%'s an% %'monstrations o- str'ngth :o)
coul% th' 0nit'% Stat's b' %issua%'% -rom st'pping in=
$h'r' )as a simpl'! brilliant solution66blu--
"t )as %'ci%'% to mak' us' o- a )'apon )hich ha% not y't com' into s'rvic'66)hat
8o'bb'ls )oul% hav' call'% a Imiracl' )'apon4 7or a miracl' )'apon )as )hat th'
Politburo 'mploy'% $hroughout 1939 th'r' )'r' top6priority -irings o- Sovi't rock'ts
an% p'rsist'nt rumours o- '/traor%inary succ'ss's "n .'c'mb'r rumours b'gan to
circulat' about n')! top6s'cr't -orc's )hich )'r' all6po)'r-ul! highly accurat'!
invuln'rabl'! in%'structibl' an% so -orth $h's' rumours )'r' support'% by th'
appointm'nt o- Marshal o- &rtill'ry M " ('%'lin to a highly important position o-
som' sort! )ith promotion to Chi'- Marshal o- &rtill'ry "n 9anuary 19#+ Chrushch'v
announc'% th' -ormation o- th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's! )ith ('%'lin at th'ir h'a%
:' -ollo)'% this )ith claims that nothing )oul% b' abl' to )ithstan% th's' -orc's! that
th'y coul% r'ach any point on th' glob'! 'tc $alking to Aournalists! Chrushch'v
r'v'al'% Iin con-i%'nc'4 that h' ha% b''n to a -actory )h'r' h' ha% s''n rock'ts
Itumbling o-- th' conv'yor b'lts! Aust lik' sausag's4 ("nci%'ntally! th'n! as no)! th'
supply o- sausag's )as pr's'nting th' 0SS< )ith acut' probl'ms) $h' ;'st!
unaccustom'% to %'aling )ith so high6l'v'l a charlatan! )as %uly impr'ss'% an%
cons'Gu'ntly th'r' )as no invasion o- Cuba .uring th' %rama )hich took plac'!
Chrushch'v took to making -i'rc' thr'ats about Ipr'ssing th' button4
&t th' mom'nt )h'n th' 'stablishm'nt o- th' S<7 )as announc'%! a 7orc' 'Gual in
stan%ing to th' ,an% 7orc's an% sai% to -ar '/c''% th' latt'r in striking po)'r! at th'
mom'nt )h'n Marshal ('%'lin4s h'a%Guart'rs )as 'stablish'%! )ith gr'at sho)! th'
Sovi't rock't -orc's consist'% o- -our r'gim'nts arm'% )ith 86Kh628 rock'ts (copi's
o- th' 8'rman V2) an% on' rang'! on )hich '/p'rim'nts )ith n') Sovi't rock'ts
)'r' b'ing carri'% out $h' -igur's -or rock't pro%uction )'r' n'gligibl' &ll th'
rock'ts that )'r' ma%' )'r' imm'%iat'ly us'% -or %'monstrations in spac' )hil' th'
n')ly6-orm'% %ivisions r'c'iv'% nothing but r'plicas! )hich )'r' sho)n o-- at para%'s
an% in -ilms Bmpty %ummi's! r's'mbling rock'ts! )'r' spl'n%i%ly %'signat'%
I%im'nsional substitut's4 M'an)hil'! a h'ctic rac' )as in progr'ss to pro%uc' r'al!
op'rational rock'ts &cci%'nts occurr'%! on' a-t'r anoth'r >n 25 >ctob'r! 19#+! )h'n
an '/p'rim'ntal 86C6#2 rock't bl') up! th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' Strat'gic
<ock't 7orc's! Chi'- Marshal ('%'lin! an% his 'ntir' sta-- )'r' burn'% aliv'
:o)'v'r! th' S<7 ha% )on its -irst battl'! th' battl' -or Cuba

2

&s tim' pass'%! th' S<7 b'cam' abl' to stan% on its o)n -''t ?ut th' blu--
continu's $h' &m'rican arm'% -orc's r'-'r mo%'stly to -i-ty int'rcontin'ntal ballistic
missil's as a SGua%ron $h' Sovi't &rmy buil%s at l'ast -iv' <'gim'nts aroun% this
numb'r o- missil's &lt'rnat'ly i- th' rock'ts ar' obsol'sc'nt th'y may -orm a <ock't
.ivision or 'v'n a <ock't Corps $h' &m'ricans %o not classi-y a thousan% rock'ts as
a s'parat' S'rvic'! or 'v'n as an in%ivi%ual arm o- s'rvic' $h'y ar' Aust part o- th'
0S &ir 7orc'4s Strat'gic &ir Comman% "n th' 0SS< -i-t''n hun%r'% rock'ts mak' up a
36
compl't' S'rvic'! comman%'% by a Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion &t pr's'nt! th'
&m'ricans ar' arm'%! 'ss'ntially! )ith a singl' typ' o- int'rcontin'ntal rock't! th'
IMinut'man4 "n th' Sovi't 0nion th'r' ar' mor' than t'n %i--'r'nt typ's! amounting
to appro/imat'ly th' sam' total as th' &m'ricans poss'ss ;hy this lack o-
coor%ination= ?'caus' not on' o- th'm is o- r'ally goo% Guality Som' lack accuracy!
an% hav' too lo) a payloa%! an% too short a rang'! but th'y ar' k'pt in s'rvic'
b'caus' th'y ar' mor' r'liabl' than oth'r typ's >th'rs ar' r'tain'% b'caus' th'ir
accuracy is mor' or l'ss acc'ptabl' >th'rs ar' n'ith'r accurat' nor r'liabl' but hav'
a goo% rang' ?ut th'r' is on' oth'r r'ason -or this unti%y situation! -or this
multiplicity o- typ's $h' -act is that th' rock't -orc's hav' b''n %'v'lop'% pi'c'm'al!
lik' a patch)ork Guilt Sovi't in%ustry is unabl' to turn out long pro%uction runs o-
rock'ts Guickly 7or this r'ason! )hil' th' -actori's ar' -amiliarising th'ms'lv's )ith
th' manu-actur' o- on' typ' an% b'ginning slo)ly to pro%uc' it! anoth'r typ' is b'ing
brought Aust as slo)ly into s'rvic' 7amiliarisation )ith this n') typ' starts! in a
%ilatory )ay! an% a small pro%uction run b'gins! )ith 'Gual lack o- hast'! an% thus!
y'ar by y'ar! th' <ock't 7orc's '/pan%! gra%ually an% in l'isur'ly -ashion >-t'n a
r'ally goo% rock't can only b' pro%uc'% in small numb'rs b'caus' th' 0nit'% Stat's
)ill only s'll a small Guantity o- th' parts n''%'% -or it 7or '/ampl'! i- th' &m'ricans
only s'll s'v'nty6nin' pr'cision -u'l -ilt'rs! th' Sovi'ts )ill b' unabl' to pro%uc' mor'
than this numb'r o- rock'ts Som' o- th's' )ill b' allocat'% -or '/p'rim'ntal us' an%
th' numb'r availabl' -or op'rational %'ploym'nt th'r'-or' b'com's small'r still "t is
th'n n'c'ssary to %'sign a n') rock't )ithout high6pr'cision -ilt'rs but )ith
'l'ctronic 'Guipm'nt to control th' ignition proc'ss ?ut th'n! p'rhaps! it is only
possibl' to purchas' t)o hun%r'% s'ts o- this 'l'ctronic 'Guipm'nt -rom th' 0S &
-irst6class rock't! but no mor' than t)o hun%r'% can b' pro%uc'%

5

$h' S<7 -ac's anoth'r! 'v'n mor' critical probl'm66its hung'r -or uranium $h'
shortag' o- uranium an% plutonium has l'% th' Sovi't 0nion to pro%uc' '/tr'm'ly
high6po)'r'% th'rmonucl'ar )arh'a%s )ith a $($ 'Guival'nt o- scor's o- m'gatons
>n' o- th' r'asons -or this )as th' poor accuracy o- th' rock'tsF in or%'r to o--s't
this it b'cam' n'c'ssary to incr'as' %rastically th' yi'l% o- th' )arh'a%s ?ut this )as
not th' most important consi%'ration $h' -un%am'ntal r'ason )as that a
th'rmonucl'ar charg'! )hat'v'r its yi'l%! n''%s only on' nucl'ar %'tonator $h'
shortag' o- uranium an% plutonium ma%' it n'c'ssary to pro%uc' a comparativ'ly
small Guantity o- th'rmonucl'ar )arh'a%s an% to comp'nsat' -or this by incr'asing
th'ir yi'l%
$h' Sovi't 0nion has put a lot o- )ork into th' probl'm o- pro%ucing a
th'rmonucl'ar )arh'a% in )hich r'action is brought about not by a nucl'ar %'tonator
but by som' oth'r m'ans66-or instanc'! by th' simultan'ous '/plosion o- a larg'
numb'r o- hollo) charg's $his is v'ry %i--icult to achi'v'! -or i- Aust on' charg'
-unctions a thousan%th o- a s'con% 'arly! it )ill scatt'r all th' oth'rs &m'rican
'l'ctronic 'Guipm'nt is n''%'% to solv' th' probl'm high pr'cision tim'rs! )hich )ill
%'liv'r impuls's to all th' charg's simultan'ously $h'r' ar' som' groun%s -or
b'li'ving that tim'rs o- this sort may b' sol% to th' Sovi't 0nion an%! i- this happ'ns!
th' S<7 )ill acGuir' titanic str'ngth M'an)hil'! not all Sovi't rock'ts hav' )arh'a%s
$h'r' ar' not 'nough -or 'v'ry rock't! so that! at pr's'nt! us' is b'ing ma%' o-
ra%ioactiv' mat'rial )hich is! Guit' simply! )ast' pro%uc'% by nucl'ar po)'r
stations66ra%ioactiv' %ust <ath'r than launch a rock't )ithout a )arh'a%! th'
)r'tch'% thing might as )'ll b' us'% to scatt'r %ust in th' 'n'my4s 'y's (aturally!
scatt'ring small Guantiti's o- %ust ov'r )i%' ar'as o- 'n'my t'rritory! 'v'n i- it is
37
highly ra%ioactiv'! )ill not %o much %amag' an% it )ill c'rtainly not %'ci%' th'
outcom' o- a )ar ?ut )hat can on' %o i- on' has nothing b'tt'r=
:o)'v'r! naturally! th' S<7 must not b' un%'r'stimat'% <api% t'chnical progr'ss
is b'ing ma%' an% Sovi't 'ngin''rs ar' skil-ully st''ring a cours' b't)''n th'
t'chnological ic'b'rgs )hich con-ront th'm! som'tim's achi'ving astoun%ing
succ'ss's! brilliant in th'ir simplicity
$h' t'chnical balanc' coul% chang' v'ry Guickly! i- th' ;'st %o's not pr'ss -or)ar%
)ith th' %'v'lopm'nt o- its o)n 'Guipm'nt as Guickly an% as %'cisiv'ly as th' Sovi't
0nion is %oing


The ,ational Air /efence $orces

1

$h' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's (&.7) ar' th' thir% most important o- th' -iv'
S'rvic's )hich mak' up th' Sovi't &rm'% 7orc's! a-t'r th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's
an% th' ,an% 7orc's :o)'v'r! )' )ill '/amin' th'm at this point! %ir'ctly a-t'r th'
S<7! sinc' lik' th' latt'r th'y r'pr's'nt not simply an a%ministrativ' structur' but a
uni-i'%! controll'% combat organisation! subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Supr'm'
Comman%'r ?'caus' th'y -orm a uni-i'% combat organisation! th' &.7 ar' al)ays
comman%'% by a Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion $h' ,an% 7orc's! )hich ar' -iv' tim's
th' si@' o- th' &.7! an% )hich r'pr's'nt th' striking -orc' o- th' Sovi't 0nion in
Burop'! ar' h'a%'% only by a 8'n'ral o- th' &rmy

2

"n th' arm'% -orc's o- any oth'r country! r'sponsibility -or air %'-'nc' is lai% upon
its air -orc's "n th' Sovi't 0nion! th' air %'-'nc' syst'm )as so highly %'v'lop'%
that it )oul% b' Guit' impossibl' to con-in' it )ithin th' organisational structur' o- th'
&ir 7orc's Mor'ov'r! th' &.7 ar' th' thir% most important S'rvic' )hil' th' &ir
7orc's occupy -ourth plac'
$h' in%'p'n%'nc' o- th' &.7 -rom th' &ir 7orc's is %u' not only to th'ir si@' an% to
th'ir t'chnical %'v'lopm'nt! but also to th' ov'rall Sovi't philosophy conc'rning th'
allocation o- )artim' rol's "n any country in )hich Sovi't sp'cialists ar' giv'n th'
task o- s'tting up or r'structuring th' arm'% -orc's! th'y 'stablish s'v'ral parall'l
syst'ms o- air %'-'nc' >n' is a static syst'm! %'sign'% to %'-'n% th' t'rritory o- th'
country an% th' most important a%ministrativ'! political! 'conomic an% transport
installations )hich it contains $his is a copy o- th' &.7 "n a%%ition! s'parat' syst'ms
-or s'l-6%'-'nc' an% prot'ction against air attack ar' s't up in th' lan% -orc's! th'
navy an% th' air -orc'
;hil' th' national %'-'nc' syst'm is static! thos' o- th' %i--'r'nt arm'% s'rvic's
ar' mobil'! %'sign'% to mov' alongsi%' th' -orc's )hich th'y '/ist to prot'ct "-
s'v'ral syst'ms -in% th'ms'lv's op'rating in th' sam' ar'a! th'y )ork )ith on'
anoth'r an% in such a cas' th'ir collaboration is al)ays organis'% by th' national
syst'm

2

$h' %ivision o- th' &.7 into a national syst'm an% anoth'r syst'm -or th'
prot'ction o- th' arm'% s'rvic's! took plac' long b'-or' th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar &ll
38
anti6aircra-t artill'ry an% all s'archlight an% soun%6ranging units )'r' %ivi%'% b't)''n
thos' un%'r th' comman% o- army an% naval comman%'rs an% thos' cov'ring th'
most important civil installations! )hich ar' not subor%inat'% to army comman%'rs
but ha% th'ir o)n control apparatus $h' -ight'r aircra-t availabl' )'r' %ivi%'% in th'
sam' )ay "n 1929! -or instanc'! -orty air r'gim'nts (1!#5+ combat aircra-t) )'r'
trans-'rr'% -rom th' str'ngth o- th' &ir 7orc's to that o- th' &.7! -or both
a%ministrativ' an% combat purpos's Mi/'% &.7 units )'r' -orm'% -rom th' anti6
aircra-t artill'ry! s'archlight an% air sub6units! )hich succ''%'% in coop'rating v'ry
clos'ly )ith on' anoth'r
.uring th' )ar th' &.7 compl't'% th'ir %'v'lopm'nt into a s'parat'! in%'p'n%'nt
constitu'nt o- th' &rm'% 7orc's! on an 'Gual -ooting )ith th' ,an% 7orc's! th' &ir
7orc's an% th' (avy .uring th' )ar! too! th' %'v'lopm'nt o- -ight'r aircra-t %'sign'%
sp'ci-ically -or 'ith'r th' &ir 7orc's or th' &.7 )as b'gun 7lying training schools
)'r' s't up to train &.7 pilots! using %i--'r'nt t'aching programm's -rom thos' o- th'
&ir 7orc's Subs'Gu'ntly! anti6aircra-t gunn'ry schools )'r' 'stablish'%! som' o-
)hich train'% o--ic'rs -or anti6aircra-t units o- th' ,an% 7orc's an% (avy )hil' oth'rs
pr'par'% o--ic'rs -or th' anti6aircra-t units o- th' &.7 &-t'r th' )ar! th' t'ams
%'signing anti6aircra-t guns -or th' &rm'% 7orc's )'r' %ir'ct'% to %'v'lop 'sp'cially
po)'r-ul anti6aircra-t guns -or th' &.7
&t th' 'n% o- th' )ar th' total str'ngth o- th' &.7 )as mor' than on' million!
%ivi%'% into -our &.7 -ronts ('ach )ith t)o or thr'' armi's) an% thr'' in%'p'n%'nt
&.7 &rmi's
&-t'r th' )ar th' &.7 )as giv'n o--icial status as an in%'p'n%'nt &rm'% S'rvic'

5

$o%ay th' &.7 has mor' than #++!+++ m'n 7or a%ministrativ' purpos's th'y ar'
%ivi%'% into thr'' arms o- s'rvic'H

&.7 7ight'r &viation
&.7 Sur-ac'6to6air Missil' 7orc's
&.7 <a%ar 7orc's

7or gr'at'r '--ici'ncy an% clos'r coop'ration! th' sub6units o- th's' thr'' arms o-
s'rvic' ar' brought tog'th'r to -orm mi/'% units66&.7 .ivisions! Corps! &rmi's an%
7ronts (in p'ac'tim' 7ronts ar' kno)n as &.7 .istricts)
$h' -act that 2!+++ combat aircra-t! among th'm som' o- th' most a%vanc'%! hav'
no op'rational! -inancial! a%ministrativ' or any oth'r conn'ction )ith th' &ir 7orc's!
has not b''n grasp'% by or%inary in%ivi%uals in th' ;'st! nor 'v'n by ;'st'rn
military sp'cialists "t is th'r'-or' n'c'ssary to r'p'at! that th' &.7 rat' as a s'parat'
an% in%'p'n%'nt &rm'% S'rvic'! )ith 2!+++ sup'rsonic int'rc'ptor aircra-t! 12!+++
anti6aircra-t missil' launch'rs an% #!+++ ra%ar installations
"t is b'caus' th' &.7 ar' r'sponsibl' both -or th' prot'ction o- Sovi't t'rritory an%
o- th' most important installations in th' 0SS< that th'y -unction in%'p'n%'ntly
Sinc' th'y ar' conc'rn'% mainly )ith th' %'-'nc' o- stationary targ'ts! th' -ight'r
aircra-t %'v'lop'% -or th'm %i--'r -rom thos' )ith )hich th' &ir 7orc's ar' 'Guipp'%
$h' &.7 ar' also 'Guipp'% )ith sur-ac'6to6air missil's an% ra%ar installations )hich
%i--'r -rom thos' us'% by th' ,an% 7orc's an% by th' (avy
$h' &ir 7orc's hav' th'ir o)n -ight'r aircra-t! totalling s'v'ral thousan% $h' ,an%
7orc's hav' thousan%s o- th'ir o)n anti6aircra-t missil' launch'rs! anti6aircra-t guns
an% ra%ar installations $h' (avy! too! has its o)n -ight'rs! anti6aircra-t missil's an%
guns an% ra%ar! an% all o- th's' b'long to th' in%ivi%ual &rm'% S'rvic' rath'r than to
39
th' &.7! an% ar' us'% to m''t th' r'Guir'm'nts o- th' op'rational comman%'rs o- th'
,an% 7orc's! &ir 7orc's an% (avy ;' )ill %iscuss th's' in%'p'n%'nt air %'-'nc'
syst'ms lat'rF -or th' mom'nt )' )ill con-in' ours'lv's to th' national %'-'nc'
syst'm

3

$h' -ight'r aircra-t o- th' &.7 ar' organis'% as r'gim'nts "n all! th' &.7 has mor'
than s'v'nty r'gim'nts! 'ach )ith -orty aircra-t
$h' &.7 cannot! o- cours'! us' -ight'r aircra-t built -or th' &ir 7orc's! any mor'
than th' latt'r can us' aircra-t built to th' %'signs o- th' &.7 $h' &ir 7orc's an% th'
&.7 op'rat' un%'r 'ntir'ly %i--'r'nt con%itions an% hav' %i--'r'nt op'rational tasks
an% 'ach S'rvic' th'r'-or' has its particular r'Guir'm'nts -rom its o)n aircra-t
$h' &.7 op'rat's -rom p'rman'nt air-i'l%s an% can th'r'-or' us' h'avy -ight'r
aircra-t $h' -ight'r aircra-t o- th' &ir 7orc's ar' constantly on th' mov' b'hin% th'
,an% 7orc's an% must th'r'-or' op'rat' -rom v'ry poor air-i'l%s! som'tim's )ith
grass run)ays or 'v'n -rom s'ctions o- roa% $h'y ar' th'r'-or' much light'r than th'
aircra-t us'% by th' &.7
&.7 -ight'rs ar' assist'% in th'ir op'rations by '/tr'm'ly po)'r-ul ra%ar an%
gui%anc' syst'ms! )hich %ir'ct th' aircra-t to th'ir targ'ts -rom th' groun% $h's'
aircra-t %o not th'r'-or' n''% to b' highly mano'uvrabl' but 'v'ry '--ort is ma%' to
incr'as' th'ir sp''%! th'ir op'rational c'iling an% rang' $h' &ir 7orc's r'Guir'
%i--'r'nt Gualiti's -rom th'ir -ight'r aircra-t! )hich ar' light'r! sinc' th'y hav' to
op'rat' in constantly changing situations! an% -rom th'ir pilots! )ho hav' to )ork
unassist'%! locating an% attacking th'ir targ'ts -or th'ms'lv's $h' &ir 7orc' -ight'rs
th'r'-or' n''% to b' both light an% highly mano'uvrabl' but th'y ar' consi%'rably
in-'rior to thos' o- th' &.7 in sp''%! rang'! payloa% an% c'iling
,'t us look at an '/ampl' o- th's' t)o %i--'r'nt approach's to th' %'sign o- -ight'r
aircra-t $h' M"8622 is '/tr'm'ly light an% mano'uvrabl' an% is abl' to op'rat' -rom
any air-i'l%! inclu%ing thos' )ith grass run)ays Cl'arly! it is an aircra-t -or th' &ir
7orc's ?y contrast! th' M"8623! although %'sign'% by th' sam' group! at th' sam'
tim'! is '/tr'm'ly h'avy an% unmano'uvrabl' an% can op'rat' only -rom long an%
v'ry stabl' concr't' run)ays! but it has gain'% t)'lv' )orl% r'cor%s -or rang'! sp''%!
rat' o- climb an% altitu%' r'ach'% 7or t)o %'ca%'s this )as th' -ast'st op'rational
aircra-t in th' )orl% "t is 'asy to s'' that this is an &.7 -ight'r
?'si%'s th' M"8623! )hich is a high6altitu%' int'rc'ptor! th' &.7 hav' a lo)6l'v'l
int'rc'ptor! th' S0 13! an% a long6rang' int'rc'ptor! th' $0 128! )hich is %'sign'% to
attack 'n'my aircra-t att'mpting to p'n'trat' Sovi't air spac' across th' 'n%l'ss
)ast's o- th' &rctic or th' %'s'rts o- C'ntral &sia
$h' Surfacetoair !issile "SA!# $orces of the A%$ consist! organisationally! o-
rock't briga%'s ('ach )ith 1+ to 12 launch battalions)! r'gim'nts (2 to 3 launch
battalions) an% in%'p'n%'nt launch battalions Bach battalion has # to 8 launch'rs!
accor%ing to th' typ' o- rock't )ith )hich it is 'Guipp'% Bach battalion has b't)''n
8+ an% 12+ m'n 7irst! all battalions )'r' 'Guipp'% )ith S 13 rock'ts $h'n! to
r'plac' th's'! t)o rock'ts! th' S 123 (lo)6altitu%' an% short6rang') an% th' S 2++
(high6altitu%' an% long6rang')! )'r' %'v'lop'% $h' S 2++ can b' -itt'% )ith a
nucl'ar )arh'a% to %'stroy 'n'my rock'ts or aircra-t &lso intro%uc'%! to %'stroy th'
'n'my4s int'r6contin'ntal ballistic missil's! )as th' 0< 1++! )hich has a particularly
po)'r-ul )arh'a%! but th' %'ploym'nt o- this typ' has b''n limit'% by th' 0S6Sovi't
&?M $r'aty
Bach S&M battalion is 'Guipp'% )ith s'v'ral anti6aircra-t guns o- small (22mm) an%
larg' (31mm) calibr' $h's' ar' us'% to r'p'l 'ith'r lo)6-lying 'n'my aircra-t or
40
attacks by 'n'my lan% -orc's "n p'ac'tim'! th's' anti6aircra-t guns ar' not classi-i'%
as a s'parat' arm o- s'rvic' o- th' &.7 :o)'v'r! in )artim'! )h'n th' str'ngth o-
th' &.7 )oul% b' incr'as'% thr'' or -our tim's! th'y )oul% -orm an arm o- s'rvic'!
%'ploy'% as anti6aircra-t artill'ry r'gim'nts an% %ivisions! 'Guipp'% )ith 22! 31! 83!
1++ an% 12+mm guns! )hich ar' mothball'% in p'ac'tim'
The &adar $orces of the A%$ consist o- briga%'s an% r'gim'nts! tog'th'r )ith a
numb'r o- in%'p'n%'nt battalions an% compani's $h'y ar' 'Guipp'% )ith s'v'ral
thousan% ra%ar installations! -or th' %'t'ction o- 'n'my aircra-t an% spac' )'apons
an% -or th' gui%anc' to)ar%s th's' targ'ts o- &.7 robot an% int'rc'ptor aircra-t
"n a%%ition to th's' thr'' main arms o- s'rvic'! th' compl'm'nt o- th' &.7
inclu%'s many supporting sub6units (provi%ing transport! communications! guar%
%uti's an% a%ministration)! t)o military aca%'mi's an% 'l'v'n high'r o--ic'rs4 schools!
tog'th'r )ith a consi%'rabl' numb'r o- t'st6rang's! institut's -or sci'nti-ic r's'arch
an% training c'ntr's

#

>p'rationally th' &.7 consists o- a C'ntral Comman% Post! t)o &.7 .istricts! )hich
)oul% b'com' &.7 7ronts in )artim'! 'ight in%'p'n%'nt &.7 &rmi's an% s'v'ral
in%'p'n%'nt &.7 Corps
0p to r'gim'ntal an% briga%' l'v'l &.7 -ormations ar' %ra)n -rom a singl' arm o-
s'rvic'66-or '/ampl' -rom S&M briga%'s! -ight'r r'gim'nts! in%'p'n%'nt ra%ar
battalions! 'tc 7rom %ivision l'v'l up)ar%s! 'ach arm o- s'rvic' is r'pr's'nt'% in
'ach -ormation an% th's' ar' th'r'-or' call'% &.7 .ivisions! Corps! 'tc
$h' organisation o- 'ach %ivision! corps or oth'r high'r -ormation is %'ci%'% in
accor%anc' )ith th' importanc' o- th' installation )hich it is prot'cting :o)'v'r!
th'r' is on' gui%ing principl'H 'ach comman%'r is r'sponsibl' -or th' %'-'nc' o- on'
k'y point only $his principl' is uni-ormly appli'% at all l'v'ls
$h' comman%'r o- an &.7 %ivision is r'sponsibl' -or th' prot'ction o- a singl'!
highly important installation! -or instanc'! o- a larg' po)'r6supply c'ntr' :' is also
r'Guir'% to pr'v'nt incursions by 'n'my aircra-t ov'r his s'ctor $h' %ivision th'r'-or'
%'ploys on' S&M briga%' to cov'r th' main installation! an% mov's t)o or thr'' S&M
r'gim'nts into th'6ar'as most lik'ly to b' thr'at'n'%! ah'a% o- th' briga%'s! an% a
numb'r o- in%'p'n%'nt S&M battalions into ar'as )hich ar' in l'ss %ang'r "n
a%%ition! th' %ivisional comman%'r has on' air r'gim'nt )hich may b' us'% to mak'
contact )ith th' 'n'my at a consi%'rabl' %istanc'! -or op'rations at boun%ari's or
Aunctions not cov'r'% by S&M -ir'! or in th' ar'a in )hich th' 'n'my %'liv'rs his main
thrust $h' op'rations o- th' S&M sub6units an% o- th' int'rc'ptor aircra-t ar'
support'% by ra%ar battalions an% compani's )hich ar' subor%inat'% both to th'
%ivisional comman%'r hims'l- an% to th' comman%ing o--ic'rs o- th' %ivision4s S&M
units
&n &.7 corps comman%'r organis's cov'rag' o- th' targ't h' is prot'cting in
pr'cis'ly th' sam' )ay $o prot'ct th' main installation its'l- h' has on' &.7 %ivision
?oth h' an% his %ivisional comman%'r ar' involv'% in th' %'-'nc' o- th' sam'
installation $)o or thr'' S&M briga%'s ar' mov'% -or)ar% to cov'r th' s'ctors )hich
ar' un%'r gr'at'st thr'at! )hil' S&M r'gim'nts ar' %'ploy'% in l'ss 'n%ang'r'%
ar'as >n' air r'gim'nt is un%'r th' %ir'ct comman% o- th' corps comman%'r! -or
long6rang' us' or -or op'rations in th' ar'a in )hich th' 'n'my %'liv'rs his main
attack "- th' S&M sub6units ar' put out o- action! th' corps comman%'r can at any
tim' mak' us' o- his -ight'r r'gim'nt to cov'r an ar'a in )hich a br'akthrough is
thr'at'n'% $hus th'r' ar' t)o air r'gim'nts )ith 'ach &.7 Corps! on' at th'
%isposal o- th' &.7 %ivisional comman%'r! th' oth'r -or us' by th' corps comman%'r
41
& corps contains thr'' or -our S&M briga%'s! on' )ith th' &.7 %ivision! th' oth'rs at
th' %isposal o- th' corps comman%'r! cov'ring th' approach's to th' %ivisional
position "n a corps th'r' ar' -iv' or si/ S&M r'gim'nts! t)o or thr'' o- )hich ar'
us'% in th' %ivision4s main s'ctor! th' r'main%'r in th' s'con%ary s'ctors o- th' corps
ar'a ,astly! th' corps comman%'r hims'l- has a ra%ar r'gim'nt! in a%%ition to th'
ra%ar -orc's o- his subor%inat's
&n &.7 &rmy comman%'r! too! is r'sponsibl' -or th' prot'ction o- a singl' k'y
obA'ctiv' an% has an &.7 corps to cov'r it "n a%%ition! an &rmy has t)o or thr''
in%'p'n%'nt &.7 %ivisions! 'ach o- )hich provi%'s cov'r -or its o)n k'y installation
an% also %'-'n%s th' main approach's to th' k'y obA'ctiv' guar%'% by th' &rmy
"n%'p'n%'nt S&M briga%'s ar' %'ploy'% in th' s'con%ary s'ctors o- th' &rmy4s ar'a
&n &rmy comman%'r also has t)o air r'gim'nts (on' )ith aircra-t -or high6altitu%'
op'rations! th' oth'r )ith long6rang' int'rc'ptors) an% his o)n ra%ar installations
(inclu%ing ov'r6th'6hori@on ra%ars)
&n &.7 .istrict is similar in structur' $h' k'y obA'ctiv' is cov'r'% by an &rmy $)o
or thr'' in%'p'n%'nt &.7 corps ar' %'ploy'% in th' s'ctors un%'r gr'at'st thr'at
)hil' th' l'ss 'n%ang'r'% ar'as ar' cov'r'% by &.7 %ivisions! 'ach o- )hich! o-
cours'! has a k'y obA'ctiv' o- its o)n $h' .istrict Comman%'r also has t)o
int'rc'ptor air r'gim'nts un%'r his comman% an% ra%ar %'t'ction -aciliti's! inclu%ing
v'ry larg' aircra-t 'Guipp'% )ith po)'r-ul ra%ars
$h' n'rv' c'ntr'66Mosco)66is! o- cours'! cov'r'% by an &.7 .istrictF th' main
approach's to this .istrict by &.7 &rmi's an% th' s'con%ary s'ctors by &.7 corps
Bach .istrict an% &rmy has! o- cours'! th' task o- cov'ring a k'y installation o- its
o)n
$h' &.7 contains t)o &.7 .istricts Som'thing must b' sai% about th' r'asons -or
th' '/ist'nc' o- th' s'con% o- th's'66th' ?aku .istrict 0nlik' th' Mosco) .istrict!
th' ?aku &.7 .istrict %o's not hav' a k'y targ't to prot'ct $h' -act that ?aku
pro%uc's oil is irr'l'vantH t)'nty6-our tim's as much oil is pro%uc'% in th' $atarstan
ar'a as in ?aku $h' ?aku &.7 .istrict looks south)ar%s! cov'ring a hug' ar'a along
th' -ronti'rs! )hich is unlik'ly to b' attack'% S'v'ral o- th' armi's o- th' &.7 (th'
9th! -or instanc')! hav' consi%'rably gr'at'r combat r'sourc's than th' )hol' ?aku
.istrict "t is! ho)'v'r! b'caus' o- th' n''% to )atch such a hug' ar'a! a task -or
)hich an &.7 &rmy has insu--ici'nt capacity! that a .istrict )as 'stablish'% th'r'
&ll in all! th' &.7 is th' most po)'r-ul syst'm o- its sort in th' )orl% "t has at its
%isposal not only th' larg'st Guantity o- 'Guipm'nt but in som' r'sp'cts th' b'st
'Guipm'nt in th' )orl% &t th' b'ginning o- th' 198+s th' M"8623 int'rc'ptor )as th'
-ast'st in th' )orl% an% th' S62++ ha% th' larg'st yi'l% an% th' gr'at'st rang' o- any
sur-ac'6to6air missil' "n th' p'rio% sinc' th' )ar th' Sovi't &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's hav'
sho)n th'ir str'ngth on many occasions $h'y %i% this most strikingly on 1 May!
19#+! by shooting %o)n an &m'rican 062 r'connaissanc' aircra-t! a typ' r'gar%'%
until th'n as invuln'rabl'! b'caus' o- th' incr'%ibl' h'ight at )hich it coul% op'rat'
$h'r' is no %oubt that th' Sovi't &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's ar' th' most '/p'ri'nc'% in th'
)orl% ;hat oth'r syst'm can boast o- having sp'nt as many y'ars -ighting th' most
mo%'rn air -orc' in th' )orl% as th' Sovi't &.7 syst'm in Vi'tnam=
"n th' mi%6191+s som' %oubt aros' as to its r'liability )h'n a South Cor'an
aircra-t lost its )ay an% -l') ov'r Sovi't &rctic t'rritory -or som' consi%'rabl' tim'
b'-or' b'ing -orc'% %o)n by a Sovi't S0613 int'rc'ptor :o)'v'r! th' r'asons -or this
%'lay can b' -ully '/plain'%F )' hav' not'% that int'rc'ptor aircra-t %o not r'pr's'nt
th' main str'ngth o- th' &.7! )hich li's in its sur-ac'6to6air missil's $h' t'rritory
across )hich th' lost aircra-t -l') )as Guit' unusually )'ll6'Guipp'% )ith S&Ms! but
th'r' is simply no r'ason to us' th'm against a civil aircra-t &t th' sam' tim'!
b'caus' o- th' %''p sno) )hich lay in th' ar'a! har%ly any int'rc'ptors )'r'
42
station'% th'r' $h'ir abs'nc' )as comp'nsat'% -or by an abnormally larg' numb'r
o- S&Ms! r'a%y to shoot %o)n any military aircra-t "n this unusual situation! onc' th'
inva%'r ha% b''n -oun% to b' a civil aircra-t! it b'cam' n'c'ssary to us' an
int'rc'ptor brought -rom a gr'at %istanc' $his aircra-t took o-- -rom ,o%'ynoy' Poly'
an% -l') mor' than 1!+++ kilom'tr's! in %arkn'ss! to m''t th' intru%'r "n an
op'rational situation it )oul% not hav' b''n n'c'ssary to %o this "t )oul% b' simpl'r
to us' a rock't
('v'rth'l'ss! %'spit' 'v'rything! th' &.7 has its &chill's h''l $h' -ast'st aircra-t
ar' -lo)n by m'n )ho %'t'st socialism )ith all th'ir h'arts $h' pilot ?y'l'nko is by
no m'ans uniGu' in th' &.7


The (and $orces

1

$h' ,an% 7orc's ar' th' ol%'st! th' larg'st an% th' most %iv'rsi-i'% o- th' S'rvic's
making up th' &rm'% 7orc's o- th' <'% &rmy "n p'ac'tim' th'ir str'ngth totals
appro/imat'ly 2 million! but mobilisation )oul% bring th'm up to b't)''n 21 an% 22
million )ithin t'n %ays
$h'y contain s'v'n arms o- s'rvic'H

Motor6ri-l' $roops
$ank $roops
&rtill'ry an% <ock't $roops o- th' ,an% 7orc's
&ir .'-'nc' $roops o- th' ,an% 7orc's
&irborn' &ssault $roops
.iv'rsionary $roops (Sp'tsna@)
7orti-i'% &r'a $roops

$h' '/ist'nc' o- th' last thr'' is k'pt s'cr't
"n th'ir organisation an% op'rational str'ngth! th' ,an% 7orc's can b' s''n as a
scal'%6%o)n mo%'l o- th' 'ntir' Sovi't &rm'% 7orc's 9ust tak' a look at th'ir
structur'H th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's ar' subor%inat'% to th' StavkaF th' ,an%
7orc's hav' th'ir o)n rock't troopsF th' &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's ar' subor%inat'% to th'
StavkaF th' ,an% 7orc's hav' th'ir o)n air %'-'nc' troops $h'y also hav' th'ir o)n
aircra-t! )hich ar' in%'p'n%'nt o- th' &ir 7orc's $h' &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's! in th'ir
numb'rs an% 'Guipm'nt th' strong'st in th' )orl%! ar' subor%inat'% to th' StavkaF
th' ,an% 7orc's also hav' th'ir o)n airborn' troops )hich! using th' sam' yar%stick!
ar' th' s'con% strong'st in th' )orl%
$h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ,an% 7orc's has no mor' than an a%ministrativ'
-unction :is h'a%Guart'rs contains n'ith'r an >p'rational nor an "nt'llig'nc'
.ir'ctorat' &ll op'rational planning is carri'% out by th' mi/'% comman%s o- th'
7ronts! Strat'gic .ir'ctions or 8'n'ral Sta-- $h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'-4s
r'sponsibiliti's ar' limit'% to th' 'Guipm'nt! provisioning an% training o- his -orc's
:o)'v'r! %'spit' th' -act that h' has no r'sponsibility -or th' %ir'ction o- op'rations
th' C6in6C ,an% 7orc's is still a highly in-lu'ntial a%ministrator Cl'arly! anyon' )ho is
r'sponsibl' -or th' %'v'lopm'nt an% supply o- -orty6on' &rmi's! inclu%ing 'ight $ank
&rmi's %'s'rv's r'sp'ct
$h' Comman%'rs o- th' various arms o- s'rvic' o- th' ,an% 7orc's! too! hav'
pur'ly a%ministrativ' -unctions $h' %ir'ction o- op'rations! as )' alr'a%y kno)! is
43
th' -unction o- mi/'% all6arms comman%s! )hich ar' not subor%inat'% -or this -unction
to 'ith'r th' C6in6C or th' Comman%'rs o- in%ivi%ual arms o- s'rvic'

2

$h' Motor6<i-l' $roops

Bach motor6ri-l' s'ction has a str'ngth o- 'l'v'n >n' man acts as assistant to th'
rock't launch'r an% is Aokingly r'-'rr'% to as th' missil' transport'r :' %o's in%''%
carry thr'' rock'ts! in a satch'l Bach o- th's' has a )arh'a% capabl' o- p'n'trating
th' armour o- any mo%'rn tank! boost'r an% sustain'r 'ngin's! a spin stabilis'r! a
turbin'! a -in ass'mbly an% a trac'r compoun%
:is ar' not th' only rock'ts in th' s'ction "t is also 'Guipp'% )ith anti6aircra-t
rock'ts )ith s''k'r h'a%s! )hich 'nabl' th'm to %istinguish hostil' aircra-t -rom
-ri'n%ly on's an% to %'stroy th'm "n a%%ition! th' s'ction has -our 96M615 IMalyutka4
rock'ts )hich hav' an automatic gui%anc' syst'm &ll this in on' in-antry s'ction
$h' s'ction4s ?MP61 combat v'hicl' has an automatic 12mm gun an% thr''
machin' guns an% has su--ici'nt -ir'6po)'r! mano'uvrability an% prot'ction to tak' on
any mo%'rn light tank $h' s'ction also has thr'' ra%io s'ts! s'nsors -or th' %'t'ction
o- ra%ioactivity an% gas an% oth'r compl'/ %'vic's in a%%ition to its or%inary in-antry
'Guipm'nt
&t this! th' lo)'st! l'v'l! )' -in% not a tru' in-antry -ormation but a hybri% o- tank!
anti6tank! S&M! ch'mical! sapp'r an% oth'r sub6units
$h' in-antry is th' ol%'st o- th' arms o- s'rvic' &ll th' r'main%'r originat'% lat'r
an% )'r' %'v'lop'% as a%%itions or r'in-orc'm'nts to th' in-antry 7rom our
'/amination o- th' in-antry s'ction )' s'' that th' mo%'rn in-antry is an arm o-
s'rvic' )hich! 'v'n at its lo)'st l'v'l! has absorb'% 'l'm'nts o- many oth'rs
$h' conc'pt o- th' in-antry! not as cannon -o%%'r! but as th' -ram')ork o- th'
'ntir' &rm'% 7orc's! th' sk'l'ton on )hich th' )hol' o- th' r'main%'r %'v'lops! has
b''n h'l% -or a long tim' by Sovi't g'n'rals &-t'r th' last )ar! all Sovi't in-antry
o--ic'r training schools )'r' r'nam'% >--ic'r Ca%'t &ca%'mi's! an% b'gan to turn out!
not run6o-6th'6mill platoon comman%'rs! but comman%'rs )ith a )i%' rang' o-
kno)l'%g'! abl' to organis' coop'ration b't)''n all arms o- s'rvic' in th' battl'-i'l%!
in or%'r to 'nsur' Aoint succ'ss
"t is -or this r'ason that to%ay4s o--ic'rs ar' not call'% 'ith'r in-antry or motor6ri-l'
comman%'rs! but all6arms comman%'rs
$h' organisation o- a normal Sovi't r'gim'nt )hich! by tra%ition! is still call'% a
motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt! is as -ollo)sH

Comman% h'a%Guart'rs
<'connaissanc' company
Signals company
$ank battalion (thr'' compani's)
$hr'' motor6ri-l' battalions ('ach o- thr'' compani's an% on' automatic mortar
batt'ry)
& battalion o- s'l-6prop'll'% ho)it@'rs (thr'' -ir' batt'ri's an% on' control batt'ry)
& batt'ry o- 8ra%6P multipl' rock't launch'rs
& S&M batt'ry
&n 'ngin''r company
& ch'mical %'-'nc' company
& maint'nanc' company
& motor transport company
44

"n all! th' r'gim'nt has 21 compani's! only 9 o- )hich ar' motor6ri-l' compani's "t
is signi-icant that! in a so6call'% Imotor6ri-l'4 r'gim'nt! th'r' ar' 1+ artill'ry batt'ry
comman%'rs66that is to say! on' mor' than th' numb'r o- motor6ri-l' company
comman%'rs
"- )' mov' a littl' high'r! to th' l'v'l o- a %ivision! )' -in% that! surprisingly! it is
still r'-'rr'% to as a Imotor6ri-l'4 %ivision ;' )ill look at th' organisation o- a motor6
ri-l' %ivision lat'rF -or th' pr's'nt )' )ill simply not' that it contains a total o- 1#3
compani's an% batt'ri's >- th's' only 28 ar' motor6ri-l' compani'sF it also has 22
tank compani's an% #1 artill'ry batt'ri's (mortar! anti6aircra-t an% rock't) $h'
r'main%'r is ma%' up o- r'connaissanc'! signal an% 'ngin''r! ch'mical an% oth'r
compani's
$h' motor6ri-l' troops mak' up th' bulk o- th' Sovi't -orc's >rganisationally! th'y
consist o- 122 %ivisions an% o- an a%%itional 51 r'gim'nts! )hich -orm part o- th'
compl'm'nt o- tank %ivisions "n a%%ition! th'r' ar' motor6ri-l' battalions s'rving in
-orti-i'% ar'as an% also )ith th' (avy4s marin' in-antry briga%'s
"n p'ac'tim' motor6ri-l' sub6units ar' %ivi%'% into thos' )ith normal 'Guipm'nt
(armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs) an% thos' 'Guipp'% )ith in-antry combat v'hicl's
(?MPs) $his is to%ay4s v'rsion o- th' ag'6ol% %ivision b't)''n light an% h'avy
in-antry! b't)''n gr'na%i'rs an% chass'urs
"n th'ory all motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts in tank %ivisions an% on' r'gim'nt in 'ach
motor6ri-l' %ivision shoul% b' 'Guipp'% )ith ?MPs "n practic'! this %'p'n%s upon th'
output o- th' %'-'nc' in%ustri's an% upon th'ir ability to supply combat 'Guipm'nt to
th' -orc's "n many inlan% military %istricts %ivisions hav' not r'c'iv'% th' ?MPs
allocat'% to th'm ?y contrast! %ivisions station'% in Bast 8'rmany hav' t)o rath'r
than on' ?MP r'gim'nt
Sub6units 'Guipp'% )ith ?MPs hav' much gr'at'r -ir'6 an% striking6po)'r than
th'ir normal motor6ri-l' 'Guival'nts $his is not only b'caus' a ?MP has b'tt'r
prot'ction! armam'nt an% mano'uvrability than an armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'r ?MP
sub6units also hav' -ar mor' supporting )'apons 7or instanc'! a motor6ri-l' battalion
station'% on Sovi't t'rritory has a mortar platoon &n 'Guival'nt ?MP battalion has a
batt'ry inst'a% o- a platoon Mor'ov'r! th's' ar' not stan%ar% but automatic mortars!
an% th'y ar' s'l-6prop'll'% rath'r than to)'% & stan%ar% motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt has a
ho)it@'r batt'ry! or in som' cas's a battalion o- to)'% ho)it@'rs & ?MP r'gim'nt has
a ho)it@'r battalion 'Guipp'% )ith s'l-6prop'll'% amphibious ho)it@'rs an% a -urth'r
batt'ry o- I8ra%6P4 multipl' rock't launch'rs
?MP sub6units ar' th' -irst to r'c'iv' n') anti6tank! anti6aircra-t! 'ngin''ring an%
communications 'Guipm'nt $h'y ar'! in -act! th' trump suit in th' pack

2

$h' $ank 7orc's

$h' $ank 7orc's r'pr's'nt th' main striking po)'r o- th' ,an% 7orc's $h'ir
organisation is simpl' an% )'ll6%'-in'% Bv'ry unit comman%'r has his o)n tank
assault -orc'! o- a si@' appropriat' to his position $h' comman%'r o- a motor6ri-l'
r'gim'nt has a tank battalion at his %isposal $h' comman%'r o- a motor6ri-l' %ivision
has his o)n tank r'gim'nt &n &rmy comman%'r has on' tank %ivision an% a 7ront
Comman%'r a $ank &rmy 7inally! th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction has
a 8roup o- $ank &rmi's Combat op'rations at 'ach l'v'l ar' organis'% accor%ing to
'stablish'% principl's &n a%vanc' by a motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt is! 'ss'ntially! an
a%vanc' by a tank battalion )hich is support'% by all th' oth'r battalions an%
45
compani's o- th' r'gim'nt $his principl' appli's at all l'v'ls *ou coul%! in -act! say
that an a%vanc' by a Strat'gic .ir'ction is r'ally a br'ak6through by a $ank &rmy
8roup support'% by th' op'rations o- th' thr'' or -our 7ronts )hich b'long to that
.ir'ction
"n a%%ition to this basic striking -orc'! 7ront Comman%'rs an% C6in6Cs o- Strat'gic
.ir'ctions may k''p in%'p'n%'nt tank %ivisions in r's'rv'! using th'm -or rapi% r'li'-
o- th' %ivisions )hich su--'r th' )orst loss's ?'si%'s this! ho)'v'r! 'ach comman%'r!
-rom %ivisional l'v'l up)ar%s! has )hat might b' call'% a p'rsonal tank guar%
?'si%'s th' tank r'gim'nt )hich is his main striking -orc'! a %ivision comman%'r has
an in%'p'n%'nt tank battalion $hus! a motor6ri-l' %ivision has s'v'n tank battalions
in allF on' in 'ach o- its thr'' motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts! thr'' in its tank r'gim'nt an% th'
in%'p'n%'nt battalion $his battalion is 'ntir'ly %i--'r'nt -rom th' oth'rs ;h'r'as th'
or%inary tank battalions hav' 21 tanks (2 compani's o- 1+ 'ach an% on' -or th'
battalion comman%'r)! an in%'p'n%'nt battalion has 32 tanks (3 compani's o- 1+
'ach! on' -or th' battalion comman%'r an% th' %ivisional comman%'r4s o)n tank)
0nlik' th' oth'rs! an in%'p'n%'nt tank battalion has r'connaissanc'! anti6aircra-t!
'ngin''r an% ch'mical platoons "n its mak'6up it is mor' lik' a small! in%'p'n%'nt
tank r'gim'nt! than a larg' battalion "n a%%ition! th' in%'p'n%'nt tank battalions ar'
th' -irst to r'c'iv' th' lat'st 'Guipm'nt " hav' s''n many %ivisions 'Guipp'% )ith $6
55 tanks )hil' th' in%'p'n%'nt tank battalions ha% $61+Ms! )hich hav' th'n r'c'iv'%
$633s! )hil' th' in%'p'n%'nt battalions got $612s $h' %ivisional comman%'r )ill
car'-ully an% pati'ntly ass'mbl' all his b'st cr')s in this battalion $h' comman%'r o-
a motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt )ill thro) his tank battalion into th' thick o- a battl'! an% a
%ivisional comman%'r )ill %o th' sam' )ith his tank r'gim'nt but h' )ill k''p his
in%'p'n%'nt tank battalions in r's'rv' $h's' prot'ct r'sp'ctiv'ly! th' %ivision4s
h'a%Guart'rs an% th' %ivision4s rock't battalion $h's' ar' not! o- cours'! th'ir main
-unctions! but -all to th' lot o- th' in%'p'n%'nt battalions b'caus' th'y almost al)ays
-unction as r's'rv's
?ut l't us suppos' that %uring a battl' a situation aris's in )hich a comman%'r
must thro) in 'v'rything h' has! a situation )hich can r'sult in 'ith'r victory or
%isast'r $his is th' mom'nt at )hich h' brings his o)n p'rsonal guar% into th'
op'ration! a -r'sh! -ully6r'st'% battalion! o- unusual si@'! ma%' up o- his b'st cr')s
an% 'Guipp'% )ith th' b'st tanks &t this mom'nt a %ivisional comman%'r is risking
'v'rything an% -or this r'ason h' may h'a% this! his o)n in%'p'n%'nt! tank battalion
&n &rmy Comman%'r! too! in a%%ition to th' tank %ivision )hich -orms his striking
-orc'! has an in%'p'n%'nt tank battalion to act as his p'rsonal guar% :' puts it into
action only at th' last possibl' mom'nt an% it may b' )ith this battalion that h'
m''ts his o)n %'ath in battl' "n a%%ition to his $ank &rmy! 'ach 7ront Comman%'r
has an in%'p'n%'nt tank briga%'! consisting o- th' b'st cr')s in th' )hol' 7ront an%
'Guipp'% )ith th' b'st tanks (ormally a 7ront4s in%'p'n%'nt tank briga%' has -our or
-iv' battalions an% on' motor6ri-l' battalion $h' comman%'r o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction!
too! has his p'rsonal tank guar%! in a%%ition to his $ank &rmy 8roup $his guar%
consists o- a singl' sp'cial in%'p'n%'nt tank %ivision or! in som' cas's! o- a tank
corps ma%' up o- t)o %ivisions
"n all! th' $ank 7orc's hav' 51 tank %ivisions! 121 r'gim'nts! s'rving )ith motor6
ri-l' %ivisions an% mor' than 3++ battalions! 'ith'r s'rving )ith motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts
or acting as r's'rv's -or comman%'rs o- varying ranks "n p'ac'tim' th'ir total
str'ngth is 35!+++ tanks

5

$h' &rtill'ry an% <ock't $roops o- th' ,an% 7orc's
46

&-t'r th' 'n% o- th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar! th' <ock't $roops )'r' tr'at'% as a
s'parat' arm o- s'rvic'! not -orming part o- any on' o- th' &rm'% S'rvic's but
subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' "n 1939 th'y )'r' split up $h'
Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's )'r' 'stablish'% as a s'parat' &rm'% S'rvic' $hos' rock't
troops )ho )'r' not absorb'% by th' n') S'rvic' )'r' tak'n ov'r by th' ,an% -orc's
an% unit'% )ith th' &rtill'ry to -orm th' &rtill'ry an% <ock't $roops! as on' o- th'
constitu'nt arms o- s'rvic' o- th' ,an% 7orc's
&t pr's'nt this arm o- s'rvic' is 'Guipp'% )ith -our typ's o- artill'ry66rock't! rock't
launch'r (multi6barr'll'%! salvo6-iring)! anti6tank an% g'n'ral purpos' (mortars!
ho)it@'rs an% -i'l% guns) Bach comman%'r has at his %isposal th' artill'ry r'sourc's
appropriat' to his rank Comman%'rs o- %ivisions an% up)ar%s hav' som' o- 'ach o-
all -our typ's o- artill'ry )'apon $hus a motor6ri-l' %ivision has on' rock't battalion!
on' battalion o- multi6barr'll'% rock't launch'rs! on' anti6tank battalion an% a
ho)it@'r r'gim'nt o- thr'' battalions -or g'n'ral support ;' )ill %iscuss th' Guantity
o- -ir' )'apons availabl' to comman%'rs o- %i--'ring ranks )h'n )' com' to talk
about op'rational organisation

3

$h' &ir .'-'nc' $roops o- th' ,an% 7orc's

;' hav' alr'a%y spok'n o- th' '/ist'nc' o- t)o s'parat' air %'-'nc' syst'ms66
national an% military $h' t)o ar' unconn'ct'%H th' %i--'r'nc' b't)''n th'm is that
th' national syst'm prot'cts th' t'rritory o- th' Sovi't 0nion an% is th'r'-or'
stationary )hil' th' military syst'm is an int'gral part o- th' -ighting s'rvic's an%
mov's )ith th'm in or%'r to prot'ct th'm -rom air attack
>rganisationally! 'ach in-antry s'ction! )ith th' '/c'ption o- thos' )hich trav'l in
platoon comman%'rs4 v'hicl's! contains on' sol%i'r arm'% )ith a IStr'la 24 anti6
aircra-t rock't launch'r $h'r' ar' t)o such launch'rs in 'ach platoon $h' s''k'r
h'a%s )ith )hich th'y ar' -itt'% 'nabl' rock'ts -ir'% -rom th's' launch'rs to shoot
%o)n 'n'my aircra-t -lying at h'ights o- t)o kilom'tr's an% at %istanc's o- -our
kilom'tr's "n 'v'ry tank platoon! in a%%ition to th' anti6aircra-t machin'6guns carri'%
by 'ach tank! on' o- th' l'a%'rs has thr'' o- th's' launch'rs! )hich ar' carri'% on
th' outsi%' o- th' tank4s turr't
Bach motor6ri-l' an% tank r'gim'nt has an anti6aircra-t batt'ry! arm'% )ith 5 KS06
2265 IShilka4 s'l-6prop'll'% rock't launch'rs an% )ith 5 IStr'la 14 launch'rs (kno)n
in th' ;'st as th' S&69) $h's' t)o syst'ms compl'm'nt 'ach oth'r an% ar' highly
'--'ctiv'! th' Shilka 'sp'cially so " hav' )atch'% a Shilka )orking -rom a stony!
plough'% -i'l%! b'lching out an unint'rrupt'% blast o- -ir' against small balloons
r'l'as'%! )ithout )arning! -rom a )oo% a coupl' o- kilom'tr's a)ay $h' r'sults it
achi'v'% )'r' Guit' ov'r)h'lming $h' ?ritish r'-'r'nc' book! Jane's! is Guit' right to
%'scrib' th' Shilka as th' b'st in th' )orl%
$h' o--ic'r in charg' o- th' anti6aircra-t %'-'nc' o- 'ach motor6ri-l' an% tank
r'gim'nt coor%inat's th' op'rations o- his batt'ry an% also thos' o- all th' Str'la62
launch'rs
Bach motor6ri-l' an% tank %ivision has on' S&M r'gim'nt! arm'% )ith ICub4 (S&6#)
or I<omb4 (S&68) rock'ts Bach &rmy has on' S&M briga%'! arm'% )ith ICrug4 (S&65)
rock'ts
"n a%%ition to all th's'! a 7ront Comman%'r has un%'r his comman% t)o S&M
briga%'s )ith ICrug4 rock'ts! s'v'ral r'gim'nts )ith ICubs4 or I<ombs4 an% s'v'ral
&&& r'gim'nts! arm'% )ith 31mm an% 1++mm anti6aircra-t guns
47

#

$h' &irborn' &ssault $roops

&lthough th' &irborn' &ssault troops )'ar th' sam' uni-orm as airborn' troops!
th'y hav' no conn'ction )ith th'm &irborn' troops ar' un%'r th' %ir'ct control o- th'
Supr'm' Comman%'rF th'y us' transport aircra-t an% parachut's -or th'ir op'rations
?y contrast! th' &irborn' &ssault troops -orm part o- th' ,an% 7orc's an% ar'
op'rationally subor%inat' to a 7ront Comman%'r $h'y ar' transport'% by h'licopt'r
an% %o not us' parachut's Mor'ov'r! th'ir sub6units us' h'licopt'rs not only as a
m'ans o- transport but as -ighting )'apons
"n Sovi't 'y's! th' h'licopt'r has nothing in common )ith conv'ntional aircra-tF it
is r'gar%'% virtually as a tank &t -irst this may s''m a strang' i%'a! but it is
un%'niably )'ll -oun%'% (o aircra-t can s'i@' 'n'my t'rritoryF this is %on' by tanks!
artill'ry an% in-antry )orking tog'th'r :'licopt'rs ar' th'r'-or' r'gar%'% as
b'longing to th' ,an% 7orc's! as tanks )hich %o not -'ar min'-i'l%s! mountains or
)at'r obstacl's! as tanks )ith high -ir'6po)'r an% gr'at sp''% but )hich hav' only
limit'% prot'ction
$h' airborn' assault troops )'r' 'stablish'% in 19#9 $h'ir I-ath'r4 an% guar%ian
ang'l )as Mao "- h' ha% n'v'r '/ist'% nor )oul% th'y Sovi't g'n'rals ha% b''n
pr'ssing -or th'ir intro%uction sinc' th' b'ginning o- th' 193+s! but th'r' )'r' n'v'r
su--ici'nt r'sourc's -or th'ir cr'ation an% th' %'cision to bring th'm into s'rvic' )as
postpon'% -rom on' -iv'6y'ar plan to anoth'r :o)'v'r! in 19#9! arm'% clash's took
plac' on th' -ronti'r )ith China! an% Sovi't g'n'rals %'clar'% that th'y coul% only
%'-'n% a lin' 1!+++ kilom'tr's in l'ngth )ith tanks )hich coul% b' conc'ntrat'% )ithin
a -') hours at any on' o- th' s'ctors o- this 'normous -ronti'r So th' M"625 ma%' its
app'aranc'66a -lying tank )hich no )'apon has y't manag'% to shoot %o)n in
&-ghanistan
Military h'licopt'rs! )hich thus originat'% primarily as a )'apon against China!
actually ma%' th'ir -irst app'aranc' )ith th' Sovi't -orc's in Bast'rn Burop' $his
)as b'caus' th' situation on th' Chin's' -ronti'r improv'%F that on th' -ronti'rs )ith
th' ;'st can n'v'r improv'
>rganisationally! th' airborn' assault troops consist o- briga%'s! subor%inat'% to
7ront Comman%'rs Bach briga%' is ma%' up o- on' h'licopt'r assault r'gim'nt (#5
aircra-t)! on' sGua%ron o- M"62# h'avy transport h'licopt'rs an% thr'' airborn' ri-l'
battalions
$h' airborn' assault briga%' is us'% in th' main a/is o- a%vanc' o- a 7ront in
conAunction )ith a $ank &rmy an% un%'r air cov'r provi%'% by an &ir &rmy
"n a%%ition to this briga%'! a 7ront also has oth'r airborn' assault subunits! )hich
%o not r'pr's'nt part o- its 'stablishm'nt Bach &rmy has on' h'licopt'r transport
r'gim'nt! )hich is us'% to air6li-t or%inary motor6ri-l' sub6units b'hin% th' 'n'my4s
-ront lin' "n 'ach motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt! on' battalion in thr'' is train'%! in p'ac'tim'!
-or op'rations )ith h'licopt'rs $hus 'ach %ivision has thr'' battalions train'% -or this
purpos' an% 'ach &rmy has thirt''n such battalions
&irborn' assault -orc's ar' gro)ing continually V'ry soon )' can '/p'ct to s''
airborn' assault briga%'s )ith 'v'ry &rmy an% airborn' assault %ivisions )ith 'v'ry
7ront

1

.iv'rsionary $roops (SPB$S(&K)
48

.iv'rsionary troops! too! )'ar th' sam' uni-orm as airborn' troops )ithout having
any conn'ction )ith th'm 0nlik' airborn' assault troops! th'y ar' parachut'% -rom
aircra-t into th' 'n'my4s r'ar ar'as :o)'v'r! th'y %i--'r -rom normal airborn' troops
in not having h'avy 'Guipm'nt an% in op'rating mor' cov'rtly
$h's' SPB$S(&K -orc's -orm th' airborn' -orc's o- th' ,an% 7orc's $h'y ar' us'%
in th' 'n'my4s r'ar to carry out r'connaissanc'! to assassinat' important political or
military -igur's an% to %'stroy h'a%Guart'rs! comman% posts! communications
c'ntr's an% nucl'ar )'apons
Bach all6arms or tank army has on' SPB$S(&K company! )ith a compl'm'nt o-
113! o- )hom 9 ar' o--ic'rs an% 11 ar' 'nsigns $his company op'rat's in ar'as
b't)''n 1++ an% 3++ kilom'tr's b'hin% th' 'n'my4s -ront lin' "t consists o- a
h'a%Guart'rs! thr'' %iv'rsionary platoons an% a communications platoon .'p'n%ing
on th' tasks to b' carri'% out! th' o--ic'rs an% m'n o- th' company %ivi%' into as
many as 13 %iv'rsionary groups! but %uring an op'ration th'y may )ork -irst as a
singl' unit! th'n split into 2 or 5 groups! th'n into 13 an% th'n back again into on'
0sually! SPB$S(&K compani's ar' %ropp'% th' night b'-or' an &rmy b'gins an
a%vanc'! at a mom'nt )h'n th' anti6aircra-t an% oth'r r'sourc's o- th' 'n'my ar'
un%'r gr'at'st pr'ssur' $h'r'a-t'r! th'y op'rat' ah'a% o- th' a%vancing sub6units o-
th' &rmy
Bach 7ront has a SPB$S(&K briga%'! consisting o- a h'a%Guart'rs company an%
thr'' %iv'rsionary battalions "n p'ac'6tim' th' SPB$S(&K compani's o- th' &rmi's
o- th' 7ront ar' combin'% as a SPB$S(&K battalion! )hich '/plains )hy it is
som'tim's thought that th'r' ar' -our battalions in 'ach %iv'rsionary briga%' "n
)artim' this battalion )oul% split into compani's )hich )oul% Aoin th'ir r'sp'ctiv'
&rmi's
Bach o- th' 7ront4s thr'' battalions op'rat's in th' 'n'my4s r'ar in '/actly th'
sam' )ay as th' SPB$S(&K compani's o- th' &rmi's Bach battalion can split into as
many as 53 %iv'rsionary groups an% th' thr'' tog'th'r can th'r'-or' pro%uc' a total
o- up to 123 small groups ?ut! i- n'c'ssary! a SPB$S(&K briga%' can op'rat' at -ull
str'ngth! using b't)''n 9++ an% 1!2++ troops tog'th'r against a singl' targ't Such
a targ't might b' a nucl'ar submarin' bas'! a larg' h'a%Guart'rs! or 'v'n a national
capital
$h' h'a%Guart'rs company o- a SPB$S(&K briga%' is o- particular int'r'st 0nlik'
both th' SPB$S(&K battalions an% normal &rmy compani's! it is ma%' up o-
sp'cialists66b't)''n 1+ an% 8+ o- th'm $his :O company -orms part o- th'
SPB$S(&K briga%' an% 'v'n many o- th' latt'r4s o--ic'rs may not b' a)ar' o- its
'/ist'nc' "n p'ac'tim' this company o- sp'cialists is conc'al'% )ithin th' sports
t'ams o- th' Military .istrict ?o/ing! )r'stling! karat'! shooting! running! skiing!
parachut' Aumping66th's' ar' th' sports th'y practic' &s m'mb'rs o- sports t'ams
th'y trav'l abroa%! visiting plac's in )hich th'y )oul% kill p'opl' in th' 'v'nt o- a
-utur' Ilib'ration4
$h's' Sovi't sportsm'nMparachutists! hol%'rs o- most o- th' )orl%4s sporting
r'cor%s! hav' visit'% 'v'ry national capital $h'y hav' ma%' th'ir parachut' Aumps
n'ar Paris! ,on%on an% <om'! n'v'r conc'aling th' -act that th' sporting association
)hich has train'% th'm is th' Sovi't &rmy ;h'n Munich! <om' an% :'lsinki applau%
Sovi't marksm'n! )r'stl'rs an% bo/'rs! 'v'ryon' assum's that th's' ar' amat'urs
?ut th'y ar' not66th'y ar' pro-'ssionals! pro-'ssional kill'rs
"n a%%ition to th's' small compani's )ithin th' %iv'rsionary briga%'s o- th' 7ronts!
th'r' ar' also SPB$S(&K ,ong6<ang' <'connaissanc' <'gim'nts $h' Comman%'r6in6
Chi'- o- 'ach Strat'gic .ir'ction has on' o- th's' r'gim'nts $h' b'st o- th's'
r'gim'nts is station'% in th' Mosco) Military .istrict 7rom tim' to tim' this r'gim'nt
49
go's abroa% in -ull str'ngth >n th's' occasions it go's un%'r th' titl' o- th'
Combin'% >lympic $'am o- th' 0SS<
$h' C8?! as )'ll as th' Sovi't &rmy! is training its %iv'rsionary sp'cialists $h'
%i--'r'nc'! in p'ac'tim'! b't)''n th' t)o groups is that th' Sovi't &rmy conting'nt
al)ays b'longs to th' C'ntral &rmy Sports Club )hil' thos' -rom th' C8? ar'
m'mb'rs o- th' I.ynamo4 Sports Club "n th' 'v'nt o- )ar! th' t)o %iv'rsionary
n't)orks )oul% op'rat' in%'p'n%'ntly o- on' anoth'r! in th' int'r'sts o- r'liability
an% '--'ctiv'n'ss ?ut a %'scription o- th' %iv'rsionary n't)ork o- th' C8? li's
outsi%' our -i'l%

8

$h' 7orti-i'% &r'a $roops

7or many %'ca%'s! th' probl'm o- %'-'nc' )as not th' Sovi't 0nion4s -irst priority
&ll its r'sourc's )'r' %'vot'% to str'ngth'ning its striking po)'r an% its o--'nsiv'
capabiliti's ?ut th'n China b'gan to pr's'nt a chall'ng' >- cours'! both Sovi't an%
Chin's' l'a%'rs kn') that Sib'ria coul% n'v'r provi%' a solution to China4s t'rritorial
probl'ms Sib'ria looks larg' on th' map but 'v'n th' gr'at conGu'ror 9'nghi@ Chan!
)ho ha% %'-'at'% <ussia! China an% "ran! by6pass'% Sib'ria! )hich is nothing mor'
than a sno)y %'s'rt ?oth Sovi't an% Chin's' politicians r'alis'66as %o th'ir ;'st'rn
opposit' numb'rs66that th' solution o- th' Chin's' t'rritorial probl'm li's in th'
colonisation o- &ustralia ('v'rth'l'ss! th' Sovi't 0nion tak's st'ps to str'ngth'n its
-ronti'rs! 'v'n though it is c'rtain that th' ;'st )ill b' th' -irst victim o- China! as it
)as th' -irst victim o- :itl'r an% o- th' "ranian stu%'nts
$h' Sovi't 0nion kno)s -rom its o)n '/p'ri'nc' ho) p'ac'6loving a socialist
country b'com's )h'n its 'conomy! an% cons'Gu'ntly its army! is )'ak ?ut it also
kno)s )hat can b' achi'v'% by a country )hos' )hol' 'conomy has b''n
nationalis'%66a country in )hich 'v'rything o- valu' b'longs sol'ly to th' gov'rnm'nt
an% in )hich all r'sourc's can th'r'-or' b' conc'ntrat'% in or%'r to achi'v' a singl'
goal Cno)ing this! th' Sovi't Communists ar' pr'paring -or 'v'ry possibl'
conting'ncy in goo% tim'
"n 19#9 th' probl'm o- %'-'n%ing th' 1!+++ kilom'tr' -ronti'r )ith China b'cam'
particularly acut' $h' calculation involv'% )as a simpl' on'H on' %ivision can hol% a
s'ctor o- 1+ or! at th' outsi%'! o- 13 kilom'tr's o- th' -ronti'r :o) many %ivisions
)oul% b' n''%'% to %'-'n% 1!+++ kilom'tr's=
Sinc' th'r' )as no Gu'stion o- using th' ol% m'tho%s o- con%ucting op'rations!
n') m'tho%s66n') solutions66)'r' -oun% ;' alr'a%y kno) that on' o- th' most
important o- th's' )as th' 'stablishm'nt o- th' airborn' assault troops & s'con% )as
th' intro%uction o- a s'con% arm o- s'rvic'66th' 7orti-i'% &r'a $roops $his
r'pr's'nt'% a r'turn to th' ag'6ol% i%'a o- buil%ing -ortr'ss's
$o%ay4s Sovi't -ortr'ss's66th' 7orti-i'% &r'as66ar' 'ith'r compl't'ly n') or ar'
'stablish'% in ar'as in )hich th'r' )'r' ol% %'-'nc's! built b'-or' th' S'con% ;orl%
;ar! )hich )ithstoo% r'p'at'% attacks by th' 9apan's' army
Mo%'rn 7orti-i'% &r'as ar'! o- cours'! so construct'% as to surviv' a nucl'ar )ar &ll
-orti-ications hav' b''n str'ngth'n'% against nucl'ar attack an% contain automatic
syst'ms -or th' %'t'ction o- poisonous gas an% air -iltration plants
$o%ay! th' ol% r'in-orc'% concr't' structur's ar' har%ly 'v'r us'% -or op'rational
purpos's "nst'a%! th'y s'rv' as un%'rgroun% comman% posts! stor's! barracks!
ass'mbly points! communications c'ntr's! or hospitals &ll op'rational structur's ar'
b'ing n')ly built :'r' th' Sovi't 0nion -in%s its'l- in a v'ry -avourabl' situation!
b'caus' it has r'tain'% t'ns o- thousan%s o- ol% tanks $h's' ar' no) install'% in
50
r'in-orc'% concr't' sh'lt'rs so that only th' turr'ts app'ar abov' th' groun% $h'
turr'ts th'ms'lv's ar' str'ngth'n'% )ith a%%itional armour plating! o-t'n tak'n -rom
obsol't' )arships Som'tim's th' tops o- turr'ts ar' cov'r'% )ith an a%%itional shi'l%
ma%' o- ol% rail)ay lin'sF th' )hol' is th'n car'-ully camou-lag'% 0n%'r th' hull o-
th' tank is a r'in-orc'% concr't' maga@in' -or s'v'ral hun%r'% sh'lls an% a sh'lt'r -or
p'rsonn'l $h' )hol' -orms an '/c'll'nt -iring point! )ith a po)'r-ul (o-t'n 122mm)
tank gun! t)o machin' guns! an '/c'll'nt optical syst'm! r'liabl' %'-'nc' against a
nucl'ar blast an% an un%'rgroun% cabl' conn'cting it )ith th' comman% post! ;ith
th's' r'sourc's! t)o or thr'' sol%i'rs can %'-'n% s'v'ral kilom'tr's o- -ronti'r Sinc'
th's' tank turr'ts cov'r on' anoth'r an% sinc'! in a%%ition to th'm! th' -orti-i'% ar'as
contain thousan%s o- gun turr'ts tak'n -rom obsol't' )arships! som' o- )hich contain
Guick6-iring #6barr'll'% 2+mm guns! )hich ar' uniGu'ly '--'ctiv' against in-antry an%
aircra-t! it )oul% cl'arly b' '/tr'm'ly %i--icult to br'ak through such a lin' o- %'-'nc'
$h' Sovi't 0nion has bitt'r m'mori's o- th' )ay littl' 7inlan% )as abl' to halt th'
Sovi't a%vanc' in this )ay in 195+
Bach -orti-i'% ar'a is spaciously s't out! to incr'as' its ability to )ithstan% th'
'--'cts o- nucl'ar )'apons >rganisationally! 'ach -orti-i'% ar'a is mann'% by -iv' or
si/ battalions o- troops! a tank battalion an% an artill'ry r'gim'nt an% is abl' to cov'r
a -ronti'r s'ctor o- 2+ to 3+ kilom'tr's or mor' Cl'arly! it is not possibl' to -orti-y th'
'ntir' -ronti'r in this )ay an% -orti-i'% ar'as ar' th'r'-or' s't up in th' most
thr'at'n'% s'ctors! th' int'rv'ning t'rritory b'ing cov'r'% by nucl'ar an% ch'mical
min's an% by airborn' assault sub6units! locat'% in bas's prot'ct'% by th' -orti-i'%
ar'as $his )hol' arrang'm'nt has alr'a%y 'nabl'% th' Sovi't 0nion to 'stablish a
%'-'nsiv' syst'm cov'ring 'normous str'tch's o- t'rritory! )ithout having to mov' a
singl' on' o- th' %ivisions 'armark'% -or th' lib'ration o- ;'st'rn Burop' -rom
capitalist oppr'ssion


The Air $orces

1

$h' &ir 7orc's ar' th' -ourth most important o- th' &rm'% S'rvic's $h'r' ar' t)o
r'asons -or this lo) rating
"n th' -irst plac'! th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' &ir 7orc's %o's not control all
aircra-t $hos' o- th' &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's66)hich ar' th' -ast'st66ar' compl't'ly
in%'p'n%'nt o- th' &ir 7orc's $hos' o- th' (avy! )hich inclu%' th' most mo%'rn
bomb'rs! also hav' no link )ith th' &ir 7orc's $h' airborn' assault troops! as an
int'gral part o- th' ,an% 7orc's! hav' nothing to %o )ith th' &ir 7orc's 'ith'r
S'con%ly! unlik' th' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's an% th'
&ir .'-'nc' 7orc's! th' C6in6C o- th' &ir 7orc's is not an op'rational comman%'r but
an a%ministrator
Subor%inat'% to th' C6in6C o- th' &ir 7orc's in p'ac'tim' ar'H

Si/t''n &ir &rmi's
$h' Comman%'r o- th' ,ong6<ang' &ir 7orc'
$h' Comman%'r o- Military $ransport &viation
$)o military aca%'mi's! o--ic'rs4 training schools! sci'nti-ic r's'arch
'stablishm'nts! an% t'st c'ntr's! a%ministrativ' an% supply 'ch'lons
$h' total p'ac'tim' str'ngth o- th' &ir 7orc's is hal- a million m'n an% 1+!+++
military aircra-t an% h'licopt'rs :o)'v'r! th' appar'nt str'ngth o- th' C6in6C o- th'
51
&ir 7orc's is illusory :' is r'sponsibl' -or all Gu'stions conc'rning th' -unctioning o-
th' &ir 7orc's! -rom th' %'v'lopm'nt o- n') aircra-t to th' allocation o- rations -or
guar% %ogs! -rom th' training o- cosmonauts to th' propagation o- '/p'ri'nc'
acGuir'% in Vi'tnam! but h' is in no )ay involv'% in Gu'stions conc'rning th'
op'rational us' o- th' aircra-t un%'r his comman% $his m'ans that h' is not an
op'rational Marshal! but an o--icial an% a%ministrator! alb'it on' o- v'ry high rank
"n )artim' all si/t''n &ir &rmi's b'com' int'gral compon'nts o- th' 7ronts Bach
7ront has an &ir &rmy! )hich it us's as it consi%'rs n'c'ssary >nly th' high'st
op'rational comman%'rs66th' C6in6C o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction or th' Supr'm'
Comman%'r66may int'r-'r' in a 7ront4s op'rational planning probl'ms (inclu%ing
thos' o- th' &ir &rmy b'longing to it) $h' C6in6C o- th' &ir 7orc's may only a%vis'
th' Supr'm' Comman%'r i- his a%vic' is soughtF i- not! his task is sol'ly to 'nsur'
that th' &ir &rmi's r'c'iv' all th' suppli's th'y n''% to carry out th'ir op'rations
(or is th' ,ong6<ang' &ir 7orc' op'rationally controll'% by th' C6in6C o- th' &ir
7orc's "t is subor%inat'% '/clusiv'ly to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r! )ho can 'ith'r
mak' us' o- its 'ntir' str'ngth or allocat' part o- it! t'mporarily! to th' Comman%'rs6
in6Chi'- o- Strat'gic .ir'ctions
$h' sam' arrang'm'nt appli's to Military $ransport &viation )hich is 'ntir'ly un%'r
th' control o- th' Supr'm' Comman%'r
;h'n control o- all th's' -orc's is tak'n -rom th' C6in6C o- th' &ir 7orc's! h' is l'-t
only )ith military aca%'mi's! training schools! r's'arch c'ntr's! a%ministrativ'
'ch'lons! hospitals an% supply %'pots :' suppli's op'rational units )ith
r'in-orc'm'nts o- 'Guipm'nt an% m'n! ov'rs''s th' supply o- ammunition! -u'l! an%
spar' parts! inv'stigat's r'asons -or catastroph's an% %o's a thousan% oth'r us'-ul
Aobs! but h' %o's not %ir'ct op'rations
Bv'n in p'ac'tim' th' rang' o- his r'sponsibiliti's is similarly limit'% :is &ir
&rmi's ar' %'ploy'% in Military .istricts an% ar' us'% in accor%anc' )ith th' plans o-
th'ir sta--s $h' 8'n'ral Sta-- %'ci%'s ho) th' ,ong6<ang' &ir 7orc' an% Military
$ransport &viation ar' to b' us'%

2

"n p'ac'tim' th'r' ar' si/t''n &ir &rmi's "n )artim' th'r' )oul% b' rath'r mor'!
sinc' som' o- th'm )oul% b' %ivi%'% in t)o &n &ir &rmy has a strictly r'gulat'%
organisation "t consists o-H

$hr'' -ight'r %ivisions
$)o -ight'r6bomb'r %ivisions
>n' bomb'r %ivision
>n' r'gim'nt o- -ight'rMr'connaissanc' aircra-t
>n' r'gim'nt o- bomb'rMr'connaissanc' aircra-t
>n' or t)o r'gim'nts o- light transport aircra-t

7ight'r! -ight'rMr'connaissanc' an% -ight'r6bomb'r sub6units hav' th' sam'
organisational -ormH & -light has 5 aircra-t! a sGua%ron 12 (thr'' -lights)! a r'gim'nt
5+ (thr'' sGua%rons an% a comman% -light)! a %ivision 125 (thr'' r'gim'nts an% a
comman% -light) ?omb'r an% bomb'rMr'connaissanc' sub6units! too! ar' i%'ntically
organis'%H & -light has 2 aircra-t! a sGua%ron 9 (thr'' -lights)! a r'gim'nt 2+ (thr''
sGua%rons an% a comman% -light)! a %ivision 92 (thr'' r'gim'nts an% a comman%
-light)
"n all! an &ir &rmy has 18# combat aircra-t an% b't)''n 5# an% 8+ light transport
aircra-t "n th' -ight'r! -ight'r6bomb'r an% bomb'r r'gim'nts o- its %ivisions! th' -irst
52
sGua%ron contains th' b'st pilots! bomb6aim'rs an% air cr') "t is a gr'at honour to
s'rv' in such a sGua%ron $h' s'con% sGua%ron is train'% in r'connaissanc' %uti's as
)'ll as in its main -unctions "- n'c'ssary! th' comman%'r o- an &ir &rmy can put in
th' air! b'si%'s t)o r'connaissanc' r'gim'nts (1+ aircra-t)! 18 sGua%rons! o- )hat
might b' call'% Iamat'ur4 r'connaissanc' aircr') (2+1 aircra-t) Bach thir% sGua%ron
is ma%' up o- young airm'n &-t'r th' latt'r hav' put in som' y'ars o- s'rvic' in this
thir% sGua%ron! th' comman%'r o- th' r'gim'nt %'ci%'s )ho shall Aoin th' Iac's4 in
th' -irst sGua%ron! )ho shall go to th' s'con%! -or r'connaissanc' %uti's! an% )ho
shall stay in th' thir%! among th' novic's $h' b'st cr')s -rom th' s'con% sGua%ron
gra%uat' to th' r'connaissanc' r'gim'nts! )h'r' th'y b'com' pro-'ssionals rath'r
than amat'urs

2

$his is all v'ry )'ll! th' in-orm'% r'a%'r may say! but in th' 21th &ir &rmy! )hich is
station'% in Polan%! th'r' ar' t)o rath'r than si/ %ivisions! )hil' th' 1#th &ir &rmy! in
Bast 8'rmany! has 'ight %ivisions Mor'ov'r! n'ith'r o- th's' has a r'gim'nt o- light
transport aircra-tF inst'a% th'y hav' h'licopt'r r'gim'nts ;hat is th' signi-icanc' o-
this=
"t is Guit' simpl' "n )artim' a 7ront )oul% b' %'ploy'% in Polan% "t )oul% contain
an &ir &rmy $h' &rmy4s h'a%Guart'rs an% t)o Sovi't %ivision4s ar' alr'a%y th'r' "n
)artim' th' compl'm'nt )oul% b' brought up to str'ngth )ith %ivisions o- th' Polish
&ir 7orc's "n p'ac'tim' th' latt'r shoul% b' allo)'% to b'li'v' th'ms'lv's
in%'p'n%'nt
"n Bast 8'rmany t)o 7ronts )oul% b' %'ploy'% an% th' 1#th &ir &rmy )oul%
th'r'-or' b' split into t)o (this is al)ays %on' %uring '/'rcis's) Bach &rmy )oul%
contain -our Sovi't %ivisions! th' compl'm'nt b'ing ma%' up )ith %ivisions o- th'
Bast 8'rman &ir 7orc's "n p'ac'tim' th' t)o &rmi's ar' combin'% b'caus' o- th'
n''% -or uni-i'% control ov'r all air mov'm'nt in Bast 8'rman air spac' an% also in
or%'r to conc'al th' '/ist'nc' o- t)o 7ronts
"n )artim' 'ach Sovi't motor6ri-l' an% tank %ivision )ill hav' 5 h'licopt'rs an%
'v'ry all6arms an% tank &rmy )ill hav' 12 "n p'ac'tim' it is b'st to k''p th'm
tog'th'r! )hich r'%uc's supply an% training probl'ms $his is )hy th'r' ar' h'licopt'r
r'gim'nts in &ir &rmi's ?ut at th' outbr'ak o- )ar th' h'licopt'rs )oul% -ly o-- to
th'ir r'sp'ctiv' motor6ri-l' or tank %ivisions an% &rmi's $h' comman%'rs o-
h'licopt'r r'gim'nts )oul% th'n b' l'-t )ithout Aobs &t this point th'y )oul% b' s'nt
light transport aircra-t! )hich )oul% com' -rom th' civil air -l''t $h' pilots o- th's'
)oul% b' only hal-6militaris'% but highly '/p'ri'nc'%F th' comman%'rs ar' alr'a%y
military m'n "n )artim' th's' r'gim'nts )oul% b' us'% to %rop th' %iv'rsionary sub6
units o- th' 7ront an% o- its &rmi's b'hin% th' 'n'my4s lin's 7or '/p'ri'nc'% civil
pilots this is not a particularly %i--icult task an% th' aircra-t )hich th'y )oul% b' -lying
)oul% b' thos' th'y -ly in p'ac'tim'

5

$h' ,ong6<ang' &ir 7orc' (,<&7) consists o- thr'' Corps! 'ach o- thr'' %ivisions
Som' ;'st'rn sourc's mistak'nly r'-'r to th's' Corps as &rmi's
Bach ,<&7 %ivision has appro/imat'ly 1++ combat aircra-t an% a corps consists! on
av'rag'! o- 2++ strat'gic bomb'rs! )hich can carry air6to6groun% missil's
$h' comman%'r o- th' ,<&7 is subor%inat'% to th' C6in6C o- th' &ir 7orc's only -or
a%ministrativ' purpos's >p'rationally h' is subor%inat' sol'ly to th' Supr'm'
Comman%'r
53
$h'r' ar' thr'' Strat'gic .ir'ctions $h'r' ar' also thr'' ,<&7 corps! )hich ar'
%'ploy'% in such a )ay that 'ach Strat'gic .ir'ction can hav' acc'ss to on' corps
.uring combat op'rations an ,<&7 corps may b' t'mporarily subor%inat'% to th' C6
in6C o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction or it may carry out op'rations to support him! )hil'
r'maining un%'r th' comman% o- th' Supr'm' Comman%'r
:o)'v'r! th' Sovi't marshals )oul% not plan to con%uct op'rations in 'v'ry s'ctor
simultan'ously! but )oul% conc'ntrat' on on' "t is th'r'-or' possibl' that in )artim'
all 9++ strat'gic bomb'rs might b' conc'ntrat'% against on' oppon'nt

3

Military $ransport &viation

$h' Military $ransport &viation (M$&) -orc' consists o- si/ %ivisions an% s'v'ral
in%'p'n%'nt r'gim'nts "t has appro/imat'ly 8++ h'avy transport an% troop6carrying
aircra-t "ts main task is to lan% airborn' -orc's in th' 'n'my4s r'ar
,ik' th' ,<&7! th' M$& is subor%inat'% to th' C6in6C o- th' &ir 7orc's -or
a%ministrativ' purpos's only >p'rationally! th' M$& is subor%inat'% to th' Supr'm'
Comman%'r an% it can b' us'% only on his instructions! in accor%anc' )ith th' plans
o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--
$h' M$& has a hug' r's'rv' organisation66&'ro-lot! th' larg'st airlin' in th' )orl%
Bv'n in p'ac'tim'! th' h'a% o- &'ro-lot has th' rank o- Marshal o- th' &ir 7orc' an%
th' -unction o- .'puty to th' C6in6C o- th' &ir 7orc's >rganisationally! 'v'n in
p'ac'tim'! &'ro-lot is %ivi%'% into sGua%rons! r'gim'nts an% %ivisions an% all its
aircr') hav' ranks as o--ic'rs o- th' r's'rv' "n )artim' &'ro-lot4s h'avy aircra-t
)oul% automatically b'com' part o- M$&! )hil' its light aircra-t )oul% b'com'
transport r'gim'nts -or th' &ir &rmi's o- th' 7ronts Bv'n in p'ac'tim' &'ro-lot
h'licopt'rs ar' paint'% light gr''n! as th'y )oul% b' in th' %ivisions o- an op'rational
army


)hy does the )est consider Admiral 0orshkov a strong man+

1

>- th' -iv' &rm'% S'rvic's th' (avy ranks as -i-th an% last in importanc' $his
c'rtainly %o's not m'an that th' (avy is )'ak66simply that th' oth'r arm'% s'rvic's
ar' strong'r
"n all! th' Sovi't (avy has -our -l''tsH (orth'rn! Paci-ic! ?altic an% ?lack S'a! in
or%'r o- str'ngth
Bach o- th' -our -l''ts has si/ arms o- s'rvic'H

Submarin's
(aval &viation
Sur-ac' Ships
.iv'rsionary SPB$S(&K naval sub6units
Coastal <ock't an% &rtill'ry $roops
Marin' in-antry

$h' -irst t)o o- th's' ar' consi%'r'% th' primary arms o- s'rvic'F th' r'main%'r!
inclu%ing sur-ac' ships! ar' s''n as au/iliary -orc's
54
$h' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' (avy has a pur'ly a%ministrativ' -unction! sinc'
th' (orth'rn 7l''t is subor%inat'%! -or op'rational purpos's! to th' Stavka an% th'
thr'' oth'r -l''ts to th' C6in6Cs o- th' r'sp'ctiv' Strat'gic .ir'ctions "n a%%ition to
his a%ministrativ' -unction! ho)'v'r! th' C6in6C o- th' (avy is th' Stavka4s main
a%vis'r on th' op'rational us' o- th' (avy "n c'rtain situations! too! on th'
instructions -rom th' Stavka! h' may %ir'ct groups o- ships op'rating in th' op'n s'a
?ut h' has no in%'p'n%'nt op'rational planning -unctionF this is 'ntir'ly th'
r'sponsibility o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--

2

Sovi't naval str'ngth is bas'% on submarin's $h's' ar' %ivi%'% by -unction! into
submarin's us'% -orH

comman%
ballistic rock'ts
cruis' missil's
torp'%o's

$h'y ar' -urth'r classi-i'% accor%ing to th'ir m'tho% o- propulsion66nucl'ar or
%i's'l6'l'ctric $h' buil%ing o- %i's'l6'l'ctric submarin's ('/c'pt -or som' us'% -or
%iv'rsionary or r'connaissanc' purpos's) has b''n halt'% :'nc'-orth all Sovi't
submarin's )ill hav' nucl'ar propulsion
(ucl'ar submarin's ar' group'% in %ivisions! 'ach o- 8 to 12 &ll th' submarin's in
a %ivision hav' th' sam' typ' o- armam'nt & -lotilla consists o- 5 to 3 %ivisions $h'y
hav' mi/'% compl'm'nts an% may consist o- b't)''n 23 an% #5 nucl'ar submarin's
)ith varying -unctions
.i's'l6'l'ctric submarin's ar' organis'% in briga%'s 'ach o- 8 to 1# ?riga%'s may
-orm %ivisions (2 to 2 briga%'s) or sGua%rons (5 to # briga%'s)

2

Bach -l''t has a naval aviation compon'nt %'signat'%! -or instanc'! I(aval &viation
o- th' (orth'rn 7l''t4 Bach such compon'nt is ma%' up o- air %ivisions an% o-
in%'p'n%'nt r'gim'nts an% is th' 'Guival'nt o- an &ir &rmy Bach -l''t4s naval
aviation normally inclu%'s a %ivision arm'% )ith long6rang' air6to6sur-ac' missil's! -or
op'ration against 'n'my aircra-t carri'rs! on' or t)o %ivisions o- long6rang' anti6
submarin' aircra-t an% in%'p'n%'nt r'gim'nts )ith anti6submarin' s'aplan's!
torp'%o6bomb'rs! r'connaissanc' aircra-t an% supply an% transport aircra-t "n th'
last -') y'ars r'gim'nts o- %'ck6lan%ing aircra-t an% h'licopt'rs hav' b''n -orm'%

5

$h' Sovi't (avy must b' th' only on' in th' )orl% in )hich a nucl'ar6prop'll'%
cruis'r! arm'% )ith missil's! is r'l'gat'% to an au/iliary cat'gory "n -act! 'v'ry Sovi't
sur-ac' ship! )h'th'r it is a battl'ship or a missil'6cruis'r! ranks as au/iliary (th'
'/c'ption is th' aircra-t carri'r )hich is consi%'r'% as a part o- th' naval air -orc')
P'rhaps this is corr'ctF in a global )ar submarin's an% aircra-t )oul% play th' primary
rol's &ll oth'r -orc's )oul% )ork to support th'm &n%! no matt'r ho) th' numb'r o-
Sovi't sur-ac' ships may gro)! Sovi't submarin's )ill al)ays outnumb'r th'm
Mor'ov'r th'r' has r'c'ntly b''n a notic'abl' tr'n% to)ar%s an incr'as' in th'
55
%isplac'm'nt o- submarin's an% it is Guit' possibl' that th'y )ill 'v'ntually surpass
th' sur-ac' ships in tonnag'! too! an% )ill maintain th'ir sup'riority p'rman'ntly
Sovi't sur-ac' ships ar' organis'% in groups (-or small ships only)! briga%'s
(m'%ium6si@' ships an% groups o- small'r on's)! %ivisions an% sGua%rons
"n th' n'/t -') y'ars! th' Sovi't (avy )ill b' 'nlarg'% by th' acGuisition o- a
s'ri's o- larg' nucl'ar6prop'll'% missil' cruis'rs "nt'nsiv' )ork is b'ing put into th'
%'sign an% buil%ing o- larg' nucl'ar6prop'll'% aircra-t carri'rs Ships lik'
th' !oskva an% th' (iev hav' only b''n built in or%'r to acGuir' th' '/p'ri'nc'
n''%'% b'-or' r'ally larg' ships ar' built Particular att'ntion )ill b' pai% to th'
buil%ing o- larg' lan%ing ships )hich ar' capabl' o- a high %'gr'' o- in%'p'n%'nc'
$h' construction o- small sur-ac' ships )ill continu' .'spit' th' 'normous progr'ss
)hich has b''n ma%' in buil%ing sur-ac' ships! ho)'v'r! th'y )ill continu' to b'
classi-i'% as au/iliary -orc's

3

$h' pr's'nc' o- %iv'rsionary SPB$S(&K sub6units in th' Sovi't (avy is a clos'ly
guar%'% s'cr't *'t th'y '/ist an% hav' %on' so -or a long tim' &lr'a%y by th' 'n% o-
th' 193+s 'ach 7l''t ha% its o)n SPB$S(&K %iv'rsionary briga%'! un%'r th' %ir'ct
comman% o- th' $hir% .'partm'nt o- th' "nt'llig'nc' .ir'ctorat' at (aval
:'a%Guart'rs
& %iv'rsionary briga%' has on' %ivision o- miniatur' submarin's! t)o or thr''
battalions o- -rogm'n! a parachut' battalion an% a communications company "t -orms
an 'ntir'ly in%'p'n%'nt combat unit an% an in%'p'n%'nt arm o- s'rvic' )ithin th'
-l''t 7or camou-lag' purpos's! its m'mb'rs som'tim's )'ar th' uni-orm o- th'
marin' in-antry "n oth'r circumstanc's th'y may )'ar any oth'r typ' o- uni-orm!
again as camou-lag' $h' parachutists )'ar (aval &viation uni-orm! th' cr')s o- th'
miniatur' submarin's! o- cours'! that o- or%inary submarin' cr')s! th' r'main%'r
that o- s'agoing p'rsonn'l! coastal artill'ry -orc's! 'tc
&gain -or camou-lag' purpos's! th' p'rsonn'l o- a %iv'rsionary briga%' is %isp'rs'%
b't)''n s'v'ral naval bas's $his %o's not pr'v'nt it -rom -unctioning as a uni-i'%
combat organisation "n )artim' th's' briga%'s )oul% b' us'% against 'n'my naval
installations! in th' -irst plac' against nucl'ar submarin' bas's 8roups o-
%iv'rsionary troops may op'rat' -rom sur-ac' ships or -rom larg' submarin's or may
b' lan%'% -rom aircra-t "n a%%ition! a unit o- larg' -ishing tra)l'rs )oul% b' mobilis'%
in )artim' to launch an% to support op'rations by miniatur' submarin's $h'
compartm'nts o- th's' tra)l'rs! %'sign'% to hol% larg' catch's! ar' i%'al -or th' rapi%
launch or r'cov'ry o- miniatur' submarin's an% small %iv'rsionary cra-t
$h' %iv'rsionary SPB$S(&K briga%'s o- th' (avy! lik' thos' s'rving )ith 7ronts!
'ach hav' as part o- th'ir compl'm'nt a h'a%Guart'rs company o- sp'cialists! )hos'
primary task is th' assassination o- political an% military l'a%'rs $h's' compani's ar'
%isguis'% as naval athl'tic t'ams $h's' Isportsm'n4 ar'! naturally! k''n on ro)ing!
s)imming an% scuba6%iving as )'ll as on shooting! bo/ing! )r'stling! running an%
karat'
&s a )'ll6kno)n '/ampl' )' can Guot' S'nior ,i'ut'nant Val'ntin *'rikalin! o- th'
SPB$S(&K briga%' o- th' ?lack S'a 7l''t! )ho )on a silv'r m'%al -or ro)ing at th'
>lympic 8am's h'l% in M'/ico City $h'r' )as no att'mpt to conc'al th' -act that
*'rikalin )as a naval o--ic'r an% a m'mb'r o- th' C'ntral &rmy Sports Club Som'
y'ars lat'r this Isportsman4 turn'% up in "stanbul! having no) b'com' a %iplomat :'
)as arr'st'% by th' $urkish polic' -or trying to r'cruit a $urkish subA'ct to )ork -or
th' ?lack S'a 7l''t! or! mor' pr'cis'ly! -or th' %iv'rsionary briga%' o- this 7l''t

56
#

$h' (avy4s coastal rock't an% artill'ry troops consist o- r'gim'nts an% in%'p'n%'nt
battalions $h'y ar' 'Guipp'% )ith both stationary an% mobil' rock't launch'rs an%
)ith artill'ry )'apons $h'ir task is to cov'r th' approach's to principal naval bas's
an% ports

1

Bach 7l''t has Marin' "n-antry conting'nts! consisting o- r'gim'nts an% briga%'s
"n th'ir organisation! th's' r'gim'nts ar' similar to th' motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts o- th'
,an% 7orc's $h'y %i--'r -rom th' latt'r in r'c'iving sp'cial training -or op'rating in
varying con%itions an% also in b'ing allocat'% p'rsonn'l o- a high'r calibr' 8'n'rals
-rom th' ,an% 7orc's )ho hav' )atch'% '/'rcis's carri'% out by th' marin' in-antry
o-t'n say! )ith som' 'nvy! that a r'gim'nt o- marin' in-antry! )ith th' sam'
'Guipm'nt as that issu'% to th' ,an% 7orc's! is th' 'Guival'nt in its op'rational
pot'ntial o- on' o- th' latt'r4s motor6ri-l' %ivisions
$h' Sovi't (avy has only on' briga%' o- marin' in-antry $his b'longs to th' Paci-ic
7l''t "t consists o- t)o tank an% -iv' motor6ri-l' battalions an% is 'Guipp'% )ith
'sp'cially h'avy artill'ry $his briga%' is som'tim's mistak'nly tak'n -or t)o
in%'p'n%'nt r'gim'nts o- marin' in-antry
$h' Sovi't marin' in-antry has a v'ry promising -utur' "n th' n'/t -') y'ars it )ill
r'c'iv' n') typ's o- 'Guipm'nt )hich )ill 'nabl' it to put larg' units into action
against %istant targ'ts Sp'cial combat 'Guipm'nt is b'ing %'v'lop'% -or such
op'rations by th' marin' in-antry

8

"n our '/amination o- th' Sovi't (avy )' must b'ar in min% a myth )hich is )i%'ly
b'li'v'% in th' ;'st66I$h' Sovi't (avy )as )'ak until a strong man! 8orshkov!
arriv'% an% brought it up to its prop'r str'ngth4 $his pr'sumption is untru' in s'v'ral
r'sp'cts
0ntil th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar! Sovi't Communist '/pansion )as %ir'ct'% at stat's
a%Aac'nt to th' 0SS<667inlan%! Bstonia! ,atvia! ,ithuania! Polan%! 8'rmany! <omania!
$urk'y! "ran! &-ghanistan! Mongolia! China 0n%'rstan%ably! in this situation! th'
s'nior o--ic'rs o- th' (avy )i'l%'% littl' in-lu'nc'! -or no on' )oul% allo) th'm to
buil% up th' (avy at th' '/p'ns' o- th' ,an% or &ir 7orc's 7or th' 0SS<! th' S'con%
;orl% ;ar )as a lan% )ar! an% %uring th' -irst -') y'ars a-t'r th' )ar! Communist
aggr'ssion! too! r'main'% 'ntir'ly lan%6bas'%66C@'choslovakia! <omania! :ungary!
$urk'y! 8r''c'! Cor'a! China "- 8orshkov ha% app'ar'% %uring this p'rio%! no on'
)oul% hav' allo)'% him to b'com' all6po)'r-ul .uring th' -irst -') y'ars a-t'r th'
)ar too! th'r' )as anoth'r probl'm o- ov'rri%ing urg'ncy66that o- catching up )ith
th' 0nit'% Stat's in th' -i'l%s o- nucl'ar )'apons an% o- %'liv'ry syst'ms -or th'm
0ntil this probl'm )as solv'%! th'r' coul% b' no Gu'stion o- allo)ing 8orshkov to
buil% a navy
$h' situation chang'% ra%ically at th' 'n% o- th' 193+s
$hroughout th' )orl%! Communist lan%6bas'% aggr'ssion )as running into
opposition -rom a )all o- stat's bon%'% tog'th'r in military blocs &t this point! th'
acGuisition o- a navy b'cam' n'c'ssary i- th' campaign o- aggr'ssion )as to
continu' B/pansion )as continuing b'yon% th' s'as an% across oc'ans66in "n%on'sia!
Vi'tnam! ,aos! &-rica! Cuba an% South &m'rica "n this situation! 'v'n i- th'
Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' (avy ha% not )ish'% to '/pan% his -l''ts! h' )oul% hav'
57
b''n -orc'% to %o so 0ntil th' )ar! th' main thr'at to th' 0SS< ha% com' -rom
contin'ntal po)'rs66-rom 8'rmany! 7ranc' an% 9apan's'6occupi'% Manchuria &-t'r
th' )ar th' 0nit'% Stat's b'cam' th' main 'n'my >- cours'! anyon' occupying
8orshkov4s position )oul% hav' r'c'iv'% billions o- a%%itional rubl's to us' in th'
struggl' against th' 0S& &t th' b'ginning o- th' 19#+s it )as 'stablish'% that a
nucl'ar submarin' provi%'% an '/c'll'nt plat-orm -or rock'ts & start )as ma%' )ith
th'ir pro%uction >- cours'! th'y )oul% not b' at 8orshkov4s %isposal but h' )as
giv'n th' gr''n light to %'v'lop conv'ntional naval -orc's )ith )hich to prot'ct th'm
>n' -inal point $h' Politburo ha% r'alis'% Guit' cl'arly! 'arly on an% )ithout h'lp
-rom 8orshkov! that th' gr'at s'a po)'rs! 8r'at ?ritain! th' 0nit'% Stat's an% 9apan!
)oul% tak' th' plac' o- 8'rmany an% 7ranc' as th' main 'n'mi's o- th' Sovi't 0nion
"t )as -or this r'ason that in 9uly 1928 th' Politburo a%opt'% a r'solution I>n th'
construction o- an oc'an6going -l''t4 (&t that tim' 8orshkov )as only th' comman%'r
o- a %'stroy'r) "n accor%anc' )ith th' r'solution! a start )as ma%' )ith th' buil%ing
o- aircra-t carri'rs lik' th' (rasnoye )namya an% )ith giant battl'ships lik'
th' Sovetskiy Soyu* an% cruis'rs lik' th' Shapayev
8'rmany 'nt'r'% th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar )ith 31 submarin's! 8r'at ?ritain )ith 38!
9apan )ith 3# an% th' 0nit'% Stat's )ith 99 &ccor%ing to its o)n -igur's! th' Sovi't
0nion ha% 212 )h'n it cam' into th' )ar! although &m'rican 'ngin''rs! )ho built
th's' submarin's! 'stimat' that it ha% 232 $h' Sovi't (avy ha% 2!825 aircra-t in
1951! th' coastal artill'ry ha% 2#+ batt'ri's! inclu%ing som' 5+#mm guns &ll this
)as b'-or' 8orshkov $h' )ar put a brak' on th' shipbuil%ing programm' an% a-t'r
its 'n% th' buil%ing o- all th' larg' ships lai% %o)n b'-or' th' )ar )as %iscontinu'%!
sinc' th'y ha% b'com' obsol't'
:o)'v'r! th' Politburo un%'rstoo% th' n''% -or an oc'an6going navy an% a n')
shipbuil%ing programm'! o- )hich )' can s'' th' r'sults to%ay! )as approv'% in
S'pt'mb'r 1933 $his programm' pr'6%at'% 8orshkov :' )as simply 'mpo)'r'% to
carry out a programm' )hich ha% b''n authoris'% b'-or' his tim'
$h'r' is no %oubt that 8orshkov is a strong6)ill'% an% purpos'-ul a%miral! but this
counts -or littl' in th' 0SS< (o a%miral )oul% b' allo)'% to a%vocat' this or that
st'p i- th' Politburo thought %i--'r'ntly -rom him
7inally! no matt'r ho) po)'r-ul th' ;'st may consi%'r 8orshkov! th' -act r'mains
that th' Sovi't (avy ranks as -i-th o- th' -iv' &rm'% S'rvic's


The Airborne $orces

1

$h' &irborn' 7orc's (&?7) %o not rank as on' o- th' &rm'% S'rvic's but as an arm
o- s'rvic' :o)'v'r th'y ar' an in%'p'n%'nt arm o- s'rvic'! an% %o not b'long to any
o- th' &rm'% S'rvic's "n p'ac'tim' th'y ar' subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Minist'r o-
.'-'nc' an% in )artim' to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r
&t pr's'nt th'r' ar' only 12 -ormations in th' )orl% )hich on' can call I&irborn'
.ivisions4 $h' 0S! ;'st 8'rmany! 7ranc'! China an% Polan% 'ach hav' on' $h'
r'maining 8 b'long to th' Sovi't 0nion
$h' airborn' %ivisions ar' %ir'ct'%! -or both a%ministrativ' an% op'rational
purpos's! by a Comman%'r :is post is o- uniGu' importanc' &lthough h' comman%s
only 8 %ivisions! h' has th' rank o- 8'n'ral o- th' &rmy! th' sam' as that h'l% by th'
Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ,an% 7orc's! )ho has 11+ %ivisions un%'r his comman%
58
"n p'ac'tim'! all th' &?7 %ivisions ar' up to th'ir -ull )artim' compl'm'nt an%
sta--'% by th' b'st troops $h' &?7 hav' -irst choic' o- p'rsonn'l! b'-or' 'v'n th'
Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's an% th' (avy4s submarin' %'tachm'nts
&?7 troops may op'rat' un%'r th' control o- th' C6in6C o- Strat'gic .ir'ctions! in
groups o- 1 to 2 %ivisions! or th'y may -unction in%'p'n%'ntly
"- 1 to 2 %ivisions ar' to b' us'% -or an air%rop in a particular s'ctor th'ir
op'rations ar' coor%inat'% by an &?7 corps comman% group! )hich is 'stablish'%
t'mporarily -or this purpos' >n' o- th' &?7 Comman%'r4s %'puti's comman%s th'
corps "- 5 or 3 %ivisions ar' to b' us'%! a t'mporary &?7 &rmy comman% group is
'stablish'% $his may b' h'a%'% by th' Comman%'r o- th' &?7 hims'l-! or by on' o-
his %'puti's
$h' 'ntir' str'ngth o- Military $ransport &viation o- th' &ir 7orc's is controll'% by
th' Comman%'r o- th' &?7 )hil' an airborn' assault op'ration is taking plac'
Bach6&?7 %ivision consists o-H

$hr'' parachut' r'gim'nts
& r'connaissanc' battalion (18 armour'% r'connaissanc' v'hicl's)
& battalion o- s'l-6prop'll'% artill'ry (22 airborn' assault guns)
&n anti6tank battalion (18 83mm guns)
& ho)it@'r battalion (18 122mm guns)
& battalion o- multipl' rock't launch'rs (18 ?M 216.s)
&n anti6aircra-t battalion (22 KS062265s)
& communications battalion
& motor transport battalion
& battalion r'sponsibl' -or th' storag' an% packing o- supply6%ropping parachut's
& ch'mical )ar-ar' company
&n 'ngin''r company

& parachut' r'gim'nt has thr'' battalions an% mortar! anti6aircra-t! anti6tank! an%
s'l-6prop'll'% artill'ry batt'ri's
&ll th' battalions in on' r'gim'nt o- a %ivision ar' 'Guipp'% )ith ?M.61 armour'%
p'rsonn'l carri'rs $)o oth'r r'gim'nts hav' on' battalion 'ach o- ?M.61s an% t)o o-
light motor v'hicl's $hus! o- th' nin' parachut' battalions in a %ivision! -iv' hav'
armour'% v'hicl's o- gr'at mano'uvrability an% consi%'rabl' -ir'6po)'r! th'
r'maining -our hav' light v'hicl's "n all! a parachut' %ivision has 18+ armour'%
p'rsonn'l carri'rs! #2 s'l-6prop'll'% guns! 18 multipl' rock't launch'rs! 2# -i'l% guns!
53 mortars! 35 anti6aircra-t guns! mor' than 2++ anti6aircra-t rock't launch'rs an%
mor' than 2++ anti6tank rock't launch'rs $h' %ivision is -ully motoris'%! )ith mor'
than 1!3++ v'hicl's "ts av'rag' p'ac'tim' compl'm'nt is 1!2++

2

$h'r' has b''n %iscussion -or som' consi%'rabl' tim'! in both th' Sovi't 8'n'ral
Sta-- an% th' C'ntral Committ''! o- th' Gu'stion o- trans-orming th' &?7 into a si/th!
in%'p'n%'nt &rm'% S'rvic'
"t is 'nvisag'% that such a S'rvic' )oul% hav' -our or -iv' parachut' %ivisions! a
larg' conting'nt o- transport aircra-t! s'v'ral n')ly6'stablish'% %ivisions o- marin'
in-antry! units o- lan%ing ships an% s'v'ral aircra-t carri'rs )ith -i/'%6)ing aircra-t an%
h'licopt'rs
B/p'ri'nc' has sho)n that th' 0SS< has not 'nough -orc's 'Guipp'% an% train'%
-or arm'% int'rv'ntion in a t'rritory )hich is s'parat'% -rom it by an oc'an an% that it
is unpr'par'% -or such an un%'rtaking $h'r' ar' many '/ampl's66Cuba! "n%on'sia!
59
South &-rica! Chil'! C'ntral &m'rica & n') &rm'% S'rvic' o- th' sort %'scrib'% )oul%
'nabl' th' Sovi't 0nion to int'rv'n' '--'ctiv'ly in such ar'as
&s its int'rnal cris's b'com' mor' acut'! th' aggr'ssiv'n'ss o- th' Sovi't 0nion
incr'as's 7or this r'ason it app'ars probabl' that th' si/th &rm'% S'rvic' )ill b'
cr'at'% in th' n'/t -') y'ars


ilitary Intelligence and its *esources

1

Sovi't Military "nt'llig'nc' is n'ith'r an &rm'% S'rvic' nor an &rm o- S'rvic' "t
has no uni-orm or i%'nti-ying ba%g' or 'mbl'm (or ar' th's' n''%'% "nt'llig'nc' is
a logistical support s'rvic'! lik' th' s'rvic's conc'rn'% )ith nucl'ar )arh'a%s or
camou-lag' or %isin-ormation
&ll th's' s'rvic's ar' s'cr't an% %o not n''% publicity Bach o- th'm a%opts th'
app'aranc' o- th' unit in )hich it -in%s its'l- an% b'com's in%istinguishabl' -rom it
Sovi't military int'llig'nc' is a gigantic organisation! )hich p'r-orms a vast rang'
o- tasks "n numb'rs an% t'chnical 'Guipm'nt it is appro/imat'ly th' si@' o- th'
?un%'s)'hr66th' 'ntir' arm'% s'rvic's o- th' 7'%'ral 8'rman <'public
"n action! %'cisions ar' tak'n by comman%ing o--ic'rs! ranging -rom thos' in
charg' o- s'ctions to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r $h' plans on )hich th's' %'cisions
ar' bas'% ar' pr'par'% -or th' comman%ing o--ic'r by his sta-- :' th'n 'ith'r
approv's th' plan or r'A'cts it an% or%'rs that anoth'r on' shoul% b' pr'par'% &ll
comman%ing o--ic'rs -rom battalion l'v'l up)ar%s hav' sta--s $h' chi'- o- sta-- is
both his comman%'r4s principal a%vis'r an% his %'puty Sta--s vary in si@' accor%ing to
th' importanc' o- th' unit66a battalion has a sta-- o- t)o! an% th' 8'n'ral Sta--
numb'rs t'ns o- thousan%s "n spit' o- this! th' )ork o- any sta-- proc''%s accor%ing
to th' sam' plan
$h' -irst o--ic'r on th' sta-- plans op'rations! th' s'con% o--ic'r provi%'s him )ith
th' in-ormation h' n''%s about th' 'n'my $h' chi'- o- sta-- coor%inat's th' )ork o-
th's' t)o! h'lps th'm! ch'cks th'ir )ork! pr'par's a plan )ith th'ir h'lp an%
pr's'nts it to th' comman%'r! )ho 'ith'r acc'pts or r'A'cts it
>n a battalion sta-- th' chi'- o- sta-- an% th' -irst o--ic'r ar' on' an% th' sam' $h'
sta-- o- a r'gim'nt consists o- a chi'- o- sta--! a -irst o--ic'r an% a s'con% o--ic'r! )ho
is in charg' o- int'llig'nc' )ork >n a %ivisional sta-- th' -irst an% s'con% o--ic'rs hav'
th'ir o)n )orking groups &n &rmy sta-- has -irst an% s'con% %'partm'nts $h' sta--
o- a 7ront an% o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction has 7irst an% S'con% .ir'ctorat's $h' 8'n'ral
Sta-- has 7irst an% S'con% Chi'- .ir'ctorat's
Sta--s also hav' oth'r %'partm'nts! %ir'ctorat's or Chi'- .ir'ctorat's but th' )ork
o- th' -irst compon'nt66planning66an% o- th' s'con%66int'llig'nc'66-orm th' backbon'
o- any sta--
&ll int'llig'nc' )ork ()hich inclu%'s r'connaissanc') -rom battalion l'v'l to th'
v'ry top! is thus )holly in th' han%s o- th' sta-- o--ic'rs conc'rn'% an% r'pr's'nts on'
o- th' most important compon'nts o- th' )ork o- th' sta--
$hos' 'mploy'% on int'llig'nc' an% r'connaissanc' )ork can b' %ivi%'% into
Ipro-'ssionals466thos' )hos' basic -unction it is66an% Iamat'urs466thos' )ho ar'
'mploy'% on int'llig'nc' )ork -rom tim' to tim' an% -or )hom it is an a%%itional
rath'r than th'ir main occupation
$h' int'llig'nc' an% r'connaissanc' r'sourc's o- a battalion ar' not larg' & motor6
ri-l' battalion has a mortar batt'ry! )ith a comman% platoon! )hich inclu%'s an
60
artill'ry r'connaissanc' s'ction $his s'ction )orks -or th' mortar batt'ry! r'porting
all th' r'sults )hich it obtains both to th' batt'ry comman%'r an% to th' s'con%
o--ic'r on th' battalion4s sta--! )ho is r'sponsibl' -or all r'connaissanc' )ork in th'
battalion $his is all &ll th' p'rsonn'l involv'% ar' Ipro-'ssionals4 "n a tank battalion
th'r' is no mortar batt'ry an% th'r'-or' no Ipro-'ssionals4 ?ut th'r' ar' Iamat'urs4
"n 'ach motor6ri-l' or tank battalion th' s'con% company! b'si%'s carrying out its
normal %uti's! is train'% -or r'connaissanc' op'rations b'hin% th' 'n'my4s lin's
.uring an action any o- th' platoons o- th' s'con% company may b' %'tail'% -or
r'connaissanc' tasks -or th' battalion Som'tim's th' )hol' s'con% company may b'
%'tach'% to carry out r'connaissanc' tasks -or th' r'gim'nt

2

$h' s'con% o--ic'r on th' sta-- o- a r'gim'nt has th' titl' I<'gim'ntal "nt'llig'nc'
>--ic'r4 :' is a maAor an% th' r'sourc's at his %isposal ar' not inconsi%'rabl'
.ir'ctly un%'r his comman% is th' r'gim'nt4s r'connaissanc' company! )hich has 5
tanks! 1 armour'% v'hicl's (?MP ICorshun4 or ?<.M62) an% 9 motorcycl's
"n a%%ition th' r'gim'nt has an artill'ry battalion! anti6tank! rock't an% anti6
aircra-t batt'ri's &ll th's' hav' r'sourc's su--ici'nt to m''t th'ir o)n r'Guir'm'nts
-or artill'ry r'connaissanc' an% obs'rvation an% th' in-ormation )hich th'y pro%uc' is
also s'nt to r'gim'ntal h'a%Guart'rs
$h' r'gim'nt also has an 'ngin''r company )ith a r'connaissanc' platoon an% a
ch'mical )ar-ar' company )ith a C; r'connaissanc' platoon $h' sp'cialis'%
r'connaissanc' activiti's o- th's' platoons ar' o- primary b'n'-it to th' 'ngin''r an%
C; compani's but sinc' th'y ar' 'ngag'% in r'connaissanc' th'y ar' controll'% by
th' r'gim'ntal int'llig'nc' o--ic'r (<">)
7inally! th' latt'r is in charg' o- th' s'con% o--ic'rs on th' sta--s o- th' r'gim'nt4s
battalions $h's' o--ic'rs )ork -or th'ir battalions but ar' subor%inat'% to an% -ully
controll'% by th' <"> .uring combat op'rations! at th' %ir'ction o- th' comman%'r o-
th' r'gim'nt! th' Iamat'ur4 compani's -rom any o- th' battalions can b'
subor%inat'% to th' <">! to )ork -or th' r'gim'nt as a )hol' $hus! th' r'gim'nt4s
Ipro-'ssional4 r'connaissanc' company may b' Aoin'% at any tim' by a s'con% tank
company an% by th' thr'' s'con% compani's -rom th' motor6ri-l' battalions
"n a battl'! a r'gim'nt4s r'connaissanc' compani's op'rat' at rang's o- up to 3+
kilom'tr's a)ay ?oth th' Ipro-'ssional4 an% th' Iamat'ur4 compani's hav' ?MP or
?<.M v'hicl's -or C;! 'ngin''r an% artill'ry r'connaissanc' )ork $h' -act that th's'
v'hicl's ar' al)ays )ith )hat ar' pur'ly r'connaissanc' sub6units has l'% to th' i%'a
that th'y ar' an int'gral part o- th's' units ?ut this is not so $h' C; r'connaissanc'
platoon is tak'n -rom th' C; company! th' 'ngin''r r'connaissanc' platoon -rom th'
'ngin''r company an% so -orth Ouit' simply! it )oul% b' both pointl'ss an%
%ang'rous to s'n% sp'cial r'connaissanc' sub6units b'hin% th' 'n'my lin's
unprot'ct'% 7or this r'ason th'y al)ays op'rat' )ith normal tank an% motor6ri-l'
r'connaissanc' sub6units! )hich prot'ct an% ar' t'mporarily in comman% o- th'm
.uring r'connaissanc' op'rations! all r'connaissanc' sub6units )ork cov'rtly!
k''ping a)ay -rom conc'ntrations o- 'n'my troops an% al)ays avoi%ing contact $h'y
op'rat' to achi'v' surpris'! )orking -rom ambush's to captur' prison'rs an%
%ocum'nts an% th'y also carry out obs'rvation o- th' 'n'my $h'y acc'pt battl' only
)h'n th'y clash un'/p'ct'%ly )ith th' 'n'my! an% i- it is impossibl' to avoi% contact
or to 'scap' "- th'y %o -in% th'ms'lv's in contact )ith sup'rior numb'rs o- th'
'n'my th'y )ill o-t'n %isp'rs'! m''ting again som' hours lat'r at an agr''% spot in
or%'r to r'sum' th'ir mission
61
$h'r' is on' situation in )hich r'connaissanc' sub6units )oul% acc'pt battl'!
)hat'v'r th' circumstanc's "- th'y 'ncount'r'% 'n'my nucl'ar -orc's (missil'
launch'rs! nucl'ar artill'ry! convoys or stor's o- nucl'ar )arh'a%s) th'y )oul% r'port
that th'y ha% locat'% th' targ't! )oul% %iscontinu' th'ir r'connaissanc' mission an%
)oul% launch a surpris' attack on th' 'n'my! )ith all th'ir r'sourc's! )hat'v'r this
might cost an% )hat'v'r th' str'ngth o- th' 'n'my4s %'-'nc's

2

& %ivisional int'llig'nc' o--ic'r66th' s'con% o--ic'r on a %ivisional sta--66has th' rank
o- li'ut'nant6colon'l :' has v'ry consi%'rabl' r'sourc's at his %isposal "n th' -irst
plac' h' is in charg' o- all th' r'gim'ntal int'llig'nc' o--ic'rs! in th' %ivision! )ith all
th'ir subor%inat's! both Ipro-'ssional4 an% Iamat'ur4 :' sup'rvis's artill'ry
r'connaissanc' an% obs'rvation! )hich in a %ivision is alr'a%y o- si@'abl' proportions
:' is also in charg' o- th' 'ngin''r r'connaissanc' company o- th' %ivision4s sapp'r
battalion an% o- th' C; r'connaissanc' company in th' %ivision4s C; prot'ction
battalion "n a%%ition! h' has p'rsonal control o- th' %ivision4s r'connaissanc'
battalion
$o coor%inat' th' )orkings o- all th's' r'sourc's (mor' than a thousan%
Ipro-'ssionals4 an% mor' than -i-t''n hun%r'% Iamat'urs4) a %ivisional int'llig'nc'
o--ic'r has a group o- o--ic'rs! )hich has th' %'signation IS'con% 8roup o- th'
.ivisional Sta--4
$h' r'connaissanc' battalion o- a %ivision is ma%' up o- th' %ivision4s b'st sol%i'rs
an% o--ic'rs66th' -itt'st! tough'st! most Guick6)itt'% an% r'sourc'-ul "t has -our
compani's an% au/iliary sub6units
$h' -irst o- th's'! a long6rang'! r'connaissanc' company! is th' small'st an% th'
most r'a%y -or battl' o- th' 1## compani's an% batt'ri's in th' %ivision "t has a
str'ngth o- 21! # o- )hom ar' o--ic'rs an% th' r'main%'r s'rg'ants "t has a
comman%'r! a company s'rg'ant6maAor an% -iv' long6rang' r'connaissanc' groups
'ach consisting o- an o--ic'r an% -our s'rg'ants $h's' groups can op'rat' -ar b'hin%
th' 'n'my lin's $h'y may b' lan%'% by h'licopt'r or may push through into th'
'n'my4s r'ar in A''ps or light armour'% v'hicl's a-t'r -ollo)ing clos' b'hin% th'ir o)n
troops an% th'n passing th'm an% moving on -ar ah'a% ,ong6rang' r'connaissanc'
groups ar' us'% both to gath'r int'llig'nc' an% to carry out %iv'rsionary an% t'rrorist
op'rations
$h' battalion4s s'con% an% thir% compani's hav' th' sam' organisational structur'
as th' r'connaissanc' compani's o- r'gim'nts an% us' th' sam' 'Guipm'nt an%
tactics! but unlik' th'm th'y op'rat' at %istanc's o- up to 1++ kilom'tr's ah'a% o-
th' -ront lin'
$h' -ourth company is th' Ira%io an% ra%ar r'connaissanc'4 or signals int'llig'nc'
company "ts -unction is to %'t'ct an% locat' 'n'my ra%io transmitt'rs! to int'rc'pt
an% %'ciph'r th'ir transmissions an% to locat'! i%'nti-y an% stu%y th' 'n'my4s ra%ar
stations "n p'ac'tim'! th' gr'at maAority o- th's' compani's ar' alr'a%y on an
op'rational -ooting "n th' 8roup o- Sovi't 7orc's in 8'rmany! -or instanc'! th'r' ar'
19 tank an% motor6ri-l' %ivisions $h's' contain 19 r'connaissanc' battalions! 'ach o-
)hich has on' signals int'llig'nc' company &ll th's' compani's hav' b''n mov'%! in
p'ac'tim'! up to th' bor%'r )ith ;'st 8'rmany an% ar' )orking at -ull str'tch!
t)'nty6-our hours a %ay! coll'cting an% analysing any ra%io signal )hich is transmitt'%
in th'ir op'rational ar'a $h' sam' appli's to all th' oth'r! similar compani's o- th'
%ivisions )hich ar' station'% on Sovi't t'rritory an% in all th' -ronti'r military
%istricts "n a numb'r o- cas's! th' signals int'llig'nc' compani's o- %ivisions in
military %istricts a)ay -rom th' -ronti'r hav' b''n mov'% into -ronti'r %istricts an%
62
ar' )orking op'rationally! suppl'm'nting an% %uplicating th' )ork o- oth'r similar
compani's
$h' s'con% o--ic'r o- th' sta-- o- an &rmy has th' rank o- colon'l $o control th'
&rmy4s r'connaissanc' )ork h' has his o)n %'partm'nt! th' S'con% .'partm'nt o-
th' &rmy Sta-- ?'caus' an &rmy has so many r'connaissanc' r'sourc's an% b'caus'
th's' %i--'r so )i%'ly on' -rom th' oth'r! th' %'partm'nt is %ivi%'% into -our groups
$h' -irst group is conc'rn'% )ith th' r'connaissanc' activity o- th' motor6ri-l' an%
tank %ivisions o- th' &rmy an% also o- th' &rmy4s in%'p'n%'nt briga%'s an%
r'gim'nts
&rmy r'connaissanc' %'partm'nts hav' no s'con% group
$h' thir% group is conc'rn'% )ith %iv'rsionary an% t'rrorist op'rations 0n%'r its
control is an in%'p'n%'nt SPB$S(&K company! th' organisation an% -unctions o- )hich
hav' alr'a%y b''n %iscuss'%
$h' -ourth group %'als )ith th' proc'ssing o- all th' in-ormation )hich is r'c'iv'%
$h' -i-th group %ir'cts ra%io an% ra%ar r'connaissanc' "t controls t)o 'l'ctronic
int'llig'nc' battalions "t also coor%inat's th' op'rations carri'% out in this -i'l% by
th' &rmy4s %ivisions (''%l'ss to say! all signals int'llig'nc' battalions ar' )orking
op'rationally in p'ac'tim' "n Bast 8'rmany! -or instanc'! th'r' ar' 3 Sovi't &rmi's!
that is to say 1+ 'l'ctronic int'llig'nc' battalions! )hich k''p a constant )atch on th'
'n'my! in a%%ition to th' 19 compani's )hich ar' on th' str'ngth o- th' %ivisions o-
th's' &rmi's

3

& 7ront is ma%' up o- t)o or thr'' all6arms armi's an% o- a tank an% an air army "t
poss'ss's a larg' Guantity o- r'connaissanc' r'sourc's66'nough to 'Gual th'
int'llig'nc' s'rvic's o- a larg' Burop'an in%ustrial stat'
$h' s'con% o--ic'r o- a 7ront4s sta-- is a maAor6g'n'ral $o control th'
r'connaissanc' an% int'llig'nc' activiti's o- th' 7ront h' has a r'connaissanc'
%ir'ctorat' (th' 7ront4s S'con% .ir'ctorat')! )hich has -iv' %'partm'nts
$h' -irst o- th's' controls th' r'connaissanc' )ork o- all th' &rmi's b'longing to
th' 7ront! inclu%ing that carri'% out by th' &ir &rmy! )hich )' hav' alr'a%y
%iscuss'%
$h' s'con% %'partm'nt carri's out ag'nt )ork! -or )hich it maintains an
"nt'llig'nc' C'ntr'! )orking on b'hal- o- th' &rmi's making up th' 7ront! sinc' th's'
%o not run ag'nts! an% thr'' or -our int'llig'nc' outposts $h' c'ntr' an% th'
outposts ar' har% at )ork! in p'ac'tim'! obtaining int'llig'nc' in th' t'rritory in
)hich th' 7ront )oul% op'rat' in )artim' $h' Sovi't &rmy has a total o- 1# military
%istricts! 5 groups o- -orc's! an% 5 -l''ts Bach o- th's' has a sta-- )ith a S'con%
.ir'ctorat'! )hich its'l- has a s'con% %'partm'nt $h'r' ar' thus 25 o- th's'F 'ach o-
th'm constitut's an in%'p'n%'nt ag'nt running int'llig'nc' organisation! )hich is
activ' on th' t'rritori's o- s'v'ral -or'ign countri's! )orking s'parat'ly -rom any
oth'r similar s'rvic's Bach o- th'm has -our or -iv' in%ivi%ual ag'nt6running
organisations )hich s''k to r'cruit -or'ign'rs )ho )ill )ork -or th' 7ront or -or its
tank armi's! -l''t! -lotilla or all6arms armi's
$h' thir% %'partm'nt o- 'ach o- th's' 25 <'connaissanc' .ir'ctorat's conc'rns
its'l- )ith %iv'rsionary an% t'rrorist activiti's $h' %'partm'nt sup'rvis's activity o-
this sort in th' armi's o- th' 7ront but also has its o)n m'n an% 'Guipm'nt "t has a
SPB$S(&K %iv'rsionary briga%' an% a SPB$S(&K %iv'rsionary ag'nt n't)ork o-
-or'ign nationals! )ho hav' b''n r'cruit'% to )ork -or th' 7ront in th' latt'r4s
op'rational ar'a in )artim' $hus! in both p'ac' an% )artim' th' o--ic'r in charg' o-
th' r'connaissanc' an% int'llig'nc' )ork o- a 7ront or 7l''t has t)o compl't'ly
63
s'parat' s'cr't n't)orks! on'! )hich gath'rs int'llig'nc'! controll'% by th' s'con%
%'partm'nt o- th' .ir'ctorat' an% anoth'r! conc'rn'% )ith %iv'rsionary an% t'rrorist
op'rations! )hich is subor%inat'% to th' thir% %'partm'nt
$h' -ourth %'partm'nt collat's all th' r'connaissanc' an% int'llig'nc' mat'rial
)hich is pro%uc'%
$h' -i-th %'partm'nt is conc'rn'% )ith th' ra%io an% r'connaissanc' )ork o- th'
%ivisions an% armi's an% also has t)o r'gim'nts an% a h'licopt'r sGua%ron o- its o)n
)hich also carry out signals int'llig'nc' op'rations

#

& Strat'gic .ir'ction is ma%' up o- -our 7ronts! on' 7l''t an% a 8roup o- $ank
&rmi's "ts sta-- contains a <'connaissanc' .ir'ctorat'! h'a%'% by a li'ut'nant6
g'n'ral ;' alr'a%y kno) that h' has at his %isposal a %iv'rsionary SPB$S(&K long6
rang' r'connaissanc' r'gim'nt! containing >lympic m'%al6)inn'rs! most o- )hom ar'
not only pro-'ssional athl't's but pro-'ssional kill'rs $h' <'connaissanc' .ir'ctorat'
also has an 'ntir' rang' o- r'connaissanc' an% int'llig'nc'6gath'ring 'Guipm'nt! on'
o- )hich %'s'rv's sp'cial m'ntion
$his is th' I*astr'b4 pilotl'ss rock't aircra-t! )hich is launch'% -rom a mobil' rock't
launch'r an% )hich carri's out photo6 an% ra%io6r'connaissanc' at h'ights o- mor'
than 2+ kilom'tr's! -lying at sp''%s in '/c'ss o- 2!3++ kilom'tr's p'r hour 7rom
?y'lorussia th' I*astr'b4 has succ'ss-ully carri'% out photographic r'connaissanc'
ov'r Spain! 8r'at ?ritain an% th' 7r'nch &tlantic s'aboar% "ts app'aranc' at th'
b'ginning o- th' 191+s caus'% alarm at (&$> h'a%Guart'rs "t )as mistak'nly
i%'nti-i'% as a M"8623< &-t'r a M"8 23 ha% app'ar'% in 9apan an% ha% b''n car'-ully
'/amin'%! th' '/p'rts cam' to th' conclusion that this aircra-t ha% insu--ici'nt
op'rational ra%ius to -ly ov'r ;'st'rn Burop' "t )as r'alis'% that th'r' ha% b''n a
-als' alarm an% in or%'r not to caus' anoth'r on' th' Sovi't 0nion %iscontinu'%
-lights by th' I*astr'b4 in p'ac'tim' :o)'v'r! it is still b'ing us'% ov'r China! &sia
an% &-rica an% ov'r th' oc'ans :aving th' invuln'rability o- a rock't an% th'
pr'cision o- an aircra-t! th' I*astr'b4 )oul% also mak' an '/c'll'nt v'hicl' -or a
nucl'ar )arh'a% 0nlik' a rock't it can b' us'% again an% again

1

$h' s'con% o--ic'r o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- has th' titl' o- :'a% o- th' Chi'- "nt'llig'nc'
.ir'ctorat' (8<0) :' is a -ull 8'n'ral o- th' &rmy ?'si%'s controlling th' int'llig'nc'
an% r'connaissanc' r'sourc's subor%inat'% to him! h' has his o)n! incomparably
hug' int'llig'nc' n't)ork $h' 8<0 )orks -or th' Supr'm' Comman%'r "t carri's out
'spionag' on a scal' unparall'l'% in history "t is 'nough to r'cor% that %uring ;orl%
;ar "" th' 8<0 )as abl'! )ith its o)n r'sourc's! to p'n'trat' th' 8'rman 8'n'ral
Sta-- -rom S)it@'rlan% an% to st'al nucl'ar s'cr'ts -rom th' 0nit'% Stat's! an% that
a-t'r th' )ar it )as abl' to in%uc' 7ranc' to l'av' (&$>! b'si%'s carrying out many
l'ss risky op'rations $h' )ork o- th' 8<04s ag'nt n't)orks is controll'% by th' -irst
-our .ir'ctorat's! 'ach o- )hich is h'a%'% by a li'ut'nant6g'n'ral $h' proc'ssing o-
all in-ormation r'aching th' 8<0 is carri'% out by an 'normous organisation )hich is
group'% into si/ "n-ormation .ir'ctorat's $o%ay th' :'a% o- th' 8<0 has t)o
s'parat'! )orl%6)i%'! int'llig'nc' organisations! a colossal numb'r o- 'l'ctronic
int'llig'nc' c'ntr's! c'ntrally controll'% %iv'rsionary units an% so on an% so -orth
:o)'v'r! th' Chi'- "nt'llig'nc' .ir'ctorat' o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- is a subA'ct )hich
calls -or a substantial book to its'l-

64
8

Sta--s ar' o- %i--'r'nt typ's $h' small'st is that o- a battalion! th' larg'st is th'
8'n'ral Sta-- ?ut 'ach has its o)n int'llig'nc' an% r'connaissanc' r'sourc's! Aust as
'ach brain has its o)n 'y's an% 'ars $h' high'r sta--s control th' lo)'r on's an% th'
corr'spon%ing high'r int'llig'nc' organisations %ir'ct thos' b'lo) th'm &t all l'v'ls!
th' int'llig'nc' an% r'connaissanc' organisations )ork -or th'ir r'sp'ctiv' sta--s! but
i- int'llig'nc' )hich is r'c'iv'% is o- int'r'st to 'ith'r a high'r or a lo)'r 'ch'lon! it is
pass'% on imm'%iat'ly
:'r' is a particularly int'r'sting '/ampl' o- such coor%ination
"n th' summ'r o- 1952! th' <'% &rmy )as pr'paring to halt th' 'normously
po)'r-ul 8'rman a%vanc' "n th' Cursk sali'nt s'v'n Sovi't 7ronts )'r'
simultan'ously pr'paring th'ir %'-'nc's
$h' ov'rall coor%ination o- op'rations in th' Strat'gic .ir'ction )as in th' han%s o-
Marshal 8 C Khukov ('v'r in th' history o- )ar-ar' ha% such a %'-'nc' syst'm b''n
s't up! on a -ront mor' than a thousan% kilom'tr's in l'ngth $h' ov'rall %'pth o- th'
obstacl's 'r'ct'% by th' 'ngin''rs )as 23+62++ kilom'tr's >n an av'rag'! 1!+++
anti6tank an% anti6p'rsonn'l min's )'r' lai% along 'v'ry kilom'tr' o- th' -ront 7or
th' -irst tim' th' &$ artill'ry %'nsity r'ach'% 51 guns p'r kilom'tr' "n a%%ition! -i'l%
guns an% anti6aircra-t guns )'r' brought up -or us' against tanks "t )as alr'a%y
impossibl' to br'ak through such a -ront ('v'rth'l'ss! th' 8'rman comman%
%'ci%'% to try to %o so ?ut! th'y )'r' only abl' to bring tog'th'r a million m'n an%
o--ic'rs to carry out th' op'ration! an% th'y )'r' unabl' to achi'v' surpris' >n th'
night o- 3 9un' a r'connaissanc' group -rom on' o- th' thousan%s o- Sovi't battalions
captur'% a 8'rman lanc'6corporal )ho ha% b''n cl'aring a passag' through barb'%
)ir' obstacl's $h' Sovi't battalion )as imm'%iat'ly put on th' al'rt an% th' s'con%
o--ic'r on its sta-- %'ci%'% to in-orm th' r'gim'ntal int'llig'nc' o--ic'r o- )hat ha%
happ'n'% $h' r'gim'nt )as brought to battl' r'a%in'ss straight a)ay an% th' n')s
o- th' captur' o- th' lanc'6corporal )as transmitt'% to th' int'llig'nc' group o- th'
%ivisional sta-- an% -rom th'r' to th' sta-- o- th' corps! to th' sta-- o- th' 12th &rmy!
straight -rom th'r' to th' C'ntral 7ront h'a%Guart'rs an% th'nc' to th' :'a%Guart'rs
o- th' Strat'gic .ir'ction! to Marshal Khukov an% -inally to th' Chi'- "nt'llig'nc'
.ir'ctorat' o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- "t took t)'nty6s'v'n minut's -or th' m'ssag' to
pass -rom th' battalion sta-- to th' Chi'- "nt'llig'nc' .ir'ctorat' $h' n')s )as
astonishing "- th' 'n'my )as cl'aring passag's through barb'% )ir'! h' must b'
pr'paring to a%vanc' ?ut only an imm'ns' o--'nsiv' coul% b' cont'mplat'% against
such a mighty %'-'nsiv' syst'm &n% imm'ns' it )as66but it 'n%'% in compl't'
%isast'r


The /istorting irror

1

&t th' tim' o- th' si'g' o- S'vastopol! (icholas " att'mpt'% to mak' th' sham'-ul
Crim'an )ar s''m mor' acc'ptabl' ?ut nothing cam' o- his '--ortsH th' <ussian
n')spap'rs print'% not )hat th' gov'rnm'nt )ant'% but )hat th'ir Aournalists sa)
)ith th'ir o)n 'y's Mor' than that66it )as not only Aournalists )ho )rot' in th'
<ussian n')spap'rs an% Aournals about th' )ar but o--ic'rs o- th' <ussian army66
actual participants in th' )ar
65
,'v $olstoy! th'n a v'ry young o--ic'r! )rot' Sevastopol Stories! in )hich! in
contrast to th' gov'rnm'nt4s propagan%a! h' %'scrib'% th' )ar as h' sa) it -or
hims'l- &t that tim'! o- cours'! th'r' )as no -r''%om! l't alon' %'mocracy *'t!
surprisingly! th' young o--ic'r )as not hang'%! or %is'mbo)'ll'% )ith a ramro% or
banish'% to Sib'ria66h' )as not 'v'n %ismiss'% -rom th' army :' continu'% his
military car''r! most succ'ss-ully
$olstoy )as not an '/c'ption ,ook at th' n')spap'rs -rom that tim' an% you )ill
b' surpris'% to s'' ho) <ussian o--ic'rs! 'v'n g'n'rals! )rot' in almost 'v'ry issu'
criticising th'ir o)n gov'rnm'nt -or l'thargy an% clumsin'ss an% -or th'ir inability to
rul' th' country or %ir'ct th' army ,'v $olstoy stoo% out -rom all th' critics o- th'
r'gim' only b'caus' h' )as mor' tal'nt'% than th' r'st
.uring th' <usso69apan's' )ar th' $sarist gov'rnm'nt tri'% onc' again to mak'
th' )ar s''m attractiv' "t )as hop'l'ss $h' <ussian n')spap'rs totally r'A'ct'% all
att'mpts to 'mbroi%'r r'ality $h'y publish'% not )hat th' $sar )ant'% but )hat 'y'6
)itn'ss's ha% s''n >n' o- th'm! an un'%ucat'% sailor -rom th' battl'ship+rel!
(ovikov! gath'r'% a mass o- mat'rial about th' blun%'rs o- th' <ussian (aval Sta--
an% o- th' a%mirals )ho ha% tak'n part in th' )ar an%! )ithout any -'ar o- th'
cons'Gu'nc's! b'gan to publish it "t sol% lik' hot cak's an% (ovikov ma%' a lot o-
mon'y out o- his criticisms o- th' <ussian gov'rnm'nt an% o- th' $sar hims'l- .i%
th'y cut o-- his h'a%= (ot at allF h' bought a larg' hous' by th' s'a in *alta! right
n'/t %oor to th' $sar! an% liv'% th'r'! )riting his books! th' b'st o- )hich isTsushima
?y th' tim' o- th' 7irst ;orl% ;ar! th' gov'rnm'nt )as no long'r making any gr'at
'--orts to colour r'ality & c'rtain Vla%imir 0lyanov! a stu%'nt )ho ha% not obtain'%
his %'gr''! an% )ho conc'al'% his i%'ntity b'hin% th' ps'u%onym I,'nin4! b'gan to
publish Communist n')spap'rs! in '%itions o- millions! '/posing 'v'ry att'mpt to
misl'a% th' public :is n')spap'rs )'r' -r''! although it cost millions o- gol% roubl's
to print th'm ;h'r' %i% such a hal-6'%ucat'% man lay his han%s on so much mon'y=
?ut th'n th' anarchy cam' to an 'n% $h' $sar )as ov'rthro)n! th' bourg'oisi'
)'r' %riv'n o-- an% th' p'opl' inh'rit'% 'v'rything Publishing hous's! b'ing larg'
un%'rtakings! )'r' imm'%iat'ly nationalis'% 7rom th'n on th' n')spap'rs b'gan to
contain not )hat'v'r might com' into som'on'4s h'a% but )hat th' p'opl' r'ally
n''%'%! an% )hat'v'r )oul% b'n'-it th' p'opl' Sinc'! naturally! th' p'opl' as a
)hol' cannot run a n')spap'r! it is run by th' b'st r'pr's'ntativ's o- th' p'opl'
$h'y tak' gr'at car' that no on' us's th' n')spap'rs against th' p'opl' "- a young
o--ic'r! an un'%ucat'% sailor or a stu%'nt )ithout a %'gr'' shoul% approach th'
'%itors! th's' r'pr's'ntativ's )oul% imm'%iat'ly ask66%o our p'opl' n''% this= "s it
n'c'ssary to -right'n or %isillusion th'm= Shoul% th'y b' corrupt'%= P'rhaps it is not
such immatur'! subA'ctiv' )ritings! )hich ar' %'trim'ntal to th' popular int'r'sts
)hich shoul% b' publish'%! but )hat th' p'opl' n''%
$hat is ho) things %'v'lop'%66i- an articl' or story %i% not s'rv' th' p'opl'4s
int'r'sts it )as not publish'% in th' p'opl'4s n')spap'rs Bv'rything ha% b''n
nationalis'%! 'v'rything b'long'% to th' p'opl' $hat b'ing so! )hy shoul% th'ir
r'pr's'ntativ's )ast' public mon'y on th' publication o- a harm-ul articl' or a story=
"t is sai% that nationalis'% un%'rtakings b'long to th' )hol' community ?ut try
sitting in th' compartm'nt o- a nationalis'% train )ithout a tick't66you )ill b' ma%' to
g't out an% )ill b' -in'% "n oth'r )or%s! th' nationalis'% rail)ays ar' not yours or
min' or his or ours $h'y b'long to th' p'opl' )ho run it66in th' -inal instanc'! to th'
gov'rnm'nt $h' sam' appli's to a nationalis'% n')spap'r "t! too! b'longs to th'
gov'rnm'nt "n th' Sovi't 0nion all n')spap'rs ar' nationalis'% an% thus all b'long
to th' gov'rnm'nt "s it n'c'ssary -or th' gov'rnm'nt to criticis' its o)n actions in its
o)n n')spap'r= $hat is th' r'ason )hy th'r' is absolut'ly no criticism o- th'
gov'rnm'nt in th' Sovi't n')spap'rs $hat is )hy no unGuali-i'% stu%'nt )oul% b'
66
abl'! no)a%ays! to voic' criticisms o- any r'pr's'ntativ' o- th' Sovi't p'opl' >n th'
oth'r han%! th' gov'rnm'nt has acGuir'% '/c'll'nt -aciliti's to publish anything th'y
)ish! )ithout risking public '/posur'F th' )hol' pr'ss no) b'longs to it &n% it is this
-r''%om -rom control )hich allo)s th' gov'rnm'nt an% all its institutions to mak'
%aily! 'v'n hourly! us' o- an '/c'ptionally po)'r-ul an% '--'ctiv' )'apon66blu--

2

Sovi't l'a%'rs us' blu-- on a larg' scal' in int'rnational politics an% th'y us' it in
mast'rly -ashion $h'y 'mploy it )ith particular skill in th' military -i'l%H 'v'rything is
s'cr't66Aust try to -in% out )hat is tru' an% )hat is not
.uring th' Cuban crisis Chrushch'v thr'at'n'% to r'%uc' capitalism to ash's by
pr'ssing a buttonF this )as at a tim' )h'n Sovi't rock'ts )'r' still blin%! having
compl't'ly unr'liabl' gui%anc' syst'ms! )hich m'ant that th'y coul% only b'
launch'% on strictly limit'% cours's! oth'r)is' no on' coul% b' sur' )h'r' th'y )oul%
'n% up
&-t'r Chrushch'v all )ork %ir'ct'% at %'c'ption o- th' 'n'my )as c'ntralis'% "
hav' alr'a%y m'ntion'% th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' -or Strat'gic .'c'ption! )hich is
comman%'% by 8'n'ral ( V >garkov :'r' is an '/ampl' o- its )ork
$h' Sovi't 0nion ha% b''n alarming th' r'st o- th' )orl% )ith its rock'ts -or som'
tim' b'-or' th' 0nit'% Stat's b'gan to %'ploy a syst'm -or anti6missil' %'-'nc' 7or
th' Sovi't 0nion this &m'rican syst'm )as lik' a kni-' at its throat66b'caus' o- it
Sovi't rock'ts ha% lost much o- th'ir po)'r to t'rroris' $h' 0SS< )as Guit' simply
unabl' to %'ploy its o)n similar syst'm an% it ha% no int'ntion o- %oing so66it %o's
not hol% %'-'nsiv' syst'ms in any gr'at 'st''m ?ut it )as 'ss'ntial som'ho) to stop
th' &m'ricans
So th' )hol' Sovi't (nationalis'%) pr'ss b'gan saying66in unison66I;' hav' b''n
)orking on this Gu'stion -or a long tim' an% )' hav' ha% som' succ'ss4 $h'n!
casually! th'y sho)'% th' )hol' )orl% som' l'ngths o- -ilm sho)ing on' rock't
%'stroying anoth'r & v'ry primitiv' trick & circus clo)n )ho kno)s th' pr'cis'
traA'ctory charact'ristics o- a rock't an% its launch6tim' coul% hit it )ith an airgun "-
a trick lik' this )as sho)n to Sovi't schoolchil%r'n in a circus! th'y )oul% not b'
tak'n in $h'y )oul% kno) Guit' )'ll that th'r' ar' no miracl's an% that th' clo)n
must hav' -i/'% it som'ho) "n ;'st'rn capitals! too! th'y kn') that th'r' ar' no
miracl's! an% that until th' 0S gav' th' 0SS< comput'rs no syst'm o- th' sort coul%
b' built th'r'
?ut th' tricks continu'% & gigantic rock't app'ar'% in a Mosco) para%'! not in th'
conting'nt -rom th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's but in that o- th' (ational &ir .'-'nc'
7orc's66obviously! th'r'-or'! it must b' an anti6ballistic missil' 7inally! th' 0SS< s't
about 'r'cting a most important buil%ing66an &?M gui%anc' station & station o- this
sort built by th' &m'ricans )oul% b' -ully automat'%! n''%ing a t'am o- mor' than a
thousan%! )ith high 'ngin''ring Guali-ications! to run it $his station looks lik' th'
Pyrami% o- Ch'ops! although it is much larg'r
$h'y b'gan to buil% it right in th' outskirts o- Mosco)! %ir'ctly on th' ring6roa%
roun% th' capital ,'t all th' -or'ign %iplomats tak' a goo% look at it >ccasionally
incompr'h'nsibl' high6po)'r'% signals )oul% b' transmitt'% by th' station )hich
car'-ul analysis sho)'% to b' '/actly th' sort o- signals such a station )oul% transmit
?ut! insi%'! th' buil%ing )as 'mpty! )ithout its most 'ss'ntial compon'nt66a
comput'r an% comman% compl'/
:o)'v'r! th' %im'nsions o- th' buil%ing! th' incompr'h'nsibl' transmissions! th'
l'ngths o- -ilm an% various %ark hints %ropp'% by Sovi't g'n'rals pro%uc'% th'
r'Guir'% '--'ct &n% th' Sovi't pr'ss provi%'% -urth'r 'vi%'nc'66%'-'nc' against
67
missil's! it sai%! is a v'ry '/p'nsiv' an% not v'ry '--'ctiv' busin'ss! although )' ar'
putting 'v'ry '--ort into it Sovi't int'llig'nc' ag'nts su%%'nly r'c'iv'% or%'rs to
susp'n% all th'ir '--orts to acGuir' in-ormation on &m'rican &?M syst'ms $h' %isplay
o- such %isr'sp'ct -or an% such lack o- int'r'st in &m'rica4s -irst6class 'l'ctronic
in%ustry )as calculat'% to in%icat' cl'arly that th' Sovi't 0nion 'nAoy'% 'normous
sup'riority in this -i'l% $h' ;'st4s n'rv' -ail'% an% th' S&,$ " talks -ollo)'% &t th'
signing c'r'mony th' &m'rican Pr'si%'nt sat at th' con-'r'nc' tabl' )ith ?r'@hn'v66
an% sign'% $h' )orl% sigh'% )ith r'li'- an% applau%'% th' tr'aty as a victory -or
common s'ns'! as a st'p -or)ar% tak'n by t)o giants! tog'th'r
?ut %i% th' &m'rican Pr'si%'nt kno) that h' )as sitting at th' tabl' )ith th' h'a%
o- an organisation )hich calls its'l- th' Communist Party o- th' Sovi't 0nion= .i% h'
kno) that this organisation has shot #+ million p'opl' in its o)n country an% that it
has s't its'l- th' goal o- %oing th' sam' throughout th' )orl%= (ot 'v'n th' &m'rican
Ma-ia coul% %r'am o- %oing things on this scal' ;h'n h' ma%' his Guick %'cision to
hol% talks )ith th' ringl'a%'r o- th' most t'rribl' ban% o- gangst'rs in th' history o-
civilisation! %i% h' not r'alis' that th'y might simply -ool him! as th'y )oul% a naiv'
schoolchil%= .i% h' tak' appropriat' st'ps against this= ;'r' his a%vis'rs su--ici'ntly
al'rt=
;h'n! n'/t %ay! th' Sovi't n')spap'rs publish'% photographs o- th' smiling -ac's
o- th' participants in th' con-'r'nc'! th' Sovi't &rmy coul% not b'li'v' its 'y's
"magin'H th' 0S Pr'si%'nt )ith his clos'st a%vis'rs! ?r'@hn'v an%66right b'hin%
?r'@hn'v668'n'ral >garkovJ
0nb'li'vabl'J :o) coul% such a thing happ'n= ;hat )'r' th' &m'rican pr'si%'ntial
a%vis'rs thinking o-= .i% th'y l'arn nothing -rom P'arl :arbor= Coul% anyon' b' mor'
n'glig'nt than th's' p'opl' )'r' at th' signing o- this tr'aty= ;hy %i% non' o- th'm
r'alis' that b'hin% ?r'@hn'v th'r' stoo% not th' chi'- i%'ologist! not th' Politburo
m'mb'r r'sponsibl' -or sci'nti-ic r's'arch! not th' Politburo m'mb'r r'sponsibl' -or
th' )orl%4s larg'st military in%ustrial syst'm! not th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! not th'
Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--! not 'v'n th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' (ational &ir
.'-'nc' 7orc's! )ho shoul% b' in charg' o- th' anti6missil' %'-'nc' syst'm= ;hy )as
nobo%y th'r' '/c'pt >garkov! h'a% o- th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' o- Strat'gic .'c'ption=
$his Chi'- .ir'ctorat' is th' most po)'r-ul in th' Sovi't 8'n'ral Sta-- "t is 'v'n mor'
po)'r-ul than 'ith'r th' 7irst or th' S'con% Chi'- .ir'ctorat' Strat'gic .'c'ption is
that part o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- )hich is r'sponsibl' -or all military c'nsorship66-or all
c'nsorship in th' -i'l%s o- sci'nc'! t'chnology! 'conomics an% so -orth $his
%ir'ctorat' mak's a car'-ul stu%y o- 'v'rything that is kno)n in th' ;'st about th'
Sovi't 0nion an% -abricat's an 'normous amount o- mat'rial in or%'r to %istort th'
tru' pictur' $his most po)'r-ul organisation sup'rvis's all military para%'s an% any
military '/'rcis's at )hich -or'ign'rs ar' to b' pr's'nt! it is r'sponsibl' -or r'lations
)ith th' s'rvic' attach's o- all -or'ign countri's! inclu%ing thos' )ith I-rat'rnal4 ti's
)ith th' Sovi't 0nion $his octopus6lik' organisation runs &ed Star! Soviet
,nion! Standard -earer! ./uipment and Armament an% a hun%r'% oth'r military
n')spap'rs an% Aournals $h' Military Publishing :ous' o- th' Sovi't Ministry o-
.'-'nc' is part o- this Chi'- .ir'ctorat' (othing can b' publish'% in th' 0SS<
)ithout a p'rmit -rom its h'a%! no -ilm can app'ar )ithout on'! not a singl' troop
mov'm'nt can tak' plac' )ithout p'rmission -rom th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat'! no rock't6
bas'! no barracks66'v'n -or th' troops o- th' C8?66can b' built )ithout its
agr''m'nt! nor can a singl' -actory! coll'ctiv' -arm! pip'6lin' or rail)ay b'
construct'% )ithout its prior p'rmission Bv'rything in this hug' country must b' %on'
in such a )ay that th' 'n'my al)ays has a -als' impr'ssion o- )hat is going on "n
som' -i'l%s achi'v'm'nts ar' %'lib'rat'ly conc'al'%F in oth'rs66as )as %on' )ith
antimissil' %'-'nc'66th'y ar' '/agg'rat'% out o- all r'cognition "n a%%ition! o-
68
cours'! r'pr's'ntativ's o- th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat'! h'lp'% by Sovi't military int'llig'nc'!
hav' r'cruit'% a coll'ction o- m'rc'nary hack Aournalists abroa%! through )hich it
spr'a%s -als' in-ormation! %isguis'% as s'rious stu%i's "ts r'pr's'ntativ's att'n%
n'gotiations conc'rn'% )ith %'t'nt'! p'ac'! %isarmam'nt! 'tc 7or instanc'! th' h'a%
o- th' 1th .'partm'nt o- th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat'! Colon'l68'n'ral $rusov! is a
p'rman'nt m'mb'r o- th' Sovi't %'l'gation att'n%ing th' S&,$ > %iscussions ;h'n
th' stak's )'r' at th'ir high'st! th' h'a% o- th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat'! 8'n'ral >garkov
hims'l-! Aoin'% th' %'l'gation :' ma%' a brilliant succ'ss o- th' op'ration to -ool th'
&m'rican %'l'gation 7or this h' )as ma%' Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- an% at th' sam'
tim' h' )as promot'% to Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion "t is signi-icant that his
pr'%'c'ssor! Culikov! r'ach'% th' rank o- Marshal only )h'n h' l'-t th' 8'n'ral Sta--
>garkov4s pr's'nc' in th' %'l'gation pro%uc'% no r'action $h' &m'rican
%'l'gation %i% not br'ak o-- th' n'gotiations )h'n h' app'ar'%! %i% not l'av' th'
con-'r'nc' hall as a sign o- prot'st! %i% not slam th' %oor >n th' contrary! it )as his
arrival )hich got th' talks! )hich ha% com' to a stan%still! going again! a-t'r )hich
th'y mov'% Guickly to a triumphant conclusion ?oth si%'s '/chang'% applaus' an%
thr') th'ir car%s on th' tabl'! having agr''% on a %ra)n gam'
?ut! -or h'av'n4s sak'! i- th' agr''m'nt )as shortly going to halt th' -urth'r
gro)th o- anti6missil' syst'ms! i- th' gam' )as almost ov'r! sur'ly this )as th'
mom'nt to tak' a p''p at th' 'n'my4s car%s= 9ust as a pr'caution! against )hat
might happ'n in th' -utur'= ;hat )as th' point o- simply signing th' agr''m'nt!
a-t'r )hich nothing coul% b' put right! )ithout l'tting a small group -rom 'ach si%'
catch a bri'- glimps' o- things as th'y )'r' in th' 'n'my camp= $h' agr''m'nt
shoul% not hav' b''n sign'% )ithout som' arrang'm'nt o- this sort
>r i- only! onc' th' agr''m'nt ha% b''n sign'%! th' Sovi'ts ha% sho)n th'ir
&m'rican opposit' numb'rs som'thing! not a -ilm in a cin'ma! but som'thing r'al66in
th' most g'n'ral t'rms! by all m'ans! an% )ithout giving any %'tails a)ay $h' Sovi't
%'l'gation! too! )oul% hav' b''n not unint'r'st'% to s'' som'thing o- th' &m'rican
achi'v'm'nts ?ut th' Sovi't car%6sharp'rs kn') in a%vanc' that th' &m'ricans ha%
at l'ast thr'' ac's in th'ir han%! an% that is )hy th' Sovi't si%' thr') th'ir car%s on
th' tabl'! )ithout sho)ing th'm! an% Guickly proc''%'% to shu--l' th' pack
"nci%'ntally! shortly a-t'r this! having '/ploit'% th' cr'%ulity o- &m'rica! th' Sovi't
0nion built an '/c'll'nt rock't! )ith th' in%ustrial in%'/ numb'r 86C685 an% th'
military %'signation 0<61++ 0< m'ans Iuniv'rsal rock't4 "t can b' us'% both to
%'liv'r a nucl'ar strik' an% to r'p'l on' "t is th' larg'st o- th' Sovi't strat'gic
rock'ts "ts manu-actur' is an out6an%6out violation o- th' S&,$ " agr''m'nt! but no
prot'st has com' -rom th' &m'rican si%' $his is b'caus' >garkov4s organisation
succ''%'% in conc'aling th' rock't4s s'con% -unction! so that it is o--icially r'gar%'%
as a pur'ly o--'nsiv' )'apon $h' S&,$ " agr''m'nt )as got roun% in anoth'r )ay!
too &n '/c'll'nt Sovi't anti6aircra-t rock't! th' S62++! )hich )as %'v'lop'% to
%'stroy 'n'my aircra-t! )as mo%'rnis'% an% ma%' suitabl'66)ith c'rtain limitations66
-or us' against 'n'my missil's >garkov4s organisation n'v'r allo)'% this rock't to
app'ar at para%'s! 'v'n in its original! anti6aircra-t variant $h' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' o-
Strat'gic .'c'ption is strict in its obs'rvanc' o- th' principl'H I$h' 'n'my shoul% s''
only )hat >garkov )ish's to sho) th'm4 $his is th' r'ason )hy all -or'ign %iplomats
)'r' 'nabl'% to s'' th' hug' construction right in th' v'ry outskirts o- Mosco)

2

Bv'r sinc' " -irst -oun% mys'l- in th' ;'st! " hav' b''n soaking up in-ormation o-
all kin%s " hav' visit'% %o@'ns o- librari's! s''n hun%r'%s o- -ilms " hav' tak'n in
'v'rything! in%iscriminat'ly669am's ?on%! Bmmanu'll'! .racula! th' Bmp'ror
69
Caligula! th' 8o%-ath'r! nobl' h'ro's an% cra-ty villains $o som'on' )ho ha% only
s''n -ilms about th' n''% to -ul-il pro%uction plans an% to buil% a bright'r -utur'! it
)as impossibl' 'v'n to imagin' such vari'ty " k'pt on an% on going to -ilms >n' %ay
" )'nt to an '/c'll'nt on' about th' burglary o- a %iamon% )ar'hous' $h' thi'v's
brok' into th' 'normous buil%ing )ith gr'at skill! put a %o@'n alarms out o- action!
op'n'% 'normously thick %oors an% -inally r'ach'% th' s'cr't inn'rmost room in
)hich th' sa-'s stoo% >- cours'! in a%%ition to all th' transmitt'rs! alarm %'vic's an%
so on! th'r' )'r' $V cam'ras! through )hich a guar% k'pt constant )atch on )hat
)as happ'ning in th' room )h'r' th' sa-'s )'r' ?ut th' thi'v's! too! )'r'
ing'nious $h'y ha% )ith th'm a photograph o- th' room! tak'n 'arli'r $h'y put this
in -ront o- th' cam'ras an%! using it as a scr''n! 'mpti'% th' sa-'s $h' guar%s
s'ns'% that som'thing )as happ'ning $h'y b'gan to -''l vagu'ly un'asy ?ut
looking at th' t'l'vision scr''n th'y )'r' abl' to convinc' th'ms'lv's that 'v'rything
)as Gui't in th' sa-' room
" am som'tim's tol% that th' &m'rican spy6sat'llit's ar' k''ping a car'-ul )atch
on )hat is happ'ning in th' Sovi't 0nion $h'y tak' in-ra6r'% photographs o- th'
country -rom abov' an% -rom obliGu' angl's! th'ir photographs ar' compar'%!
'l'ctronic! h'at an% all oth'r 'missions ar' m'asur'%! ra%io transmissions ar'
int'rc'pt'% an% painstakingly analys'% "t is impossibl' to -ool th' sat'llit's ;h'n "
h'ar this! " al)ays think o- th' trio o- sympath'tic villains )ho hi% -rom th' cam'ras
b'hin% a photograph! using it as a shi'l% b'hin% )hich to -ill th'ir bags )ith
%iamon%s "nci%'ntally! th' -ilm 'n%'% happily -or th' thi'v's ;h'n " r'm'mb'r th'
ch''r-ul smil's th'y '/chang'% at th' 'n% o- th'ir succ'ss-ul op'ration! " also think o-
>garkov4s b'aming count'nanc' at th' mom'nt th' agr''m'nt )as sign'%
$h' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' o- Strat'gic .'c'ption %o's '/actly )hat th' sympath'tic trio
%i%66th'y sho) th' )atch-ul 'y' o- th' cam'ra a r'assuring pictur'! b'hin% th'
sh'lt'r o- )hich th' gangst'rs )ho call th'ms'lv's th' Communist Party o- th' Sovi't
0nion! th' Sovi't &rmy! Military "n%ustry an% so -orth go about th'ir busin'ss
$his is th' )ay it is %on' in practic' & hug' &m'rican comput'r! )hich has b''n
install'% at th' C'ntral Comman% Post o- th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' o- Strat'gic .'c'ption!
maintains a constant r'cor% o- all int'llig'nc'6gath'ring sat'llit's an% orbiting spac'
stations an% o- th'ir traA'ctori's B/tr'm'ly pr'cis' short6 an% long6t'rm -or'casts ar'
pr'par'% o- th' tim's at )hich th' sat'llit's )ill pass ov'r various ar'as o- th' Sovi't
0nion an% ov'r all th' oth'r t'rritori's an% s'a ar'as in )hich th' &rm'% S'rvic's o-
th' 0SS< ar' activ' Bach Chi'- .ir'ctorat' unit s'rving )ith a military %istrict! a
group o- armi's or a -l''t mak's us' o- %ata provi%'% by this sam' &m'rican
comput'r to carry out similar )ork -or its o)n -orc' an% ar'a Bach army! %ivision an%
r'gim'nt r'c'iv's constantly up6%at'% sch'%ul's sho)ing th' pr'cis' tim's at )hich
'n'my r'connaissanc' sat'llit's )ill ov'r-ly th'ir ar'a! )ith %'tails o- th' typ' o-
sat'llit' conc'rn'% (photo6r'connaissanc'! signals int'llig'nc'! all6purpos'! 'tc)! an%
th' track it )ill -ollo) ('ith'r th' sol%i'rs nor most o- th' o--ic'rs kno) th' pr'cis'
r'ason -or %aily or%'rs! lik' I7rom 122+ to 1233 all ra%io transmissions ar' to c'as'
an% all ra%ars ar' to b' s)itch'% o--4! but th'y must ob'y th'm &t th' sam' tim'!
'ach %ivision has s'v'ral ra%io transmitt'rs an% ra%ars )hich )ork only %uring this
p'rio% an% )hich ar' th'r' sol'ly to provi%' signals -or th' 'n'my4s sat'llit's
$h' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' has its o)n int'llig'nc'6gath'ring sat'llit's! but! unlik' thos'
)orking -or th' Chi'- "nt'llig'nc' .ir'ctorat'! th'y maintain a )atch ov'r Sovi't
t'rritory! looking constantly -or ra%io transmitt'rs an% ra%ars )hich -ail to obs'rv' th'
tim'tabl's lai% %o)n -or communication s'curity S'v'r' punishm'nts a)ait %ivisional
or r'gim'ntal comman%'rs )ho ar' -oun% to b' ignoring th' tim'tabl's
"n a%%ition to th's' bogus signals! th' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' is constantly organising
nights by aircra-t! t'sts o- rock'ts! troop mov'm'nts an% oth'r op'rations to tak'
70
plac' as th' sat'llit's4 cam'ras pass ov'rh'a%! )ith th' aim o- 'mphasising on'
asp'ct o- activity )hil' conc'aling oth'rs $hus! in th' p'rio% running up to th' S&,$ "
n'gotiations! 'v'ry sort o- att'mpt )as ma%' to pr's'nt a pictur' o- Sovi't activity
an% succ'ss in anti6missil' op'rations &-t'r th' n'gotiations! gr'at pains )'r' tak'n
to hi%' activity an% succ'ss's in this -i'l%! sinc' th's' r'pr's'nt'% a violation o- th'
agr''m'nts )hich ha% b''n r'ach'% $h' Chi'- .ir'ctorat' %i--'rs -rom our
r'sourc'-ul burglars in pr's'nting -als' pictur's not -or a -') hours but -or %'ca%'s "t
has at its %isposal not thr'' crooks but t'ns o- thousan%s o- highly6Guali-i'%
sp'cialists an% almost unlimit'% po)'rs in its %'alings )ith g'n'rals! marshals an%
thos' )ho run th' military in%ustri's ov'r th' conc'alm'nt o- th' tru' stat' o- a--airs
$h'r' is no %oubt that th's' activiti's 'nabl' th' Politburo! )ithout gr'at %i--iculty!
to 'mpty th' pock'ts o- thos' in th' ;'st )ho )ill not un%'rstan% that th'y ar'
%'aling )ith organis'% crim'! committ'% by a stat' )hich is op'rating on a )orl%6
)i%' scal'


Part Three
Combat organisation

The /ivision

1

;' hav' alr'a%y s''n that th' unit kno)n as a Imotor6ri-l' r'gim'nt4 in th' Sovi't
&rmy is in -act an all6arms unit )ith hal- th' num'rical str'ngth o- briga%'s in ;'st'rn
armi's! )hich is n'v'rth'l'ss 'Gual or 'v'n sup'rior to th' latt'r in -ir'6po)'r an%
striking6po)'r $his position is r'ach'% through th' m'rcil'ss '/ploitation o- Sovi't
sol%i'rs! )ho ar' r'gar%'% sol'ly as -ighting machin's! rath'r than as human b'ings
)ho r'Guir' r'st! goo% -oo%! r'cr'ation an% so -orth
:aving a str'ngth o- 2!+++! a motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt is 'Guipp'% )ith 51 battl' tanks!
2 r'connaissanc' tanks! 1++ armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs! # 12+mm h'avy assault
guns! 18 122mm s'l-6prop'll'% ho)it@'rs! # I8ra%6P4 multipl' rock't launch'rs! 18
s'l-6prop'll'% mortars! 18 automatic gr'na%' launch'rs! 5 s'l-6prop'll'% anti6aircra-t
guns! 5 sur-ac'6to6air missil' compl'/'s! 1++ light anti6aircra-t an% s'v'ral hun%r'%
light anti6tank )'apons! inclu%ing th' IMukha4! an% th' <P861# anti6tank rock't
launch'rs! both portabl' an% mount'% on v'hicl's! tog'th'r )ith th' r'Guisit'
'ngin''r! ch'mical )ar-ar'! m'%ical! r'pair an% oth'r supporting sub6units
& mo%'rn Sovi't tank r'gim'nt is organis'% along almost '/actly th' sam' lin's as
a motor6ri-l'! r'gim'nt! '/c'pt that it has thr'' tank battalions rath'r than on' an%
on' motor6ri-l' battalion inst'a% o- thr'' "ts oth'r sub6units ar' '/actly th' sam'H a
battalion o- s'l-6prop'll'% artill'ry! a batt'ry o- multipl' rock't launch'rs! an anti6
aircra-t batt'ry! r'connaissanc'! communications! 'ngin''ring! ch'mical )ar-ar' an%
r'pair compani's $h' str'ngth o- such a r'gim'nt is 1!2++ "t has consi%'rably -')'r
light anti6tank )'apons than a motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt! r'asonably 'nough in a r'gim'nt
)ith a total o- 91 tanks! sinc' tank guns ar' th' b'st o- all anti6tank )'apons

2

& Sovi't motor6ri-l' %ivision is mor' o- an all6arms unit than a motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt!
containing! as it %o's! sub6units )ith th' most vari'% -unctions an% capabiliti's $h'
71
organisation o- a %ivision is simpl' an% )'ll6balanc'% $h' str'ngth o- a motor6ri-l'
%ivision is 12!+++ "t is comman%'% by a MaAor68'n'ral "t is ma%' up o-H

& h'a%Guart'rs sta--
& communications battalion66th' %ivision4s n'rv'6syst'm! us'% -or communications
)ith all its 'l'm'nts! )ith th' high'r comman% an% )ith n'ighbouring %ivisions
& r'connaissanc' battalion66th' 'y's an% 'ars o- th' %ivision
& rock't battalion66th' most po)'r-ul )'apon in th' han%s o- th' %ivisional
comman%'r! )ith si/ launch'rs )hich can -ir' ch'mical an% nucl'ar )'apons -or
%istanc's o- up to 13+ kilom'tr's
&n in%'p'n%'nt tank battalion66th' %ivisional comman%'r4s bo%yguar%! )hich
prot'cts %ivisional h'a%Guart'rs an% th' rock't battalion! an% )hich can b' us'% in
battl' )h'n th' %ivisional comman%'r n''%s all his r'sourc's
& tank r'gim'nt66th' %ivision4s striking -orc'
$hr'' motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts! t)o o- )hich ar' 'Guipp'% )ith armour'% p'rsonn'l
carri'rs an% light )'apons an% )hich attack on a )i%' -ront %uring an o--'nsiv'!
probing -or )'ak spots in th' 'n'my4s %'-'nc's $h' thir% r'gim'nt! 'Guipp'% )ith
in-antry combat v'hicl's an% )ith h'avy )'apons! is us'% )ith th' tank r'gim'nt to
attack th' 'n'my at his )'ak'st point66Iin th' liv'r4 as th' Sovi't &rmy says
&n artill'ry r'gim'nt66th' main -ir'6po)'r o- th' %ivision66)hich consists o- thr''
battalions o- 132 s'l-6prop'll'% ho)it@'rs an% on' battalion o- ?M621 h'avy multipl'
rock't launch'rs "n all! th' r'gim'nt has 35 ho)it@'rs an% 18 h'avy rock't
launch'rs $h' -ull str'ngth o- th' r'gim'nt is us'% in th' %ivision4s main a/is o-
a%vanc'! in )hich th' tank an% h'avy motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts ar' also activ'66that is! in
th' ar'a in )hich th' 'n'my has b''n prov'% to b' most vuln'rabl'
$h' anti6aircra-t (S&M) r'gim'nt has as its primary task th' prot'ction o- th'
%ivisional h'a%Guart'rs an% o- th' rock't battalion "t must also provi%' prot'ction -or
th' %ivision4s main battl' group! 'v'n though this is alr'a%y capabl' o- %'-'n%ing
its'l- against 'n'my aircra-t $h' r'gim'nt has -iv' batt'ri's! 'ach )ith si/ rock't
launch'rs "n p'ac'tim'! t)o o- th' launch'rs o- 'ach batt'ry ar' h'l% in r's'rv' an%
th' -act that th'y '/ist must not in any circumstanc's b' %isclos'% until th' outbr'ak
o- )ar $his has l'% ;'st'rn '/p'rts to un%'r'stimat' th' %'-'nc' capabiliti's o-
Sovi't %ivisions! b'li'ving that 'ach r'gim'nt has only 2+ launch'rs )h'r'as in -act it
has 2+ "n or%'r to maintain this illusion! th' armi's o- all th' Sovi't alli's actually %o
hav' only 2+ launch'rs in 'ach r'gim'nt
$h' anti6tank battalion acts as th' %ivisional comman%'r4s trump car% )h'n h'
-in%s hims'l- in a critical situation 0ntil th'n it is k'pt in r's'rv' "t is brought into
action %uring a %'-'nsiv' action! )h'n th' 'n'my4s tanks hav' brok'n through -airly
%''ply an% onc' th' %ir'ction o- his main thrust can b' cl'arly i%'nti-i'% "n an
o--'nsiv' it is us'% )h'n th' %ivision4s main battl' -orc' has brok'n through in %'pth
an% th' 'n'my is attacking its -lank an% r'ar $h' battalion is arm'% )ith 18 1++ or
123mm anti6tank guns an% si/ anti6tank missil' compl'/'s
$h' 'ngin''r battalion is us'%! tog'th'r )ith th' anti6tank battalion! to lay
min'-i'l%s rapi%ly in -ront o- 'n'my tanks )hich hav' brok'n through! in or%'r to stop
th'm or at l'ast to slo) th'm %o)n in -ront o- th' %ivision4s anti6tank guns "t also
cl'ars min's ah'a% o- th' %ivision4s a%vancing troops %uring an o--'nsiv' an% h'lps
th'm to cross )at'r obstacl's
$h' ch'mical )ar-ar' battalion carri's out th' m'asur's n'c'ssary -or %'-'nc'
against nucl'ar! ch'mical or biological attacks by th' 'n'my
$h' transport battalion suppli's th' %ivision )ith -u'l an% )ith ammunition "ts 2++
v'hicl's 'nabl' it to mov' 1!+++ tons o- -u'l an% ammunition at th' sam' tim'
$h' r'pair battalion r'cov'rs an% r'plac's combat 'Guipm'nt
72
$h' m'%ical battalion %o's th' sam'! but -or th' %ivision4s p'rsonn'l
$h' h'licopt'r -light! )hich has # h'licopt'rs! is us'% -or comman% an%
communications %uti's an% to lan% th' %ivision4s %iv'rsionary troops b'hin% th'
'n'my4s lin's

$h' %ivision has a total o- 25 battalions $hos' battalions )hich ar' subor%inat'%
%ir'ctly to th' %ivisional comman%'r ar' giv'n th' %'signation Iin%'p'n%'nt466-or
instanc' I"n%'p'n%'nt Communications ?attalion o- th' 25th .ivision4 $his syst'm is
also us'% in all high'r -ormations 7or instanc'! an &rmy consists o- %ivisions ?ut it
also contains r'gim'nts an% battalions )hich %o not -orm part o- its compl'm'nt!
)hich ar' call'% Iin%'p'n%'nt4 as! -or instanc' in th' I51st "n%'p'n%'nt Pontoon
?ri%g' <'gim'nt o- th' 12th &rmy4
$h' total compl'm'nt o- a Sovi't motor6ri-l' %ivision is 281 tanks! 13+ in-antry
combat v'hicl's! 221 armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs! # rock't launch'rs! 18 12+mm
h'avy assault guns! 18 anti6tank guns! 12# s'l-6prop'll'% an% to)'% ho)it@'rs! 9#
mortars an% multipl' rock't launch'rs! 5# mobil' anti6aircra-t missil' compl'/'s! 1#
s'l-6prop'll'% automatic anti6aircra-t guns! an% hun%r'%s o- light anti6tank an% anti6
aircra-t )'apons

2

& tank %ivision is organis'% in th' sam' )ay as a motor6ri-l' %ivision! '/c'pt that it
has thr'' tank r'gim'nts rath'r than on' an% on' motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt inst'a% o-
thr'' "n a%%ition! a tank %ivision has no in%'p'n%'nt tank or anti6tank battalions!
sinc' its anti6tank str'ngth is much gr'at'r than that o- a motor6ri-l' %ivision
& tank %ivision has 1+!3++ m'n "t is 'Guipp'% )ith 251 tanks! 222 in-antry combat
v'hicl's! # rock't launch'rs! # h'avy assault guns! 12# s'l-6prop'll'% ho)it@'rs! 18
mortars an% multipl' rock't launch'rs! #2 s'l-6prop'll'% anti6aircra-t missil's an%
artill'ry compl'/'s an% hun%r'%s o- light anti6aircra-t an% anti6tank )'apons ;hil' it
has -')'r p'rsonn'l! a tank %ivision has -ar gr'at'r striking po)'r than a motor6ri-l'
%ivision


The Army

1

0ntil th' mi%6193+s! %ivisions )'r' organis'% in corps! an% a numb'r o- corps
ma%' up an &rmy :o)'v'r! b'caus' o- th' gr'atly incr'as'% combat str'ngth o- th'
%ivisions! an% also b'caus' an &rmy Comman%'r ha% acGuir'% th' m'ans to control
all his %ivisions simultan'ously! th' corps cam' to b' consi%'r'% unn'c'ssary as an
int'rm'%iat' -ormation an% )as th'r'-or' abolish'%
$o%ay! ho)'v'r! a r'lativ'ly small numb'r o- corps ar' l'-t in th' Sovi't arm'%
-orc's $h'y '/ist )h'r' a %ivision is too small a unit -or th' task in han% an% an
&rmy too larg'
7rom tim' to tim' in this book )' hav' us'% th' t'rm I&ll6&rms &rmy4 $his has
b''n %on' in or%'r to %istinguish this typ' o- &rmy -rom $ank &rmi's! &ir &rmi's! &ir
.'-'nc' &rmi's an% <ock't &rmi's :o)'v'r! in normal usag' th' '/pr'ssion Iall6
arms4 is not us'%F inst'a%! th' units conc'rn'% ar' simply r'-'rr'% to as th' 12th or
th' #9th &rmy Som' hav' honorary titl's! such as I2n% Shock &rmy4 or I9th 8uar%s
&rmy4 $h's' titl's a%% nothing to th' pr's'nt6%ay str'ngth o- th's' armi's66th'y ar'
73
simply r'-l'ctions o- past glory 7or instanc'! th' 2r% &rmy! )hich has no honorary
titl'! is consi%'rably b'tt'r 'Guipp'% than th' 11th 8uar%s &rmy
Som'tim's &rmi's 'volv' along n') lin's but k''p th'ir -orm'r %'signations!
)hich %o not -it th'ir pr's'nt -unctions $hus! th' 2n% $ank &rmy is no) an &ll6&rms
&rmy ?y contrast! th' 2r% Shock &rmy! %'spit' its %'signation! is in -act a $ank &rmy
.uring th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar th' <'% &rmy ha% a total o- 18 &ir &rmi's! 11 &ir
.'-'nc' &rmi's! # 8uar%s $ank &rmi's! an% 1+ oth'r armi's! o- )hich 3 )'r' kno)n
as Shock &rmi's an% 11 as 8uar%s &rmi's
$o%ay th'r' ar' -')'r armi's but th'ir str'ngths vary consi%'rably $h' Sovi't
&rm'% 7orc's no) hav' 2 <ock't &rmi's! 1+ &ir .'-'nc' &rmi's! 1# &ir &rmi's! 8
8uar%s $ank &rmi's an% 22 oth'r armi's! a numb'r o- )hich ar' still r'-'rr'% to as
'ith'r Shock or 8uar%s &rmi's

2

"n th' ;'st it is -irmly b'li'v'% that to%ay4s Sovi't &rmi's lack a cl'ar
organisational structur' & sup'r-icial analysis o- th' compl'm'nt o- 'ach o- th' Sovi't
&rmi's s''ms to con-irm thisH som' &rmi's hav' 1 %ivisions )hil' oth'rs hav' only 2
$h' proportion o- tank an% motor6ri-l' %ivisions )hich th'y contain also vari's
constantly
"n -act! though! &rmi's %o hav' Guit' cl'ar organisational structur's :o)'v'r! th'
Sovi't 0nion %o's not think it a%visabl' to %isplay this clarity in p'ac'tim'F this )oul%
thro) too much light on th'ir plans -or )ar .ivisions hav' a high %'gr'' o-
a%ministrativ' autonomy an% can b' Guickly r'group'% -rom on' &rmy to anoth'r "n
p'ac'tim' th' syst'm c'rtainly %o's s''m illogical! but onc' a )ar b'gan 'ach &rmy
)oul% tak' on an 'ntir'ly cl'ar shap'
$h'r' is on' -urth'r caus' -or this appar'nt con-usion $his is that th' Sovi't 0nion
has -orbi%%'n its Bast Burop'an alli's to 'stablish &rmi's in 'ith'r p'ac'tim' or
)artim' "- a homog'n'ous mass b'com's too larg' it may '/plo%' $h' Sovi't :igh
Comman% avoi%s this %ang'r )ithin th' Sovi't &rmy its'l-! by constantly moving th'
various nationaliti's aroun%! to pro%uc' a -'atur'l'ss gr'y mass o- sol%i'ry! unabl' to
un%'rstan% on' anoth'r "n p'ac'tim'! th' arm'% -orc's o- th' Bast Burop'an
countri's only hav' %ivisions "n )artim' th's' %ivisions )oul% imm'%iat'ly Aoin
Sovi't &rmi's )hich )'r' un%'r str'ngth $his is pr'cis'ly )hat happ'n'% in th'
summ'r o- 19#8
"n p'ac'tim'! th's' Bast Burop'an %ivisions s'' th'ms'lv's as part o- th'ir o)n
national arm'% -orc's "n )artim' th'y )oul% b' %istribut'% throughout th' Sovi't
&rmi'sF -or a%ministrativ' purpos's th'y )oul% com' un%'r th'ir national Ministri's o-
.'-'nc' an%! ultimat'ly! un%'r th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation 7or military purpos's th'y )oul% b' subor%inat'% to th' Sovi't &rmi's!
7ronts an% Strat'gic .ir'ctions an%! ultimat'ly! to th' Sovi't Supr'm' Comman%'r
an% to his 8'n'ral Sta-- "t is b'caus' o- this that th' Sta-- o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty
>rganisation is a bur'aucratic institution rath'r than op'rational h'a%Guart'rs &n%
this is )hy! in p'ac'tim'! many Sovi't &rmi's app'ar unstructur'% "n )artim' th'y
)oul% b' brought up to str'ngth )ith Bast Burop'an conting'nts an% th'y )oul% th'n
assum' th'ir prop'r -orms

2

"n )artim' an &rmy consists o- -iv' %ivisions! on' o- )hich is a tank %ivision! an%
th' r'maining -our motor6ri-l' %ivisions "n various instanc's in )hich th' mass us' o-
tanks )oul% b' %i--icult! an &rmy may hav' nothing but motor6ri-l' %ivisions! )hich
74
hav' only a limit'% numb'r o- tanks ?ut th' &rmi's )hich ar' 'armark'% to op'rat'
in ;'st'rn Burop' ar' ma%' up in this )ay66on' tank an% -our motor6ri-l' %ivisions
?'si%'s th's' -iv' %ivisions 'ach &rmy hasH

& h'a%Guart'rs sta--66th' brain o- th' &rmy
& communications r'gim'nt66its n'rvous syst'm
&n in%'p'n%'nt SPB$S(&K %iv'rsionary company an% t)o signals int'llig'nc'
battalions66its 'y's an% 'ars
& rock't briga%'66th' most po)'r-ul )'apon in th' han%s o- th' &rmy4s
comman%'r! )hich 'nabl's him to %'liv'r nucl'ar an% ch'mical attacks Barli'r 'ach
briga%' ha% 9 launch'rs! )ith a rang' o- up to 2++ kilom'tr's $o%ay a briga%' has 18
launch'rs! )ith a gr'atly incr'as'% rang'
&n in%'p'n%'nt tank battalion66th' &rmy Comman%'r4s p'rsonal guar% $his
%'-'n%s th' &rmy4s control post an% th' rock't briga%' an% is brought into action only
in th' most critical situations! )h'n 'v'rything is at stak'
&n artill'ry briga%'66th' main -ir'6po)'r o- th' &rmy $his consists o- -iv'
battalions66thr'' )ith 18 12+mm guns 'ach! on' )ith 18 132 mm gun6ho)it@'rs an%
on' )ith 18 ?M621 multipl' rock't launch'rs
&n anti6aircra-t briga%'! )hich cov'rs th' &rmy4s comman% Post an% <ock't
?riga%'s )ith its -ir' an% )hich also op'rat's in th' &rmy4s main a/is o- a%vanc'!
suppl'm'nting th' anti6aircra-t cov'rag' )hich th' %ivisions can provi%' -or
th'ms'lv's $his briga%' consists o- a comman% battalion! a supply battalion an%
thr'' -ir'6battalions! 'ach )ith thr'' batt'ri's
$h' camou-lag' s'rvic' has %'cr''% that on' o- th' launch'rs in 'ach o- th's'
batt'ri's is n'v'r to sho) its'l- "t th'r'-or' app'ars to obs'rv'rs that th's' batt'ri's
consist o- thr'' launch'rs! )h'r'as in -act th'y hav' -our! on' o- )hich is al)ays k'pt
in r's'rv' &n anti6aircra-t briga%' is th'r'-or' g'n'rally b'li'v'% to hav' 21
launch'rs! )h'r'as in -act it has 2#
&n anti6aircra-t r'gim'nt! )hich has 2+ 31mm S6#+ anti6aircra-t guns B/p'ri'nc'
in Vi'tnam an% in )ars in th' Mi%%l' Bast has sho)n that conv'ntional anti6aircra-t
artill'ry has by no m'ans outliv'% its us'-uln'ss an% that th'r' ar' many situations in
)hich th' '--'ctiv'n'ss o- anti6aircra-t rock'ts -alls o-- sharply an% that anti6aircra-t
guns can suppl'm'nt th's' most us'-ully
&n anti6tank r'gim'nt! )hich consists o- thr'' battalions $his has 31 h'avy anti6
tank guns an% 18 anti6tank missil' compl'/'s
&n in%'p'n%'nt anti6tank battalion! )hich has 5+ "$61 track'% anti6tank rock't
launch'rs $h' '/ist'nc' o- th's' battalions! an% o- th' "$61 its'l-! is a car'-ully
guar%'% s'cr't $h's' batt'ri's %o not -orm part o- th' anti6tank r'gim'nt! an% th'r'
is a soun% r'ason -or this! sinc' th'y carry out op'rations using Guit' %i--'r'nt tactics
$h' in%'p'n%'nt anti6tank battalions! )ith th'ir highly mobil' launch'rs! harass th'
'n'my constantly! making surpris' attacks -rom v'hicl's an% mano'uvring -rom ar'a
to ar'a un%'r th' pr'ssur' '/'rt'% by th' 'n'my4s sup'rior -orc's M'an)hil' th'
anti6tank r'gim'nt! arm'% )ith mor' po)'r-ul but l'ss mano'uvrabl' guns! has th'
task o- stopping th' 'n'my tanks! at absolut'ly any cost! )h'n th'y r'ach a
pr'viously %'-in'% lin' $hus th' mor' mobil' battalion go's into action against th'
'n'my4s tanks -rom th' mom'nt th' latt'r br'ak through! )hil' th' anti6tank
r'gim'nt! %''p in th' r'ar! is pr'paring an impassabl' barri'r! b'hin% )hich it )ill
-ight to th' last man
$h' h'licopt'r sGua%ron is us'% -or communications an% -or control! an% som'tim's
to lan% troops b'hin% th' 'n'my lin's "t has 1# m'%ium an% 5 h'avy h'licopt'rs

$h' &rmy4s supporting sub6units inclu%'H
75

&n 'ngin''r r'gim'nt
& pontoon bri%g' r'gim'nt
&n in%'p'n%'nt assault crossing battalion
& transport r'gim'nt
&n in%'p'n%'nt pip'6laying battalion
& ch'mical )ar-ar' battalion
& m'%ical battalion
& mobil' tank6r'pair )orkshop! )ith a tank r'cov'ry company

"n )artim' th' compl'm'nt o- an &rmy is 82!+++ "t has 1!351 tanks! 58 rock't
launch'rs! 822 in-antry combat v'hicl's! 1!1++ armour'% p'rson'l carri'rs! 1!28#
guns! mortars an% multipl' rock't launch'rs! 21# h'avy anti6aircra-t missil' launch'rs
an% anti6aircra-t guns! 5+ transport h'licopt'rs an% thousan%s o- light anti6aircra-t an%
anti6tank )'apons

5

& $ank &rmy! lik' an &ll6&rms &rmy! has a p'rman'nt compl'm'nt )hich is strictly
obs'rv'% "ts organisation is stan%ar%is'% )ith that o- an &ll6&rms &rmy "t is
th'r'-or' simpl'r not to list th' rock't briga%'! th' %iv'rsionary company an% so -orth
but simply to pick out th' -'atur's )hich %istinguish a $ank &rmy -rom an &ll6&rms
&rmy $h'r' ar' thr'' such -'atur'sH
(1) &n &ll6&rms &rmy has -iv' %ivisions! on' o- )hich is a tank %ivision & $ank
&rmy has only -our! all o- )hich ar' tank %ivisions
(2) & $ank &rmy %o's not br'ak through th' 'n'my4s %'-'nc's $his is %on' -or it
by th' &ll6&rms &rmi's $h'r'-or' a $ank &rmy %o's not hav' an artill'ry briga%'! o-
)hich it has no n''% ?ut )hil' it is op'rating %''p in th' %'-'nc's o- th' 'n'my it
may su%%'nly 'ncount'r strong 'n'my -orc's against )hich mass'% int'ns' -ir' must
b' brought %o)n v'ry Guickly 7or this purpos'! in plac' o- an artill'ry briga%'! a $ank
&rmy has a r'gim'nt o- ?M621 multipl' rock't launch'rs
(2) & $ank &rmy %o's not -ight to hol% ar'as or lin'sH its task is sol'ly to attack th'
'n'my "t th'r'-or' has no anti6tank r'gim'nt ()hich hol%s t'rritory) or in%'p'n%'nt
anti6tank battalion ()hich harass's th' a%vancing 'n'my) "t has no n''% o- th's'
sub6units! )hich )oul% contribut' nothing to its prop'r -unction
"n th' n'ar -utur' th'r' )ill b' on' -urth'r sp'cial -'atur' in th' organisation o- a
$ank &rmy "t )ill inclu%' an air6born' assault briga%'! )hich has th' -unction o-
s'i@ing an% hol%ing bri%g's! crossing points an% roa% Aunctions ah'a% o- th' avalanch'
o- a%vancing tanks &t pr's'nt only 7ronts hav' th's' briga%'s $'mporarily! until
th'y com' into s'rvic'! $ank &rmi's ar' -orc'% to us' motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts! or
som'tim's %ivisions! )hich hav' battalions )ith sp'cial training in h'licopt'r assault
lan%ings >nc' th' air6born' assault briga%'s Aoin th' $ank &rmi's! th' n''% -or such
motor6ri-l' r'gim'nts an% %ivisions )ill %isapp'ar
"n all! in )artim'! a $ank &rmy has 35!+++ m'n! 1!51# tanks! 992 in-antry combat
v'hicl's! 895 guns! mortars an% multipl' rock't launch'rs! 52 rock't launch'rs! 215
h'avy anti6aircra-t missil' launch'rs an% anti6aircra-t guns! #5 combat an% 25
transport h'licopt'rs an% thousan%s o- light anti6aircra-t an% anti6tank )'apons

3

76
"- )' compar' th' )'apons availabl' to an &ll6&rms &rmy )ith thos' o- a tank
&rmy! )' %iscov'r an appar'ntly para%o/ical situationF th' $ank &rmy has -')'r tanks
than th' &ll6&rms &rmy! but mor' in-antry combat v'hicl's than th' latt'r! )hos' v'ry
-oun%ation is its motor6ri-l' sub6unitsJ
"n -act! though! this is not a para%o/ &n &ll6&rms &rmy is a combination o- tanks!
o- h'avy an% light motoris'% in-antry! artill'ry an% oth'r -orc's )hos' Aob is to break
throu0h the enemy's lines1
& $ank &rmy is -ar small'r than an &ll6&rms &rmy "t is a combination o- tanks an%
h'avy in-antry! )ith artill'ry an% op'rational h'licopt'r sub6units! )hos' Aob it is to
operate deep in the enemy's rear1
&n &ll6&rms &rmy has mor' than 1!+++ armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs (-or light
in-antry) an% a $ank &rmy has practically non'
& $ank &rmy! b'ing small'r! has -ar b'tt'r cross6country p'r-ormanc'! an% gr'at'r
mano'uvrability an% striking po)'r "t has -')'r tanks than an &ll6&rms &rmy! but
th'y ar' -ar mor' highly conc'ntrat'% $his giv's th' $ank &rmy a cl'arly %'-in'%
o--'nsiv' charact'r! )hil' th' &ll6&rms &rmy is 'ss'ntially a univ'rsal )'apon


The $ront

1

$h' 7ront is a group o- &rmi's! uni-i'% un%'r a singl' comman% to carry out
combat op'rations in )artim' "t is s't up 'ith'r %uring or imm'%iat'ly b'-or' th'
outbr'ak o- a )ar "t is an all6arms -ormation in 'v'ry r'sp'ct! incorporating 'l'm'nts
o- th' various &rm'% S'rvic's
$h' Comman%'r o- a 7ront has an op'rational! not an a%ministrativ' -unction :'
poss'ss's v'ry consi%'rabl' authority an% th' -orc's un%'r his comman% ar' not
subor%inat' to th' Comman%'rs6in6Chi'- o- th'ir r'sp'ctiv' S'rvic's $h' %i--'r'nt
S'rvic's -rom )hich th' -orc's making up a 7ront ar' %ra)n ar' not p'rmitt'% to
int'r-'r' in th' op'rational us' o- th's' -orc's & 7ront Comman%'r has sol' an%
p'rsonal r'sponsibility -or th' pr'paration! con%uct an% outcom' o- combat
op'rations :' is subor%inat'% 'ith'r to th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- a Strat'gic
.ir'ction )ho is in control o- op'rations or %ir'ctly to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r
hims'l- $h' &rm'% S'rvic's -rom )hich th' -orc's making up a 7ront ar' tak'n ar'
conc'rn'% only )ith th' r'in-orc'm'nt! r''Guipm'nt! provisioning an% supply o- th's'
-orc's
$his cl'ar %i--'r'ntiation b't)''n op'rational an% a%ministrativ' -unctions mak's it
possibl' to conc'ntrat' compl't' authority in in%ivi%ual han%s! to avoi% %uplication o-
control! to 'nsur' prop'r coop'ration b't)''n sub6units o- %i--'r'nt &rm'% S'rvic's
an% to avoi% -riction b't)''n th'm
&t th' b'ginning o- th' )ar b't)''n th' Sovi't 0nion an% 8'rmany! -iv' 7ronts
)'r' cr'at'% "n th' cours' o- th' )ar th'ir numb'r )as incr'as'% to -i-t''n .uring
its -inal stag's th' 7ronts op'rating in th' C'ntral .ir'ction )'r' ma%' up o- 1 or 2
&ir &rmi's! 2 or 2 $ank &rmi's! 8 or 9 &ll6&rms &rmi's an% a consi%'rabl' numb'r o-
in%'p'n%'nt tank! artill'ry an% motor6ri-l' corps $h's' 7ronts ha% str'ngths o- up to
a million sol%i'rs! thr'' thousan% tanks! thr'' thousan% aircra-t! an% up to -i-t''n
thousan% guns an% mortars

2

77
&-t'r th' )ar! b'caus' o- th' intro%uction o- nucl'ar )'apons an% as part o- th'
continuous t'chnical improv'm'nt o- th' &rm'% 7orc's! it )as %'ci%'% that in any
-utur' )ar mor' po)'r-ul! mor' compact an% th'r'-or' mor' 'asily controll'% 7ronts
)oul% b' us'%
Contrary to th' b'li'- h'l% in th' ;'st! 7ronts hav' a Guit' cl'arly %'-in'% combat
organisation! lik' battalions! r'gim'nts! %ivisions an% armi's
& 7ront compris'sH

& comman% sta--
& communications r'gim'nt66th' n'rv' syst'm
& %iv'rsionary ISPB$S(&K4 briga%'! a signals int'llig'nc' r'gim'nt an% a ra%ar
battl'-i'l% surv'illanc' r'gim'nt66th' 'y's an% 'ars o- th' 7ront
&n &ir &rmy
& $ank &rmy66th' 7ront4s striking -orc'
$)o &ll6&rms &rmi's
&n in%'p'n%'nt tank briga%'66th' 7ront Comman%'r4s p'rsonal guar%! )hich
%'-'n%s his comman% post an% th' 7ront4s rock't briga%'s $his briga%' is only
brought into action in th' most critical situations
$)o rock't briga%'s >n' has 12 launch'rs )ith a rang' o- 961!2++ kilom'tr's an%
is us'% in accor%anc' )ith th' plans o- th' 7ront Comman%'r $h' s'con% briga%' is
similar in composition an% armam'nt to an &rmy4s rock't briga%' an% is us'% to
str'ngth'n th' &rmy )hich is having th' gr'at'st succ'ss
&n artill'ry %ivision! consisting o- si/ r'gim'nts an% an anti6tank battalion $hr'' o-
th' r'gim'nts hav' 35 12+mm M5# guns 'ach an% t)o o- th' r'main%'r hav' 35
132mm .2+ ho)it@'rs 'ach $h' oth'r r'gim'nt has 35 25+mm mortars $h' artill'ry
%ivision! in its 'ntir'ty! is us'%! to str'ngth'n th' artill'ry o- th' &rmy )hich is having
th' gr'at'st succ'ss
& sp'cially str'ngth'n'% artill'ry briga%'! consisting o- -iv' battalions $h' -irst
thr'' 'ach hav' 12 18+mm S622 guns! th' oth'r t)o 'ach hav' 12 2+2mm ?65M
ho)it@'rs $h' briga%' is us'% to str'ngth'n th' &rmy )hich is having th' gr'at'st
succ'ss
& tank6%'stroy'r briga%'! o- -iv' battalions! arm'% )ith 9+ h'avy anti6tank guns
an% 2+ anti6tank rock't compl'/'s
$)o anti6aircra-t missil' briga%'s an% t)o anti6aircra-t artill'ry r'gim'nts! 'Guipp'%
an% organis'% lik' similar sub6units in an &rmy
&n airborn' assault briga%'! us'% -or th' rapi% captur' o- important lin's! bri%g's!
crossings an% mountain pass's in support o- th' 7ront4s a%vancing -orc's "n th' n'/t
-') y'ars comman%'rs o- th' $ank &rmi's o- a 7ront )ill also 'ach hav' on' such
briga%'
S'v'ral p'nal battalions! )hich ar' us'% to n'gotiat' min'-i'l%s an% -or attacks on
strongly -orti-i'% 'n'my positions $h' numb'r o- p'nal battalions availabl' %'p'n%s
on th' numb'rs o- sol%i'rs an% o--ic'rs )ho ar' un)illing to -ight -or socialism
$h' supporting sub6units inclu%'H
&n 'ngin''r briga%'
& pontoon bri%g' briga%'
&n assault6crossing battalion
& transport briga%'
& pip'6laying r'gim'nt
& C; prot'ction r'gim'nt
S'v'ral -i'l% an% 'vacuation hospitals
& mobil' tank r'pair )orkshop
& tank transport r'gim'nt
78

"n t'rritori's in )hich it is %i--icult to us' tanks! a 7ront )ill hav' no $ank &rmi's
"nst'a% o- th's' it may hav' an in%'p'n%'nt tank %ivision but it may not hav' this
'ith'r $his %o's not! o- cours'! apply to ;'st'rn Burop'
7ronts 'armark'% -or op'rations in ;'st'rn Burop' )ill hav' up to 3!#++ tanks!
112 combat aircra-t! 22+ h'licopt'rs! 2!+++ in-antry combat v'hicl's! 2!+++ armour'%
p'rsonn'l carri'rs! an% up to 5!1++ guns! mortars an% salvo6-iring rock't6launch'rs
tog'th'r )ith a larg' Guantity o- oth'r arms an% combat 'Guipm'nt

2

"t )ill! o- cours'! b' point'% out that th' -orc's station'% on Bast 8'rman t'rritory
ar' pr'cis'ly t)ic' as strong as thos' " hav' list'%! havingH

(ot on' $ank &rmy! but t)o
&n &ir &rmy )hich has a consi%'rably larg'r numb'r o- aircra-t than " hav' sho)n
$)o airborn' assault briga%'s! rath'r than on'
(ot on' %iv'rsionary briga%'! but t)o
7our rock't briga%'s! inst'a% o- t)o
$)o 'ngin''r briga%'s! not on'
$)o pontoon bri%g' briga%'s! rath'r than on'
&n artill'ry %ivision )hich has mor' than 1++ guns! as against th' 225 list'% abov'

:o) can this b' '/plain'%= $h'r' is nothing myst'rious about it & 7ront a%vancing
against a strong 'n'my may hav' a @on' o- a%vanc' o- 2++623+ kilom'tr's "n Bast
8'rmany th'r' is thus room -or t)o 7ronts "n C@'choslovakia th'r' is room -or only
on'
$)o rout's l'a% -rom Bast 8'rmany to th' ;'st! s'parat'% -rom 'ach oth'r by a
consi%'rabl' %istanc' ?'caus' o- this! it is conv'ni'nt to 'mploy t)o %i--'r'nt 7rontsF
control ov'r a singl' 7ront a%vancing in t)o %i--'r'nt %ir'ctions is boun% to pro%uc'
%i--iculti's "- th' Sovi't -orc's ar' suppl'm'nt'% )ith Bast 8'rman units th'r' )ill b'
pr'cis'ly t)o 7ronts in th' 8.< (o publicity is giv'n to this int'ntion in p'ac'tim'! in
or%'r to k''p it s'cr't ?'si%'s! it is Guit' simply inconv'ni'nt to k''p t)o g'n'rals o-
'Gual s'niority in th' sam' country 7or th' s'nior Sovi't o--ic'r in th' 8.< is not only
a military comman%'r! h' is also th' a%ministrativ' h'a% o- a Communist colony 7or
this r'ason th' sta--s o- th' 7ronts ar' uni-i'%! although 'v'n -or annual '/'rcis's
th'y s'parat'! as %o th' &ir &rmi's an% th' artill'ry %ivisions & singl' t'l'phon' call
is all that is n''%'% to s't up t)o s'parat' -ronts66'v'rything 'ls' has b''n arrang'%
alr'a%y


)hy are there 12 Soviet /ivisions in 0ermany3 but only 4 in
C5echoslovakia+

1

$h' Sovi't 0nion maintains 1+ motor6ri-l'! 1 artill'ry an% 9 tank %ivisions in Bast
8'rmany "n Polan% it has 2 tank %ivisions! in C@'choslovakia it has 2 tank an% 2
motor6ri-l' %ivisions "n th' ?y'lorussian Military .istrict! )hich bor%'rs on Polan%! it
has 9 tank an% 5 motor6ri-l' %ivisionsF Polan% has 3 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions!
C@'choslovakia has 3 tank an% 3 motor6ri-l' %ivisions
79
&t -irst sight! th's' -igur's s''m to b' an arbitrary an% nons'nsical Aumbl'
:o)'v'r! l't us r'call th' basic -act that th' Bast Burop'an %ivisions! briga%'s an%
r'gim'nts ar' not p'rmitt'% to -orm th'ir o)n &rmi's or 7ronts $h'y simply -orm
parts o- various Sovi't &rmi's! taking th' plac' o- missing 'l'm'nts ;' shoul%
th'r'-or' not r'gar% Sovi't an% Bast Burop'an %ivisions as s'parat' 'ntiti's "nst'a%!
)' shoul% s'' th'm as -orc's o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation! )ithout national
%istinctions >nc' )' %o this! )' s'' an 'ntir'ly harmonious pictur'
,'t us tak' C@'choslovakia as an '/ampl' "n Pragu' th'r' is a Sovi't Colon'l6
8'n'ral! )ho comman%s th' C'ntral 8roup o- 7orc's 0n%'r him ar' th' sta--s o- an
&ir &rmy an% o- t)o &ll6&rms &rmi's $h' &ir &rmy has a compl'm'nt o- only 13+
Sovi't combat aircra-t! but! i- )' a%% to th's' 3++ C@'ch combat aircra-t! )' hav' a
compl't' &ir &rmy! )ith a Sovi't g'n'ral at its h'a%
&ltog'th'r in C@'choslovakia th'r' ar' 1 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions $his is
'/actly th' numb'r n''%'% to mak' up a 7ront 5 o- th' tank %ivisions constitut' a
$ank &rmy 2 o- th' r'maining tank %ivisions an% th' 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions -orm t)o
&rmi's an% th' r'maining tank %ivision acts as a r's'rv' "n p'ac'tim'!
C@'choslovakia has t)o artill'ry brigai%'s an% t)o anti6tank r'gim'nts $his is '/actly
)hat is n''%'% to compl't' t)o &rmi's! but th' $ank &rmy %o's not n''% th's' sub6
units C@'choslovakia has thr'' rock't briga%'s an% this is pr'cis'ly )hat is n''%'%66
on' briga%' -or 'ach &rmy! inclu%ing th' $ank &rmy &ll th' -ront6lin' sub6units ar'
Sovi't
$h' Sovi't Colon'l68'n'ral in Pragu' is th' Comman%'r o- th' C'ntral 7ront $h'
comman%'rs o- th' &ir &rmy an% o- th' t)o &ll6&rms &rmi's ar' also Sovi't! )hil' th'
%ivisions! briga%'s an% r'gim'nts ar' both Sovi't an% C@'ch! but all ar' 'ntir'ly un%'r
Sovi't control &lr'a%y in p'ac'tim'! th'r' is a compl't' 7ront in C@'choslovakiaF only
on' 'l'm'nt is lacking66a h'a%Guart'rs sta-- -or th' $ank &rmy Bv'rything 'ls' is
th'r' :o)'v'r! -iv' hun%r'% kilom'tr's -rom th' Sovi't6C@'ch -ronti'r! in th' small
0krainian to)n o- Khitomir! is th' sta-- o- th' 8th 8uar%s $ank &rmy $his sta-- has no
on' un%'r its comman% So that th' g'n'rals shoul% not b'com' bor'%! th'y
-r'Gu'ntly mak' trips to C@'choslovakia to insp'ct th' tank %ivisions $h'n th'y
r'turn hom' &ll that )oul% b' n''%'% to mov' th'm to C@'choslovakia is a t)o6hour
-light by pass'ng'r aircra-t >nc' this is %on' th' C'ntral 7ront is r'a%y -or battl'
"n ;arsa)! too! th'r' is a Sovi't Colon'l68'n'ral :' also has at his %isposal th'
h'a%Guart'rs sta-- o- an &ir &rmy (th' 21th &ir &rmy )hich has 2#+ combat aircra-t)
but h' has only t)o Sovi't tank %ivisions $h'r' ar' no sta--s -or lan% armi's! -or it
)oul% b' o%% to hav' thr'' &rmy sta--s -or t)o tank %ivisions So th' Sovi't Colon'l6
8'n'ral has a hug' sta-- in ,'gnica on )hich th'r' ar' su--ici'nt g'n'rals to -orm both
th' h'a%Guart'rs sta-- o- a 7ront an% thos' o- thr'' &rmi's &n% in Polan%! too! th'r'
ar' Aust th' right numb'r o- %ivisions to -orm a 7ront661 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' &s in
C@'choslovakia! th'r' ar' 5 tank %ivisions66a $ank &rmy662 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l'
%ivisions66t)o &rmi's66an% on' tank %ivision! to act as a r's'rv' $h'r' ar' '/actly
th' numb'r o- au/iliary sub6units n''%'% -or th' 7ront an% -or th' &rmi's -rom )hich
it is ma%' up $h' numb'r o- combat aircra-t is su--ici'nt to r'in-orc' both th' 21th
&ir &rmy an% th' &ir &rmy in C@'choslovakia
"n p'ac'tim' th'r' is alr'a%y a compl't' 7ront in Polan%F it n''%s no -urth'r
str'ngth'ning $h' trans-ormation o- th' Sovi't sta-- in ,'gnica into a h'a%Guart'rs
sta-- -or a 7ront an% sta--s -or thr'' ,an% &rmi's can tak' plac' automatically "n 19#8
it )as compl't'% in a matt'r o- minut's ;hat app'ars to b' on' sta--! in -act!
-unctions! 'v'n in p'ac'tim'! as -our in%'p'n%'nt sta--sF th'y ar' all locat'% in on'
plac' in or%'r to camou-lag' this -act
"n Bast 8'rmany th'r' ar' t)o 7ronts $h' ov'rall total o- Sovi't an% Bast 8'rman
aircra-t is pr'cis'ly th' numb'r n''%'% to mak' up t)o &ir &rmi's $h' sta-- o- th'
80
1#th &ir &rmy is alr'a%y station'% in Bast 8'rmanyF that o- th' 1st &ir &rmy can b'
brought -rom ?y'lorussia in a singl' transport aircra-t )ithin a coupl' o- hours an%
onc' this has b''n %on' th' t)o 7ronts hav' th'ir compl't' conting'nt
"n p'ac'tim'! th'r' ar' t)o $ank &rmy sta--s in Bast 8'rmany66'ach 7ront has
on'66an% thr'' sta--s -or &ll6&rms &rmi's "n oth'r )or%s! on' mor' is n''%'% $his!
too66th' sta-- o- th' 28th &rmy66)oul% com' -rom ?y'lorussia! in a singl' aircra-t an%
)ithin t)o hours $h'r' )oul% th'n b' t)o 7ronts! 'ach )ith on' &ir &rmy! on' $ank
&rmy an% $)o &ll6&rms &rmi's $h' mov' o- th' sta--s can b' accomplish'% so Guickly
b'caus' it is only n'c'ssary to mov' -iv' g'n'rals an% t)'lv' colon'ls -or 'ach sta--66
th' r'main%'r ar' alr'a%y in Bast 8'rmany
"n all! th'r' ar' 1 tank an% 15 motor6ri-l' %ivisions in Bast 8'rmany Bach 7ront
n''%s a minimum o- # tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions $hus only thr'' mor' %ivisions
ar' n''%'% an% th'y! too! )oul% com' -rom ?y'lorussia $his )oul% tak' t)'nty6-our
hours $h' t)o 7ronts coul% b'gin combat op'rations )ithout th'm an% th'y! too!
)oul% b' in action )ithin a %ay
?ut )hat about poor ?y'lorussia! robb'% o- th' sta-- o- an &ir &rmy! th' sta-- o- an
&ll6&rms &rmy an% thr'' %ivisions66on' tank an% t)o motor6ri-l'= Sh' has pl'nty l'-t
$o b' sp'ci-ic! sh' has a Colon'l68'n'ral an% his sta--! t)o rock't briga%'s! t)o
anti6aircra-t S&M briga%'s! a %iv'rsionary briga%'! an airborn' assault briga%'! th'
sta--s o- th' 3th an% 1th 8uar%s $ank &rmi's an% 'ight tank %ivisions66-our )ith 'ach
$ank &rmy

2

;ith a v'ry small numb'r o- mov's66thr'' &rmy sta--s an% thr'' %ivisions66)'
hav' pro%uc'% a structur' )hich has th' pr'cision an% harmony o- a math'matical
-ormula
;' no) hav' th' -ollo)ing pictur'H
"n th' -irst 'ch'lon th'r' ar' thr'' 7ronts! t)o in Bast 8'rmany! on' in
C@'choslovakia
"n th' s'con% 'ch'lon66on' 7ront in Polan% "n th' thir% 'ch'lon66a 8roup o- $ank
&rmi's
$h' s'a)ar% -lank is cov'r'% by th' Sovi't ?altic 7l''t )hich in )artim' )oul%
incorporat' all th' ships o- th' Polish an% Bast 8'rman (avi's
&t th' h'a% o- 'ach o- th's' -ormations is a Comman%'r &bov' him is th'
Comman%'r6in6Chi'-! )hos' h'a%Guart'rs is at Koss'n6;Pns%or- $h'r' coul% b' no
b'tt'r plac' -or a h'a%Guart'rs any)h'r' in th' )orl% "t is v'ry clos' to ;'st ?'rlin
)hich! )ith its imm'%iat' surroun%ings )oul%! o- cours'! b' immun' -rom ;'st'rn
nucl'ar attacks $h' C6in6C mak's us' o- ;'st ?'rlin as a hostag' an% as a
sa-'guar%F h' is thoroughly prot'ct'% against conv'ntional )'apons by concr't'
sh'lt'rs an% by $ank &rmi's
Bach &rmy has on' tank an% -our motor6ri-l' %ivisions Bach $ank &rmy has -our
tank %ivisions Bach 7ront has on' &ir &rmy! on' $ank &rmy an% t)o &ll6&rms &rmi's
$h' 8roup o- $ank &rmi's has t)o $ank &rmi's "n all! 'ach 7ront has si/ tank an%
'ight motor6ri-l' %ivisions $h'r' ar' a total o- si/ $ank &rmi's an% 'ight &ll6&rms
&rmi's $h' Strat'gic .ir'ction has -our 7ronts (&ll6&rms) an% on' 8roup o- $ank
&rmi's
$h' &rmi's o- this Strat'gic .ir'ctorat' hav' a total o- 22 tank %ivisions an% 22
motor6ri-l' %ivisions
"n a%%ition! th' C6in6C o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction has at his %isposal t)o
tank %ivisions! on' in Polan%! th' oth'r in C@'choslovakia an% t)o airborn' %ivisions
(th' #th Polish an% th' 1+2r% 8uar%s %ivision! )hich is in ?y'lorussia)
81
&lso at th' %isposal o- th' C6in6C o- th' Strat'gic .ir'ction ar' a %iv'rsionary long6
rang' r'connaissanc' SPB$S(&K r'gim'nt! a r'gim'nt o- pilotl'ss I*astr'b4
r'connaissanc' aircra-t! a 8uar%s communications briga%'! a transport briga%'! a
%ivision o- rail)ay troops! a pip'6laying briga%'! a C; prot'ction briga%'! an 'ngin''r
briga%'! a pontoon bri%g' briga%' an% oth'r sub6units
7or th' %uration o- a particular op'ration h' may hav' t'mporary comman% o-H

>n' Corps -rom th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's
>n'66or in som' cas's all thr''66Corps -rom th' ,ong <ang' &ir 7orc'
>n' &rmy -rom th' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's
$h' )hol' o- Military $ransport &viation

2

$h' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ctorat' is th' mighti'st grouping o- -orc's on this plan't
"t has th' task o- br'aking through th' ;'st4s %'-'nc's to r'scu' th' ;'st Burop'ans
-rom th' -'tt'rs o- capitalism $h' plan -or its op'rational us' is simpl'66a
simultan'ous attack by all thr'' 7ronts $h' 7ront )hich is most succ'ss-ul )ill b'
imm'%iat'ly str'ngth'n'% by th' a%%ition o- th' s'con% 'ch'lon 7ront -rom Polan%!
)hich has th' task o- smashing through th' 'n'my4s %'-'nc's! a-t'r )hich th' 8roup
o- $ank &rmi's )ill b' us'% to )i%'n th' br'ach! support'% by parachut' %rops by th'
airborn' %ivisions .ivisions )hich su--'r h'avy loss's )ill not b' r'in-orc'% but )ill b'
imm'%iat'ly )ith%ra)n -rom battl' an% r'plac'% by -r'sh %ivisions -rom th' Mosco)!
Volga or 0rals Military .istricts "n th' 'v'nt o- a br'akthrough into 7ranc'! th'
;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction may b' allocat'% a -urth'r 8roup o- $ank &rmi's! )hich is
locat'% in th' Ci'v Military .istrict in p'ac'tim' an% is ma%' up o- th' 2r% an% #th
8uar%s $ank &rmi's
"t must b' 'mphasis'% that th' task o- th' C6in6C o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic
.ir'ction is to a%vanc' s)i-tly )'st)ar%s an% to conc'ntrat' all his '--orts on this an%
this alon' :' is cov'r'% on th' south by n'utral &ustria an% S)it@'rlan%! )hich! it is
plann'%! )ill b' lib'rat'% som')hat lat'r! )hil' on th' north o- th' Strat'gic
.ir'ctorat' li' th' ;'st 8'rman I,an%4 o- Schl's)ig6:olst'in an% .'nmark & plan
has b''n %'vis'% to pr'v'nt th' -orc's o- th' .ir'ctorat' -rom moving north)ar%s as
)'ll as )'st)ar%s $h' ?altic Military .istrict )ill b'com' th' ?altic 7ront in )artim'
"t )ill not com' un%'r th' comman% o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ctorat' but )ill b'
in%'p'n%'nt66in oth'r )or%s it )ill b' subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Supr'm'
Comman%'r $his 7ront )ill cross Polish t'rritory into 8'rmany an% )ill %'ploy
north)ar%s! )ith th' task o- cov'ring th' north'rn -lank o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic
.ir'ctorat'! o- lib'rating .'nmark an% o- s'i@ing th' ?altic Straits ?'caus' it )ill
hav' to )ork on a v'ry narro) -ront an% to carry out op'rations on islan%s! th'
composition o- th' 7ront has b''n som')hat mo%i-i'% "t )ill inclu%'H

$h' 2+th &ir &rmy
$h' 9th an% 11th 8uar%s &rmi's! 'ach consisting o- on' tank %ivision an% o- thr''
motor6ri-l' %ivisions inst'a% o- -our
>n' tank %ivision! rath'r than a $ank &rmy
&n artill'ry %ivision an% all th' r'maining units )hich or%inarily constitut' a 7ront

&s comp'nsation -or th' %ivisions it lacks! th' 7ront has on' most unusual
compon'nt66a Polish marin' in-antry %ivision "n a%%ition! th' Sovi't 1+1th 8uar%s
&irborn' .ivision )ill op'rat' in support o- th' 7ront! although it )ill not b'
subor%inat'% to it
82
$o th' (orth anoth'r 7ront )ill op'rat'! in%'p'n%'ntly o- any Strat'gic .ir'ction!
subor%inat'% %ir'ctly to th' Supr'm' Comman%'r $his 7ront )ill b' 'stablish'% on
th' bas' provi%'% by th' ,'ningra% Military .istrict "t )ill b' ma%' up o- on' &ir
&rmy! t)o &ll6&rms &rmi's an% an in%'p'n%'nt tank %ivision &n airborn' %ivision
bas'% in th' ,'ningra% Military .istrict! but not subor%inat'% to it! )ill provi%'
op'rational support $his 7ront )ill op'rat' against (or)ay an%! possibly! S)'%'n


The &rganisation of the South.)estern Strategic /irection

1

$h' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction stan%s shoul%'r to shoul%'r )ith th'
;'st'rn an% is organis'% in '/actly th' sam' )ayH thr'' 7ronts in th' -irst 'ch'lon!
on' 7ront in th' s'con% 'ch'lon! a 8roup o- $ank &rmi's in th' thir% 'ch'lon! an% a
s'a)ar% -lank prot'ct'% by th' ?lack S'a 7l''t! )hich )oul% b' Aoin'% in )artim' by
all th' ships o- th' ?ulgarian an% <omanian navi's
0nlik' its ;'st'rn 'Guival'nt! th' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction cov'rs t'rrain
)hich is unsuitabl' -or th' %'ploym'nt o- a larg' Guantity o- tanks "n a%%ition! o-
cours'! th' 'n'my is not as strong h'r' as h' is in th' ;'st $h' 7ronts o- th' South6
;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction th'r'-or' hav' no $ank &rmi's Bach 7ront consists o- an
&ir &rmy an% t)o &ll6&rms &rmi's
$h' sta--s -or all th' &rmi's ar' brought -rom military %istricts in th' 0SS< "n
or%'r to '/amin' th' structur' o- this Strat'gic .ir'ction! )' )ill %o t)o thingsH )'
)ill assum' -iv' ?ulgarian tank briga%'s to 'Gual t)o tank %ivisions66an 'Guation
)hich any military sp'cialist )ill con-irm is r'asonabl' ;' )ill also mov' on' Sovi't
motor6ri-l' %ivision -or)ar% Aust 2++ m'tr's -rom th' to)n o- 0@hgoro% on to
:ungarian t'rritory ;' )ill th'n hav' th' -ollo)ing pictur'H
"n :ungary th'r' ar' 2 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions $h' 7ront th'r' )ill consist
o- t)o &rmi's 'ach o- 1 tank an% 5 motor6ri-l' %ivisions! )ith 1 tank %ivision in
r's'rv'
"n <omania th'r' ar' 2 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions66th's' )ill also -orm a
7ront o- t)o stan%ar% &rmi's tog'th'r )ith an &ir &rmy
"n ?ulgaria th'r' ar' 2 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions
"n th' s'con% 'ch'lon is th' Carpathian Military .istrict! consisting o- th' 38th &ir
&rmy an% th' 12th an% 28th &rmi's ;' alr'a%y kno) that th' sta-- o- th' 8th 8uar%s
$ank &rmy has no on' un%'r its comman% an% is to mov' to C@'choslovakia in th'
'v'nt o- )ar :aving ma%' this assumption an% a-t'r moving on' motor6ri-l' %ivision
-or)ar% 2++ m'tr's! th' 7ront )ill hav' 2 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions662 &rmi's
)ith on' %ivision in r's'rv'
7inally! in th' thir% 'ch'lon! th'r' is th' Ci'v Military .istrict! in )hich ar' locat'%
th' sta-- o- th' C6in6C o- th' Strat'gic .ir'ction an% th' 8roup o- $ank &rmi's (th'
2r% an% #th 8uar%s $ank &rmi's! )ith a total compl'm'nt o- 8 tank %ivisions)
"n r's'rv' th' C6in6C has t)o tank %ivisions (in :ungary an% C@'choslovakia) -our
motor6ri-l' %ivisions an% th' 1+2n% 8uar%s &irborn' %ivision "n a%%ition h' has a
%iv'rsionary r'gim'nt an% th' vari'ty o- supporting -ormations an% units )hich th' C6
in6C o- th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction also has
>- cours'! it is no acci%'nt that th' 8roup o- $ank &rmi's is locat'% in th' Ci'v
Military .istrict 7rom h'r' th' 8roup can mov' Guickly -or)ar% to th' 7ront by )hich
it is most n''%'% ?ut it coul% also b' Guickly brought un%'r th' comman% o- th'
83
;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction an%! by violating th' n'utrality o- &ustria -rom :ungary!
coul% attack th' un%'-'n%'% &ustro68'rman -ronti'r

2

$h' proportions lai% %o)n -or th' South6;'st'rn .ir'ction ar' obs'rv'% as
pr'cis'ly as thos' o- its ;'st'rn count'rpart
"n 'ach &rmy th'r' ar' 5 motor6ri-l' %ivisions an% 1 tank %ivision "n th' Strat'gic
.ir'ction th'r' ar' 5 &ll6&rms 7ronts an% 1 8roup o- $ank &rmi's
"n 'ach 7ront th'r' ar' 2 tank an% 8 motor6ri-l' %ivisions "n all th'r' ar' 2 $ank
&rmi's an% 8 &ll6&rms &rmi's ma%' up o- 1# tank an% 22 motor6ri-l' %ivisions *ou
)ill r'call that in th' ;'st'rn .ir'ction th'r' ar' 22 tank an% 22 motor6ri-l' %ivisions
$h' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction can b' str'ngth'n'% )ith -orc's -rom th'
>%'ssa an% (orth Caucasus Military .istricts


Part $our
obilisation


Types of /ivision

1

$h' Sovi't &rmy is arm'% )ith %o@'ns o- typ's o- artill'ry )'aponsH guns!
ho)it@'rs! gun6ho)it@'rs! an% ho)it@'r6guns! or%inary an% automatic mortars! multi6
barr'll'%! salvo6-iring rock't launch'rs! anti6tank an% anti6aircra-t guns "n 'ach o-
th's' class's o- )'apons th'r' is a )hol' array o- mo%'ls66-rom v'ry small to v'ry
larg'66an% most o- th's' '/ist in many variants66s'l-6prop'll'%! au/iliary6prop'll'%!
to)'%! assault! mountain an% static
?ut %'spit' th' )i%' vari'ty o- artill'ry syst'ms! all o- th's' hav' on' -'atur' in
commonF no matt'r ho) many m'n th'r' ar' in th' cr') o- a gun66thr'' or thirty66
only t)o Guali-i'% sp'cialists66th' comman%'r an% th' gunlay'r66ar' n''%'% &ll th'
r'st o- th' cr') can p'r-orm th'ir %uti's )ithout any kin% o- sp'cialis'% training &ny
(o 2 loa%'r! ramm'r numb'r! -us'6s'tt'r! ammunition han%l'r or oth'r m'mb'r o- a
gun4s cr')! can hav' his %uti's '/plain'% in thr'' minut's an% th' cr') can b'
)orking lik' automata )ithin a -') hours $h' sam' appli's to th' %riv'r o- a s'l-6
prop'll'% gun or o- a gun tractor "- h' )as pr'viously a tractor %riv'r h' too )ill
Guickly mast'r his n') -unctions
Sovi't g'n'rals kno) that it is possibl' to t'ach a b'ar to ri%' a bicycl'66an% v'ry
Guickly ;hy! th'y r'ason! %o )' n''% to maintain a p'ac'tim' army o- hun%r'%s o-
thousan%s o- sol%i'rs )hos' )artim' tasks )oul% b' so simpl'= Sur'ly it is 'asi'r to
r'plac' th' thirty m'n in a t)o6gun ho)it@'r platoon )ith -iv'66th' platoon
comman%'r! t)o gun6comman%'rs an% t)o loa%'rs an% to moth6ball both guns an%
th'ir tractors= "- )ar com's! th' oth'rs66th' b'ars66can b' train'% v'ry Guickly 7or
th' pr's'nt l't th'm occupy th'ms'lv's )ith p'ac'-ul )ork66casting st''l (armour'%!
o- cours') or buil%ing 'l'ctrical po)'r6stations (-or th' pro%uction o- aluminium! )hich
is us'% only -or military purpos's in th' 0SS<)

2
84

"n p'ac'tim' th' gr'at maAority o- Sovi't artill'ry r'gim'nts! briga%'s an% %ivisions
th'r'-or' hav' only 3L o- th' sol%i'rs th'y )oul% n''% in )artim' >nly thos' units
(an insigni-icant minority) station'% in th' countri's o- Bast'rn Burop' or on th'
Chin's' -ronti'r ar' up to -ull str'ngth
$his principl' appli's not only to th' artill'ry but to most o- th' lan% -orc's an%
in%''% to th' bulk o- th' )hol' Sovi't &rm'% 7orc's "t is almost impossibl' to apply
it to c'rtain cat'gori's66to tank -orc's or to submarin's say ?ut it %o's apply in many
cas's! particularly to th' in-antry! to th' marin' in-antry! to r'pair! transport an%
'ngin''r sub6units an% to units manning 7orti-i'% &r'as
?'caus' o- this! th' 'normous Sovi't lan% -orc's! )ith th'ir p'ac'tim' str'ngth o-
182 %ivisions as )'ll as a v'ry larg' numb'r o- in%'p'n%'nt briga%'s! r'gim'nts an%
battalions! hav' a laughably small num'rical str'ngth66littl' mor' than on' an% a hal-
million m'n
$his astonishingly small -igur' is %'c'ptiv' Simply bringing th' '/isting %ivisions
an% th' in%'p'n%'nt briga%'s! r'gim'nts an% battalions up to str'ngth on th' -irst
%ay o- mobilisation )ill rais' th' str'ngth o- th' lan% -orc's to 5!1++!+++ ?ut this is
Aust th' -irst stag' o- mobilisation

2

Sovi't %ivisions ar' %ivi%'% into thr'' cat'gori's! %'p'n%ing on th' numb'r o-
Ib'ars4 abs'nt in p'ac'tim'H

Cat'gory &66%ivisions )hich hav' 8+L or mor' o- th'ir -ull str'ngth
Cat'gory ?66thos' )ith b't)''n 2+L an% 3+L
Cat'gory C66thos' )ith b't)''n 3L an% 1+L

Som' ;'st'rn obs'rv'rs us' cat'gori's 1! 2 an% 2 in r'-'rring to Sovi't %ivisions
$his %o's not a--'ct th' cru/ o- th' matt'r! but is not Guit' accurat' Cat'gori's 1 to 2
ar' us'% in th' 0SS< only )h'n r'-'rring to military %istricts .ivisions ar' al)ays
r'-'rr'% to by l'tt'rs o- th' alphab't $his is b'caus' it is simpl'r to us' l'tt'rs in
s'cr't abbr'viations 7or instanc'! I212 C M<.4 r'-'rs to th' 212th motor6ri-l'
%ivision! )hich -alls in cat'gory C $h' us' o- a num'rical cat'gory in such a m'ssag'
coul% l'a% to con-usion "n r'-'rring to military %istricts! )hich hav' titl's but no
numb'rs! it is mor' conv'ni'nt to us' -igur's to in%icat' cat'gori's
Som' ;'st'rn obs'rv'rs ov'r'stimat' th' numb'r o- sol%i'rs on th' str'ngth o-
cat'gory ? an% C %ivisions "n -act th'r' ar' consi%'rably -')'r sol%i'rs than it )oul%
app'ar to an outsi%' obs'rv'r $h's' ov'r'stimat's pr'sumably r'sult -rom th' -act
that in many military camps! in a%%ition to th' p'rsonn'l o- %ivisions )hich ar' b'lo)
str'ngth! th'r' ar' oth'r sub6units an% units! also b'lo) str'ngth but not inclu%'% in
th' compl'm'nt o- th' %ivision $h' Sovi't lan% -orc's hav' som' 2++ in%'p'n%'nt
briga%'s! mor' than 3++ in%'p'n%'nt r'gim'nts an% som' thousan%s o- in%'p'n%'nt
battalions an% compani's! )hich %o not b'long to %ivisions "n most cas's th'ir
p'rsonn'l ar' Guart'r'% in th' barracks o- %ivisions )hich ar' b'lo) str'ngth! )hich
giv's a misl'a%ing impr'ssion o- th' str'ngth o- th' %ivision its'l- "n many cas's! too!
-or camou-lag' purpos's! th's' sub6units )'ar th' insignia o- th' %ivisions )ith )hich
th'y ar' Guart'r'% $his appli's primarily to rock't! %iv'rsionary an%
r'connaissanc'Mint'llig'nc' p'rsonn'l but is also th' cas' )ith units conc'rn'% )ith
th' %'liv'ry! storag' an% transport o- nucl'ar an% ch'mical )'apons
&bout a thir% o- th' %ivisions in th' Sovi't &rmy -all into cat'gory & $h'y inclu%'
all %ivisions station'% abroa% an% a numb'r o- %ivisions on th' Chin's' -ronti'r
85
Cat'gori's ? an% C! too! account -or appro/imat'ly a thir% o- all Sovi't %ivisions "n
r'c'nt y'ars th'r' has b''n a constant shi-t o- %ivisions -rom cat'gory ? to cat'gory
C! b'caus' o- th' intro%uction o- such n') arms o- -orc's as airborn' assault troops
an% -orti-i'% ar'a troops $h' n') sub6units an% units n''% 'ntir'ly n') troops! )hich
ar' al)ays tak'n -rom cat'gory ? %ivisions $h'y cannot b' tak'n -rom cat'gory &
%ivisions! b'caus' th's' r'pr's'nt th' minimum numb'r o- troops )ho must b' k'pt
at r'a%in'ss! or -rom cat'gory C %ivisions b'caus' th's' hav' no on' to spar'
"t must also b' not'% that in cat'gory ? %ivisions th' thr'' most important
battalions66rock't! r'connaissanc' an% communications ar' k'pt at cat'gory &
str'ngth "n cat'gory C %ivisions th's' battalions ar' maintain'% at cat'gory ?
str'ngth
$h' sam' appli's to similar sub6units s'rving )ith &rmi's an% 7ronts &ll rock't!
r'connaissanc'! %iv'rsionary an% communications sub6units o- &rmi's an% 7ronts ar'
maintain'% at a str'ngth on' cat'gory high'r than that o- all th' oth'r 'l'm'nts o-
th' particular &rmy or 7ront

5

"t must b' 'mphasis'% that th' cat'gory allocat'% to a %ivision has no '--'ct
)hatso'v'r upon th' '/t'nt to )hich it is suppli'% )ith n') )'apons .ivisions
station'% abroa%! )hich ar' all! )ithout '/c'ption! in cat'gory &! tak' s'con% plac'
)h'n n') combat 'Guipm'nt is b'ing issu'%
$h' n')'st 'Guipm'nt is issu'% -irst o- all to th' -ronti'r Military .istricts66?altic!
?y'lorussian! Carpathian! 7ar Bast'rn an% $rans6?aykal
>nly -iv' or s'v'n! som'tim's 'v'n t'n y'ars a-t'r a particular pi'c' o- 'Guipm'nt
has -irst b''n issu'%! is it suppli'% to %ivisions station'% abroa% $hir% to b' suppli'%!
a-t'r th'm! ar' th' Sovi't 0nion4s alli's >nc' th' r'Guir'm'nts o- all th's' thr''
'l'm'nts hav' b''n -ully satis-i'%! th' pro%uction o- th' particular mo%'l is
%iscontinu'% >nc' pro%uction o- a n') v'rsion has b'gun! th' r'6'Guipm'nt o- th'
-ronti'r military %istricts b'gins onc' again! an% th' mat'rial )ith%ra)n -rom th'm is
us'% to bring units locat'% in th' r'ar ar'as up to th' r'Guir'% scal' >nc' th' Sovi't
-ronti'r military %istricts hav' b''n r'6'Guipp'%! th' proc'ss o- supplying th'ir us'%
'Guipm'nt to Cat'gory C %ivisions -ollo)s $h'n th' )hol' proc'ss b'gins again66to
th' s'con% 'ch'lon! th'n to th' -irst! th'n -rom th' s'con% via th' -irst to th' thir%
Such a syst'm o- supplying combat 'Guipm'nt has un%'niabl' a%vantag's
7irstly! s'cr'cy is gr'atly incr'as'% ?oth -ri'n%s an% 'n'mi's assum' that th'
'Guipm'nt issu'% to th' 8roup o- 7orc's in 8'rmany is th' v'ry lat'st availabl'
Bn'mi's th'r'-or' gr'atly un%'r'stimat' th' -ighting pot'ntial an% capabiliti's o- th'
Sovi't &rmy 7ri'n%s! too! ar' misl'% an% it th'r'-or' b'com's possibl' to s'll th'm a
pi'c' o- 'Guipm'nt )hich is b'ing issu'% in Bast 8'rmany as i- it )'r' th' most up6
to6%at' mo%'l
S'con%ly! it b'com's -ar mor' %i--icult -or a Sovi't sol%i'r to %'-'ct to th' 'n'my
)ith %'tails o- th' n')'st 'Guipm'nt66or 'v'n! p'rhaps! to %riv' across th' bor%'r in
th' lat'st tank or -ighting v'hicl' "t is practically impossibl' to %o this -rom th' ?altic
or ?y'lorussian Military .istricts $h' Sovi't comman% %o's not )orry at all about th'
$rans6?aykal or 7ar Bast'rn Military .istricts "t kno)s v'ry )'ll that 'v'ry Sovi't
sol%i'r hat's socialism an% that h' )oul% th'r'-or' %'-'ct only to on' o- th' capitalist
countri's (o on' )oul% 'v'r think o- %'-'cting to socialist China
$hir%ly! in th' 'v'nt o- )ar! it is th' -irst 'ch'lon -orc's )hich )oul% su--'r th'
gr'at'st loss's in th' -irst -') hours66goo% 'Guipm'nt must b' lost! o- cours'! but it
shoul% not b' th' v'ry lat'st ?ut th'n! a-t'r this! th' Carpathian! ?y'lorussian an%
86
?altic %ivisions go into battl' 'Guipp'% )ith th' n') )'apons! )hos' '/ist'nc' is
unsusp'ct'% by th' 'n'my
$his syst'm o- r'6'Guipm'nt has b''n in '/ist'nc' -or s'v'ral %'ca%'s "t is
signi-icant that th' $625 tank! )hich )'nt into mass pro%uction as 'arly as 195+! )as
issu'% only to military %istricts in th' r'ar ar'as &lthough th' 0SS< )as unpr'par'%
-or 8'rmany4s surpris' attack! th's' s'curity m'asur's )'r' tak'n automatically!
simpl' as th'y )'r' to 'n-orc' $h' surpris' onslaught ma%' by th' 8'rmans
%'stroy'% thousan%s o- Sovi't tanks! but th'r' )as not a singl' $625 among th'm
(or! %'spit' th' -act that th' Sovi't &rmy ha% som' 2!+++ o- th's' tanks! %i% th'y
app'ar in battl' %uring th' -irst )''ks o- th' )ar "t )as only a-t'r th' -irst 'ch'lon o-
th' Sovi't -orc's ha% b''n compl't'ly %'stroy'%! that th' 8'rman -orc's -irst m't th'
'/c'll'nt $625 "t is also signi-icant that 8'rman "nt'llig'nc' %i% not susp'ct 'v'n th'
'/ist'nc' o- that tank! l't alon' th' -act that it )as in mass pro%uction


The Invisible /ivisions

1

>n 21 .'c'mb'r! 195+! th' 8'rman 8'n'ral Sta-- -inish'% )ork on a %ir'ctiv' on
th' strat'gic %'ploym'nt o- th' ;'hrmacht -or th' surpris' attack on th' 0SS< &
top6s'cr't app'n%i/ to th' %ir'ctiv' )as pr'par'% -rom %ata provi%'% by 8'rman
"nt'llig'nc'! containing an appr'ciation o- th' -ighting str'ngth o- th' <'% &rmy $h'
8'rman g'n'rals b'li'v'% that th' Sovi't lan% -orc's poss'ss'% 182 %ivisions! o-
)hich only 151 coul% b' brought into a ;ar against 8'rmany ?'caus' o- th' t'ns'
situation on th' &sian -ronti'rs o- th' 0SS<! a minimum o- 51 %ivisions must at all
costs b' l'-t guar%ing th's' -ronti'rs $h' )hol' plan -or th' )ar against th' 0SS<
)as th'r'-or' bas'% on an 'stimat' o- th' sp''% )ith )hich 151 Sovi't %ivisions
coul% b' %'stroy'%
>n 22 9un' 8'rmany attack'%! taking 'v'ryon' in th' 0SS<! Stalin inclu%'%! by
surpris' $h' )ay th' )ar %'v'lop'% coul% not hav' b''n b'tt'r -or 8'rmany "n th'
-irst -') hours! thousan%s o- aircra-t )'r' bla@ing on Sovi't air-i'l%s )hil' thousan%s
o- Sovi't tanks an% guns %i% not 'v'n succ''% in l'aving th'ir %'pots "n th' -irst
%ays o- th' )ar! %o@'ns o- Sovi't %ivisions! -in%ing th'ms'lv's 'ncircl'% an% )ithout
ammunition! -u'l or provisions! surr'n%'r'% ingloriously 8'rman armour'%
sp'arh'a%s carri'% out brilliant 'ncircl'm'nt op'rations surroun%ing not Aust Sovi't
%ivisions or corps but 'ntir' &rmi's >n th' thir% %ay o- th' )ar th' 2r% an% th' 1+th
Sovi't &rmi's )'r' surroun%'% n'ar ?ialystok "mm'%iat'ly a-t'r this an 'Gually larg'
'ncircl'm'nt op'ration )as carri'% out n'ar Minsk! Vit'bsk an% >rsha! n'ar
Smol'nsk $)o Sovi't armi's )'r' %'stroy'% a-t'r b'ing surroun%'% n'ar 0man4 an%
-iv' &rmi's in a hug' pock't n'ar Ci'v
:o)'v'r! alr'a%y! 'v'n )hil' th' b'lls )'r' ringing -or th'ir victori's! th' sob'r6
min%'% 8'rman g'n'rals )'r' biting th'ir -ing'rnails! as th'y b'nt ov'r mapsF th'
numb'r o- Sovi't %ivisions )as not %iminishing66on th' contrary! it )as rising -ast
&lr'a%y in mi%6&ugust 8'n'ral :al%'r )as )riting in his %iaryH I;' un%'r'stimat'%
th'm ;' hav' no) %iscov'r'% an% i%'nti-i'% 2#+ o- th'ir %ivisionsJ4 ?ut :al%'r )as
only talking about th' Sovi't %ivisions )hich )'r' %ir'ctly involv'% at that mom'nt in
-ighting in th' -or)ar% ar'as66that is! -irst 'ch'lon %ivisions ?ut ho) many )'r' th'r'
in th' s'con% 'ch'lon= &n% in th' thir%= &n% in th' r's'rv's o- th' &rmi's an% th'
7ronts= &n% in th' int'rnal military %istricts= &n% in th' Stavka4s r's'rv'= &n% ho)
many %ivisions ha% th' (CV.= :o) many )'r' th'r' in all=
87
$h' miscalculation prov'% -atal 132 8'rman an% 21 alli'% %ivisions prov'%
insu--ici'nt to %'stroy th' <'% &rmy! 'v'n giv'n th' most -avourabl' con%itions
$h' 8'rman g'n'rals4 miscalculation )as t)o-ol% 7irstly! th' <'% &rmy consist'%!
not o- 182 but o- 2+2 %ivisions! )ithout counting th' %ivisions o- th' (CV.! th'
airborn' -orc's! th' marin' in-antry! th' -ronti'r troops! th' 7orti-i'% &r'a troops an%
oth'rs
S'con%ly! an% this )as most important! th' 8'rman g'n'rals kn') absolut'ly
nothing about th' Is'con% -ormation4 syst'm66th' syst'm )hich splits Sovi't %ivisions
into t)o in th' cours' o- on' night $his is a syst'm )hich 'nabl's th' Sovi't 8'n'ral
Sta-- to incr'as' th' numb'r o- its %ivisions by pr'cis'ly on' hun%r'% p'r c'nt! )ithin
a r'markably short tim'

2

$h' syst'm o- Iinvisibl'4 %ivisions )as a%opt'% by th' <'% &rmy at th' b'ginning o-
th' 192+s "t sav'% th' Sovi't 0nion -rom %'-'at in th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar "t is still in
us' to%ay
$h' proc'ss! )hich 'nabl's th' Sovi't l'a%'rship to '/pan% th' -ighting str'ngth o-
its &rm'% 7orc's )ith gr'at sp''%! is simpl' an% r'liabl' an% us's almost no mat'rial
r'sourc's
"n p'ac'tim' 'v'ry %ivisional comman%'r has not on' but t)o %'puti's >n' o-
th's' carri's out his %uti's continuously! th' oth'r %o's so only -rom tim' to tim'!
sinc' h' has an a%%itional s'ri's o- r'sponsibiliti's :' also has a s'cr't %'signation66
I.ivisional Comman%'r66S'con% 7ormation4
$h' chi'- o- sta-- o- a %ivision! a Colon'l! also has t)o %'puti's! ,i'ut'nant6
Colon'ls! on' o- )hom also has a s'cr't %'signation66I.ivisional Chi'- o- Sta--66
S'con% 7ormation4
$h' sam' syst'm appli's in 'v'ry r'gim'nt
Bv'ry battalion has a comman%'r (a ,i'ut'nant6Colon'l) an% a %'puty! )ho is
s'cr'tly %'signat'% I?attalion Comman%'r66S'con% 7ormation4
,'t us imagin' that a con-lict has brok'n out on th' Sovi't6Chin's' -ronti'r &
%ivision r'c'iv's its stan%6to signal an% mov's o-- imm'%iat'ly to its op'rational @on'
$h' %ivisional comman%'r has only on' %'puty66th' o--ic'r )ho has b''n carrying out
this -unction! )ith all its r'sponsibiliti's! in p'ac'tim' :is chi'- o- sta-- an% his
r'gim'ntal comman%'rs! too! hav' only on' %'puty api'c' $h' battalion comman%'rs
hav' no %'puti's! but in a situation o- this sort on' o- th' company comman%'rs in
'ach battalion imm'%iat'ly b'com's %'puty to th' battalion comman%'r an% on' o-
th' platoon comman%'rs automatically tak's his plac'
Such unimportant mov's o- o--ic'rs %o not r'%uc' th' -ighting '--ici'ncy o- th'
%ivision in any )ay
So! th' %ivision l'av's its camp at -ull str'ngth! )ith all its sol%i'rs an% 'Guipm'nt
"- it has l'ss than its compl'm'nt o- sol%i'rs an% Aunior o--ic'rs! it )ill b' brought up
to str'ngth as it mov's to th' op'rational @on' $h' absorption o- r's'rvists is an
op'ration )hich has b''n v'ry car'-ully )ork'% out
:o)'v'r! a-t'r th' %'partur' o- th' %ivision th' military camp is not l'-t 'mpty $h'
Colon'l )ho -unction'% as %'puty to th' %ivision4s chi'- in p'ac'tim' has r'main'%
th'r' $h'r'! too! ar' si/ ,i'ut'nant6Colon'ls! )ho )'r' th' %'puti's o- th'
r'gim'ntal comman%'rs! tog'th'r )ith th' %'puty battalion comman%'rs an% )ith
on' thir% o- th' platoon comman%'rs! )ho no) b'com' company comman%'rs
$hus! an 'ntir' comman% sta-- r'mains in th' camp $h'ir pr'viously s'cr't titl's
b'com' ov'rt ;ithin t)'nty6-our hours this n') %ivision r'c'iv's 1+!+++ r's'rv'
sol%i'rs an% th' military camp -rom )hich on' %ivision has only Aust s't out is alr'a%y
88
occupi'% by a n') on' 0nGu'stionably! o- cours'! th' n') %ivision is in-'rior in
-ighting po)'r to th' on' )hich has Aust %'part'% -or th' -ront >- cours'! th'
r's'rvists hav' long ago -orgott'n )hat th'y )'r' taught %uring th'ir army s'rvic'
many y'ars 'arli'r "t is un%'rstan%abl' that th' platoons! compani's an% battalions
hav' not shak'n %o)n an% ar' not y't capabl' o- ob'ying th' or%'rs o- th'ir
comman%'rs promptly an% accurat'ly ('v'rth'l'ss! this is a %ivision &t its h'a% is a
train'% an% '/p'ri'nc'% o--ic'r )ho -or s'v'ral y'ars has b''n! 'ss'ntially! an
un%'rstu%y to th' comman%'r o- a r'al op'rational %ivision an% )ho has o-t'n
p'r-orm'% th' latt'r4s -unctions $hos' in comman% o- th' n') r'gim'nts! battalions
an%! compani's! too! ar' all op'rational o--ic'rs! rath'r than r's'rvists Bach o- th'm
has )ork'% constantly )ith r'al sol%i'rs an% )ith up6to6%at' 'Guipm'nt! has tak'n
part in battl' '/'rcis's an% has born' constant! h'avy r'sponsibility -or his actions
an% -or thos' o- his subor%inat's "n a%%ition! all th' o--ic'rs o- th' n') %ivision -rom
th' comman%'r %o)n)ar%s kno) on' anoth'r an% hav' )ork'% tog'th'r -or many
y'ars
?ut )h'r' %o's 'nough 'Guipm'nt -or so many n') %ivisions com' -rom= $his
Gu'stion is simpl' $h's' Iinvisibl'4 %ivisions us' ol% 'Guipm'nt 7or instanc'!
imm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' 'n% o- th' )ar! Sovi't in-antrym'n )'r' arm'% )ith PPSh
automatic )'apons $h's' )'r' chang'% -or &C651 assault ri-l's Bach %ivision
r'c'iv'% th' numb'r o- n') )'apons )hich it n''%'% an% th' ol% on's )'r'
mothball'% an% stor'% in th' %ivision4s stor's -or th' Iinvisibl' %ivisions4 $h'n th'
&CM ri-l' r'plac'% th' &C651s! )hich )'r' tak'n to th' %ivisional stor'! -rom )hich
th' ol% PPSh )'apons )'r' s'nt (still -it -or us') to gov'rnm'nt stor'hous's or )'r'
pass'% on to Inational lib'ration mov'm'nts4 $h' sam' path has b''n -ollo)'% by
th' <P861! <P862! <P861 an% th'n th' <P861# anti6tank rock't launch'rs &s n')
)'apons )'r' r'c'iv'%! thos' o- th' pr'vious g'n'ration r'main in th' %ivision4s
stor'! until th' %ivision r'c'iv's som'thing compl't'ly n') $h'n th' cont'nts o- th'
stor' ar' r'n')'%
$h' sam' happ'ns )ith tanks! artill'ry! communications 'Guipm'nt an% so -orth "
hav' mys'l- s''n! in many %ivisional stor's! mothball'% 9S62 tanks ()hich )'r' -irst
issu'% to units at th' 'n% o- th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar) at a tim' )h'n th' )hol' %ivision
)as 'Guipp'% )ith th' $6#5! )hich )as th'n bran% n') ;h'n th' Sovi't artill'ry
b'gan to b' r'6'Guipp'% )ith s'l-6prop'll'% guns! th' ol%! to)'% guns )'r' c'rtainly
not s'nt a)ay to b' m'lt'% %o)n $h'y )'r' mothball'% -or th' Is'con% -ormation
%ivision4
So! you say! th's' Iinvisibl' %ivisions4 ar' not only sta--'% )ith r's'rvists )ho hav'
gro)n -at an% i%l'! but ar' 'Guipp'% )ith obsol't' )'apons= Ouit' corr'ct ?ut )hy!
Sovi't g'n'rals ask! r'asonably! shoul% )' issu' -at r's'rvists )ith th' lat'st
'Guipm'nt= ;oul% th'y b' abl' to l'arn to us' it= ;oul% th'r' b' 'nough tim' to
t'ach th'm in a )ar= "s it not b'tt'r to k''p th' ol% (in oth'r )or%s simpl' an%
r'liabl') 'Guipm'nt! )hich is -amiliar to th' r's'rvists= ;'apons )hich th'y l'arn'%
to us' 'ight or t'n y'ars ago! )h'n th'y )'r' in th' army= Mothballing an ol% tank is
a thousan% tim's ch'ap'r than buil%ing a n') on' "s it not b'tt'r to put t'n
thousan% ol% tanks into storag' than to buil% t'n n') on's=
*'s! th' Iinvisibl' %ivisions4 ar' ol%6-ashion'% an% th'y %on4t bristl' )ith top6s'cr't
'Guipm'nt! but it costs absolut'ly nothing to maintain 13+ o- th'm in p'ac'tim' &n%
th' arrival o- 13+ %ivisions! 'v'n i- th'y ar' ol%6-ashion'%! at a critical mom'nt! to
r'in-orc' 13+ oth'rs )ho ar' arm'% )ith th' v'ry lat'st 'Guipm'nt! coul% nonplus th'
'n'my an% spoil all his calculations $hat is Aust )hat happ'n'% in 1951
$h' syst'm o- Is'con% -ormation4 is not r'strict'% to th' lan% -orc's "t is also us'%
by th' airborn' -orc's! th' -ronti'r troops! th' marin' in-antry! in th' &ir 7orc's an%
by th' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's
89
:'r' is an '/ampl' o- th' us' o- this syst'm
&t th' 'n% o- th' 193+s th' anti6aircra-t artill'ry r'gim'nts an% %ivisions o- th'
(ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's b'gan to b' rapi%ly r'6'Guipp'% )ith rock't )'apons! in
plac' o- conv'ntional artill'ry &ll th' anti6aircra-t guns )'r' l'-t )ith th' anti6aircra-t
r'gim'nts an% %ivisions as s'con%ary )'apon syst'ms! in a%%ition to th' n') rock'ts
"t )as int'n%'% that! in th' 'v'nt o- )ar! an anti6aircra-t artill'ry r'gim'nt coul% b'
s't up as a count'rpart to 'ach anti6aircra-t rock't r'gim'nt an% that th' sam' coul%
b' %on' )ith 'ach anti6aircra-t rock't briga%' an% %ivision Chrushch'v hims'l- cam'
out strongly against th' syst'm $hos' comman%ing th' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's
sugg'st'% that Chrushch'v shoul% )ith%ra) amicably but Chrushch'v r'-us'%!
r'A'cting )hat h' sa) as a )himsical i%'a by a han%-ul o- cons'rvativ' g'n'rals )ho
)'r' unabl' to un%'rstan% th' sup'riority o- anti6aircra-t rock'ts ov'r obsol't' anti6
aircra-t guns ?ut th'n th' )ar in Vi'tnam b'gan Su%%'nly! it )as r'alis'% that
rock'ts ar' us'l'ss against aircra-t )hich ar' -lying at '/tr'm'ly lo) altitu%'s "t also
b'cam' cl'ar! that th'r' ar' con%itions in )hich it is Guit' impossibl' to transport
rock'ts into c'rtain ar'as! that %uring mass attacks it is almost impossibl' -or rock't
launch'rs to r'loa% so that a-t'r th' -irst launch th'y ar' compl't'ly us'l'ss! that th'
'l'ctronic 'Guipm'nt o- rock't -orc's is '/pos'% to int'ns' count'rm'asur's by th'
'n'my! an% that thos' may s'riously r'%uc' th' '--'ctiv'n'ss o- missil' syst'ms "t
)as th'n that th' ol%6-ashion'%! simpl'! r'liabl'! 'conomical anti6aircra-t guns )'r'
r'm'mb'r'% $housan%s o- th'm )'r' tak'n out o- mothballs an% s'nt to Vi'tnam to
str'ngth'n th' anti6aircra-t rock't sub6units $h' r'sults th'y achi'v'% ar' )'ll
kno)n
$his mak's it Guit' cl'ar )hy ol% anti6aircra-t guns (t'ns o- thousan%s o- th'm) ar'
still stor'%! to%ay! by th' anti6aircra-t rock't sub6units o- th' Sovi't &rmy &ll o- th'm
hav' alr'a%y b''n coll'ct'% tog'th'r -or th' Iinvisibl'4 r'gim'nts! briga%'s an%
%ivisions "- it shoul% b'com' n'c'ssary! all that n''%s to b' %on' is to call upon thos'
r's'rvists )ho hav' onc' s'rv'% in units 'Guipp'% )ith th's' syst'ms an% th'
num'rical str'ngth o- th' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's )ill b' %oubl'% >- cours'! its
-ighting str'ngth )ill not b' incr'as'% in proportion to this num'rical gro)th! but in
battl' any incr'as' in str'ngth may chang' th' r'lativ' positions o- th' combatants


)hy is a ilitary /istrict commanded by a Colonel.0eneral in
peacetime3 but only by a a6or.0eneral in %artime+

1

(o singl' asp'ct o- th' organisation o- th' Sovi't &rmy giv's ris' to so many
%isagr''m'nts an% misun%'rstan%ings among sp'cialists as th' Gu'stion o- Military
.istricts >n' '/p'rt )ill ass'rt that a %istrict is un%'r th' comman% o- th'
Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- ,an% 7orc's >th'rs )ill imm'%iat'ly r'A'ct this $h'
comman%'r o- a military %istrict has an &ir &rmy at his %isposal an% h' is in comman%
o- it! but th' C6in6C ,an% 7orc's is not 'ntitl'% to '/'rcis' comman% ov'r an &ir &rmy
$h' comman%'r o- a military %istrict may hav' naval! rock't or -lying training schools
in his ar'a an% h' must comman% th'm! but th' C6in6C ,an% 7orc's has no authority
ov'r such institutions "n or%'r to un%'rstan% th' rol' o- th' military %istrict in th'
Sovi't &rmy! )' must onc' again r'turn to )artim' an% r'm'mb'r )hat its -unction
)as th'n
?'-or' th' )ar! th' t'rritory o- th' Sovi't 0nion )as %ivi%'% into 1# military
%istricts $h' sam' organisational structur' still '/ists to%ay! )ith minor chang's
90
?'-or' th' )ar military %istricts )'r' comman%'% by Colon'l68'n'rals an% 8'n'rals
o- th' &rmy $o%ay th' situation r'mains '/actly th' sam' .uring th' )ar th' -orc's
-rom th's' %istricts )'nt to th' -ront! un%'r th' comman% o- th's' sam' Colon'l6
8'n'rals an% 8'n'rals ?ut th' military %istricts r'main'% in '/ist'nc' .uring th'
)ar th'y )'r' comman%'% by MaAor68'n'rals or! in a -') instanc's! by ,i'ut'nant6
8'n'rals
.uring th' )ar th' military %istricts )'r' nothing but t'rritorial military
a%ministrativ' units Bach military %istrict )as r'sponsibl' -orH
Maintaining or%'r an% %isciplin' among th' population! an% 'nsuring th' stability o-
th' Communist r'gim'
8uar%ing military an% in%ustrial installations Provi%ing an% guar%ing
communications
Mobilising human! mat'rial! 'conomic an% natural r'sourc's -or us' by th' -ighting
armi's
$raining r's'rvists
Mobilisation
>- cours' th's' activiti's %i% not -all )ithin th' scop' o- th' C6in6C ,an% 7orc's 7or
this r'ason! th' military %istricts )'r' subor%inat'% to th' .'puty Minist'r o- .'-'nc'
an% through him to th' most in-lu'ntial s'ction o- th' Politburo $h' military %istricts
contain training schools -or all S'rvic's an% arms o- s'rvic' an% it is in th's' that n')
-ormations -or all th' &rm'% S'rvic's ar' ass'mbl'% 7or '/ampl'! t'n armi's! on' o-
th'm an &ir &rmy! )'r' -orm'% in th' Volga Military .istrict %uring th' )ar! tog'th'r
)ith s'v'ral briga%'s o- marin' in-antry! on' Polish %ivision an% a C@'ch battalion "n
any -utur' )ar! th' military %istricts )oul% p'r-orm th' sam' -unction ;hil' military
units an% -ormations )'r' b'ing ass'mbl'% an% train'% th'y )oul% all com' un%'r th'
or%'rs o- th' comman%'r o- th' military %istrict :' )oul% hims'l- b' r'sponsibl' to
th' C6in6C ,an% 7orc's -or all Gu'stions conc'rning th' latt'r4s armi's! to th' C6in6C o-
th' (avy on all matt'rs conc'rning marin' in-antry! -or air Gu'stions to th' C6in6C o-
th' &ir 7orc's an% -or Gu'stions r'lating to -or'ign units to th' C6in6C o- th' ;arsa)
$r'aty >rganisation ?'caus' th' ov'r)h'lming maAority o- th' units in a %istrict
com's -rom th' ,an% 7orc's! it has com' to b' b'li'v'% that th' C6in6C ,an% 7orc's is
th' %ir'ct sup'rior o- th' comman%'rs o- th' military %istricts ?ut this is a
misappr'h'nsion Bach C6in6C controls only his o)n -orc's in any giv'n military
%istrict :' has no authority to b'com' involv'% in th' )i%' rang' o- Gu'stions -or
)hich th' comman%'r o- a military %istrict is r'sponsibl'! in a%%ition to th' training o-
r's'rvists &s soon as n') -ormations hav' compl't'% th'ir training! th'y pass -rom
th' r'sponsibility o- th' comman%'r o- th' military %istrict to th' Stavka an% ar' s'nt
to th' -ront $hus! th' comman%'r o- a military %istrict is simply th' military gov'rnor
o- a hug' t'rritory &s such! h' is in comman% o- 'v'ry military -ormation locat'% on
his t'rritory! )hich'v'r &rm'% S'rvic' it com's -rom

2

&t th' 'n% o- th' )ar sta--s an% -ighting units )oul% b' %isp'rs'% throughout th'
country in accor%anc' )ith th' plans o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- "t )oul% b' normal -or a
7ront! consisting o- a $ank! an &ir an% t)o &ll6&rms &rmi's to b' locat'% in a military
%istrict ?y virtu' o- his position! th' 7ront Comman%'r! )ho has th' rank o- Colon'l6
8'n'ral or 8'n'ral o- th' &rmy! is o- consi%'rably gr'at'r importanc' than th'
)artim' comman%'r o- a military %istrict "n p'ac'tim'! in or%'r to avoi% bur'aucracy
an% %uplication! th' sta--s o- th' 7ront an% o- th' military %istrict ar' m'rg'% $h'
7ront Comman%'r th'n b'com's both th' military an% th' t'rritorial comman%'r! )ith
th' p'ac'tim' titl' o- Comman%'r o- th' 7orc's o- th' .istrict $h' g'n'ral! )ho act'%
91
as a pur'ly t'rritorial comman%'r %uring th' )ar! b'com's th' .'puty Comman%'r o-
th' %istrict in p'ac'tim'! )ith sp'cial r'sponsibility -or training $h' 7ront4s chi'- o-
sta-- b'com's th' p'ac'tim' chi'- o- sta-- o- th' %istrict an% th' o--ic'r )ho h'l% th'
-unction in th' %istrict in )artim' b'com's his %'puty
$hus! in p'ac'tim' a military %istrict is at on' an% th' sam' tim' an op'rational
7ront an% an 'normous '/pans' o- t'rritory :o)'v'r! it can split into t)o parts at any
mom'nt $h' 7ront go's o-- to -ight an% th' %istrict4s organisational -ram')ork stays
b'hin% to maintain or%'r an% to train r's'rvists
"n som' cas's som'thing )hich is 'ith'r larg'r or small'r than a 7ront may b'
locat'% in a particular military %istrict 7or instanc'! only a singl' &rmy is station'% in
th' Sib'rian Military .istrict! )hil' th' Volga an% 0ral Military .istricts! too! hav' only
on' &rmy! )hich in both cas's is o- r'%uc'% str'ngth "n p'ac'tim' th' sta--s o- th's'
&rmi's ar' m'rg'% )ith th' sta--s o- th' %istricts in )hich th'y ar' locat'% $h'
Comman%'rs o- th's' &rmi's act as %istrict comman%'rs )hil' th' g'n'rals )ho
)oul% comman% th' %istrict in )artim' -unction as th'ir %'puti's Sinc' th's'
particular %istricts %o not contain 7ronts! th'y hav' no &ir &rmi's $h' C6in6C ,an%
7orc's th'r'-or' has th' sol' r'sponsibility -or insp'cting th's' troops an% this is )hat
has l'% to th' b'li'- that th's' .istricts ar' un%'r his comman%
(o t)o %istricts ar' in th' sam' situation $h' Ci'v Military .istrict contains th'
sta-- o- th' Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' South6;'st'rn Strat'gic .istrict an% a 8roup
o- $ank &rmi's $h' sta--s o- th' Ci'v Military .istrict! o- th' 8roup o- $ank &rmi's
an% o- th' C6in6C hav' b''n m'rg'% "n p'ac'tim'! too! th' C6in6C go's un%'r th'
mo%'st titl' o- Comman%'r o- th' Ci'v Military .istrict ;' hav' alr'a%y s''n ho)
%i--'r'nt th' position is in oth'r %istricts
"n th' ?y'lorussian Military .istrict th' sta--s o- th' .istrict an% o- a 8roup o- $ank
&rmi's ar' m'rg'% &lthough h' has mor' -orc's than his coll'agu' in Ci'v! th'
Comman%'r o- th' .istrict is n'v'rth'l'ss t)o st'ps b'hin% him! sinc' h' is not th' C6
in6C o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction but only th' Comman%'r o- a 8roup o- $ank &rmi's
"n th' $rans6?aykal Military .istrict th' .istrict sta--! that o- th' C6in6C o- th' 7ar
Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction an% th' sta-- o- th' 7ront ar' m'rg'%
.'p'n%ing on th' -orc's station'% on its t'rritory! a military %istrict is assign'% to
on' o- thr'' cat'gori's! cat'gory 1 b'ing th' high'st $his classi-ication is k'pt s'cr't!
as ar' th' r'al titl's o- th' g'n'rals )ho! in p'ac'tim'! 'ach carry th' mo%'st titl' o-
Comman%'r o- a Military .istrict


The System for !vacuating the Politburo from the 7remlin

1

$h' Cr'mlin is on' o- th' mighti'st -ortr'ss's in Burop' $h' thickn'ss o- th' )alls
in som' plac's is as much as #63 m'tr's an% th'ir h'ight r'ach's 19 m'tr's &bov'
th' )alls ris' 'ight''n to)'rs! 'ach o- )hich can %'-'n% its'l- in%'p'n%'ntly an% can
cov'r th' approach's to th' )alls
"n th' -ourt''nth c'ntury th' Cr'mlin t)ic' )ithstoo% si'g's by th' ,ithuanians an%
%uring th' -i-t''nth c'ntury th' Mongolian $artars ma%' t)o unsucc'ss-ul att'mpts
)ithin th' spac' o- -i-ty y'ars to captur' it
&-t'r th' $artar yok' ha% b''n shak'n o--! th' Cr'mlin )as us'% as a national
tr'asury! as a mint! as a prison an% as a s'tting -or sol'mn c'r'moni's ?ut th'
<ussian $sars liv'% in Colom'nskoy' an% in oth'r r'si%'nci's outsi%' th' to)n P't'r
th' 8r'at l'-t Mosco) altog'th'r an% built hims'l- a n') capital! op'ning a )in%o) on
92
Burop' &n unh'ar%6o- i%'a66to buil% a n') capital on th' %istant bor%'rs o- his hug'
country! right un%'r th' nos' o- th' -ormi%abl' 'n'my )ith )hom P't'r -ought -or
almost his )hol' r'ign &n% all in or%'r to hav' contact )ith oth'r countri's
&-t'r P't'r th' 8r'at! not a singl' $sar built b'hin% th' Cr'mlin4s ston' )alls 8o to
th' capital h' built! to $sarkoy' Sy'lo! to P't'rho-! to th' ;int'r Palac'! an% you )ill
not' that all o- th'm hav' on' -'atur' in common66'normous )in%o)s &n% th' )i%'r
th' )in%o)s o- th' imp'rial palac's b'cam'! th' mor' )i%'ly th' %oors o- th' 'mpir'
)'r' thro)n op'n $h' <ussian nobility sp'nt at l'ast hal- o- th'ir liv's in Paris! som'
o- th'm r'turning hom' only long 'nough to -ight (apol'on b'-or' rushing back th'r'
as Guickly as possibl' &-t'r th' 18#+ r'-orms! a <ussian p'asant %i% not 'v'n hav' to
s''k p'rmission b'-or' 'migrating "- h' )ant'% to liv' in &m'rica66)'ll! i- h' %i%n4t
lik' b'ing at hom'! to h'll )ith himJ Bv'n to%ay in th' 0nit'% Stat's an% in Cana%a
millions o- p'opl' still cling to th'ir Slavonic backgroun% 7or'ign'rs )'r' allo)'% into
th' country )ithout visas o- any sort66an% not Aust as tourists $h'y )'r' tak'n into
8ov'rnm'nt s'rvic' an% )'r' 'ntrust'% )ith almost 'v'rything! giv'n posts in th'
;ar Ministry! th' Ministry o- 7or'ign &--airs! th' Ministry o- th' "nt'rior $h'
ministri's! th' cro)n an% th' thron' )'r' 'ntrust'% to Cath'rin' th' 8r'at! )ho )as
honour'% as th' moth'r o- th' country! 'v'rybo%y having -orgott'n that sh' )as a
8'rman $h'r' is no n''% 'v'n to m'ntion th' -r''%om giv'n to -or'ign busin'ss
un%'rtakings )hich s't th'ms'lv's up on <ussian t'rritory "t )as! in short! an i%yllic
stat' o- a--airs! or p'rhaps not Guit' i%yllic but c'rtainly som'thing 'ntir'ly %i--'r'nt
to th' stat' o- a--airs )hich '/ists to%ay
0n%'r ,'nin! 'v'rything chang'% :' b'gan by closing all th' -ronti'rs ?'-or' th'
7irst ;orl% ;ar mor' than 2++!+++ p'opl' )'nt to 8'rmany alon'! 'ach y'ar! -or
s'asonal )ork Vla%imir "lyich soon put a stop to that &n% having clos'% th' country4s
-ronti'rs h' soon b'cam' a)ar' that it )oul% b' no ba% thing to shut hims'l- a)ay
-rom th' p'opl' b'hin% a ston' )all :' su%%'nly thought o- th' Cr'mlin ,'nin
r'alis'% Guit' cl'arly that h' )oul% b' shot at mor' o-t'n than th' Bmp'rors o- <ussia
ha% 'v'r b''n an% )ithout a mom'nt4s h'sitation h' aban%on'% th' )i%' )in%o)s o-
th' imp'rial palac's -or th' blank )alls o- th' Cr'mlin
:aving shut his p'opl' in b'hin% a )all o- iron an% having put a ston' on' b't)''n
th'm an% hims'l-! ,'nin th'n took a pr'caution )hich ha% not b''n r'sort'% to in
<ussia -or a thousan% y'ars :' brought in -or'ign m'rc'nari's to guar% th' Cr'mlin66
th' 5th ,atvian ri-l's to b' pr'cis' ,'nin %i% not trust <ussians )ith this Aob66h' must
hav' ha% his r'asons
$h's' m'rc'nari's claim'%! as on' man! that th'y )'r' guar%ing ,'nin out o-
pur'ly i%'ological motiv's! sinc' th'y )'r' convinc'% socialists .'spit' this! ho)'v'r!
not on' o- th'm )oul% ackno)l'%g' th' vali%ity o- Sovi't bank not'sF th'y %'man%'%
that ,'nin shoul% pay th'm in th' $sar4s gol% $hanks to ,'nin! th'r' )as 'nough o-
this availabl' &t th' sam' tim'! a brav' pr'ach'r in <iga proph'si'% that th' )hol'
o- -r'' ,atvia )oul% on' %ay pay )ith its bloo% -or th's' han%-uls o- gol%
$h' Cr'mlin also ha% a gr'at app'al -or Stalin! )ho inh'rit'% it -rom ,'nin :'
str'ngth'n'% an% mo%'rnis'% all its buil%ings thoroughly &mong th' -irst o- th'
chang's h' )as r'sponsibl' -or )as a s'ri's o- larg'6scal' un%'rgroun%
constructions66a s'cr't corri%or l'a%ing to th' M'tro! an un%'rgroun% '/it on to <'%
SGuar' an% an un%'rgroun% comman% post an% communications c'ntr' Stalin thr')
,'nin4s -or'ign m'rc'nari's out o- th' Cr'mlin Many o- th'm )'r' '/'cut'% straight
a)ay! oth'rs many y'ars lat'r66b'-or' th' s'i@ur' o- ,atvia its'l-
Stalin chos' to sp'n% a larg' proportion o- his thirty y'ars in po)'r immur'% in th'
Cr'mlin :' also arrang'% -or a numb'r o- un%'rgroun% -ortr'ss's to b' built in th'
groun%s o- his various %achas in th' country roun% Mosco) $h' most substantial o-
th's' )as at Cunts'vo :is compl'/ patt'rn o- mov'm'nt b't)''n th' Cr'mlin an%
93
th's' %acha -ortr'ss's 'nabl'% Stalin to con-us' 'v'n thos' clos'st to him about
)h'r' h' )as at any particular mom'nt
Stalin4s syst'm o- gov'rning th' country an% o- controlling its arm'% s'rvic's is still
in op'ration to%ay "n p'ac'tim' all th' thr'a%s still l'a% back to th' Cr'mlin an% to
th' un%'rgroun% -ortr'ss's aroun% Mosco) "n )artim'! control is '/'rcis'% -rom th'
control post o- th' :igh Comman%! )hich! inci%'ntally! )as also built by Stalin

2

"t is Guit' impossibl' to acGuir' a plot o- lan% in th' c'ntr' o- Mosco)66'v'n in a
c'm't'ry $his is not surprising i- you visualis' a city )hich contains s'v'nty
Ministri's 7or Mosco) is not only th' capital o- th' Sovi't 0nion but also o- th'
<S7S< (<ussian Sovi't 7'%'ral Socialist <'public)! )hich m'ans that it must hous'
not only Sovi't ministri's but %o@'ns o- r'publican on's as )'ll ?'si%'s th's'
Mosco) hous's th' C8?! th' 8'n'ral Sta--! th' :'a%Guart'rs o- th' Mosco) Military
.istrict! th' :'a%Guart'rs o- th' Mosco) .istrict &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's! th' :'a%Guart'rs
o- th' ;arsa) $r'aty >rganisation! CMB&! mor' than on' hun%r'% 'mbassi's! t)'lv'
military aca%'mi's! th' &ca%'my o- Sci'nc's! hun%r'%s o- committ''s (inclu%ing th'
C'ntral Committ'')! an% o- %ir'ctorat's (inclu%ing th' Chi'- "nt'llig'nc' .ir'ctorat'66
8<0)! '%itorial o--ic's! librari's! communications c'ntr's! 'tc
Bach o- th's' )ish's to put up its buil%ings as clos' as possibl' to th' c'ntr' o- th'
city an% to buil% accommo%ation -or its thousan%s o- bur'aucrats as clos' to its main
buil%ings as it can
& -i'rc' battl' go's on -or 'v'ry sGuar' m'tr' o- groun% in th' c'ntr' o- Mosco)
an% only th' Politburo can %'ci%' )ho shoul% b' giv'n p'rmission to buil% an% )ho
shoul% b' r'-us'%
&n% y't! almost in th' c'ntr'! a hug'! appar'ntly 'n%l'ss -i'l% li's -allo) $his is
Cho%inka! or! as it is kno)n to%ay! th' C'ntral &ir-i'l% "- this -i'l% )'r' built on th'r'
)oul% b' room -or all th' bur'aucrats $h'ir glass skyscrap'rs )oul% ris' right along
th' ,'ningra%skiy Prosp'kt! )hich runs into 8orky Str''t an% l'a%s straight to th'
Cr'mlin Many p'opl' look 'nviously at Cho%inka musing about )ays o- cutting small
slic's out o- it66a-t'r all this IC'ntral &ir-i'l%4 is not us'% by aircra-tH it simply li's
th'r'! 'mpty an% i%l'
7or s'v'ral y'ars th' C8? ma%' '--orts to acGuir' a small pi'c' o- lan% at
Cho%inka $h' ,ubyanka coul% not b' 'nlarg'% any -urth'r! but th' C8? )as still
gro)ing & vast n') buil%ing )as n''%'% ?ut all att'mpts by th' C8? to p'rsua%'
th' Politburo to allocat' it som' lan% at Cho%inka )'r' unsucc'ss-ul $hat )as ho)
th' hug' n') C8? buil%ing cam' to b' built right out b'yon% th' ring6roa%66a highly
inconv'ni'nt location M'an)hil' th' 'n%l'ss -i'l% still str'tch's through th' c'ntr' o-
Mosco)! lying 'mpty as it al)ays has %on' >nc' a y'ar r'h'arsals -or th' <'%
SGuar' military para%' ar' h'l% th'r' an% th'n th' -i'l% sinks back into l'thargy
(aturally this valuabl' pi'c' o- groun% is not b'ing k'pt Aust -or th's' r'h'arsals $h'
troops coul% b' train'% on any oth'r -i'l%66th'r' ar' 'nough o- th'm aroun% Mosco)
;hy %o's th' Politburo r'-us' 'v'n th' C8?! its -avourit' o--spring! p'rmission to
cut th' small'st corn'r o-- this vast unus'% -i'l%= ?'caus' th' -i'l% is conn'ct'% to th'
Cr'mlin by a %ir'ct un%'rgroun% M'tro lin'66Sv'r%lov SGuar' (un%'r th' Cr'mlin
its'l-)66Mayakovskaya66?y'lorusskaya66.inamo66&'roport Muscovit's kno) ho) o-t'n
an% ho) Guickly this lin' is clos'% %uring any kin% o- holi%ay or c'l'bration! or any
oth'r 'v'nt )hich br'aks th' normal rhythm o- li-' in th' Sovi't capital

armyR'nglgi-S

94
;hy %o th' Sovi't l'a%'rs particularly lik' this M'tro lin'= &lr'a%y b'-or' th' )ar
many spacious un%'rgroun% halls ha% b''n built -or Mosco) M'tro stations an% th'
c'r'moni's to mark th' anniv'rsary o- th' r'volution! on # (ov'mb'r! 1951! )'r'
actually h'l% in th' Mayakovskiy M'tro station Bv'ryon' invit'% to att'n% ha% to
r'ach th' station -rom abov'! b'caus' th' lin' ha% b''n clos'% >nc' th'y )'r' th'r'
a sp'cial M'tro train app'ar'% carrying Stalin! Molotov an% ?'riya $h'y cam' -rom
th' Sv'r%lov SGuar' M'tro station $o r'ach this! th'y %o not! o- cours'! l'av' th'
Cr'mlin $h'y hav' th'ir o)n s'cr't corri%or l'a%ing to th' M'tro -rom right insi%' its
buil%ings
Stalin4s rout' out o- th' Cr'mlin has '/ist'% unchang'% -or s'v'ral %'ca%'s "-
n'c'ssary! any or all o- th' m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo can b' tak'n un%'rgroun%! in
compl't' s'cr'cy an% s'curity! to Cho%inka! )h'r' gov'rnm'nt aircra-t a)ait th'm in
)'ll6guar%'% hangars ;ith normal organisation! th' Politburo can l'av' th' hug'!
tra--ic6la%'n city )ithin -i-t''n minut's! %uring )hich no outsi%'r )ill spot o--icial cars
sp''%ing along str''ts in th' c'ntr' or h'licopt'rs -lying out o- th' Cr'mlin
(orth6)'st o- Mosco) is anoth'r gov'rnm'nt air-i'l%66Po%lipki ("nci%'ntally! Aust
b'si%' this air-i'l% is th' c'ntr' at )hich cosmonauts ar' train'%) $h' sub6unit
station'% at Po%lipki is kno)n as th' 1st $ask 7orc' o- th' Civil &ir 7l''t "n -act it has
virtually nothing to %o )ith th' Civil &ir 7l''t66it is a group o- gov'rnm'nt aircra-t
>r%inary o--icial -lights b'gin an% 'n% at Po%lipki Sp'cial o--icial -lights! involving
c'r'monial m''tings an% 'scorts! mak' th' bri'- -light to Sh'r'm'ty'vo or to on' o-
Mosco)4s oth'r larg' airports "n an 'm'rg'ncy th' Politburo coul% b' 'vacuat'% in
various )aysH
T -rom th' Cr'mlin in o--icial cars to Po%lipki an% -rom th'r' by air to th' Supr'm'
Comman% PostF this is a long an% inconv'ni'nt rout' "n a%%ition all Mosco) can s''
)hat is happ'ning
T -rom th' Cr'mlin by M'tro to Cho%inka an% -rom th'r' by h'licopt'r to Po%lipkiF
this too! is a -airly long rout'! involving as it %o's changing -rom th' h'licopt'r to a
-i/'%6)ing aircra-t
T th' short'st variation66an aircra-t o- th' 1st $ask 7orc' o- th' Civil &ir 7l''t is
'ith'r p'rman'ntly station'% at Cho%inka or mak's th' short -light th'r' -rom
Po%lipki! tak's th' m'mb'rs o- th' Politburo on boar%! an% vanish's

2

$h' sp'cial aircra-t soars up into th' 'arly morning mist ov'r sl''ping Mosco) &s it
gains h'ight it mak's a )i%' turn an% s'ts cours' -or th' SCP66th' Supr'm'
Comman% Post! built by Stalin an% mo%'rnis'% by his succ'ssors ;h'r' is th' SCP=
:o) can it b' -oun%= ;h'r' )oul% Stalin hav' chos'n to sit' it=
Most probably it is not in Sib'ria $o%ay th' 'ast'rn r'gions ar' thr'at'n'% by
China! as th'y )'r' b'-or' th' )ar by 9apan >- cours' th' SCP )oul% not b' locat'%
in any ar'a )hich might b' thr'at'n'%! 'v'n th'or'tically! by an aggr'ssor! so it
cannot b' in th' 0krain'! in th' ?altic r'gion! in th' Caucasus or in th' Crim'a
Common s'ns' sugg'sts that it must b' som')h'r' as -ar a)ay as possibl' -rom any
-ronti'r66in oth'r )or%s in th' c'ntral part o- th' <S7S<! )hich coul% har%ly b' ov'r6
run by 'n'my tanks an% )hich coul% scarc'ly b' r'ach'% by 'n'my bomb'rs! or by
aircra-t carrying airborn' troops &n% i- hostil' aircra-t )'r' to r'ach th' spot th'y
coul% only %o so )ithout -ight'r cov'r! so th'y )oul% b' %'-'nc'l'ss
S'con%ly! th' SCP cannot! o- cours'! b' sit'% in an op'n -i'l% $h'r' must b' a
minimum o- 2++ m'tr's o- soli% granit' abov' its many kilom'tr's o- tunn'ls an%
roa%s $his b'ing so! it can only b' in 'ith'r th' 0rals or Khiguli
95
$hir%ly it stan%s to r'ason that it must b' surroun%'% by natural barri'rs )hich ar'
so imp'n'trabl' that no hunt'r )ho happ'ns to 'nt'r th' ar'a! no g'ologist )ho los's
his )ay! no gaol6br'ak'r! no pilot )ho has surviv'% a crash an% )an%'r'% -or )''ks
through th' taiga can com' across th' SCP4s hug' v'ntilator sha-ts! %'sc'n%ing into
t'rri-ying chasms or its gigantic tunn'ls! th'ir 'ntranc's s'al'% by armour'% shi'l%s
)'ighing thousan%s o- tons "- Stalin s't out to k''p th' location o- th' SCP s'cr't h'
)oul% not hav' chos'n th' 0rals! )hos' g'ntl' slop's )'r' b'ing compl't'ly )orn
a)ay by th' -''t o- t'ns o- millions o- prison'rs ;h'r' coul% on' buil% a )hol' to)n!
so that no trac' o- it )oul% b' -oun% by a singl' living soul= $h' only possibl' plac' is
Khiguli
;oul% it b' possibl' to -in% a b'tt'r plac'! any)h'r' on 'arth! to buil% an
un%'rgroun% to)n= Khiguli is a r'al natural miracl'66a granit' monolith 8+ kilom'tr's
long an% 5+ )i%'
Som' g'ologists maintain that Khiguli is on' singl' rock! crumbling slightly at th'
'%g's but r'taining th' original! massiv' unity o- all its millions o- tons
"t ris's out o- th' boun%l'ss st'pp's! almost 'ntir'ly 'ncircl'% by th' hug' riv'r
Volga! )hich turns it into a p'ninsula! )ith rocky shor's )hich str'tch -or 13+
kilom'tr's an% -all sh''r to th' )at'r4s '%g' Khiguli is a gigantic -ortr'ss built by
natur'! )ith granit' )alls hun%r'%s o- m'tr's high! boun%'% by th' )at'rs o- th'
gr'at riv'r 7rom th' air! Khiguli pr's'nts an almost -lat sur-ac'! ov'rgro)n )ith ag'6
ol%! imp'n'trabl' -or'st
$h' climat' is '/c'll'nt66a col% )int'r! )ith har% -rosts! but no )in% $h' summ'r is
%ry an% hot $his )oul% b' th' plac' to buil% sanatoriumsJ :'r' an% th'r' in cl'arings
in th' virgin -or'sts th'r' ar' b'auti-ul privat' hous's! -'nc's! barb'% )ir'! &lsatian
%ogs >n' o- Stalin4s %achas )as built h'r'! but nothing )as 'v'r )ritt'n about it! any
mor' than about thos' at Cunts'vo or *alta "n th' vicinity )'r' th' villas o- Molotov
an% ?'riya an% lat'r o- Chrushch'v! ?r'@hn'v an% oth'rs
&nyon' )ho has trav'll'% on th' Mosco) M'tro )ill say that th'r' is no b'tt'r
un%'rgroun% syst'm in th' )orl% ?ut " )oul% %isagr'' )ith this66th'r' is a much
b'tt'r on' "n Khiguli "t )as built by th' b'st o- th' 'ngin''rs )ho )ork'% on th'
Mosco) M'tro66an% by thousan%s o- prison'rs
"n Khiguli t'ns o- kilom'tr's o- tunn'ls hav' b''n cut! hun%r'%s o- m'tr's %''p
into th' granit' monolith an% comman% posts! communications c'ntr's! stor's an%
sh'lt'rs hav' b''n built -or thos' )ho )ill control th' gigantic armi's %uring a )ar
"n p'ac'tim'! no aircra-t may -ly ov'r this r'gion (ot 'v'n th' most -ri'n%ly o-
-or'ign'rs may 'nt'r th' Khiguli ar'a! )hich is prot'ct'% by a corps o- th' (ational &ir
.'-'nc' 7orc's an% by a %ivision o- th' C8? ('arby is a hug' air-i'l%! at Curumoch!
)hich is compl't'ly 'mpty $his is )h'r' th' sp'cial aircra-t )ill lan% but it is also
int'n%'% -or us' by a%%itional -ight'r aircra-t! to str'ngth'n th' %'-'nc's in th' 'v'nt
o- )ar
Clos' to Khiguli is th' city o- Cuybish'v "t! too! is clos'% to -or'ign'rs! an% it is
us'-ul to r'm'mb'r that this )as )h'r' th' )hol' Sovi't gov'rnm'nt )as bas'%
%uring th' last )ar


Part $ive
Strategy and tactics

The A8e Theory

1
96

7or %'ca%'s! ;'st'rn military th'orists hav' unanimously ass'rt'% that any nucl'ar
)ar )oul% b'gin )ith a -irst stag' %uring )hich only conv'ntional )'apons )oul% b'
us'% $h'n! a-t'r a c'rtain p'rio%! 'ach si%' )oul% b'gin! unc'rtainly an% irr'solut'ly
at -irst! to us' nucl'ar )'apons o- th' lo)'st calibr' 8ra%ually! larg'r an% larg'r
nucl'ar )'apons )oul% b' brought into action $h's' th'orists hol% varying vi')s on
th' p'rio% )hich this 'scalation )oul% tak'! ranging -rom a -') )''ks to s'v'ral
months
?'ing unoppos'%! this th'ory )as to b' -oun% in th' pag's o- both s'rious stu%i's
an% light nov'ls66th' latt'r b'ing -antasi's )ith happy 'n%ings! in )hich a nucl'ar )ar
)as brought to a halt in such a )ay that it coul% n'v'r r'cur
$h' th'ory that a nucl'ar )ar )oul% tak' a long tim' to buil% up originat'% in th'
;'st at th' b'ginning o- th' nucl'ar ag' "t is incompr'h'nsibl' an% absur%! an% it
compl't'ly mysti-i's Sovi't marshals 7or a long tim' th'r' )as a s'cr't %'bat' at th'
high'st l'v'ls o- th' Sovi't gov'rnm'nt66hav' th' ;'st'rn politicians an% g'n'rals
gon' o-- th'ir h'a%s or ar' th'y blu--ing= "t )as conclu%'% that! o- cours'! no on'
r'ally b'li'v'% in th' th'ory but that it ha% b''n thought up in or%'r to hi%' )hat
;'st'rn policy6mak'rs r'ally b'li'v'% about th' subA'ct ?ut th'n th' Gu'stion aros'H
-or )hos' b'n'-it coul% such an unconvincing an%! to put it mil%ly! such a silly i%'a
hav' b''n %r'am'% up= Pr'sumably not -or that o- th' Sovi't l'a%'rship $h' th'ory
is too naiv' -or sp'cialists to b'li'v' $hat must m'an that it )as %'vis'% -or th'
ignorant an% -or th' popular mass's in th' ;'st! to r'assur' th' man in th' str''t

2

$h' -irst &m'rican -ilm " 'v'r sa) )as The !a0nificent Seven )ith *ul ?rynn'r in
th' main rol' &t that tim' all " kn') about th' &m'ricans )as )hat Communist
propagan%a sai% about th'm an% " ha% not b'li'v'% that sinc' my 'arli'st chil%hoo%
$hus it )as -rom a co)boy -ilm that " b'gan to try to -orm my o)n in%'p'n%'nt
opinions about th' &m'rican p'opl' an% about th' principl's by )hich th'y liv'
&m'rican -ilms ar' not o-t'n sho)n in th' Sovi't 0nion! but a-t'r $h' Magni-ic'nt
S'v'n " %i% not miss a singl' on' $h' country as " sa) it on th' scr''n pl'as'% m'
an% th' p'opl' 'v'n mor' so66goo%6looking! strong! masculin' an% %'cisiv' "t
s''m'% that th' &m'ricans sp'nt all th'ir tim' in th' sa%%l'! ri%ing on marv'llous
hors's in bla@ing sunlight through %'s'rts! shooting %o)n villains )ithout m'rcy My
h'art b'long'% only to &m'rica " )orshipp'% th' &m'ricans66in particular -or th'
%'cisiv'n'ss )ith )hich th'y k'pt %o)n th' numb'r o- crooks in th'ir soci'ty $h'
h'ro's o- &m'rican -ilms )oul% submit -or long p'rio%s an% )ith gr'at pati'nc' to
humiliation an% insults an% )'r' ch'at'% at 'v'ry turn! but matt'rs )'r' al)ays
s'ttl'% )ith a %ramatically %'cisiv' gun-ight $h' t)o 'n'mi's ga@' un-linchingly into
'ach oth'r4s 'y's Bach has his han%s t'ns'ly ov'r his holst'rs (o '/chang' o-
curs's! no insults! not a sup'r-luous mov'm'nt .ramatic sil'nc' ?oth ar' calm an%
coll'ct'% Cl'arly %'ath has spr'a% its black )ings abov' th'm $h' gun-ight its'l-
almost r'pr's'nts %'ath! -or 'ach o- th'm $h'y look long an% har% into 'ach oth'r4s
'y's Su%%'nly an% simultan'ously both o- th'm r'alis'! not -rom )hat th'y s'' or
h'ar! not )ith th'ir min%s or th'ir h'arts but -rom pur' animal instinct! that th'
mom'nt has com' $)o shots ring out as on' "t is impossibl' to %'t'ct th' mom'nt
at )hich th'y %ra) th'ir guns an% pull th' trigg'rs $h' %'nou'm'nt is instantan'ous!
)ithout pr'ambl' & corps' rolls on th' groun% >ccasionally th'r' ar' t)o corps's
0sually th' villain is kill'% but th' h'ro is only )oun%'% "n th' han%
Many y'ars pass'% an% " b'cam' an o--ic'r s'rving )ith th' 8'n'ral Sta--
Su%%'nly! as " stu%i'% &m'rican th'ori's o- )ar! " cam' to an appalling r'alisation "t
97
b'cam' cl'ar to m' that a mo%'rn &m'rican co)boy )ho is )orking up to a %'cisiv'
-ight )ill al)ays '/p'ct to b'gin by spitting at an% insulting his oppon'nt an% to
continu' by thro)ing )hisky in his -ac' an% chucking custar% pi's at him b'-or'
r'sorting to mor' s'rious )'apons :' '/p'cts to hurl chairs an% bottl's at his 'n'my
an% to try to stick a -ork or a tabl'kni-' into his b'hin% an% th'n to -ight )ith his -ists
an% only a-t'r all this to -ight it out )ith his gun
$his is a v'ry %ang'rous philosophy *ou ar' going to 'n% up by using pistols ;hy
not start )ith th'm= ;hy shoul% th' ban%it you ar' -ighting )ait -or you to r'm'mb'r
your gun= :' may shoot you b'-or' you %o! Aust as you ar' going to slap his -ac' ?y
using his most %'a%ly )'apon at th' b'ginning o- th' -ight! your 'n'my sav's his
str'ngth ;hy shoul% h' )ast' it thro)ing chairs at you= Mor'ov'r! this )ill 'nabl'
him to sav' his o)n %'spicabl' li-' &-t'r all! h' %o's not kno)! 'ith'r! )h'n you! th'
nobl' h'ro! )ill %'ci%' to us' your gun ;hy shoul% h' )ait -or this mom'nt= *ou
might mak' a su%%'n %'cision to shoot him imm'%iat'ly a-t'r thro)ing custar% pi's
at him! )ithout )aiting -or th' '/chang' o- chairs >- cours' h' )on4t )ait -or you
)h'n it com's to staying aliv' :' )ill shoot -irst &t th' v'ry start o- th' -ight
" consol'% mys'l- -or a long tim' )ith th' hop' that th' th'ory o- 'scalation in a
nucl'ar )ar ha% b''n %r'am'% up by th' &m'rican sp'cialists to r'assur' n'rvous
ol%6ag' p'nsion'rs Cl'arly! th' th'ory is too -atally %ang'rous to s'rv' as a basis -or
s'cr't military planning *'t! su%%'nly! th' &m'rican sp'cialists %'monstrat'% to th'
)hol' )orl% that th'y r'ally b'li'v'% that this th'ory )oul% apply to a )orl%6)i%'
nucl'ar )ar $h'y r'ally %i% b'li'v' that th' ban%it th'y )oul% b' -ighting )oul% giv'
th'm tim' to thro) custar% pi's an% chairs at him b'-or' h' ma%' us' o- his most
%'a%ly )'apon
$h' %'monstration )as as public as it possibly coul% b' &t th' 'n% o- th' 19#+s
th' &m'ricans b'gan to %'ploy th'ir anti6missil' %'-'nc' syst'm $h'y coul% not! o-
cours'! us' it to %'-'n% mor' than on' vitally important obA'ctiv' $h' obA'ctiv' th'y
chos' to prot'ct )as th'ir strat'gic rock'ts $h'y %i% not %'ci%' to sa-'guar% th'
h'art an% min% o- th'ir country66th' Pr'si%'nt! th'ir gov'rnm'nt or th'ir capital
"nst'a% th'y )oul% prot'ct th'ir pistol66in oth'r )or%s th'y )'r' sho)ing th' )hol'
)orl% that! in th' 'v'nt o- a -ight! th'y %i% not int'n% to us' it $his r'v'lation )as
gr''t'% )ith th' gr'at'st %'light in th' Cr'mlin an% by th' 8'n'ral Sta--

2

$h' philosophy o- th' Sovi't 8'n'ral Sta-- is no %i--'r'nt -rom that o- th' hors'm'n
)hom " ha% )atch'% ri%ing th' %'s'rt I"- you )ant to stay aliv'! kill your 'n'my $h'
Guick'r you -inish him o--! th' l'ss chanc' h' )ill hav' to us' his o)n gun4 "n
'ss'nc'! this is th' )hol' th'or'tical basis on )hich th'ir plans -or a thir% )orl% )ar
hav' b''n %ra)n up $h' th'ory is kno)n uno--icially in th' 8'n'ral Sta-- as th' Ia/'
th'ory4 "t is stupi%! say th' Sovi't g'n'rals! to start a -ist6-ight i- your oppon'nt may
us' a kni-' "t is Aust as stupi% to attack him )ith a kni-' i- h' may us' an a/' $h'
mor' t'rribl' th' )'apon )hich your oppon'nt may us'! th' mor' %'cisiv'ly you
must attack him! an% th' mor' Guickly you must -inish him o-- &ny %'lay or h'sitation
in %oing this )ill Aust giv' him a -r'sh opportunity to us' his a/' on you $o put it
bri'-ly! you can only pr'v'nt your 'n'my -rom using his a/' i- you us' your o)n -irst
$h' Ia/' th'ory4 )as put -or)ar% in all Sovi't manuals an% han%books to b' r'a%
at r'gim'ntal l'v'l an% high'r "n 'ach o- th's' on' o- th' main s'ctions )as h'a%'%
IBva%ing th' blo)4 $h's' han%books a%vocat'%! most insist'ntly! th' %'liv'ry o- a
massiv' pr'6'mptiv' attack on th' 'n'my! as th' b'st m'tho% o- s'l-6prot'ction $his
r'comm'n%ation )as not con-in'% to s'cr't manuals66non6con-i%'ntial military
publications carri'% it as )'ll
98
?ut this )as trivial by comparison to th' %'monstration )hich th' Sovi't 0nion
gav' th' )hol' )orl% at th' b'ginning o- th' 191+s! )ith th' o--icial publication o-
%ata about th' Sovi't anti6missil' %'-'nc' syst'm $his )hol' syst'm )as! in r'ality!
totally ina%'Guat'! but th' i%'a b'hin% it provi%'s an '/c'll'nt illustration o- th'
Sovi't philosophy on nucl'ar )ar ?y contrast to th' 0nit'% Stat's! th' Sovi't 0nion
ha% no thought o- prot'cting its strat'gic rock'ts )ith an anti6missil' syst'm $h'
b'st prot'ction -or rock'ts in a )ar is to us' th'm imm'%iat'ly Coul% any on' %'vis'
a mor' '--'ctiv' )ay o- %'-'n%ing th'm=

5

"n a%%ition to such 'l'm'ntary military logic! th'r' ar' political an% 'conomic
r'asons )hich )oul% Guit' simply comp'l th' Sovi't comman% to mak' us' o- th'
ov'r)h'lming proportion o- its nucl'ar armoury )ithin th' -irst -') minut's o- a )ar
7rom th' political point o- vi')! th' turning point must b' r'ach'% )ithin th' -irst
-') minut's ;hat alt'rnativ' coul% th'r' b'= "n p'ac'tim' Sovi't sol%i'rs %'s'rt to
th' ;'st by th' hun%r'%! th'ir sailors Aump o-- ships in ;'st'rn ports! th'ir pilots try
to br'ak through th' ;'st4s anti6aircra-t %'-'nc's in th'ir aircra-t Bv'n in p'ac'tim'!
th' probl'ms involv'% in k''ping th' population in chains ar' almost insolubl' $h'
probl'ms ar' alr'a%y as acut' as this )h'n no mor' than a -') thousan% o- th' most
trust'% Sovi't citi@'ns hav' 'v'n a th'or'tical chanc' o- 'scaping "n )artim' t'ns o-
millions o- sol%i'rs )oul% hav' an opportunity to %'s'rt66an% th'y )oul% tak' itJ "n
or%'r to pr'v'nt this! 'v'ry sol%i'r must r'alis' Guit' cl'arly that! -rom th' v'ry -irst
mom'nts o- a )ar! th'r' is no sanctuary -or him at th' oth'r si%' o- th' nucl'ar
%'s'rt >th'r)is' th' )hol' Communist hous' o- car%s )ill collaps'
7rom an 'conomic point o- vi')! too! th' )ar must b' as short as possibl'
Socialism is unabl' to -''% its'l- -rom its o)n r'sourc's $h' Sovi't vari'ty is no
'/c'ption to this g'n'ral rul' ?'-or' th' r'volution! <ussia! Polan%! Bstonia!
,ithuania! an% ,atvia all '/port'% -oo%stu--s (o)a%ays th'y hav' not 'nough
r's'rv's to hol% out -rom on' harv'st to th' n'/t *'t shortag' o- -oo% l'a%s v'ry
Guickly to mani-'stations o- %iscont'nt! to -oo%6riots an% to r'volution <'m'mb'r
)hat happ'n'% in (ovoch'rkassk in 19#2! throughout th' Sovi't 0nion in 19#5 an% in
Polan% in 191+ an% 198+ "- socialism is unabl' to -''% its'l- in p'ac'tim'! )h'n th'
)hol' army is us'% to bring in th' harv'st! )hat )ill happ'n )h'n th' )hol' army is
thro)n into battl' an% )h'n all th' m'n an% v'hicl's at pr's'nt us'% -or agricultur'
ar' mobilis'% -or )ar=
7or th's' r'asons! th' Communists ar' -orc'% to plan any a%v'ntur's th'y hav' in
min% -or th' s'con% part o- th' y'ar! -or th' p'rio% )h'n th' harv'st has alr'a%y
b''n brought in! an% to try to -inish th'm as Guickly as possibl' ?'-or' th' n'/t
s'ason -or )ork in th' -i'l%s com's roun%


The Strategic &ffensive

1

Sovi't g'n'rals b'li'v'! Guit' corr'ctly! that th' b'st kin% o- %'-'nsiv' op'ration is
an o--'nsiv' &ccor%ingly! no practical or th'or'tical )ork on pur'ly %'-'nsiv'
op'rations is carri'% out at &rmy l'v'l or high'r "n or%'r that th'y shoul% tak' th'
o--'nsiv'! Sovi't g'n'rals ar' taught ho) to attack "n or%'r that th'y shoul% %'-'n%
th'ms'lv's succ'ss-ully! th'y ar' also taught ho) to attack $h'r'-or'! )h'n )' talk
99
o- a larg'6scal' op'ration66on' con%uct'% by a 7ront or a Strat'gic .ir'ction66)' can
talk only o- an o--'nsiv'
$h' philosophy b'hin% th' o--'nsiv' is simpl' "t is 'asy to t'ar up a pack o- car%s
i- you tak' th'm on' by on' "- you put a %o@'n car%s tog'th'r it is v'ry %i--icult to
t'ar th'm up "- you try to t'ar up th' )hol' pack at onc' you )ill b' unsucc'ss-ulH
you )ill not b' abl' to t'ar th'm all up! an%! -urth'rmor'! not a singl' car% in th'
pack )ill b' torn Similarly! Sovi't g'n'rals attack only )ith 'normous mass's o-
troops! using th'ir car%s only as a )hol' pack "n this )ay! th' pack prot'cts th'
car%s )hich mak' it up
>bs'rving this principl' o- conc'ntration o- r'sourc's! in any -utur' )ar th' Sovi't
&rmy )ill only carry out op'rations by singl' 7ronts in c'rtain isolat'% s'ctors "n
most cas's it )ill carry out strat'gic op'rations66that is to say op'rations by groups o-
7ronts )orking tog'th'r in th' sam' s'ctor

2

$h' sc'nario -or a strat'gic o--'nsiv' op'ration is a stan%ar% on'! in all cas's ,'t
us tak' th' ;'st'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction as an '/ampl' ;' alr'a%y kno) that this has
a minimum o- thr'' 7ronts in its -irst 'ch'lon! on' mor' in its s'con% 'ch'lon! an% a
8roup o- $ank &rmi's in its thir% $h' ?altic 7l''t op'rat's on its -lank Bach o- its
7ronts has on' $ank &rmy! on' &ir &rmy an% t)o &ll6&rms &rmi's "n a%%ition! th'
Comman%'r6in6Chi'- has at his %isposal a Corps -rom th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's! a
Corps -rom th' ,ong6<ang' &ir 7orc'! thr'' airborn' %ivisions an% th' 'ntir' -orc's o-
Military $ransport &viation $h' r'ar ar'as o- th' Strat'gic .ir'ction ar' prot'ct'% by
thr'' &rmi's -rom th' (ational &ir .'-'nc' 7orc's & strat'gic o--'nsiv' is %ivi%'% into
-iv' stag'sH
The first sta0e2 or initial nucl'ar strik'! lasts -or hal- an hour $aking part in this
strik' ar' all th' rock't -ormations )hich can b' us'% at that stag'! inclu%ing th'
Corps -rom th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's! th' rock't briga%'s o- th' 7ronts an% &rmi's!
th' rock't battalions o- th' -irst %ivision 'ch'lon an% all th' nucl'ar artill'ry )hich has
r'ach'% th' -or)ar% '%g' o- th' battl' ar'a $h' initial nucl'ar strik' has as its
targ'tsH

Comman% posts an% comman% c'ntr's! a%ministrativ' an% political c'ntr's! lin's o-
communication an% communications c'ntr's66in oth'r )or%s! th' brain an% n'rv'6
c'ntr's o- a stat' an% o- its armi's
<ock't bas's! stor's -or nucl'ar )'apons! bas's -or nucl'ar submarin's an% -or
bomb'r aircra-t $h's' targ'ts must b' knock'% out in or%'r to r'%uc' Sovi't loss's
at th' han%s o- th' 'n'my to th' absolut' minimum
&ir-i'l%s! anti6aircra-t positions! ra%ar stations! to 'nsur' th' succ'ss o- th'
o--'nsiv' br'aks in th' 'n'my4s %'-'ns's! must b' ma%' -or Sovi't aircra-t $h' main
groupings o- th' 'n'my4s -orc's ;hy -ight th'm i- th'y can b' %'stroy'% b'-or' a
battl' can b'gin=

"n a%%ition to th' -orc's %ir'ctly un%'r th' comman% o- th' C6in6C o- th' Strat'gic
.ir'ction! units o- th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's )ill also play a supporting rol' in th'
initial nucl'ar strik' $h's' )ill conc'rn th'ms'lv's in particular )ith attacks on th'
'n'my4s principal ports! in or%'r to pr'v'nt th' 'n'my -rom bringing up
r'in-orc'm'nts an% in or%'r to isolat' th' Burop'an contin'nt
Sovi't g'n'rals consi%'r! )ith goo% r'ason! that an initial nucl'ar strik' must b'
un'/p'ct'%! o- short %uration an% o- th' gr'at'st possibl' int'nsity "- it is %'lay'% by
as much as an hour! th' situation o- th' Sovi't 0nion )ill %'t'riorat' sharply Many o-
100
th' 'n'my4s -ighting units may mov' -rom th'ir p'rman'nt locations! his aircra-t may
b' %isp'rs'% on to motor)aysF %ivisions o- his lan% -orc's may l'av' th'ir barracks!
his s'nior l'a%'rs may mov'! )ith th'ir cabin'ts! to un%'rgroun% sh'lt'rs or to air6
born' comman% posts an% th' task o- annihilating th'm )ill b'com' '/tr'm'ly
%i--icult! i- not impossibl' $his is )hy th' ma/imum possibl' numb'r o- nucl'ar
)'apons )ill b' us'% to %'liv'r an initial nucl'ar strik'

The second sta0e -ollo)s imm'%iat'ly upon th' -irst "t lasts b't)''n 9+ an% 12+
minut's "t consists o- a mass air attack by th' &ir &rmi's o- all th' 7ronts an% by all
th' ,ong6<ang' &ir 7orc' units at th' %isposal o- th' C6in6C o- th' Strat'gic .ir'ction
$his attack is carri'% out as a s'ri's o- )av's $h' -irst )av' consists o- all th'
availabl' r'connaissanc' aircra-t66not only thos' o- th' r'connaissanc' r'gim'nts but
also th' sGua%rons o- -ight'rs an% -ight'r bomb'rs )hich hav' b''n train'% in
r'connaissanc' "n all! mor' than a thousan% r'connaissanc' aircra-t -rom th'
Strat'gic .ir'ction )ill Aoin this )av'F th'y )ill b' assist'% by s'v'ral hun%r'%
pilotl'ss r'connaissanc' aircra-t $h' primary tasks o- th' aircra-t in this )av' ar' to
ass'ss th' '--'ctiv'n'ss o- th' initial nucl'ar strik' an% to i%'nti-y any obA'ctiv's
)hich hav' not b''n %'stroy'%
"mm'%iat'ly b'hin% th's' aircra-t com's th' main )av'! ma%' up o- all th' &ir
&rmi's an% Corps (ucl'ar )'apons ar' carri'% by thos' aircra-t )hos' cr')s hav'
b''n train'% to %'liv'r a nucl'ar strik' $h' targ'ts o- this )av' ar' in th' sam'
cat'gori's as thos' o- th' rock'ts )hich %'liv'r'% th' initial nucl'ar attack ?ut!
unlik' th' rock'ts! th's' aircra-t attack mobil' rath'r than stationary targ'ts $h'y
-ollo) up a-t'r th' rock'ts! -inishing o-- )hat'v'r th' latt'r )'r' unabl' to %'stroy
&mong th' -irst o- th'ir mobil' targ'ts ar'H tank columns )hich hav' manag'% to
l'av' th'ir barracks! groups o- aircra-t )hich hav' succ''%'% in taking o-- -rom th'ir
p'rman'nt air-i'l%s an% in r'aching %isp'rsal points on motor)ays! an% mobil' anti6
aircra-t )'apons
$h' Sovi't comman%'rs b'li'v' that this massiv' air activity can b' carri'% out
)ithout h'avy loss's! sinc' th' 'n'my4s ra%ars )ill hav' b''n %'stroy'%! many o- his
comput'r syst'ms an% lin's o- communication )ill hav' b''n %isrupt'% an% his
aircr')s an% anti6aircra-t -orc's )ill hav' b''n %'moralis'%
;hil' th's' massiv' air op'rations ar' taking plac' all sta-- p'rsonn'l )ill b'
)orking at top sp''% on 'valuation o- th' in-ormation )hich is coming in about th'
r'sults o- th' initial nucl'ar strik' M'an)hil'! all th' rock't launch'rs )hich took part
in th' initial nucl'ar strik' )ill b' r'loa%ing &t th' sam' tim'! too! th' rock't
battalions o- th' %ivisions an% th' rock't briga%'s o- th' &rmi's an% 7ronts! )hich %i%
not tak' part in th' initial strik' b'caus' th'y )'r' too -ar b'hin% th' -ront lin'! )ill
mov' up to th' -or)ar% '%g' o- th' battl' ar'a at th' ma/imum possibl' sp''%
&ll aircra-t )ill th'n r'turn to th'ir bas's an% th' thir% stag' )ill b'gin imm'%iat'ly

The third sta0e2 lik' th' -irst! )ill last only hal- an hour $aking part in it )ill b'
'v'n mor' rock't launch'rs than thos' involv'% in th' -irst stag'! sinc' many )ill
hav' mov'% up -rom th' r'ar ar'as $h' thinking b'hin% this plan is simpl'H in battl'
th' 'n'my4s prim' conc'rn )ill b' to hunt out an% %'stroy all Sovi't rock't launch'rsF
'ach o- th's' shoul% th'r'-or' in-lict th' ma/imum possibl' %amag' on th' 'n'my
b'-or' this happ'ns $h' aim is to %'stroy all thos' targ'ts )hich surviv'% th' -irst
an% s'con% stag's! an% to put th' ma/imum possibl' numb'r o- th' 'n'my4s troops
an% 'Guipm'nt! 'sp'cially his nucl'ar )'apons! out o- action

The fourth sta0e lasts b't)''n 1+ an% 2+ %ays "t can b' brok'n %o)n into
o--'nsiv' op'rations by in%ivi%ual 7ronts Bach 7ront conc'ntrat's all its '--orts on
101
'nsuring succ'ss -or its $ank &rmy $o achi'v' this th' &ll6&rms &rmy attacks th'
'n'my4s %'-'nc's an% th' 7ront Comman%'r %ir'cts th' $ank &rmy to th' point at
)hich a br'akthrough has b''n achi'v'% &t th' sam' tim'! th' 'ntir' r'sourc's o-
th' 7ront4s artill'ry %ivision ar' us'% to cl'ar a path -or th' $ank &rmy $h' rock't
briga%'s lay %o)n a nucl'ar carp't ah'a% o- th' $ank &rmy! an% th' &ir &rmy cov'rs
its br'akthrough op'ration $h' 7ront4s anti6tank briga%'s cov'r th' $ank &rmy4s
-lanks! th' air6born' assault briga%' s'i@'s bri%g's an% crossing points -or its us'! an%
th' %iv'rsionary briga%'! op'rating ah'a% o- an% on th' -lanks o- th' $ank &rmy! %o's
'v'rything possibl' to provi%' it )ith -avourabl' op'rating con%itions
$h' $ank &rmy is brought up to a br'ach in th' 'n'my %'-'nc's only )h'n a r'al
br'akthrough has b''n achi'v'% an% onc' th' 7ront4s -orc's hav' room -or
mano'uvr' $h' $ank &rmy push's -or)ar% at ma/imum possibl' sp''% to th'
gr'at'st %'pth it can r'ach "t avoi%s prolong'% 'ngag'm'nts! it k''ps cl'ar o-
pock'ts o- r'sistanc' an% it o-t'n b'com's s'parat'% by consi%'rabl' %istanc's -rom
th' oth'r compon'nts o- th' 7ront "ts task! its aim! is to %'liv'r a blo) lik' that -rom
a s)or% or an a/'H th' %''p'r it cuts! th' b'tt'r
&n &ll6&rms &rmy a%vanc's mor' slo)ly than a $ank &rmy! %'stroying all th'
pock'ts o- r'sistanc' in its path an% any groups o- 'n'my troops )hich hav' b''n
surroun%'%! cl'aring up th' ar'a as it mov's -or)ar%
& $ank &rmy is lik' a rushing -loo%! t'aring its )ay through a gap in a %yk'!
smashing an% %'stroying 'v'rything in its path ?y contrast an &ll6&rms &rmy is a
Gui't! stagnant sh''t o- )at'r! -loo%ing a )hol' ar'a! %ro)ning 'n'my islan%s an%
slo)ly un%'rmining buil%ings an% oth'r structur's until th'y collaps'
.uring th' -irst -') hours or %ays o- a )ar! on' or all o- th' 7ronts may su--'r
'normous loss's ?ut it shoul% not b' assum'% that th' C6in6C o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction
)ill us' his s'con% 'ch'lon 7ront to str'ngth'n or tak' th' plac' o- th' 7ront )hich
has su--'r'% most $h' s'con% 'ch'lon 7ront is brought into action at th' point )h'r'
th' gr'at'st succ'ss has b''n achi'v'%! )h'r' th' %yk' has r'ally b''n br'ach'% or
)h'r' at l'ast a v'ry %ang'rous crack can b' s''n %'v'loping

The fifth sta0e lasts 168 %ays "t may b'gin at any tim' %uring th' -ourth stag' &s
soon as th' C6in6C is sur' that on' o- his 7ronts has r'ally brok'n through! h' mov's
up his s'con% 'ch'lon 7ront an%! i- this manag's to push through th' op'ning! h'
brings his striking -orc'! his 8roup o- $ank &rmi's! into action $his op'ration by th'
8roup against th' 'n'my4s r'ar %'-'nc's r'pr's'nts th' -i-th stag' o- a strat'gic
o--'nsiv'
$his 8roup o- $ank &rmi's consists o- t)o $ank &rmi's :o)'v'r! by this tim' th'
$ank &rmi's o- th' 7ronts may alr'a%y b' in action against th' 'n'my4s r'ar %'-'nc's
$h's' $ank &rmi's may b' tak'n a)ay -rom th' 7ront Comman%'rs! at th' %'cision o-
th' C6in6C! an% incorporat'% in th' 8roup o- $ank &rmi's $o)ar%s th' 'n% o- th'
action th'r' may b' -iv' or 'v'n si/ $ank &rmi's in th' 8roup! bringing its
'stablishm'nt up to as much as 1+!+++ tanks "- %uring a br'akthrough hal- or 'v'n
t)o thir%s o- th's' ar' lost! th' 8roup still )ill b' o- impr'ssiv' str'ngth
:o)'v'r! th' Sovi't 8'n'ral Sta-- hop's that loss's )ill not b' as larg' as this >ur
pack o- car%s '--'ct shoul% mani-'st its'l- Mor'ov'r! th' op'rations o- th' 8roup o-
$ank &rmi's )ill b' support'% by all th' r'sourc's availabl' to th' C6in6C o- th'
Strat'gic .ir'ction &ll his rock't an% air -orc's )ill b' attacking th' 'n'my )ith
nucl'ar )'apons! his airborn' %ivisions )ill b' %ropp'% to h'lp th' 8roup to a%vanc'
,astly! th' )hol' ?altic 7l''t )ill b' supporting th' 8roup "- th' 8roup manag's to
a%vanc'! th' )hol' o- th' -orc's availabl' to th' Stat'! up to an% inclu%ing th'
Supr'm' Comman%'r hims'l-! can b' mass'% to support it

102
2

$h' strat'gic o--'nsiv' has on' alt'rnativ' -orm $his is som'tim's kno)n as a
I7ri%ay 'v'ning4 o--'nsiv' "t %i--'rs -rom th' normal v'rsion only in %isp'nsing )ith
th' -irst thr'' stag's %'scrib'% abov' $h' op'ration th'r'-or' b'gins at th' -ourth
stag'66)ith a surpris' attack by a group o- 7ronts against on' or mor' countri's
"n practic'! )hat happ'n'% in C@'choslovakia )as an op'ration by a group o-
7ronts! carri'% out s)i-tly an% )ithout )arning Signi-icantly this op'ration caught th'
C@'chs o-- guar%66pro-iting by th' 7ri%ay 'v'ning r'la/ation o- th' Stat' apparatus
a-t'r a )orking )''k ?'caus' o- th' small si@' o- C@'choslovakia an% th' 'vi%'nt
%isinclination o- th' C@'ch army to %'-'n% its country! th' C6in6C %i% not bring his
8roup o- $ank &rmi's -or)ar% -rom ?y'lorussia an% th' 7ront comman%'rs %i% not
push th'ir $ank &rmi's into C@'choslovakia >nly a v'ry small numb'r o- tanks took
part in th' op'ration66som' 9!+++ in all! %ra)n -rom th' tank battalions o- th'
r'gim'nts involv'%! th' tank r'gim'nts o- th' %ivisions an% th' tank %ivisions o- th'
&rmi's
$h' succ'ss o- th' C@'ch op'ration pro%uc'% a n') optimism in various oth'r
countri's in Burop'! )hich r'alis'% that th'y coul% hop' to b' similarly lib'rat'% in
th' cours' o- a -') hours
$h' t'rribl' 'pi%'mic o- paci-ication )hich subs'Gu'ntly s)'pt through ;'st'rn
Burop' arous'% n') hop's o- succ'ss through a bloo%l'ss r'volution in th' h'arts o-
th' Sovi't 8'n'ral Sta--


9&peration /:tente#

1

"n th' )int'r o- 195+! th' <'% &rmy brok' through th' IMann'rh'im ,in'4 (o on'
kno)s )hat pric' it pai% -or this victory! but! tim' an% again! %'mograph'rs hav'
com' up )ith th' sam' -igur'66a total o- 1!3++!+++ human liv's ;h'th'r this is
accurat' or not! th' loss's )'r' so stagg'ring! 'v'n by Sovi't stan%ar%s! that th'
a%vanc' )as halt'% th' v'ry mom'nt 7innish r'sistanc' )as brok'n
$h' -ollo)ing summ'r Sovi't tanks )'r' rumbling through th' str''ts o- thr''
sov'r'ign stat's66Bstonia! ,ithuania an% ,atvia Sinc' th'n! Sovi't tanks hav' visit'%
;arsa)! ?'rlin! Pragu'! Vi'nna! ?uchar'st! ?u%ap'st! So-ia! ?'lgra%'! Pyongyang an%
'v'n P'king ?ut th'y n'v'r %ar'% to 'nt'r :'lsinki
7inlan% is th' only country )hich has -ought a )ar against Sovi't aggr'ssion
)ithout 'v'r having allo)'% Sovi't tanks to 'nt'r its capital
"t is th'r'-or' surprising that it is 7inlan% )hich has b'com' th' symbol o-
submission to Communist '/pansion :alt'% by th' valour )ith )hich this brav'
country %'-'n%'% its'l-! th' communists chang'% th'ir tactics "- th'y coul% not bring
th' 7inns to th'ir kn''s by -ighting! th'y %'ci%'% th'y )oul% %o it by p'ac'-ul
m'tho%s $h'ir n') )'apon turn'% out to b' mor' po)'r-ul than tanks Sovi't tanks
'nt'r'% *ugoslavia an% <omania but both countri's ar' in%'p'n%'nt to%ay $h'y
n'v'r r'ach'% :'lsinki! but 7inlan% has submitt'%
$his r'sult surpris'% 'v'n th' Sovi't Communists th'ms'lv's an% it took th'm a
long tim' to appr'ciat' th' po)'r o- th' )'apon )hich ha% -all'n so un'/p'ct'%ly
into th'ir han%s ;h'n th'y -inally r'alis'% its '--'ctiv'n'ss! th'y put it to imm'%iat'
us' against th' r'maining countri's o- ;'st'rn Burop' "ts '--'cts ar' to b' s''n
'v'ry)h'r' aroun% us $h' Communists kn') that th'y coul% n'v'r s'i@' ;'st'rn
103
Burop' so long as it )as capabl' o- %'-'n%ing its'l-! an% this is )hy th'y conc'ntrat'%
th'ir attacks on ;'st'rn Burop'an %'t'rmination to stan% up to th'm
Paci-ism is s)''ping through th' ;'st "t is %oing th' sam' in th' Sovi't 0nion "n
th' ;'st! though! it is uncontroll'% )hil' in th' 0SS< it is 'ncourag'% -rom abov'
:o)'v'r! both mov'm'nts hav' a common aim ;'st'rn paci-ists ar' -ighting to stop
th' installation o- n') rock'ts in 3estern Burop' Sovi't paci-ists sp'ak out -or th'
sam' caus'66against th' installation o- rock'ts in 3estern Burop'


Tactics

1

;h'n " l'ctur' to ;'st'rn o--ic'rs on tactics in th' Sovi't &rmy! " o-t'n clos' my
talk by putting a Gu'stion to th'm66al)ays th' sam' on'66in or%'r to b' sur' that
th'y hav' un%'rstoo% m' corr'ctly $h' Gu'stion is trivial an% 'l'm'ntary $hr''
Sovi't motor6ri-l' compani's ar' on th' mov' in th' sam' s'ctor $h' -irst has com'
un%'r mur%'rous -ir' an% its attack has crumbl'%! th' s'con% is a%vancing slo)ly!
)ith h'avy loss's! th' thir% has su--'r'% an 'n'my count'r6attack an%! having lost all
its comman% p'rsonn'l! is r'tr'ating $h' comman%'r o- th' r'gim'nt to )hich th's'
compani's b'long has thr'' tank compani's an% thr'' artill'ry batt'ri's in r's'rv'
$ry an% gu'ss! " say! ho) this r'gim'ntal comman%'r us's his r's'rv's to support his
thr'' compani's I*ou ar' to gu'ss!4 " say! I)hat st'ps a Sovi't r'gim'ntal
comman%'r )oul% tak'! not a ;'st'rn on' but a Sovi't! a Sovi't! a Sovi't on'4
" hav' n'v'r y't r'c'iv'% th' corr'ct r'ply
*'t in this situation th'r' is only on' possibl' ans)'r 7rom th' platoon l'v'l to that
o- th' Supr'm' Comman%'r all )oul% agr'' that th'r' is only on' possibl' %'cisionH
all thr'' tank compani's an% all thr'' artill'ry batt'ri's must b' us'% to str'ngth'n
th' company )hich is moving ah'a%! ho)'v'r slo)ly $h' oth'rs! )hich ar' su--'ring
loss's! c'rtainly %o not Guali-y -or h'lp "- th' r'gim'ntal comman%'r! in a stat' o-
%runk'nn'ss or -rom sh''r stupi%ity! )'r' to mak' any oth'r %'cision h' )oul%! o-
cours'! b' imm'%iat'ly r'li'v'% o- his comman%! r'%uc'% to th' ranks an% s'nt to
pay -or his mistak' )ith his o)n bloo%! in a p'nal battalion
My au%i'nc's ask! )ith surpris'! ho) it can b' that t)o company comman%'rs!
)hos' m'n ar' su--'ring h'avy casualti's! can ask -or h'lp )ithout r'c'iving any=
I$hat4s th' )ay it is!4 " r'ply! calmly I:o) can th'r' b' any %oubt about it=4
I;hat happ'ns!4 ask th' ;'st'rn o--ic'rs! Ii- a Sovi't platoon or company
comman%'r asks -or artill'ry support .o's h' g't it=4
I:' has no right to ask -or it!4 " say
I&n% i- a company comman%'r asks -or air support66%o's h' g't it=4
I:' has no right to ask -or support o- any sort! l't alon' air support4 My au%i'nc'
smil's66th'y b'li'v' th'y hav' -oun% th' &chill's h''l o- Sovi't tactics ?ut " am
al)ays irritat'%66-or this is not )'akn'ss! but str'ngth
:o) is it possibl' not to b' irritat'%= & situation in )hich 'v'ry platoon comman%'r
can ask -or artill'ry support is on' in )hich th' %ivisional comman%'r is unabl' to
conc'ntrat' th' -ull str'ngth o- his artill'ry in th' %'cisiv' s'ctor66a platoon
comman%'r cannot kno) )hich this is & situation in )hich 'v'ry company
comman%'r can call -or air support is on' in )hich th' Comman%'r o- a 8roup o-
&rmi's is unabl' to bring tog'th'r all his aircra-t as a singl' striking -orc' $o a
military man this r'pr's'nts som'thing Guit' unthinkabl'66th' %isp'rsal o- r'sourc's

104
2

$h' tactics us'% by 9'nghi@ Chan )'r' primitiv'! in th' '/tr'm' :is Mongolian
hors'm'n )oul% n'v'r 'ngag' in a singl' combat in any o- th' countri's )hich his
hor%'s ov'rran $h' training -or battl' )hich th'y r'c'iv'% consist'% sol'ly o-
instruction in maintaining -ormation an% in th' obs'rvanc' o- a %isciplinary co%' )hich
)as 'n-orc'% in th' most barbarous )ay
.uring a battl' 9'nghi@ Chan )oul% k''p a clos' )atch on th' situation -rom a
n'arby hill &s soon as th' slight'st sign o- succ'ss )as visibl' at any point! h' )oul%
conc'ntrat' all his -orc's th'r'! som'tim's 'v'n thro)ing in his o)n p'rsonal guar%
:aving brok'n through th' 'n'my4s lin' at a singl' point h' )oul% push irr'sistibly
ah'a% an% th' 'n'my army! split in t)o! )oul% %isint'grat' "t is )orth r'cor%ing that
h' n'v'r lost a battl' in his li-' C'nturi's pass'% an% n') )'apons app'ar'% "t
s''m'% that this anci'nt principl' o- )ar )as %'a% an% buri'% $hat at l'ast )as ho)
it s''m'% to th' 7r'nch armi's at $oulon ?ut th'n th' young ?onapart' app'ar'%!
must'r'% all th' artill'ry at th' %'cisiv' spot an% )on his -irst brilliant victory )ith
lightning sp''% Subs'Gu'ntly h' al)ays conc'ntrat'% his artill'ry an% his cavalry in
larg' numb'rs "n cons'Gu'nc'! his Aunior comman%'rs )'r' %'priv'% o- both artill'ry
an% cavalry .'spit' this! -or %'ca%'s his armi's )on 'v'ry battl' &t ;at'rloo h'
pai% th' p'nalty -or aban%oning th' principl' o- conc'ntrating his -orc's in th' most
important s'ctor :is %'-'at th'r' )as th' pric' h' pai% -or %isp'rsing his r'sourc's
Mor' tim' pass'%! tanks! aircra-t an% machin'6guns ma%' th'ir app'aranc' $h'
principl's o- 9'nghi@ Chan an% ?onapart' )'r' compl't'ly -orgott'n in 7ranc' "n
195+ th' &lli's ha% mor' tanks than th' 8'rmans $h'y )'r' 'v'nly %istribut'%
among in-antry sub6units! )hos' comman%'rs )'r' prou% to hav' tanks %ir'ctly
un%'r th'ir comman% $h'ir 8'rman opposit' numb'rs ha% no such groun%s -or pri%'!
an% this )as th' r'ason )hy 8'rmany4s victory )as so rapi% an% so %'cisiv' $h'
8'rman tanks )'r' not %isp'rs'% but )'r' conc'ntrat'% in )hat! by th' stan%ar%s o-
195+! )'r' hug' groups $h' &lli'% tanks )'r' scatt'r'%! lik' )i%'ly6spr'a% -ing'rs!
)hich coul% not b' cl'nch'% to mak' a -ist $h' 8'rman tanks struck! as a -ist!
un'/p'ct'%ly an% at th' )'ak'st point $h' 8'rmans4 succ'ss has gon' %o)n in
history as a victory )hich )as )on by th'ir tanks

2

Sovi't tactics ar' o- th' utmost simplicityF th'y can b' con%'ns'% into a singl'
phras'66th' ma/imum conc'ntration o- -orc's in th' %'cisiv' s'ctor &nyon' )ho )as
-oun% r'sponsibl' -or %isp'rsing -orc's o- %ivisional str'ngth or abov' %uring th' )ar
)as shot )ithout -urth'r a%o &t lo)'r l'v'ls th' usual p'nalty -or )asting r'sourc's
in this )ay )as r'%uction to th' ranks an% a posting to a p'nal battalion! )hich )oul%
also l'a% to %'ath! though not al)ays imm'%iat'ly! it is tru'
Bv'ry Sovi't op'ration! -rom Stalingra% on)ar%s! %'v'lop'% in th' )ay )at'r
br'aks through a concr't' %amH a singl' %rop s''ps through a microscopic crack! an%
is -ollo)'% imm'%iat'ly by a %o@'n mor' %rops! a-t'r )hich -irst hun%r'%s an% th'n
thousan%s o- litr's pour through at 'v'r incr'asing sp''%! b'coming a cataract o-
hun%r'%s o- thousan%s o- tonn's o- raging )at'r
:'r' is on' 'ntir'ly typical '/ampl' o- such a br'akthrough! carri'% out by th' 1#th
8uar%s <i-l' Corps o- th' 2n% 8uar%s &rmy at Cursk in 1952 .uring an o--'nsiv' by
nin' -or)ar% battalions only on' manag'% to mak' any groun% "mm'%iat'ly! th'
comman%'r o- th' r'gim'nt to )hich this battalion b'long'% conc'ntrat'% all his
r'sourc's at that point! on a -ront on' kilom'tr' )i%' :is %ivisional comman%'r
th'r'upon thr') all his -orc's into this s'ctor $h' br'ach slo)ly b'cam' %''p'r an%
105
)i%'r an% )ithin hal- an hour th' corps comman%'r4s r's'rv's b'gan to arriv' ;ithin
thr'' hours! 21 o- th' 2# battalions b'longing to th' corps ha% b''n brought in to
-ight in th' narro) s'ctor! )hich )as by no) 1 kilom'tr's )i%' 1!+81 o- th' 1!11#
guns b'longing to th' corps! an% all its tanks! )'r' ass'mbl'% in th' br'akthrough
s'ctor (aturally! th' battalion comman%'rs )ho ha% b''n unabl' to p'n'trat' th'
'n'my4s %'-'nc's not only r'c'iv'% no r'in-orc'm'nts! but ha% 'v'rything un%'r th'ir
comman% tak'n a)ay -rom th'm &n% this )as 'ntir'ly as it shoul% hav' b''nJ
&s th' br'ach )as )i%'n'%! mor' an% mor' -orc's )'r' conc'ntrat'% th'r' &s
soon as h' )as in-orm'% o- th' br'akthrough th' Comman%'r o- th' C'ntral 7ront!
8'n'ral <okossovskiy! rush'% an 'ntir' &rmy to th' spot! )ith an &ir &rmy to cov'r
th' op'rations & -') %ays lat'r th' Supr'm' Comman%'r a%%'% his o)n r's'rv'
army! th' 5th $ank &rmy! to th' -orc's br'aking through Such a massiv'
conc'ntration o- -orc's coul% not! o- cours'! b' )ithstoo% by th' 8'rman
comman%'rs S'v'ral hun%r'% kilom'tr's o- th'ir -ront %isint'grat'% simultan'ously
an% a hasty )ith%ra)al b'gan $h' last big o--'nsiv' mount'% by th' 8'rman army in
;orl% ;ar "" ha% collaps'% &-t'r this! th' 8'rmans n'v'r again launch'% a singl'
larg'6scal' attack! con-ining th'ms'lv's to small'r op'rations! such as thos' at
?alaton or in th' &r%'nn's $h' moral o- this story is cl'ar "- 'v'ry platoon
comman%'r ha% ha% th' right to call -or -ir' support -or his unit! th' corps
comman%'r )oul% hav' b''n unabl' to conc'ntrat' his r's'rv's in th' br'ach an% th'
7ront )oul% n'v'r hav' brok'n through ;ithout this! th'r' coul% hav' b''n no
succ'ss

5

Mo%'rn Sovi't tactics! th'n! -ollo) in th' -ootprints o- 9'nghi@ Chan! ?onapart'! th'
8'rman g'n'rals )ho )on th' battl' -or 7ranc' an% th' Sovi't g'n'rals in th' )ar
against 8'rmany
(ucl'ar )'apons hav' chang'% th' -ac' o- )ar! as %i% artill'ry in th' mi%%l' ag's!
th' machin' gun in th' 7irst ;orl% ;ar an% th' tank in th' S'con% $h' principl's o-
military sci'nc' hav' not b''n a--'ct'% by th's' chang's! -or th'y ar' immutabl'66
%isp'rs' your -orc's an% you )ill los'! conc'ntrat' th'm an% you )ill )in
$h' only am'n%m'nt )hich n''%s to b' ma%' to th's' anci'nt principl's in th'
nucl'ar ag' is that a comman%'r must conc'ntrat' his nucl'ar -orc's! too! in th' main
s'ctor! tog'th'r )ith th' artill'ry! aircra-t! an% tanks )hich h' ass'mbl's th'r' $h'
thr'at o- a nucl'ar r'spons'! too! plays a rol' in tactics $h' conc'ntration o- -orc's
can b' compl't'% v'ry rapi%ly to%ay! an% th'y ar' th'n a targ't -or th' 'n'my4s
nucl'ar )'apons! )h'r'as 'arli'r h' )as unabl' to us' th'm %uring th' comparativ'ly
long tim' th'y took to ass'mbl' >th'r)is' 'v'rything r'mains as it )as "- a singl'
company br'aks through th' battalion comman%'r supports it )ith his )hol' mortar
batt'ry! l'aving th' oth'r compani's to -'n% -or th'ms'lv's "n-orm'% o- th' succ'ss
o- th' company! th' comman%'r o- th' r'gim'nt or%'rs his tank battalions to th'
s'ctor an% arrang's -or his artill'ry to provi%' conc'ntrat'% -ir' support! th'n th'
%ivisional comman%'r mov's in his tank r'gim'nt an% h' too brings in his 'ntir'
artill'ry r's'rv'sF in a%%ition! h' may arrang' to hav' nucl'ar strik's carri'% out
ah'a% o- his troops $h'n! -loo%ing through lik' th' torr'nt! rushing through th'
brok'n %am! com' all th' tanks an% artill'ry o- th' &rmy! all th' tanks! aircra-t!
artill'ry an% rock'ts o- th' 7ront! o- th' Strat'gic .ir'ction! o- th' Sovi't 0nion an% o-
its sat'llit'sJ

3

106
>n' -urth'r misun%'rstan%ing n''%s clari-ication &lthough a platoon or company
comman%'r is not 'ntitl'% to summon up aircra-t or th' %ivisional artill'ry! this
c'rtainly %o's not m'an that Sovi't -orc's op'rat' )ithout -ir' support $h'
comman%'r o- a Sovi't motor6ri-l' battalion (5++ m'n) has # 12+mm mortars at his
%isposal $h' comman%'r o- an &m'rican battalion (9++ m'n) has only 5 1+#mm
mortars $h' comman%'r o- a Sovi't r'gim'nt (2!1++ m'n) has a battalion o- 18
122mm ho)it@'rs an% a batt'ry o- # 8ra% P multi6barr'll'% rock't launch'rs $h'
comman%'r o- an &m'rican briga%' (5!+++63!+++ m'n) has no -ir' )'apons at all
Comman%'rs o- Sovi't an% &m'rican %ivisions hav' appro/imat'ly th' sam' Guantity
o- -ir' )'apons
Comman%'rs o- Sovi't battalions an% r'gim'nts! not b'ing 'ntitl'% to call on th'ir
%ivisional comman%'rs -or h'lp hav' 'nough -ir' )'apons un%'r th'ir comman% to
-ollo) up succ'ss's achi'v'% by any o- th'ir platoons! compani's or battalions Sinc'
th'y ar' 'Guipp'% )ith th's' )'apons! th' %ivisional comman%'r is -r'' to mak' us'
o- th' -ull )'ight o- his %ivisional artill'ry )h'r'v'r h' %'ci%'s it is n''%'%


*ear Supplies

1

Many ;'st'rn sp'cialists b'li'v' that in or%'r to carry out an op'ration o- th' sort
%'scrib'% it )oul% b' n'c'ssary to ass'mbl' a massiv' conc'ntration o- mat'rial
r'sourc's an% that th' Sovi't comman% )oul% 'ncount'r '/tr'm' %i--iculty in
provi%ing its 'normous -orc's )ith th' suppli's th'y )oul% n''% $his %'lusion is
bas'% on typical ;'st'rn conc'pts o- th' organisation o- th' supply an%
r'pl'nishm'nt o- military -orc's
$h' Sovi't &rmy has a compl't'ly %i--'r'nt approach to th' probl'ms o- supply
-rom that a%opt'% in th' ;'st66on' )hich avoi%s many h'a%ach's ,'t us start -rom
th' -act that a Sovi't sol%i'r is not issu'% )ith a sl''ping bag! an% %o's not n''% on'
:' can b' l'-t un-'% -or s'v'ral %ays &ll that h' n''%s is ammunition an% this solv's
many probl'ms $h' probl'm o- supplying Sovi't troops in battl' is thus con-in'% to
th' provision o- ammunition ;' alr'a%y kno) that 'ach comman%'r has transport
sub6units at his %isposalF 'v'ry r'gim'nt has a company )hich can transport loa%s o-
2++ tons! 'v'ry %ivision a battalion )ith a capacity o- 1!+++ tons! 'v'ry &rmy a
transport r'gim'nt! an% so -orth &ll this capacity is us'% sol'ly to mov' up
ammunition -or a%vancing -orc's Bach comman%'r allocat's a larg' proportion o- this
ammunition to th' s'ctor )hich is achi'ving succ'ss66th' r'main%'r su--'r
accor%ingly
(o l'ss important %uring a rapi% a%vanc' is -u'l66th' li-'6bloo% o- )ar & basic
approach has b''n tak'n to th' probl'm o- -u'l6supply &s a con%ition -or its
acc'ptanc' by th' arm'% S'rvic's! 'v'ry typ' o- Sovi't combat v'hicl'66tanks!
armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs! artill'ry prim' mov'rs! 'tc66must hav' su--ici'nt -u'l
capacity to tak' it at l'ast #++ kilom'tr's $hus! Sovi't 7ronts )oul% b' abl' to mak'
a %ash across ;'st'rn 8'rmany )ithout r'-u'lling $h'r'a-t'r! th' pip'6laying
battalion o- 'ach &rmy )oul% lay a lin' to th' 7ront4s main pip'lin' )hich )oul% hav'
b''n lai% by th' 7ront4s pip'6laying r'gim'nt $h' 7ront4s pip'lin's )oul% b' link'%
)ith s'cr't un%'rgroun% main lin's )hich ha% b''n lai% %o)n in Bast'rn Burop' in
p'ac'tim' "n a%%ition! th' C6in6C o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction has un%'r his comman% a
pip'6laying briga%'! )hich can b' us'% to assist th' 7ronts &t th' t'rminals o- th'
pip'lin's th' pip'6lay'rs s't up a numb'r o- r'-u'lling c'ntr's! 'ach o- )hich can
107
simultan'ously r'-u'l a battalion or 'v'n a r'gim'nt "n a%%ition! th' Sovi't &rmy is
at pr's'nt 'volving t'chniGu's -or using h'licopt'rs -or -u'l r'supply ,'t us tak' a
%ivision )hich is a%vancing >n' o- its tank battalions has stopp'%! on or%'rs -rom th'
%ivisional comman%'r! an% is l'-t b'hin% by th' oth'r battalions "n a -i'l% by th' roa%!
on )hich th' battalion has halt'%! a V612 h'licopt'r lan%s! carrying 5+ or mor' tons o-
-u'l ;ithin t'n minut's it has r'-u'll'% all th' tanks an% tak'n o-- again $h'
battalion s'ts o-- -or th' -ront again! r'placing anoth'r )hich halts to r'-u'l & singl'
V612 h'licopt'r -lying at lo) altitu%' at a sp''% o- 23+ kilom'tr's an hour! can r'-u'l
a )hol' %ivision in on' %ay "t is not particularly vuln'rabl'! sinc' it is -lying ov'r its
o)n r'ar ar'as! )hich ar' prot'ct'% by th' &ir .'-'nc' $roops o- th' ,an% 7orc's "-
trucks )'r' us'% to supply a %ivision hun%r'%s o- th'm )oul% b' n''%'%! trav'lling
on %amag'%! ov'rloa%'% roa%s an% pr's'nting an '/c'll'nt targ't $h' %'struction o-
a singl' bri%g' coul% bring th'm all to a halt ;hil' a singl' truck carrying t'n tons
)oul% tak' t)'nty6-our hours to mak' a particular Aourn'y! a h'licopt'r coul% %o th'
sam' Aob in on' hour Bv'n i- h'licopt'rs )'r' mor' vuln'rabl' than 'n%l'ss convoys
o- trucks! Sovi't g'n'rals )oul% still us' th'm! -or tim' is -ar mor' pr'cious than
mon'y %uring a )ar
Provisions! spar' parts! 'tc ar'! Guit' simply! not suppli'%

2

(o) l't us s'' ho) this )orks in practic' & %ivision )hich is up to -ull str'ngth!
-ully 'Guipp'%! -'% an% -u'll'%! )ith mor' than 2!+++ tons o- ammunition! is moving
up into action -rom th' s'con% 'ch'lon $his %ivision can sp'n% -rom thr'' to -iv'
%ays in action! )ithout r'st -or 'ith'r its sol%i'rs or its o--ic'rs $h' )oun%'% ar'
'vacuat'% to th' r'ar by th' m'%ical battalion! a-t'r -irst ai% has b''n giv'n
"ts compani's! battalions an% r'gim'nts )ast' no tim' )aiting -or spar' parts -or
'Guipm'nt )hich has b''n %amag'% $h'y simply thro) it asi%' $h' r'pair an%
r'-itting battalion m'n%s )hat'v'r it can! cannibalising on' tank to r'pair t)o or thr''
oth'rs! r'moving its 'ngin'! tracks! turr't an% anything 'ls' )hich is n''%'% &ny
pi'c' o- 'Guipm'nt )hich is s'riously %amag'% is l'-t -or r'moval to th' r'ar by th'
&rmy4s or th' 7ront4s mobil' tank r'pair )orkshop
"n action! th' %ivision -ights )ith gr'at %'t'rmination! but its numb'rs %)in%l'
Som' o- its -ighting 'Guipm'nt is r'turn'% a-t'r r'pair! but not a gr'at %'al &-t'r
thr'' to -iv' %ays o- har% -ighting! th' survivors ar' s'nt back to th' s'con% 'ch'lon!
th'ir plac' b'ing tak'n by a -r'sh %ivision )hich has b''n )'ll -'% an% -ully r'st'%
7rom th' r'mnants o- th' ol% %ivision! a n') on' is Guickly put tog'th'r Combat
'Guipm'nt is provi%'% by th' tank r'pair )orkshops $h' -act that it b'long'% to som'
oth'r %ivision only th' %ay b'-or' is immat'rial <'in-orc'm'nts r'ach th' n')
%ivision -rom th' hospitals66)h'th'r th's' sol%i'rs an% o--ic'rs -orm'rly b'long'% to
oth'r %ivisions! &rmi's or 7ronts is also immat'rial ;ith th'm arriv' 'Guipm'nt -rom
th' -actori's an% r's'rvists66som' o- )hom ar' ol%'r! oth'rs still v'ry young boys
$h' %ivision shak's %o)n! '/'rcis's an% allo)s its sol%i'rs to g't all th' sl''p th'y
n''% $h'n! a-t'r -iv' %ays! it mov's up into action! -ully -'% an% -u'll'%! )ith 2!+++
tons o- ammunition
>-t'n! )hil' it is r'-orming! a %ivision r'c'iv's 'ntir'ly n') 'Guipm'nt! straight
-rom th' -actory! but it may also b' issu'% )ith ol%'r mat'rial tak'n -rom stor'! )hil'
its o)n! or )hat r'mains o- it! is tak'n -rom it -or som' oth'r %ivision )hich is also r'6
-orming! not -ar a)ay
7r'Gu'ntly! a-t'r a particularly punishing s'ri's o- battl's! a %ivision cannot b' r'6
-orm'% "n this 'v'nt all its comman%'rs -rom company l'v'l up)ar%s ar' )ith%ra)n
an% )hat is l'-t o- th' %ivision is a%minist'r'% by th' %'puti's to th' battalion an%
108
r'gim'ntal comman%'rs an% by th' %'puty %ivisional comman%'r $his r'mnant )ill
continu' to -ight! to th' last man! )hil' th' %ivisional comman%'r an% his
subor%inat's ar' in th' r'ar! r'c'iving n') 'Guipm'nt an% n') sol%i'rs ;ithin a
short p'rio% o- tim' th'y r'turn to th' battl' in )hich )hat )as l'-t o- th'ir -orm'r
%ivision p'rish'% so r'c'ntly
>n' most important 'l'm'nt n''%'% -or th' r'buil%ing o- a n') %ivision is its ol%
colours & -r'sh %ivision can b' s't up v'ry Guickly aroun% th' ol% colours ?ut i- th'
colours ar' lost66that is th' 'n% o- th' %ivision "- such a thing shoul% happ'n! all its
-orm'r comman%'rs ar' s'nt to p'nal battalions! )h'r' th'y '/piat' th'ir guilt )ith
bloo%! )hil' th'ir %ivision is %isban%'% an% us'% to bring oth'rs up to str'ngth
:'r' is an '/ampl' -rom th' history o- th' 25th Samara60lyanovsk "ron .ivision!
)ith )hich " 'nt'r'% C@'choslovakia in 19#8
$h' %ivision )as 'stablish'% in 1918 an% )as on' o- th' b'st in th' <'% &rmy
,'nin corr'spon%'% p'rsonally )ith som' o- its sol%i'rs "t )as activ' in th' )ar
against 8'rmany -rom th' v'ry b'ginning o- hostiliti's an% %istinguish'% its'l- in th'
-ighting n'ar Minsk until! as part o- th' 12th &rmy! it -oun% its'l- 'ncircl'% Part o- th'
%ivision manag'% to br'ak out but its colours )'r' lost .'spit' its past
achi'v'm'nts! th' %ivision )as %isban%'% an% its various o--ic'rs )'r' tri'% by
military tribunals "n 1955! )h'n th' <'% &rmy onc' again r'ach'% an% th'n cross'%
th' Sovi't -ronti'rs! a sp'cial commission b'gan Gu'stioning local inhabitants in an
att'mpt to %iscov'r )h'r' Sovi't o--ic'rs an% sol%i'rs )ho ha% b''n kill'% in action
%uring th' -irst %ays o- th' )ar )'r' buri'% & p'asant! . ( $yapin! tol% th'
commission ho) h' ha% -oun% th' bo%y o- a Sovi't o--ic'r! )rapp'% in a -lag! an% ho)
h' ha% buri'% th' bo%y! )ith th' -lag $h' grav' )as imm'%iat'ly op'n'% an% th'
colours o- th' 25th "ron .ivision )'r' -oun% $h' -lag )as imm'%iat'ly s'nt a)ay -or
r'storation an%! Aust as Guickly! a n') %ivision )as -orm'% an% giv'n th' ol% colours!
th' battl' honours an% th' titl' o- th' ol% %ivision $o%ay th' 25th "ron .ivision is on'
o- th' most -amous in th' Sovi't &rmy :o)'v'r! %'spit' th' -act that it %istinguish'%
its'l- in th' battl' )hich 'n%'% th' )ar! it )as n'v'r ma%' a 8uar%s %ivision "t )as
not -orgiv'n -or th' loss o- its colours


Part Si8
!"uipment

)hat Sort of )eapons+

1

" a%or' )'apons >- 'v'ry sort " lov' military 'Guipm'nt an% military uni-orms
>n' %ay " shall op'n a small mus'um! an% th' -irst '/hibit )hich " shall buy -or my
mus'um )ill b' an &m'rican A''p $his is a r'al miracl' )'apon "t )as %'sign'%
b'-or' th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar an% it s'rv'% -rom th' -irst %ay to th' last! lik' a -aith-ul
sol%i'r "t )as %ropp'% by parachut'! it )as soak'% in salt )at'r! it smash'% its
)h''ls on th' stony %'s'rts o- ,ibya an% sank into s)amps on tropical islan%s "t
s'rv'% honourably in th' mountains o- (or)ay an% o- th' Caucasus! in th' &lps an%
th' &r%'nn's &n%! sinc' th' )ar! can any oth'r military v'hicl' hav' s''n so many
battl's66Cor'a! Vi'tnam! Sinai! &-rica! th' &rctic! South &m'rica! "n%on'sia! "n%ia!
Pakistan= &n% is th'r' any sort o- )'apon )hich has not b''n install'% on a A''p=
<'coill'ss guns! anti6tank rock'ts! machin' guns &n% it has )ork'% on
109
r'connaissanc' %uti's! as an ambulanc'! a patrol v'hicl'! a comman%'r an% an
or%inary military )orkhors'
&n% ho) many typ's o- tanks! guns! aircra-t! rock'ts hav' com' an% gon' in th'
tim' o- th' A''p= $h'y )'r' important an% impr'ssiv'! th' A''p )as gr'y an%
un%istinguish'% ?ut th'y hav' gon' an% th' A''p is still th'r' &n% ho) many tim's
hav' th'y tri'% to r'plac' th' A''p= ?ut it is in%isp'nsabl' "n th' %'s'rt! mor'
r'liabl' than a cam'l! in th' grasslan%s -ast'r than a l'opar%! in th' &rctic har%i'r
than a Polar b'ar
&noth'r '/hibit in my mus'um )ill b' a Calashnikov automatic assault ri-l' (ot
on' o- thos' th' t'rrorists us'% to kill th' >lympic athl't's or th' on' " ha% )ith m'
in C@'choslovakia or on' o- thos' th' Communists kill'% %octors )ith in Cambo%ia
(o! it )ill b' on' o- th' thousan%s captur'% by th' &m'rican marin's in Vi'tnam an%
us'% in th'ir %'sp'rat' att'mpt to halt Communism an% to av'rt th' calamity )hich
thr'at'n'% th' Vi'tnam's' p'opl'
&m'rican sol%i'rs in Vi'tnam o-t'n mistrust'% th'ir o)n )'apons an% pr'-'rr'% to
us' th'ir Calashnikov trophi's $his )as not so simpl'! -or th'y coul% har%ly '/p'ct to
b' suppli'% )ith th' prop'r roun%s -or th's' )'apons but th'y us'% th'm
n'v'rth'l'ss! capturing mor' ammunition as th'y -ought ;hat is th' s'cr't o- th'
Calashnikov= "t is uncomplicat'% an% r'liabl'! lik' a comra%'6in6arms! an% th's' ar'
th' t)o Gualiti's o- gr'at'st importanc' in a battl'

2

My mus'um )ill hav' )'apons -rom 'v'ry)h'r'66-rom 8'rmany an% ?ritain!
7ranc' an% 9apan ?ut th' gr'at'st numb'r )ill com' -rom th' Sovi't 0nion " hat'
th' Communists! but " lov' Sovi't )'apons $h' -act is that Sovi't %'sign'rs r'alis'%!
%'ca%'s ago! th' simpl' truth that only uncomplicat'% an% r'liabl' 'Guipm'nt can b'
succ'ss-ul in )ar $his is as tru' as th' -act that th' only plans )hich )ill succ''% ar'
thos' )hich ar' simpl' an% 'asily un%'rstoo% an% that th' b'st battl'%r'ss is th'
simpl'st an% most har% )'aring
Sovi't r'Guir'm'nts -rom a )'apon ar' that it must b' 'asy to pro%uc' an% simpl'
in construction! )hich mak's it 'asi'r to t'ach sol%i'rs to us' it an% simpl'r to
maintain an% r'pair
&lthough th' Sovi't 0nion pro%uc'% th' sam' amount o- st''l as 8'rmany! it built
a much gr'at'r numb'r o- tanks Mor'ov'r! b'caus' o- th' simplicity o- th'ir
construction! it prov'% possibl' to r'pair t'ns o- thousan%s o- th's' tanks an% to
r'turn th'm to battl' t)o or 'v'n thr'' tim's
8'n'ral 8u%'rian a%mir'% Sovi't tanks an% )rot' about th'm! 'nthusiastically an%
at l'ngth :' )as insist'nt in urging that 8'rmany shoul% copy th' $625 $h' %'sign
o- this Sovi't tank )as tak'n as a basis -or th' IPan@'r4 an% shortly a-t'r)ar%s -or th'
I$ig'r6CUnig4 ?ut th' 8'rman %'sign'rs )'r' unabl' to m''t th' most important
r'Guir'm'nt66simplicity o- construction &s a r'sult only 5!813 Pan@'r tanks )'r' built
in all! )hil' no mor' than 585 I$ig'r6CUnig4 tanks )'r' 'v'r pro%uc'% "n th' sam'
p'rio% th' Sovi't 0nion built 1+2!+++ tanks! 1+!+++ o- )hich )'r' $625s
"n consi%'ring th's' -igur's it shoul% b' r'm'mb'r'% that! )hil' most 8'rman tank
-actori's )'r' subA'ct'% to bombing! many Sovi't -actori's )'r' lost altog'th'r66th'
Charkov plant )as captur'% by th' 8'rmans in th' -irst months o- th' )ar! an% this
)as th' larg'st Sovi't -actory an% th' birthplac' o- th' $625F th' Stalingra% tank
-actory )as th' s'tting -or th' -i'rc'st -ighting it is possibl' to imagin' ,'ningra% )as
b'si'g'%! but! %'spit' b'ing )ithout st''l or coal! th' tank -actory th'r'! )hich )as
subA'ct'% to constant artill'ry bombar%m'nt! continu'% to r'pair tanks -or thr''
y'ars >n som' occasions tanks )hich still )'r' un%'r r'pair ha% to b' us'% to -ir'
110
through gaps in th' )alls at a%vancing groups o- 8'rman sol%i'rs $h' only -actory
that )as l'-t )as in th' 0rals an% it )as to this that th' machin'ry )as tak'n an% s't
up! virtually in th' op'n air! to pro%uc' th' )orl%4s simpl'st an% most r'liabl' tank
"t shoul% not b' thought that Sovi't 'Guipm'nt su--'rs any harm-ul '--'cts b'caus'
o- its simplicity o- %'sign Ouit' th' r'v'rs' "n its tim'! th' $625 )as not only th'
simpl'st but also th' most po)'r-ul tank in th' )orl%

2

;h'n a M"8623 lan%'% in 9apan! th' ;'st'rn '/p'rts )ho '/amin'% it marv'll'% at
th' simplicity o- its %'sign (aturally! -or propagan%a purpos's! th' -ighting Gualiti's
o- this '/c'll'nt aircra-t )'r' %isparag'% >n' not particularly p'rc'ptiv' sp'cialist
'v'n comm'nt'%! I;' ha% thought it )as ma%' o- titanium but it turns out to b'
nothing but st''l4 "t is! in -act! impossibl' to r'ach th' sp''%s o- )hich th' M"8623 is
capabl' using titaniumH y't th' Sovi't %'sign'rs ha% manag'% to buil% this! th'
-ast'st combat aircra-t in th' )orl%! -rom or%inary st''l
$his is a most signi-icant -act "t m'ans that this r'markabl' aircra-t can b' built
)ithout 'sp'cially complicat'% machin' tools or th' h'lp o- highly skill'% sp'cialists!
an% that its mass6pro%uction in )artim' )oul% b' una--'ct'% by shortag's o-
important mat'rials 7urth'rmor'! this aircra-t is '/c''%ingly ch'ap to pro%uc' an%
coul% th'r'-or' b' built in v'ry gr'at numb'rs i- this )'r' n'c'ssary $his is its most
important charact'risticF th' -act that -or t)o %'ca%'s it has b''n th' -ast'st
int'rc'ptor aircra-t in th' )orl%! )ith th' high'st rat' o- climb! is o- s'con%ary
signi-icanc'

5

$'chnology is %'v'loping an% 'ach y'ar 'Guipm'nt b'com's mor' an% mor'
compl'/ ?ut this %o's not con-lict )ith th' ov'rall philosophy o- Sovi't %'sign'rs >-
cours'! %'ca%'s ago! th'ir pr'%'c'ssors us'% th' lat'st 'Guipm'nt availabl' in th'ir
combat v'hicl's an% aircra-t an% this 'Guipm'nt must th'n hav' b''n consi%'r'% v'ry
compl'/ ?ut th' iron! unbr'akabl' principl' obs'rv'% by Sovi't %'sign'rs r'tains its
-orc' ;h'n'v'r a n') pi'c' o- 'Guipm'nt is b'ing %'v'lop'%! making th' us' o-
highly compl'/ tools an% t'chniGu's unavoi%abl'! th'r' is al)ays a choic' o-
hun%r'%s! 'v'n thousan%s o- possibl' t'chnical proc'%ur's $h' %'sign'rs )ill al)ays
s'l'ct th' v'ry simpl'st possibl' o- all th' choic's op'n to th'm "t )oul%! o- cours'!
b' -'asibl' to pro%uc' an automatic transmission syst'm -or a A''p! but it is possibl'
to g't by )ith an or%inary on' $his b'ing so! th'r' can b' only on' Sovi't choic'66
th' or%inary transmission
" onc' sa) a -ilm comparing a Sovi't an% an &m'rican tank & %riv'r )as giv'n
both mo%'ls to %riv' an% h' )as th'n ask'%66I;hich is th' b'tt'r=4 $h' &m'rican
on'! o- cours'!4 sai% th' %riv'r I"t has automatic transmission! )h'r'as in th' Sovi't
tank you hav' to chang' g'ar! )hich is not 'asy in a h'avy machin'4 :' )as Guit'
right66i- you s'' )ar as a pl'asant outing ?ut Sovi't %'sign'rs r'alis' that any -utur'
)ar )ill b' anything but this $h'y consi%'r! Guit' corr'ctly! that! i- th'r' ar' mass
bombing attacks! i- )hol' in%ustrial ar'as ar' %'stroy'%! i- long6%istanc'
communications br'ak %o)n! mass pro%uction o- tanks )ith automatic transmission
)oul% b' out o- th' Gu'stion BGually it )oul% b' impossibl' to r'pair or s'rvic' tanks
o- this sort )hich ha% b''n pro%uc'% b'-or' th' )ar &ccor%ingly! th'r' can b' only
on' choic'66th' or%inary! non6automatic transmission $his may b' har% on th' tank
%riv'r66h' )ill g't tir'% ?ut it )ill b' 'asi'r -or in%ustry an% -or th' )hol' country!
111
)hich )ill continu' to pro%uc' tanks by th' t'n thousan% on machin's )hich hav'
b''n s't up virtually in th' op'n air

3

$h' simplicity o- Sovi't )'apons surpris's 'v'ryon' ?ut 'ach typ' o- 'Guipm'nt
)hich is pro%uc'% is turn'% out in t)o variants66th' normal on' an% th' Imonk'y6
mo%'l4
$h' Imonk'y6mo%'l4 is a )'apon )hich has b''n simpli-i'% in 'v'ry conc'ivabl'
)ay an% )hich is int'n%'% -or pro%uction in )artim' only
7or instanc'! th' $6#2 tank is on' o- th' simpl'st -ighting v'hicl's in th' )orl% ?ut
as it )as b'ing %'sign'%! a still simpl'r v'rsion )as also b'ing %'v'lop'%! -or )artim'
us' $h' Imonk'y6mo%'l4 o- th' $6#2 %o's not hav' a stabilis'% gun! carri's
simpli-i'% ra%io an% optical 'Guipm'nt! th' night6vision 'Guipm'nt us's an in-ra6r'%
light sourc' to illuminat' targ'ts (a m'tho% )hich is t)'nty y'ars ol%)! th' gun is
rais'% an% turn'% manually! st''l rath'r than )ol-ram or uranium is us'% -or th'
armour6plating pi'rcing caps o- its sh'lls
Sovi't g'n'rals consi%'r! Austi-iably! that it is b'tt'r to hav' tanks lik' th's' in a
)ar than non' at all "t is int'n%'% that th' Imonk'y6mo%'l4 approach )ill b' us'%
not only -or buil%ing tanks! but -or all oth'r sorts o- 'Guipm'nt66rock'ts! guns!
aircra-t! ra%io s'ts! 'tc "n p'ac'tim' th's' variants ar' turn'% out in larg' Guantiti's!
but th'y ar' only issu'% to countri's -ri'n%ly to th' Sovi't 0nion " hav' s''n t)o
variants o- th' ?MP61 in-antry combat v'hicl'66on' )hich is issu'% to th' Sovi't army
an% anoth'r )hich is int'n%'% -or th' Sovi't 0nion4s &rab -ri'n%s " count'% si/ty6
thr'' simpli-ications )hich ma%' th' s'con% Imonk'y6mo%'l4 %i--'r'nt -rom th'
original v'rsion &mong th' most important o- th's' )'r'H $h' 12mm gun has no
loa%ing or roun% s'l'ction 'Guipm'nt ;h'r'as in th' Sovi't v'rsion th' gunn'rAust
pr'ss's th' appropriat' buttons an% th' roun% )hich h' r'Guir's sli%'s into th'
barr'l! in th' simpli-i'% mo%'l all o- this has to b' %on' by han%! an% -urth'rmor'! th'
gun is not stabilis'% $h' turr't is rotat'% an% th' gun is rais'% m'chanically "n th'
Sovi't v'rsion this is %on' 'l'ctrically66th' m'chanical syst'm is th'r' only as a back6
up $h' I'/port4 v'rsion is arm'% )ith th' Malyutka rock't! th' Sovi't on' )ith th'
IMalyutka6M4! )hich %i--'rs -rom th' oth'r mo%'l in having an automatic targ't
gui%anc' syst'm $h' Imonk'y6mo%'l4 is )ithout th' l'a% int'rnal lining on th' )alls!
)hich prot'cts th' cr') against p'n'trating ra%iation an% against -lying -ragm'nts o-
armour in th' 'v'nt o- a %ir'ct hit $h' optical syst'm is gr'atly simpli-i'%! as is th'
communications 'Guipm'nt! th'r' is no automatic ra%iation or gas %'t'ctor! th'r' is
n'ith'r an automatic h'rm'tic s'aling syst'm nor an air -iltration syst'm! -or us' in
con%itions o- v'ry h'avy contamination! no automatic topographical -i/ation syst'm is
-itt'% an% many oth'r syst'ms ar' missing
;h'n on' o- th's' Imonk'y6mo%'ls4 -'ll into th' han%s o- ;'st'rn sp'cialists! th'y
naturally gain'% a compl't'ly -als' impr'ssion o- th' tru' combat capabiliti's o- th'
?MP61 an% o- Sovi't tanks 7or )hat th'y )'r' looking at )as no mor' than a casing!
or a contain'r! lik' an 'mpty mon'y bo/ )hich is o- no valu' )ithout its cont'nts
$h' Sovi't 0nion is curr'ntly making %'liv'ri's abroa% o- $612 tanks! M"8622
-ight'rs an% $0622 bomb'rs ?ut th's' ar' %i--'r'nt -rom th' mo%'ls )ith )hich th'
Sovi't &rmy has arm'% its'l- ;h'n on' o- a man4s pock'ts contains banknot's an%
th' oth'r simply hol%s pi'c's o- pap'r! it is Guit' impossibl' to t'll )hich is )hich -rom
th' outsi%'
$h' curr'nt Sovi't policy conc'rning 'Guipm'nt is a )is' on'66to amass -irst6class
but v'ry simpl' 'Guipm'nt in Guantiti's su--ici'nt -or th' -irst -') )''ks o- a )ar "-
th' )ar continu's! 'Guipm'nt )ill b' pro%uc'% on an 'normous scal'! but in variants
112
)hich hav' b''n simpli-i'% to th' gr'at'st possibl' '/t'nt B/p'ri'nc' o- pro%ucing
both stan%ar% an% Imonk'y4 mo%'ls is b'ing gain'% in p'ac'tim'F th' simpl'r
variants ar' b'ing sol% to th' Ibroth'rs4 an% I-ri'n%s4 o- th' 0SS< as th' v'ry lat'st
'Guipm'nt availabl'


(earning from istakes

1

$h' )int'r o- 19#9 )as an '/c'ptionally bitt'r on' in th' Sovi't 7ar Bast ;h'n th'
-irst clash's )ith th' Chin's' took plac' on th' riv'r 0ssuri! an% b'-or' combat
%ivisions r'ach'% th' ar'a! th' pr'ssur' '/'rt'% by th' 'n'my )as born' by th' C8?
-ronti'r troops &-t'r th' clash )as ov'r! th' 8'n'ral Sta-- h'l% a car'-ul inv'stigation
into all th' mistak's an% ov'rsights )hich ha% occurr'% "t )as Guickly %iscov'r'%
that s'v'ral C8? sol%i'rs ha% -ro@'n to %'ath in th' sno)! simply b'caus' th'y ha%
n'v'r r'c'iv'% 'l'm'ntary instruction in sl''ping out in t'mp'ratur's b'lo) @'ro
$his )as alarming n')s & commission -rom th' 8'n'ral Sta-- imm'%iat'ly carri'%
out '/p'rim'nts )ith thr'' %ivisions! chos'n at ran%om! an% cam' to a %'pr'ssing
conclusion ;artim' '/p'ri'nc' ha% b''n irr'vocably lost an% th' mo%'rn Sovi't
sol%i'r ha% not b''n taught ho) h' coul% sl''p in th' sno) (aturally h' )as not
allo)'% a sl''ping bag an% o- cours' h' )as -orbi%%'n to light a -ir' (ormally a
sol%i'r )oul% sp'n% nights )h'n th' t'mp'ratur' )as b'lo) -r''@ing6point in his
v'hicl' ?ut )hat )as h' to %o i- th' v'hicl' )as put out o- action=
$h' chi'-s o- sta-- o- all %ivisions )'r' imm'%iat'ly summon'% to Mosco) $h'y
)'r' giv'n a %ay4s instruction in th' t'chniGu' o- sl''ping out in sno) at -r''@ing
t'mp'ratur's! using only a gr'atcoat $h'n 'ach o- th'm )as r'Guir'% to convinc'
hims'l- that this )as possibl'! by sl''ping in th' sno) -or thr'' nights ("t shoul% b'
r'm'mb'r'% that March in Soln'chnogorsk! n'ar Mosco)! is a har% month! )ith sno)
on th' groun% an% t'mp'ratur's b'lo) @'ro) $h'n th' chi'-s o- sta-- r'turn'% to th'ir
%ivisions an% imm'%iat'ly th' 'ntir' Sovi't &rmy )as put to a v'ry har% t'st66that o-
sp'n%ing a night in th' op'n in numbing col% an% )ithout any '/tra clothing "t
s''m'% as i- thos' )ho )'r' station'% in %'s'rts in th' south )'r' in luck ?ut no66
th'y )'r' s'nt by turns to 'ith'r Sib'ria or th' north to b' put through th' sam'
tough training $h'r'a-t'r! sp'n%ing a night in th' sno) b'cam' a part o- all military
training programm's
$)o y'ars b'-or' this! -ollo)ing th' sham'-ul %'-'ats in Sinai! )h'n it ha% b'com'
cl'ar ho) much &rab sol%i'rs -'ar tanks an% napalm! urg'nt or%'rs ha% b''n issu'%!
making it compulsory -or all Sovi't sol%i'rs an% o--ic'rs! up to th' rank o- g'n'ral! to
Aump through roaring -lam's! an% to sh'lt'r in shallo) pits as tanks clatt'r'% by Aust
abov' th'ir h'a%s! or! i- th'y coul% not -in% 'v'n this prot'ction! to li' on th' groun%
b't)''n th' tracks o- th' roaring v'hicl's
$h' Sovi't &rmy r'6l'arn'% its l'ssons )ithin a singl' %ay " hav' -'lt napalm on
my o)n skin! " hav' crouch'% in a pit as a tank crash'% by ov'rh'a%! an% " hav'
sp'nt t'rribl' nights in th' sno)
&t th' b'ginning o- th' )ar! th' <'% &rmy ha% no i%'a ho) to organis' th' %'-'nc'
o- th' country or! particularly! o- th' larg' to)ns "t ha% n'v'r b''n taught ho) to %o
this "t ha% only l'arn'% ho) to attack an% ho) to Icarry th' )ar on to th' 'n'my4s
t'rritory4 :o)'v'r! th' )ar b'gan in accor%anc' )ith th' plans o- th' 8'rman
8'n'ral Sta-- rath'r than o- th'ir Sovi't oppon'nts >n' catastroph' -ollo)'% anoth'r
&tt'mpts to %'-'n% Minsk last'% -or thr'' %ays! to hol% Ci'v -or t)o %ays Bv'ryon'
113
)as at th'ir )its4 'n% to kno) ho) to organis' things b'tt'r Ci'v -'ll at th' 'n% o-
S'pt'mb'r an% by >ctob'r 8u%'rian )as approaching Mosco) Su%%'nly! som'thing
Guit' astonishing happ'n'% Sovi't %'-'nc's b'cam' imp'n'trabl'! sp'ci-ically thos'
aroun% Mosco)! $ula an% $v'r4 7or th' -irst tim' in th' cours' o- th' S'con% ;orl%
;ar! th' 8'rman military machin' )as brought to a stan%still "t is sai% that -r''@ing
)'ath'r play'% its part in turning th' ti%' $his )as tru' 'nough in (ov'mb'r an%
.'c'mb'r! but in >ctob'r th' )'ath'r )as sunny Som'thing ha% happ'n'%F a ra%ical
chang' ha% occurr'% $h' n'/t y'ar! th' battl' -or Stalingra% took plac'66th' city )as
%'-'n%'% throughout th' summ'r! an% -rosts play'% no part in th' outcom' $his
campaign )ill go %o)n in history as a mo%'l -or th' %'-'nc' o- a larg' city & s'con%
such mo%'l is th' %'-'nc' o- ,'ningra% )hich h'l% out -or almost thr'' y'ars! %uring
)hich on' an% a hal- million o- its citi@'ns lost th'ir liv's "t )as un%'r attack -or t)o
)int'rs an% thr'' summ'rs 7r''@ing t'mp'ratur's play'% no rol' h'r' 'ith'r66th'
city coul% hav' b''n tak'n %uring any s'ason in th's' thr'' y'ars
"n th' Sovi't &rmy th' %ivi%ing lin' b't)''n inability to p'r-orm a particular rol'
an% th' capacity to carry it out )ith gr'at pro-'ssional skill is almost in%isc'rnibl'
$ransitions -rom on' to th' oth'r occur almost instantan'ously! not only in tactics!
strat'gy an% th' training o- p'rsonn'l but also in 'Guipm'nt programm's

2

&t th' b'ginning o- th' 19#+s a %iscussion %'v'lop'% in th' ;'st'rn military
Aournals about th' n''% -or a n') in-antry combat v'hicl'H this must b' amphibious!
)'ll armour'%! an% highly mano'uvrabl'! an% must hav' consi%'rabl' -ir'6po)'r $h'
Sovi't military pr'ss r'spon%'% only )ith a %'athly sil'nc' $h' %iscussion gath'r'%
str'ngth! th'r' )as much argum'nt -or an% against th' proposition! int'nsiv' t'sts
)'r' carri'% out th' Sovi't 0nion r'main'% sil'nt
>n' night to)ar%s th' 'n% o- 19## h'avy transport'rs arriv'% at our military
aca%'my carrying unusual v'hicl's o- som' sort! )hich )'r' cov'r'% in tarpaulins
$h's' )'r' ?MP61s66amphibious! -i'n%ishly mano'uvrabl'! )'ll6armour'% an% h'avily
arm'% ?y 19#1 this v'hicl' )as b'ing pro%uc'% in gr'at numb'rsH m'an)hil' th'
%iscussion in th' ;'st continu'% >nly ;'st 8'rmany took any positiv' st'ps! by
buil%ing th' IMar%'r466)hich )as an '/c'll'nt v'hicl'! but )as not amphibious an%
carri'% almost th' sam' armam'nt as pr'vious 8'rman armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs
Sa%ly! it )as also '/c'ptionally complicat'% in %'sign
"n th' 'arly 198+s! th' %iscussion is still in progr'ss in th' ;'stF th' -irst t'ntativ'
st'ps hav' b''n tak'n! but at pr's'nt! as b'-or'! th' 0nit'% Stat's has armour'%
p'rsonn'l carri'rs )hich ar' arm'% only )ith machin'6guns >- cours'! ;'st'rn
sp'cialists hav' -oun% many -aults in th' construction o- th' ?MP61 ?ut this is
y'st'r%ay4s pro%uct66an% th' Imonk'y mo%'l4 o- it at that $h' Sovi't 0nion has b''n
pro%ucing a s'con% g'n'ration o- ?MPs in massiv' Guantiti's -or a long tim' no)
)hil'! in th' ;'st! %iscussion continu's
$h' sam' has happ'n'% )ith military h'licopt'rs! s'l-6prop'll'% artill'ry! automatic
mortars an% many oth'r typ's o- 'Guipm'nt


)hen %ill %e be able to dispense %ith the tank+

1

114
>n' %ay! in Paris! " bought a book! publish'% in 1921! on th' probl'ms o- a -utur'
)ar $h' author )as sob'r6min%'% an% r'asonabl' :is logic )as soun%! his analysis
)as shr')% an% his argum'nts unassailabl' &-t'r analysing th' )ay military
'Guipm'nt ha% %'v'lop'% in his li-'tim'! th' author conclu%'% by %'claring that th'
prop'r plac' -or th' tank )as in th' mus'um! n'/t to th' %inosaur sk'l'tons :is
argum'nt )as simpl' an% logicalH anti6tank guns ha% b''n %'v'lop'% to th' point at
)hich th'y )oul% bring massiv' -ormations o- tanks to a compl't' halt in any -utur'
)ar! Aust as machin' guns ha% compl't'ly stopp'% th' cavalry in th' 7irst ;orl% ;ar
" %o not kno) )h'th'r th' author liv'% until 195+! to s'' th' 8'rman tanks
s)''ping along th' Paris boul'var%s! past th' spot at )hich! many %'ca%'s lat'r! "
)as to buy my %usty copy o- his book! its l'av's y'llo)ing )ith ag' $h' b'li'- that
th' tank is r'aching th' 'n% o- its li-' is its'l- surprisingly long6liv'% &t th' b'ginning
o- th' 19#+s! 7ranc' %'ci%'% to stop pro%uction o- tanks! b'caus' th'ir 'ra )as ov'r
"t is -ortunat' that this %'lusion )as shatt'r'% by th' "sra'lis4 ol% ISh'rman4 tanks in
th' Sinai p'ninsula "sra'l4s brilliant victory sho)'% th' )hol' )orl%! onc' again! that
no anti6tank )'apon is abl' to stop tanks in a )ar! provi%'%! o- cours'! that th'y ar'
us'% skil-ully
$h' argum'nt us'% by th' tank4s %'tractors is simpl'66I9ust look at th' anti6tank
rock'ts66at th'ir accuracy an% at th'ir armour6pi'rcing capabilityJ4 ?ut this argum'nt
%o's not hol% )at'r $h' anti6tank rock't is a %'-'nsiv' )'apon66part o- a passiv'
syst'm $h' tank! on th' oth'r han%! is an o--'nsiv' )'apon &ny %'-'nsiv' syst'm
involv's th' %isp'rsal o- -orc's ov'r a )i%' t'rritory! l'aving th'm strong in som'
plac's an% )'ak in oth'rs &n% it is )h'r' th'y ar' )'ak that th' tanks )ill app'ar! in
'normous conc'ntrations Bv'n i- it )'r' possibl' to %istribut' r'sourc's 'Gually! this
)oul% m'an that no on' s'ctor )oul% hav' 'nough $ry %'ploying Aust t'n anti6tank
rock'ts along 'v'ry kilom'tr' o- th' -ront $h' tanks )ill th'n choos' on' particular
spot an% )ill attack it in th'ir hun%r'%s! or p'rhaps thousan%s! simultan'ously "- you
conc'ntrat' your anti6tank r'sourc's! th' tanks )ill simply by6pass th'm $h'y ar' an
o--'nsiv' )'apon an% th'y hav' th' initiativ' in battl'! b'ing abl' to choos' )h'n an%
)h'r' to attack an% ho) strong a -orc' to us'
$h' hop' that th' p'r-'ction o- anti6tank )'apons )oul% l'a% to th' %'ath o- th'
tank has b''n sho)n to b' compl't'ly un-oun%'% "t is lik' hoping that th' 'l'ctronic
%'-'nc's o- banks )ill b'com' so p'r-'ct in th' -utur' that bank robb'rs )ill %i' out
as a br''% " assur' you that bank robb'rs )ill not b'com' '/tinct $h'y )ill improv'
th'ir tools! th'ir tactics! th'ir in-ormation about th'ir targ'ts an% th'ir m'tho%s o-
misl'a%ing th'ir 'n'mi's an% th'y )ill continu' to carry out rai%s Som'tim's th's'
)ill -ail! som'tim's th'y )ill succ''%! but th'y )ill continu' so long as banks continu'
to '/ist $h' robb'rs hav' th' sam' a%vantag' as tanks66th'y ar' on th' o--'nsiv'
$h'y %'ci%' )h'r'! )h'n an% ho) to attack an% )ill %o so only )h'n th'y ar'
con-i%'nt o- succ'ss! )h'n th'y hav' s'cr'tly %iscov'r'% a )'ak spot in th' 'n'my4s
%'-'nc's! )hos' '/ist'nc' is unkno)n 'v'n to th' 'n'my hims'l-

2

Sovi't g'n'rals hav' n'v'r b''n -ac'% )ith probl'ms o- this sort $h'y hav' al)ays
kno)n that victory in a )ar can only b' achi'v'% by a%vancing $o th'm %'-'nsiv'
op'rations sp'll %'-'at an% %'ath "n th' b'st cas'! such op'rations can only pro%uc'
a %'a%lock! an% not -or long! at that Victory can only b' achi'v'% by m'ans o- an
o--'nsiv'66by s'i@ing th' initiativ' an% raining blo)s on th' 'n'my4s most vuln'rabl'
ar'as
$hus! to )in! you must attack! you must mov' -or)ar% un'/p'ct'%ly an% )ith
%'t'rmination! you must a%vanc' 7or this you n''% a v'hicl' )hich can trav'l
115
any)h'r' to %'stroy th' 'n'my! pr'-'rably r'maining unscath'% its'l- $h' on'
v'hicl' )hich combin's mov'm'nt! -ir'6po)'r an% armour is th' tank P'rhaps! in th'
-utur'! its armour )ill b' p'r-'ct'%! p'rhaps it )ill not hav' tracks but )ill trav'l in
som' oth'r )ay (th'r' hav' b''n )h''l'% tanks)! p'rhaps it )ill not hav' a gun but
b' arm'% )ith som'thing 'ls' (th'r' hav' b''n tanks arm'% sol'ly )ith rock'ts)!
p'rhaps all sorts o- things )ill b' chang'%! but its most important charact'ristics66its
ability to mov'! to shoot an% to %'-'n% its'l-66)ill r'main &s long as th'r' ar' )ars!
as long as th' %'sir' -or victory lasts! th' tank )ill '/ist (ucl'ar )ar has not only not
)ritt'n it o--! but has giv'n it a n') l'as' o- li-'66nothing is so suit'% to nucl'ar )ar
as a tank $o surviv' a nucl'ar )ar you must put your mon'y on th's' st''l bo/'s


The $lying Tank

1

.riv' a tank on to an air-i'l% an% park it n'ar a military aircra-t ('/t put a
h'licopt'r b't)''n th' tank an% th' aircra-t (o)! look at 'ach o- th'm an% th'n
ans)'r th' Gu'stion66)hich %o's th' h'licopt'r r's'mbl' mor'66th' tank or th'
aircra-t=
" kno) )hat your opinion )ill b' *ou %on4t n''% to t'll m' ?ut th' Sovi't g'n'rals
b'li'v' that to all int'nts an% purpos's th' h'licopt'r is a tank "n -act th'y -in% it
%i--icult to %istinguish b't)''n th' t)o C'rtainly th'r' is v'ry littl' in common
b't)''n th' h'licopt'r an% th' aircra-t Small %'tails! lik' th' ability to -ly! but
nothing mor'
>- cours'! th'y ar' right $h' h'licopt'r is r'lat'% to th' tank! not to th' aircra-t
$h' r'asoning b'hin% this is simpl' 'nough66in battl' a tank can s'i@' 'n'my t'rritory
an% a h'licopt'r can %o th' sam' ?ut an aircra-t cannot &n aircra-t can %'stroy
'v'rything on th' sur-ac' an% %''p b'lo) it! but it can not s'i@' an% hol% t'rritory
7or this r'ason! th' Sovi't &rmy s''s th' h'licopt'r as a tank66on' )hich is capabl'
o- high sp''%s an% unr'strict'% cross6country p'r-ormanc'! but is only lightly
armour'% "t also has appro/imat'ly th' sam' -ir'6po)'r as a tank
$h' tactics 'mploy'% in th' us' o- h'licopt'rs an% tanks ar' strikingly similar &n
aircra-t is vuln'rabl' b'caus' in most cas's it can only op'rat' -rom an air-i'l% ?oth
th' h'licopt'r an% th' tank op'rat' in op'n groun% &n aircra-t is vuln'rabl' b'caus'
it -li's abov' th' 'n'my & h'licopt'r an% a tank both s'' th' 'n'my in -ront o- th'm
$o attack! a h'licopt'r %o's not n''% to -ly ov'r th' 'n'my or to g't clos' to him
$h' intro%uction o- th' h'licopt'r )as not gr''t'% )ith any particular 'nthusiasm
by th' &ir 7orc's! but th' ,an% 7orc's )'r' Aubilant66h'r' )as a tank )ith a rotor
inst'a% o- tracks! )hich n''% not -'ar min'-i'l%s or riv'rs or mountains
"t is th'r'-or' not surprising that th' airborn' assault briga%'s ()hich ar' carri'%
by h'licopt'r) -orm part o- th' compl'm'nt o- $ank &rmi's or o- 7ronts! )hich us'
th'm -or Aoint op'rations )ith $ank &rmi's
&t th' pr's'nt mom'nt th' Sovi't M"625 is th' b'st combat h'licopt'r in th' )orl%
$his is not Aust my p'rsonal opinion! but on' )hich is shar'% by ;'st'rn military
'/p'rts Cno)ing th' a--'ction )hich Sovi't Marshals hav' -or th'ir h'licopt'rs! "
proph'sy that 'v'n b'tt'r variants o- th's' -lying tanks )ill app'ar in th' n'/t -')
y'ars >r ar' th'y! p'rhaps! alr'a%y -lying abov' Saratov or som')h'r'! 'v'n though
)' hav' not b''n sho)n th'm y't=


116
The ost Important )eapon

1

?'-or' th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar 'ach army ha% its o)n approach to Gu'stions o-
%'-'nc' .ra)ing on th'ir '/p'ri'nc' o- th' 7irst ;orl% ;ar! th' 7r'nch consi%'r'%
that th'ir main probl'm )as to surviv' artill'ry bombar%m'nts! )hich might continu'
-or s'v'ral %ays or 'v'n s'v'ral months $h' 8'rman g'n'rals %'ci%'% that th'y must
mak' th'ir -orc's capabl' o- r'p'lling attacks by all 'n'my arms o- s'rvic' $h'
Sovi't g'n'rals conclu%'% that th'y must avoi% %iluting th'ir r'sourc's an% that th'y
must conc'ntrat' on th' most important o- th' arms o- s'rvic' Sinc' -or th'm this
)as th' tank! th'y sa) %'-'nc' pur'ly as %'-'nc' against tanks $h'ir %'-'nc' syst'm
coul% th'r'-or' only b' consi%'r'% compl't' )h'n th'ir -orc's )'r' ask'% to r'puls'
tank attacks "- )' can only stop th' 'n'my4s tanks! th' g'n'rals r'ason'%!
'v'rything 'ls' )ill b' halt'%! too
$h'y )'r' right! as many 8'rman g'n'rals! th' -irst o- )hom )as 8u%'rian! hav'
ackno)l'%g'% Many o- th' battl's )hich took plac' on Sovi't t'rritory -ollo)'% a
stan%ar% sc'nario $h' 8'rman -orc's )oul% launch a v'ry po)'r-ul tank attack!
)hich! -rom th' s'con% hal- o- 1952 on)ar%s th' Sovi't troops al)ays succ''%'% in
halting $his )as th' cours' o- 'v'nts at Stalingra%! at Cursk an% in :ungary! in th'
?alaton op'rations 7rom 1952 on)ar%s! having '/haust'% th'ir capacity -or
launching such attacks! th' 8'rman -orc's )'r' or%'r'% by :itl'r to a%opt a strat'gy
o- %'-'nc' in %'pth ?ut this )as not th' )ay to oppos' tanks $his strat'gy %i% not
'nabl' th' 8'rman army to halt a singl' br'akthrough by Sovi't tanks

2

<'m'mb'ring th' )ar! Sovi't g'n'rals insist that %'-'nc' must m'an! -irst an%
-or'most! %'-'nc' against tanks $h' 'n'my can gain victori's only by a%vancing an%!
in th' nucl'ar ag'! as b'-or'! o--'nsiv' op'rations )ill b' carri'% out by tanks an%
in-antry >th'r -orc's can not carry out an o--'nsiv'H th'ir only rol' is to support th'
tanks an% th' in-antry $hus! %'-'nc' is 'ss'ntially a battl' against tanks
$h' most important )'apon in achi'ving victory is th' tank $h' most important
)'apon in %'priving th' 'n'my o- victory is th' anti6tank )'apon $h' Sovi't 0nion
th'r'-or' %'vot's gr'at att'ntion to th' %'v'lopm'nt o- anti6tank )'apons &s a
r'sult! it is -r'Gu'ntly th' -irst in th' )orl% )ith r'ally r'volutionary t'chnical an%
tactical innovations 7or '/ampl'! as 'arly as 1933! th' 0SS< b'gan pro%uction o- th'
I<apira4 smoothbor' anti6tank gun! )hich has an astonishingly high mu@@l' v'locity
"n its intro%uction o- this )'apon it l'% th' ;'st by mor' than a Guart'r o- a c'ntury
"n th' sam' y'ar a start )as also ma%' )ith pro%uction o- th' &P(?61+ in-ra6r'%
night sight! -or th' I<apira4 Sights o- this typ' )'r' not issu'% to ;'st'rn armi's -or
anoth'r t'n y'ars
$h'! Sovi't &rmy tak's '/c'ptionally strict m'asur's to sa-'guar% th' s'cr'ts o- its
anti6tank )'apons Many o- th's' ar' compl't'ly unkno)n in th' ;'st $h' Chi'-
.ir'ctorat' o- Strat'gic Camou-lag' insists that th' only anti6tank )'apons )hich may
b' %isplay'% ar' thos' )hich can b' '/port'%66in oth'r )or%s th' l'ast '--'ctiv' on's
$h' syst'ms )hich may not b' '/port'% ar' n'v'r %'monstrat'% but r'main unkno)n
-rom th'ir birth! throughout th'ir s'cr't li-' an% o-t'n! 'v'n! a-t'r th'ir %'ath ;' )ill
say som'thing about th's' lat'r

2
117

?'caus' th'y consi%'r anti6tank )ar-ar' to b' so important! Sovi't g'n'rals insist
that 'v'ry sol%i'r an% 'v'ry )'apon syst'm shoul% b' capabl' o- attacking tanks
Bv'ry sol%i'r is th'r'-or' arm'% )ith a singl'6shot IMukha4 anti6tank rock't
launch'r $h's' rock't launch'rs ar' issu'% to all motor transport %riv'rs an% to thos'
b'longing to sta--! r'ar6support an% all oth'r au/iliary sub6units
;h'n th' ?MP61 in-antry combat v'hicl' )as b'ing %'v'lop'%! th' %'sign'rs
sugg'st'% a 22mm gun as its armam'nt66this )oul% b' '--'ctiv' against in-antry! an%
is simpl' an% 'asy to loa% ?ut th' g'n'rals oppos'% thisF as a -irst priority! th'
v'hicl' must b' capabl' o- opposing tanksF it must hav' anti6tank rock'ts an% a gun
)hich! 'v'n though small! coul% b' us'% against tanks $h' ?MP61 )as th'r'-or'
-itt'% )ith a 12mm automatic gun! capabl' o- %'stroying any 'n'my tank at rang's o-
up to 1!2++ m'tr's! )ith anti6tank rock'ts )hich can b' us'% ov'r gr'at'r rang's
$h' -act that 2+mm automatic guns ar' -itt'% to ;'st'rn in-antry combat v'hicl's is
m't )ith -ri'n%ly incompr'h'nsion by Sovi't military sp'cialistsH I"- such a v'hicl' is
not capabl' o- taking on our tanks! )hy )as it built=4
"t is tru' that a light anti6aircra-t gun has r'c'ntly b''n mount'% on th' ?MP ?ut
this %o's not in%icat' any alt'ration in its main -unction $his gun is install'% as an
au/iliary )'apon! to suppl'm'nt th' anti6tank rock'ts an% also as an anti6h'licopt'r
)'apon "n oth'r )or%s! it is int'n%'% -or us' against th' -lying tank "nci%'ntally! th'
%'cision to -it it )as tak'n only a-t'r th' %'sign'rs ha% b''n abl' to %'monstrat' that
it coul% also b' us'% against conv'ntional! 'arthboun% tanks
&ll oth'r Sovi't )'apon syst'ms! 'v'n i- th'y ar' not primarily int'n%'% as anti6
tank )'apons! must also b' abl' to -unction as such &ccor%ingly! all Sovi't ho)it@'rs
ar' suppli'% )ith anti6tank sh'lls an% anti6aircra-t guns ar' much us'% against tanks66
th'ir t'ams ar' train'% -or this rol' an% ar' issu'% )ith suitabl' ammunition
?ut this is not all $h' n') &8S19 Plamya rock't6launch'r an% th' Vasil'k
automatic mortar can also b' us'% against tanks! as a s'con%ary -unction $h'y 'ach
hav' a rat' o- -ir' o- 12+ roun%s a minut' an% both ar' capabl' o- -lat traA'ctory -ir'
against a%vancing tanks
7inally! th' ?M621! ?M621! 8ra%6P an% oth'r salvo6-iring rock't launch'rs can -ir'
ov'r op'n sights an% -loo% oncoming tanks )ith -ir'


)hy are Anti.tank 0uns not Self.propelled+

1

;hy %o's th' Sovi't 0nion not us' s'l-6prop'll'% anti6tank guns= $his is a Gu'stion
)hich many ar' unabl' to ans)'r &-t'r all! a s'l-6prop'll'% gun is -ar mor' mobil' on
th' battl'6-i'l% than on' )hich is to)'%! an% its cr') is b'tt'r prot'ct'% $his
Gu'stion has alr'a%y b''n partially ans)'r'% in th' last chapt'r $h' Sovi't 0nion has
som' '/c'll'nt s'l-6prop'll'% anti6tank )'apon syst'ms66but it %o's not put th'm on
%isplay ('v'rth'l'ss! it is tru' that to)'% guns ar' in th' maAority ;hy is this so=
$h'r' ar' s'v'ral r'asonsH
$irstly: & to)'% anti6tank gun is many tim's 'asi'r to manu-actur' an% to us' than
on' )hich is s'l-6prop'll'% "n )artim' it might b' -'asibl' to r'%uc' th' pro%uction o-
tanksF th' '--'ct o- this )oul% simply b' to r'%uc' th' int'nsity o- o--'nsiv'
op'rations ?ut a %rop in th' pro%uction o- anti6tank )'apons )oul% b' catastrophic
;hat'v'r happ'ns! th'y must b' pro%uc'% in su--ici'nt Guantiti's >th'r)is' any tank
br'akthrough by th' 'n'my coul% prov' -atal -or th' )hol' military pro%uction
118
programm'! -or th' national 'conomy! an% -or th' Sovi't 0nion its'l- "n or%'r to
'nsur' that th's' guns ar' turn'% out! )hat'v'r th' situation! 'v'n in th' mi%st o- a
nucl'ar )ar! it is 'ss'ntial that th'y shoul% b' as simpl' in construction as possibl' "t
)as no chanc' that th' -irst Sovi't smoothbor' guns to b' pro%uc'% )'r' anti6tank
guns Smoothbor' guns -or Sovi't tanks )'r' brought out consi%'rably lat'r &lthough
a smooth barr'l r'%uc's th' accuracy o- -ir'! it 'nabl's mu@@l' v'locity to b' rais'%
consi%'rably! an%! most important o- all! it simpli-i's th' construction o- th' gun
Secondly: & to)'% gun has a v'ry lo) silhou'tt'! at l'ast hal- that o- a tank "n
singl' combat )ith a tank! 'sp'cially at ma/imum rang'! this o--'rs b'tt'r prot'ction
than armour plat' or mano'uvrability
Thirdly: &nti6tank guns ar' us'% in t)o situations "n %'-'nc'! )h'n th' 'n'my has
brok'n through! is a%vancing -ast an% must b' stopp'% at any pric' &n% in an
o--'nsiv' )h'n on'4s o)n troops hav' brok'n through an% ar' a%vancing rapi%ly! an%
th' 'n'my tri's to cut through th' sp'arh'a% at its bas'! )ith a -lank attack! cutting
o-- th' a%vancing -orc's -rom th'ir r'ar ar'as "n both th's' situations! anti6tank guns
must stop th' 'n'my4s tanks at som' pr'6%'t'rmin'% lin'! )hich h' must not b'
allo)'% to cross $o)'% guns ar' comp'll'%! by th' )'ight o- th'ir construction! to
-ight to th' %'ath $h'y ar' unabl' to mano'uvr' or to mov' to a b'tt'r position
C'rtainly! th'ir loss's ar' al)ays v'ry high $hat is )hy th'y ar' tra%itionally
nicknam'% I7ar')'ll! Moth'rlan%J4 ?ut by stopping th' 'n'my on th' pr'%'t'rmin'%
lin'! th' anti6tank sub6units can sav' th' )hol' %ivision! &rmy an% som'tim's th'
)hol' 7ront $his is )hat happ'n'% at Cursk "- th' anti6tank guns ha% b''n s'l-6
prop'll'%! th'ir comman%'r )oul% hav' b''n abl' to )ith%ra) to a mor'
a%vantag'ous position )h'n h' cam' un%'r 'n'my pr'ssur' $his )oul% hav' sav'%
his small anti6tank sub6unit! but it might hav' brought catastroph' to th' %ivision! th'
&rmy! th' 7ront an% p'rhaps to s'v'ral 7ronts
,'st s'%itious thoughts shoul% 'nt'r th' h'a% o- th' anti6tank comman%'r! an% so
that h' shoul% not think o- pulling back in a critical situation! his anti6tank guns hav'
no m'ans o- propulsion "n battl' th'ir armour'% tractors ar' hous'% in sh'lt'rsF th'y
)oul% scarc'ly b' abl' to pull th' guns a)ay -rom th' battl'! un%'r th' %'a%ly -ir' o-
th' 'n'my >nly on' option is availabl' to th' cr')s66to %i' on th' spot! as th'y
pr'v'nt th' 'n'my -rom crossing th' lin' )hich th'y ar' hol%ing
.uring th' )ar! on' o- th' main r'asons -or th' unyi'l%ing stability o- th' Sovi't
-ormations )as th' pr's'nc' among th'm o- hug' but virtually immobil' units o- anti6
tank guns


The $avourite )eapon

1

$h' Sovi't comman%'r4s -avourit' )'apon is th' mortar & mortar is simply a tub'!
on' 'n% o- )hich r'sts on a bas' plat'! )hil' th' oth'r 'n% points sky)ar%s!
support'% on t)o l'gs "t )oul% b' %i--icult to %'vis' a simpl'r )'apon! )hich is )hy
it is such a -avourit'
"n 1952! a t'rribl' y'ar -or th' 0SS<! %uring )hich military pro%uction -'ll to a
catastrophically lo) l'v'l! th' mortar )as th' on' )'apon )hich r'main'% availabl' to
'v'ry comman%'r
"n thr'' an% a hal- y'ars o- )ar! th' Sovi't 0nion pro%uc'% 258!+++ mortars "n th'
sam' p'rio%! 8'rmany pro%uc'% #8!+++ &ll th' r'maining countri's put tog'th'r
pro%uc'% consi%'rably l'ss than 8'rmany 7urth'rmor'! th' Sovi't mortars )'r' th'
119
most po)'r-ul in th' )orl% an% th' numb'r o- bombs pro%uc'% -or 'ach )as th'
high'st r'cor%'% any)h'r'
Sovi't comman%'rs valu' th' mortar so highly b'caus' o- its r'liability an% its
almost primitiv' simplicity! b'caus' it only tak's a -') minut's to t'ach a sol%i'r ho)
to us' it! an% b'caus' it n''%s almost no maint'nanc'66its barr'l is not 'v'n ri-l'%J
&n% th'y also lik' its imm'%iat' r'a%in'ss! in any situation! to -ir' Guit' h'avy bombs
at th' 'n'my! 'v'n though it lacks compl't' accuracy
$h' pr'ssur' g'n'rat'% insi%' a mortar barr'l )h'n it -ir's is r'lativ'ly lo) an%
th'r'-or' a mortar! unlik' a gun or a ho)it@'r! can -ir' cast6iron rath'r than st''l
bombs $his a%%s t)o -urth'r a%vantag's66-irstly! simplicity an% ch'apn'ss o-
pro%uction! s'con%ly th' -act that )h'n a cast iron bomb bursts it shatt'rs into v'ry
small splint'rs! )hich -orm a %'ns' -ragm'nt patt'rn St''l gun an% ho)it@'r sh'lls
ar' not only mor' '/p'nsiv' but ar' mor' soli%ly construct'% an% th'r'-or' pro%uc' a
small'r Guantity o- splint'rs! )hich %o not cov'r th' ar'a so %'ns'ly
"n 7ranc' an% th' 0S! a-t'r th' )ar! mortars )'r' improv'% $h'y ha% ri-l'% barr'ls
)hich gav' th'm gr'at'r accuracy &s 'arly as 1955! a Sovi't %'sign'r! ? ,
Shavyrin! ha% sugg'st'% that Sovi't mortars shoul% b' ri-l'%! but h' )as -irmly
r'bu--'%66it )as simpl'r to mak' t'n smoothbor' mortars than on' )ith ri-ling Bv'n i-
a ri-l'% mortar )as t)ic' as '--'ctiv' as a smoothbor' on'! th' latt'r )oul% th'r'-or'
still b' a -ar b'tt'r proposition! i- it )as only t)ic' as '--'ctiv'! but cost t'n tim's as
much to pro%uc'! it must rat' as a v'ry poor )'apon " 'ntir'ly agr'' )ith this point
o- vi')
?ut )hat about accuracy= you )ill ask "t is o- no signi-icanc' Sovi't comman%'rs
hav' chos'n a %i--'r'nt )ay o- approaching th' probl'm "- you hav' to pay -or
accuracy )ith compl'/ity o- %'sign! you ar' -ollo)ing th' )rong path Ouantity is th'
b'tt'r )ay to '/'rt pr'ssur' Sinc' t)o simpl'! smoothbor' mortars can %o th' )ork
o- on' ri-l'% on' )' )ill us' th' t)o simpl' on's! )hich )ill hav' th' a%%itional
a%vantag' o- pro%ucing a lot mor' nois'! %ust an% -ir' than on' &n% this is by no
m'ans unimportant in )ar $h' mor' nois' you pro%uc'! th' high'r th' moral' o- your
troops an% th' lo)'r that o- th' 'n'my ;hat is mor'! t)o mortars ar' har%'r to
%'stroy than on'
*'t anoth'r approach to th' probl'm )as %'vis'% $h' lack o- accuracy o- Sovi't
mortars is mor' than ma%' up -or by th' '/plosiv' po)'r o- th'ir bombs $o Sovi't
comman%'rs! th' b'st mortar is a larg' on'66th' bigg'r it is th' b'tt'r &t pr's'nt th'
larg'st &m'rican mortar is th'ir 1+#1mm! )hil' th' small'st Sovi't on' is 12+mm
$h' bigg'st &m'rican mortar tar bomb )'ighs 122 kilogramm's! th' small'st Sovi't
on' 1# kilogramm's ?ut b'si%'s this small mortar! th' Sovi't &rmy has a 1#+mm
v'rsion! )hich -ir's a 5+ kilogramm' bomb an% a 25+mm v'rsion )hich -ir's a 1++
kilogramm' bomb
&nyon' )ho has s''n 12+mm mortars -iring! 'sp'cially i- h' )as n'ar th'm! )ill
n'v'r -org't th' '/p'ri'nc' " hav' actually s''n 12 25+mm mortars in action
tog'th'r $h's' -ir' not 1# kilogramm' but 1++ kilogramm' bombs ;ithin t)'nty
minut's! 'ach mortar -ir'% 13 bombs $his r'pr's'nt'%! as " lat'r calculat'%! a total
o- 18 tons o- '/plosiv's an% cast6iron splint'rs " -oun% th' nois' absolut'ly
stagg'ring "t )as ama@ing that m'n coul% r'tain th'ir sanity in th' mi%st o- it ;hil'
th' -iring )as in progr'ss! on' ha% th' impr'ssion that thousan%s o- tons o- '/plosiv'
)'r' going o-- 'ach s'con% an% th' )hol' proc'ss s''m'% to last an ag' $h'
astonishing %'structiv' po)'r o- th's' mortars mak's up -or any inaccuracy in aiming
or in %isp'rsion " b'li'v' that this is th' corr'ct approach >nly on' country! "sra'l!
has ha% a chanc' to t'st th' valu' o- this '/c'ptionally ch'ap an% '--'ctiv' policy :'r
army has 1#+mm mortars " sinc'r'ly hop' that sh' )ill progr'ss -urth'r66sh' is on
th' right path
120

2

$h' outstan%ing simplicity! r'liability an% 'as' o- maint'nanc' o- th' 25+mm
mortar ar' vital Gualiti's! an% th'y play'% a %'cisiv' rol' )h'n th' mom'nt cam' to
%'ci%' )hich shoul% b' th' -irst artill'ry )'apon to -ir' nucl'ar proA'ctil's "t )as th'
obvious choic' an% it is no) many y'ars sinc' it )as s'l'ct'% -or this rol' "t )as also
a goo% choic'! b'ing comparativ'ly small! mano'uvrabl' an% 'asi'r to conc'al than a
gun &t th' sam' tim'! it has a hug' calibr'! )hich solv's s'v'ral t'chnical probl'ms
"ts mu@@l' v'locity is consi%'rably lo)'r than that o- a gun or a ho)it@'r $h'r' is
th'r'-or' no %ang'r that th' bomb )ill '/plo%' as it is -ir'% or that it )ill %'tonat'
acci%'ntally ;hat coul% b' b'tt'r=
"n 191+! a s'l-6prop'll'% v'rsion o- th' 25+mm mortar )as intro%uc'% "t )as
install'% on a track'% 8MK chassis $his gr'atly incr'as'% its mobility! its ability to
mov' across rough country an% th' prot'ction provi%'% -or th' cr') $his
%'v'lopm'nt -urth'r incr'as'% th' a--'ction )hich th' Sovi't g'n'rals r's'rv' -or th'
mortar &t this p'rio% only 7ronts an% 8'n'ral :'a%Guart'rs r's'rv's )'r' 'Guipp'%
)ith th's' )'apons :o)'v'r! &rmy an% %ivisional comman%'rs! as on' man!
implor'% 'v'ry m''ting th'y att'n%'% at th' Ministry o- .'-'nc' to giv' 'ach
%ivisional comman%'r a battalion o- th's' mortars an% th'y also ask'% that 'ach
&rmy comman%'r shoul% hav' at l'ast a r'gim'nt o- th'm $h'ir pl'as )'r' h'ar%
an% soon th'y r'c'iv'% th' mortars &n% )hy not= "t is a-t'r all! th' simpl'st an% th'
most 'conomical )'apon imaginabl'
"t4s all right -or th' g'n'rals! you )ill say! but )hat about th' battalion
comman%'rs= Must th'y b' cont'nt )ith )hat th'ir pr'%'c'ssors ha% in th' S'con%
;orl% ;ar= $h' numb'r o- mortars in a battalion coul% har%ly b' incr'as'%! -or that
)oul% m'an that hal- th' in-antry )oul% hav' to b' r'classi-i'% as artill'ry (or is it
possibl' to incr'as' th' calibr' o- battalion mortars $his )oul% mak' th'm too h'avy
to -ollo) th' in-antry )h'r'v'r it go's
& )ay out o- this situation! too! has b''n -oun% "n 1911 th' IVasil'k4 automatic
mortar )as issu'% to battalions "ts intro%uction %i% not m'an that th' insist'nc' on
simplicity ha% b''n %ropp'% $his automatic )'apon is as uncomplicat'% as a
Calashnikov ;h'n n'c'ssary! it can -ir' singl' shots &s an automatic )'apon it -ir's
12+ bombs a minut' "t %i--'rs -rom all 'arli'r mortars in b'ing capabl' o- both high
an% -lat traA'ctory -ir' "t can -ir' both normal an% anti6tank bombs "- n'c'ssary! a
battalion comman%'r can mov' his )hol' mortar batt'ry to a s'ctor thr'at'n'% by
'n'my tanks an% can sho)'r th'm )ith 12+ anti6tank bombs 'v'ry minut'
$h' Vasil'k is b'ing pro%uc'% on a s'l-6prop'll'%! armour'% chassis an% also in a
to)'% variant Si/ o- th'm giv' a battalion comman%'r gr'atly incr'as'% capability to
bring conc'ntrat'% -ir' to b'ar on a %'cisiv' s'ctor


)hy do Calibres Vary+

1

;h'n th' Sovi't 0nion -irst %isplay'% th' ?MP61 in-antry combat v'hicl' in a
para%'! its %'signation an% th' calibr' o- its guns )'r' unkno)n 7rom car'-ul
'/amination o- photographs! ;'st'rn analysts conclu%'% that th' calibr' o- th' gun
must b' b't)''n 1+ an% 8+mm "n this rang' th'r' )as only on' gun66th' 1#mm!
)hich is still! as it has b''n -or many y'ar! a stan%ar% )'apon in both th' Sovi't
121
&rmy an% th' Sovi't (avy $his gun )as th' most )i%'ly %istribut'% o- all Sovi't
artill'ry )'apons b'-or'! %uring an% a-t'r th' )ar an% its calibr' occurs again an%
again in %'signations o- Sovi't 'Guipm'nt ('g $62561#! th' S061#! th' P$61#) Sinc'
this s''m'% a sa-' %'%uction! ;'st'rn han%books list'% th' n') Sovi't v'hicl' as th'
?MP61#
$h'n s'v'ral ?MP61s )'r' captur'% in th' Mi%%l' Bast an% car'-ully '/amin'% $o
th' ama@'m'nt o- th' sp'cialists! it )as 'stablish'% that th' calibr' o- th' gun )as
12mm $his )as virtually th' sam' as th' 1#mm! so )hy )'r' th' Sovi't %'sign'rs
not using this trust'% calibr'= ;hy th' variation=
M'an)hil'! photographs o- n') Sovi't tanks66th' $6#5 an% $61266ha% b'gun to
app'ar in ;'st'rn Aournals Painstaking analysis sho)'% that th' calibr' o- th' gun
carri'% by both th's' tanks )as 123mm ?ut this calibr' %i% not '/ist! 'ith'r in th'
0SS< or 'ls')h'r' Many o- th' '/p'rts r'-us'% to acc'pt th' analysts4 conclusion!
ass'rting that th' n') tanks must hav' 122mm guns 122mm66lik' 1#mm66is a
stan%ar% calibr'! )hich has b''n in continuous us' sinc' b'-or' th' <'volution $h'
122 ho)it@'r is th' larg'st in us' in th' Sovi't &rmy Most h'avy armour'% v'hicl's
ha% an% still hav' guns o- this calibr'66th' "S62! "S62! $61+! $1+6M! S06122! "S06122!
"$6122 an% most r'c'ntly th' n')! s'l-6prop'll'% I8vo@%ika4 ho)it@'r! 'v'n though
this app'ar'% consi%'rably lat'r than th' $6#5 ?ut th'n th' n') Sovi't tanks b'gan
to app'ar abroa% an% all %oubt 'n%'%66th'y %i% hav' 123mm guns ;hat )as all this
about= ;hy )'r' all pr'vious stan%ar%s b'ing aban%on'%= ;hat lay b'hin% it all=

2

$h' s)itch -rom '/isting calibr's )as not th' r'sult o- a )himF rath'r! it )as a
car'-ully thought6out policy66on' )hich has a long history "t )as initiat'% by Stalin
hims'l-! a -') hours b'-or' 8'rmany4s surpris' attack on th' 0SS<
"t )as on th' 'v' o- th' )ar that th' Sovi't naval an% coastal artill'ry )'r' -irst
issu'% )ith th' '/c'll'nt 12+mm gun $his )as subs'Gu'ntly us'% as an anti6tank
gun an% as a -i'l% gun an% -inally! in a s'l-6prop'll'% variant &lso Aust b'-or' th' )ar!
in th' spring o- 1951! a highly succ'ss-ul rock't launch'r )as %'v'lop'% in th' 0SS<
$his )as th' ?M612! )hich coul% -ir' 1# 12+mm rock'ts simultan'ously "t lat'r
b'cam' kno)n to th' Sovi't &rmy as th' ICatyusha4 an% to th' 8'rmans as th'
IStalin >rgan4 (aturally! th' '/ist'nc' o- both th' gun an% th' rock't launch'r )'r'
k'pt 'ntir'ly s'cr't
"n th' -irst %ays o- 9un' 1951 th' n') rock't launch'r )as sho)n to m'mb'rs o-
th' Politburo! in Stalin4s pr's'nc' :o)'v'r! it )as not -ir'%! b'caus' artill'ry sh'lls
inst'a% o- rock'ts ha% b''n %'liv'r'% to th' t'st rang' $h' mistak' )as
un%'rstan%abl'! in vi') o- th' gr'at @'al )ith )hich s'cr'cy )as b'ing pr's'rv'%66
ho) coul% th' or%inanc' o--ic'rs possibly hav' kno)n o- th' '/ist'nc' o- th' 12+mm
rock'ts! )hich bor' no r's'mblanc' to artill'ry sh'lls=
Cno)ing Stalin! thos' pr's'nt assum'% that 'v'ryon' r'sponsibl' -or this mistak'
)oul% b' shot imm'%iat'ly :o)'v'r! Stalin tol% th' Ch'kists not to g't involv'% an%
)'nt back to Mosco)
$h' s'con% %'monstration took plac' on 21 9un' at Soln'chnogorsk $his tim'
'v'rything )'nt o-- v'ry )'ll Stalin )as %'light'% )ith th' rock't launch'r $h'n an%
th'r'! on th' rang'! h' sign'% an or%'r authorising its issu' to th' Sovi't &rmy
:o)'v'r! h' %ir'ct'% that h'nc'-orth! in or%'r to avoi% con-usion! th' rock'ts shoul%
b' r'-'rr'% to as 122mm! not as 12+mm
&ccor%ingly! )hil' th' rock't launch'r continu'% to b' kno)n as th' ?M612 (12cm
b'ing 12+mm)! th' rock'ts )'r' h'nc'-orth r'-'rr'% to! %'spit' th'ir tru' calibr'! as
122mm $hat v'ry night th' )ar b'gan
122
.uring th' )ar! proA'ctil's o- all typ's )'r' -ir'% in 'normous Guantiti's! r'aching
astronomical totals $h'y )'r' transport'% -or thousan%s o- kilom'tr's! un%'r
constant 'n'my attack ;hil' th'y )'r' b'ing mov'% th'y ha% to b' trans6shipp'%
again an% again an% this )as %on' by schoolboys! by ol% p'asants! by convicts -rom
prisons an% camps! by 8'rman prison'rs an% by Sovi't sol%i'rs )ho ha% only b''n in
th' army -or t)o or thr'' %ays >r%'rs an% r'Guisitions -or th' rock'ts )'r' pass'%
hastily by t'l'phon' -rom '/chang' to '/chang' an% ma%' all but inau%ibl' by
int'r-'r'nc' ?ut th'r' )'r' no mistak's Bv'ryon' coul% un%'rstan% that I;' n''%
12+s4 )as a r'-'r'nc' to artill'ry sh'lls an% it )as 'Gually cl'ar that I162624 m'ant
rock'ts
"n 1952 th' %'sign o- th' rock'ts )as mo%'rnis'% an% th'ir grouping capability an%
%'structiv' '--'ct )as improv'% "n th' proc'ss! th'y b'cam' slightly thick'r! an%
th'ir calibr' )as incr'as'% to 122mm66thus coming to match th'ir %'signation

Stalin4s %'cision ha% prov'% corr'ct an%! as a r'sult! a s'ri's o- artill'ry )'apons
)ith unusual calibr's )'r' %'v'lop'% %uring th' )ar $h'y app'ar'%! o- cours'! only
)h'n an unusual sh'll or rock't )as %'sign'% 7or instanc'! in 1951 a start )as ma%'
)ith th' %'v'lopm'nt o- a hug' mortar )hich )as n''%'% to -ir' a 5+ kilogram bomb
$h' calibr' o- th' mortar coul% hav' b''n! -or instanc'! 132mm! lik' th' gr'at
maAority o- Sovi't guns an% ho)it@'rs >bviously! ho)'v'r! a ho)it@'r sh'll )oul% b'
unsuitabl' -or a mortar an% vic' v'rsa & mortar -ir's a particular typ' o- proA'ctil'!
)hich must its'l- b' o- a c'rtain calibr' $his )as th' r'Guir'm'nt )hich r'sult'% in
th' %'v'lopm'nt o- th' 1#+mm mortar "mm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' )ar! 5+mm gr'na%'
launch'rs app'ar'% $h'r' ha% n'v'r b'-or' b''n a )'apon o- this particular calibr'
in th' Sovi't &rmy $h'r' )'r' 21mm an% 53mm sh'lls ?ut a gr'na%' launch'r us's
its o)n typ' o- proA'ctil' an% a sp'cial calibr' )as th'r'-or' s'l'ct'% -or it
Sovi't %'sign'rs took st'ps to corr'ct past mistak's! )hich ha% b''n tol'rat'% until
Stalin4s s'nsibl' %'cision $h' calibr' o- th' stan%ar% Sovi't in-antry )'apon is
1#2mm "n 192+! a 1#2mm I$$4 pistol )as brought into s'rvic'! in a%%ition to th'
'/isting ri-l's an% machin'6guns o- this calibr' &lthough th'ir calibr' is th' sam'! th'
roun%s -or this pistol cannot! o- cours'! b' us'% in 'ith'r ri-l's or machin'6guns
"n )artim'! )h'n 'v'rything is collapsing! )h'n )hol' &rmi's an% 8roups o-
&rmi's -in% th'ms'lv's 'ncircl'%! )h'n 8u%'rian an% his tank &rmy ar' charging
aroun% b'hin% your o)n lin's! )h'n on' %ivision is -ighting to th' %'ath -or a small
patch o- groun%! an% oth'rs ar' taking to th'ir h''ls at th' -irst shot! )h'n %'a-'n'%
s)itchboar% op'rators! )ho hav' not sl'pt -or s'v'ral nights! hav' to shout som'on'
'ls'4s incompr'h'nsibl' or%'rs into t'l'phon's66in this sort o- situation absolut'ly
anything can happ'n "magin' that! at a mom'nt such as this! a %ivision r'c'iv's t'n
truckloa%s o- 1#2mm cartri%g's Su%%'nly! to his horror! th' comman%'r r'alis's that
th' consignm'nt consists 'ntir'ly o- pistol ammunition $h'r' is nothing -or his
%ivision4s thousan%s o- ri-l's an% machin'6guns an% a Guit' unb'li'vabl' amount o-
ammunition -or th' -') hun%r'% pistols )ith )hich his o--ic'rs ar' arm'%
" %o not kno) )h'th'r such a situation actually aros' %uring th' )ar! but onc' it
)as ov'r th' I$$4 pistol66though not at all a ba% )'apon66)as Guickly )ith%ra)n -rom
s'rvic' $h' %'sign'rs )'r' tol% to pro%uc' a pistol )ith a %i--'r'nt calibr' Sinc' th'n
Sovi't pistols hav' all b''n o- 9mm calibr' ;hy stan%ar%is' calibr's i- this coul%
r'sult in -atally %ang'rous misun%'rstan%ing=
Bv'r sinc' th'n! 'ach tim' an 'ntir'ly n') typ' o- proA'ctil' has b''n intro%uc'%! it
has b''n giv'n a n') calibr' (aturally! sh'lls -or th' ?MP61 gun ar' not suitabl' -or
th' P$61# tank66that )as alr'a%y obvious )h'n )ork on th' %'sign o- th' n') v'hicl'
an% o- its armam'nt )as b'gun $h'r'-or' it shoul% not hav' a 1#mm gun but
som'thing %i--'r'nt66-or instanc'! a 12mm on' $h' sh'lls -or th' n') $6#2 tank )'r'
123
o- a compl't'ly n') %'sign an% )oul% obviously not b' suitabl' -or us' in th' ol%
1++mm tank guns "n that cas'! th' calibr' h'r' too! shoul% b' som'thing Guit'
%i--'r'nt66-or instanc'! 113mm $h' sam' )'nt -or th' $6#5 an% $612 $h'ir sh'lls ha%
to b' Guit' %i--'r'nt -rom thos' o- th' ol% h'avy tanks So that th' ol% an% th' n')
typ's o- ammunition shoul% not b' mi/'% up! it )as %'ci%'% that th' n') sh'lls
shoul% b' 123mm )h'r'as th' ol% on's )'r' 122mm $h'r' ar' %o@'ns o- similar
'/ampl's
$h'r' ar' '/c'ptions "n som' cas's it is 'ss'ntial to us' a particular calibr' an% no
oth'r 7or '/ampl'! th' 122mm! 5+6barr'l multipl' rock't launch'r must b' o-
pr'cis'ly that calibr'66no mor' an% no l'ss "ts rock'ts ar' th'r'-or' giv'n a sp'cial
%'signationF th'y ar' call'% I8ra%4 rock'ts $his is th' only )ay in )hich th'y ar'
'v'r r'-'rr'% to66th'y ar' n'v'r call'% I122mm4 rock'ts >n' mak's this a habit -rom
on'4s v'ry -irst %ay $h'n! i- som'on' or%'rs I162624 h' is r'-'rring to ho)it@'r sh'lls!
but i- h' or%'rs I8ra%4! h' m'ans rock'ts

2

;'st'rn analysts -in% it har% to un%'rstan% )hy th' Sovi't 0nion has turn'% a)ay
-rom its ol%! )'ll6tri'% stan%ar% calibr's Sovi't analysts! -or th'ir part! )on%'r )hy
;'st'rn %'sign'rs stick so stubbornly to ol% sp'ci-ications $h' ?ritish hav' an
'/c'ptionally po)'r-ul 12+mm tank gun &n '/c'll'nt )'apon $h'y also hav' a
us'-ul 12+mm r'coill'ss gun >n' o- th'm )as %'v'lop'% som' tim' ago! th' oth'r
mor' r'c'ntly >bviously! th'y us' Guit' %i--'r'nt sh'lls ;hy not us' %i--'r'nt
calibr's66on' coul% b' 12+mm! th' oth'r 121mm= >r l'av' th' calibr's as th'y ar'F
Aust chang' th' %'signation o- on' to 121mm ;hy not=
$h' sam' appli's to ;'st 8'rmany an% to 7ranc' ?oth countri's hav' '/c'll'nt
12+mm mortars an% both ar' )orking on th' %'v'lopm'nt o- n') 12+mm tank guns
>- cours' this )orks )'ll 'nough in p'ac'tim' Bv'rything is un%'r control )h'n th'
sol%i'rs ar' pro-'ssionals! )ho ar' Guick to un%'rstan% a comman% ?ut )hat
happ'ns i-! tomorro)! mi%%l'6ag'% r's'rvists an% stu%'nts -rom %rama aca%'mi's
hav' to b' mobilis'% to %'-'n% -r''%om= ;hat th'n= Bv'ry tim' 12+mm sh'lls ar'
n''%'%! on' )ill hav' to '/plain that you %on4t n''% th' typ' )hich ar' us'% by
r'coill'ss guns or thos' )hich ar' -ir'% by mortars! but sh'lls -or tank guns ?ut b'
car'-ul66th'r' ar' 12+mm sh'lls -or ri-l'% tank guns an% %i--'r'nt 12+mm sh'lls -or
smoothbor' tank guns $h' guns ar' %i--'r'nt an% th'ir sh'lls ar' %i--'r'nt ;hat
happ'ns i- a %rama stu%'nt mak's a mistak'=
$h' Sovi't analysts sit an% scratch th'ir h'a%s as th'y try to un%'rstan% )hy it is
that ;'st'rn calibr's n'v'r alt'r


Secrets3 Secrets3 Secrets

1

$h' 51st 8uar%s $ank .ivision )as issu'% )ith $6#5 tanks at th' b'ginning o- 19#1
>- cours'! its sol%i'rs kn') nothing about this $h'y Aoin'% th' %ivision! s'rv'% it
honourably -or t)o y'ars an% th'n )'nt back to th'ir hom'sF oth'r sol%i'rs cam'!
l'arn'% som'thing about tanks but )'nt hom' having h'ar% nothing about th' $6#5
an% n'v'r having s''n on' "n 1912 th' %ivision )as r''Guipp'% )ith th' n') $612s
an% th' $6#5s )'r' s'nt to 8'rmany $h' sol%i'rs! o- cours'! kn') nothing about
this66n'ith'r that th' %ivision ha% r'c'iv'% n') tanks nor that th' ol% on's ha% gon'
124
$h' sol%i'rs s'rv' in a %ivision! th'y ar' train'% by it -or )ar but th'y kno) nothing
about its tanks
$o th' ;'st'rn r'a%'r this may s''m rath'r strang' :o)'v'r! )h'n " cam' to th'
;'st an% took my -irst look at ;'st'rn armi's! " )as astoun%'% to %iscov'r that
;'st'rn sol%i'rs kn') th' nam's o- th'ir tanks! an% that th'y %riv' an% -ir' -rom
th'm $his s''m'% absur% to m'! but " )as unabl' to obtain any '/planation o- this
strang' policy
"n th' Sovi't &rmy 'v'rything is s'cr't ;h'n th' )ar b'gan it )as not only th'
8'rman g'n'rals )ho kn') nothing about th' $625 tank66'v'n th' Sovi't g'n'rals
kn') no mor' than th'y %i% "t )as b'ing mass6pro%uc'%! but this )as k'pt s'cr't
(ot 'v'n th' tank -orc's kn') o- its '/ist'nc' $h' n') tanks )'r' mov'% -rom th'
-actori's to som' %ivisions! but only to thos' )hich )'r' a long )ay back -rom th'
-ronti'rs $h'y )'r' -'rri'% by a -actory t'am (totalling 2+ %riv'rs -or th' )hol' o- th'
Sovi't 0nion) in convoys! th' lik' o- )hich ha% n'v'r b''n s''n b'-or'! 'scort'% by
(CV. o--ic'rs! )ho )'r' -orbi%%'n 'v'n to talk to th' %riv'rs $h'y trav'll'% only at
night an% th' tanks )'r' al)ays compl't'ly cov'r'% )ith tarpaulins $h' rout's th'y
took )'r' clos'% to all oth'r tra--ic an% h'avily guar%'% ;h'n th' tanks r'ach'%
th'ir %'stination! th'y )'r' o--6loa%'% by th' -actory t'am! )ho th'n %rov' th'm into
v'hicl' parks! surroun%'% by high )alls! insi%' )hich th'y )'r' put into storag'
$h' tank cr')s )'r' Guickly instruct'% on various -'atur's o- th' n') tanks! but
th'y )'r' not tol% )hat th' n') tanks )'r' call'% or sho)n th'm $h' gunn'rs )'r'!
ho)'v'r! intro%uc'% to th' n') gunsights an% taught ho) to us' th'm! -iring -rom ol%
tanks $h' %riv'rs )'r' giv'n int'nsiv' training in th' ol% tanks a-t'r b'ing tol% that
th'r' )as a n') tank in th' o--ing! )hich ha% to b' %riv'n rath'r %i--'r'ntly $h'
%riv'rs %i% not! o- cours'! kno) )h'th'r th' %ivision alr'a%y ha% this n') tank or not
$h' tank comman%'rs! too! )'r' tol% a c'rtain amount an% sho)n ho) to s'rvic' th'
'ngin'! but th'y )'r' not tol% th' nam' o- th' tank -rom )hich th' unusual 'ngin'
cam' or giv'n its hors'6po)'r "n short! th' %ivision )as simply r'train'%! but only
us'% th' ol% tanks
$h'n cam' th' )ar! un'/p'ct'% an% t'rri-ying $h' -irst 'ch'lon %ivisions! )hich
ha% goo%! although not s'cr't 'Guipm'nt! )'r' torn to pi'c's in th' -irst battl's
;hil' this )as happ'ning! th' %ivisions in th' r'ar ar'as r'c'iv'% or%'rs to go into
th' tank parks! to tak' th' tanks out o- storag' an% to -amiliaris' th'ms'lv's )ith
th'm "t took th'm t)o )''ks to %o this an% a-t'r a -urth'r t)o )''ks th'y r'ach'%
th' -ront $h'n in th's' compl't'ly unkno)n tanks! th' %ivisions took on 8u%'rian4s
armour'% columns "t )as soon cl'ar that th'y coul% op'rat' th'm v'ry )'ll &-t'r all!
a %riv'r )ho can han%l' a Volks)ag'n lik' a champion )oul% not tak' long to mast'r
a M'rc'%'s $hat is ho) it )as %on' in th' Sovi't &rmy th'n an% ho) it )ill b' %on'
in -utur'66th'y l'arn on a Volks)ag'n! but k''p th' M'rc'%'s s'cr'tly hi%%'n a)ay
until it is r'ally n''%'%
?ut! o- cours'! th' $625 )as not th' only surpris' a)aiting th' 8'rmans $h'y
%iscov'r'% th' '/ist'nc' o- th' ICV4 h'avy tank only )h'n th'y m't it in actionF
b'-or' that th'y ha% not 'v'n h'ar% o- it (or! -or that matt'r! ha% its Sovi't tank6
cr')s ha% any i%'a o- its '/ist'nc'66th' CV ha% b''n s'cr'tly stor'% a)ay $h'
8'rman troops soon m't th' IStalin >rgan4 -or th' -irst tim'! too! an% panick'% )h'n
th'y %i% so "n p'ac'tim' sub6units arm'% )ith th's' '/c'll'nt )'apons ha%
masGu'ra%'% as pontoon6bri%g' battalions! )hos' uni-orms th'y ha% )orn! )ith th'
r'sult that most o- th'ir o)n sol%i'rs ha% not r'alis'% that th'y )'r' in r'ality rock't
troops $h'ir r'training start'% only )h'n th' )ar b'gan! but 'v'n th'n only th'
batt'ry comman%'rs kn') th' corr'ct %'signation o- th'ir rock't launch'rs $h'
r'maining o--ic'rs! (C>s an% oth'r ranks %i% not 'v'n kno) )hat th' 'Guipm'nt
)hich th'y )'r' using in battl' )as call'% $h' launch'rs )'r' mark'% )ith th' l'tt'r
125
C (stan%ing -or th' Comint'rn -actory in Voron'@h) (aturally! no on'! 'v'n th'
batt'ry comman%'rs! kn') )hat this stoo% -or an% th' r'sult )as that th' sol%i'rs on
'v'ry -ront almost simultan'ously christ'n'% th's' spl'n%i% )'apons ICat'rina4!
ICatya4 or ICatyusha4 "t )as un%'r this last nam' that th'y )'nt %o)n in history
$h'ir corr'ct %'signation66?M61266)as only allo)'% to b' us'% in s'cr't %ocum'nts
-rom th' mi%%l' o- 1952 on)ar%s an% it )as not us'% in unclassi-i'% pap'rs until a-t'r
th' 'n% o- th' )ar

2

$h' policy o- obs'rving th' strict'st rul's o- s'cr'cy has compl't'ly Austi-i'% its'l-
7or this r'ason it is univ'rsally acc'pt'% an% is appli'% )ith 'v'r gr'at'r rigour &s a
r'sult! o--ic'rs s'rving in a nucl'ar submarin' may kno)! -or instanc'! th' output o-
th' boat4s r'actor! i- th'y ar' involv'% in its maint'nanc'! but th'y )ill not kno) th'
ma/imum %'pth to )hich th' boat can %iv'! sinc' this %o's not conc'rn th'm >th'rs
may kno) this ma/imum %'pth! but )ill not kno) th' rang' o- th' missil's )hich th'
submarin' carri's
$his policy o- s'cr'cy is appli'% to th' pro%uction o- h'avy assault guns! mount'%
on tank chassis & tank )ith a -i/'% turr't is an '/c'll'nt )'apon $ru'! its arc o- -ir'
is r'%uc'%! but against this! a mor' po)'r-ul gun can b' install'%! th' Guantity o-
ammunition it carri's can b' incr'as'%! its armour can b' str'ngth'n'% )ithout
incr'asing its ov'rall )'ight an%! most important! it is much 'asi'r to manu-actur'
8uns o- this sort ar' in%isp'nsabl'! )h'n us'% in clos' conAunction )ith tanks )ith
normal turr'ts ?oth th' Sovi't an% th' 8'rman g'n'rals cam' to r'alis' th'ir valu'
%uring th' )ar! but sinc' th'n only th' -orm'r hav' continu'% to pro%uc' th'm "n
or%'r that oth'r countri's shoul% not b' t'mpt'% to intro%uc' this simpl' but '/c'll'nt
)'apon! all Sovi't h'avy assault guns ar' prot'ct'% by strict s'curity m'asur's $h'ir
pro%uction has continu'%! )ithout a br'ak! 'v'r sinc' th' )ar Bv'ry motor6ri-l'
r'gim'nt (insi%' th' 0SS<! but not abroa%) has on' batt'ry o- h'avy assault guns "n
th' 193+s th' po)'r-ul .615 (122mm) )as mount'% on a $635 tank chassis! th'n th'
M65# gun (1 2+mm) )as install'% on th' $6#2 tank chassis &ll r'gim'nts! )ithout
'/c'ption! hav' h'avy assault guns o- this typ' $h'y ar' k'pt in mothballs -or
%'ca%'s! n'v'r s''ing th' light o- %ay $h'ir cr')s train on $635 an% $6#2 tanks
Som'tim's th'y ar' sho)n th' gunsights o- th' assault guns $h'y kno) th' tactics
)hich )ill b' us'% an% th'y kno) ho) to s'rvic' th' 'ngin's "- )ar shoul% br'ak out
th'ir comman%'r )oul% %isclos' to th'm that inst'a% o- tanks th'y )'r' about to b'
'Guipp'% )ith som'thing )hich )as similar but -ar mor' po)'r-ul an% b'tt'r
armour'% "n th' mi%%l' o- th' 191+s all th's' guns )'r' r'plac'% by mor' po)'r-ul
mo%'ls but! naturally! th'y )'r' not m'lt'% %o)n "nst'a% th'y )'r' 'ith'r s'nt to
th' Chin's' -ronti'r to b' install'% in concr't' 'mplac'm'nts or s'nt to hol%ing
%'pots! in cas' th'y shoul% com' in us'-ul on' %ay
$h' sam' s'cr'cy is maintain'% aroun% th' "$61 an% "$62 anti6tank rock't
launch'rs an% th' <apira62 an% <apira62 anti6tank guns
$h' "$61 is built on a $6#2 tank chassis but is arm'% )ith th' I.rakon4 anti6tank
rock't inst'a% o- a gun Bach &rmy has on' battalion o- "$61s! )hich ar' k'pt in
mothballs! )'ll conc'al'% an% n'v'r s''n 'v'n by th' battalion4s o)n sol%i'rs "- th'
&rmy to )hich it b'longs is post'% abroa%! th' battalion r'mains on Sovi't t'rritory!
to all app'aranc's an or%inary tank battalion "ts sol%i'rs ar' giv'n instruction in
tactics an% %riving an% maint'nanc' o- th' v'hicl's but or%inary tanks or training
simulators ar' us'% -or this
"n this )ay it is possibl' to s'rv' out your tim' in th' Sovi't &rmy! l'arning
nothing66or v'ry littl'66about its 'Guipm'nt
126


'o% uch /oes All This Cost+

1

(othing at all " )ill r'p'at that &ll this costs nothing at all
,'t us imagin' that you )ork at a -ull6tim' Aob! but that your )i-' %o's not *ou
giv' h'r an allo)anc' an% sh' has no oth'r sourc' o- incom' *ou start to giv' h'r
%riving l'ssons an% %'ci%' to mak' yours'l- som' mon'y by %oing so &-t'r all! you
ar' using up 'n'rgy! tim'! labour! n'rv's an% p'trol ?ut no) ans)'r a Gu'stion66is it
mor' in your int'r'st to mak' your )i-' pay through th' nos' -or h'r l'ssons! or to
k''p th' pric' lo)= ;hich )ill b' mor' pro-itabl' -or you=
"- you )'r' giving l'ssons to a n'ighbour! o- cours'! you )oul% ask as high a pric'
as you -'lt you coul% ?ut )hat shoul% you %o )h'n you ar' t'aching your o)n )i-'=
$h' mor' mon'y you mak' h'r pay! in th' hop' o- b'coming rich! th' mor' sh' )ill
n''% -rom you! -or )h'r' 'ls' coul% sh' g't it=
"- you lo)'r your -''! you )ill n''% to giv' your )i-' l'ss! an% sh' )ill l't you hav'
l'ss back *ou soon r'alis' that )hat'v'r you charg' sh' )ill Aust b' taking mon'y
-rom your pock't an% th'n r'turning it to you
(o)! turn your thoughts to th' #th 8uar%s $ank &rmy! )ith its thousan%s o- tanks
an% t'ns o- thousan%s o- m'n "magin' yours'l- to b' th' Communist Pharaoh! th'
8'n'ral S'cr'tary o- th' Communist Party o- th' Sovi't 0nion Som'thing strang'66
goo%n'ss kno)s )hat66is going on in C@'choslovakia $o sa-'guar% yours'l- you
%'ci%' to mov' th' #th 8uar%s &rmy up to your -ronti'r )ith this -rat'rnal stat' "t is
only possibl' to mov' a thousan% tanks ov'r a %istanc' o- a thousan% kilom'tr's by
rail! -or tanks )'ar out roa%s v'ry -ast66an% vic' v'rsa :o) much is this going to cost
you= *ou summon th' Minist'r o- <ail)ays (b'ing nationalis'%! th' rail)ays ar' -ully
controll'% by th' p'opl'66in oth'r )or%s by th' gov'rnm'nt66that is! by you
p'rsonally) an% put this Gu'stion to him :' t'lls you66I1++ million rubl's4 $his
m'ans that you )ill hav' to tak' 1++ million rubl's out o- th' Stat'4s pock't an% giv'
it to th' &rmyF th' &rmy pays th' mon'y to th' rail)ays! )hich! in turn! puts this! th'
pro-it th'y hav' ma%'! back into th' Stat'4s pock't ;hat on 'arth is th' point o-
taking it out in th' -irst plac'! i- it )as going to b' put back almost imm'%iat'ly= So!
in -act! it %o's not g't tak'n out in th' -irst plac' $h' 8'n'ral S'cr'tary Aust
summons th' Minist'r an% t'lls him to mov' th' #th 8uar%s $ank &rmy $h' Minist'r
says I*'s! Sir4! clicks his h''ls an% %o's as h' has b''n tol% $hat is all (o mon'y is
n''%'% -or th' op'ration $h' sam' syst'm appli's to any mov'm'nt by in%ivi%ual
sol%i'rs &n o--ic'r com's to a rail)ay station an% sho)s pap'rs )hich say that in th'
national int'r'st h' is to proc''% to th' 7ar Bast ;hat )oul% b' th' point in giving
th' o--ic'r mon'y! -or him to pay a Stat' organisation! )hich must th'n r'-un% th'
sam' mon'y to th' Stat'=
"n th' Sovi't 0nion 'v'rything has b''n nationalis'% Privat' %'als ar' -orbi%%'n
Sinc' 'v'rything is in th' han%s o- th' Stat'! pric's -or goo%s pro%uc'% -or th' Stat'
hav' no m'aning $anks! guns! rock'ts66non' has any pric' insi%' th' Stat' "t is lik'
gro)ing a stra)b'rry in your gar%'n! s'lling it to yours'l- an% 'ating it! moving th'
mon'y you pay -or it -rom your right pock't to your l'-t on' *our stra)b'rry only
acGuir's a pric' i- you s'll it to som'on' 'ls' an% put th' mon'y h' pays you into
your pock't "n th' sam' )ay! Sovi't tanks acGuir' a pric' only )h'n som'on'
abroa% buys th'm
127
7or th' Stat'! )hich o)ns all th' sa-'s in th' lan%! to mov' billions o- rubl's -rom
on' sa-' to anoth'r is m'aningl'ss So nothing is mov'% & Ministry simply r'c'iv's
an or%'r to pro%uc' a thousan% tanks or rock'ts or bomb'rs an% to %'liv'r th'm to
th' arm'% -orc's $hat is all "- a minist'r %o's not carry out his or%'rs h' los's his
plac' at th' minist'rial -''%ing6trough Mon'y o- a sort is pai% to th' )ork'rs but it is
r'ally nothing but th' 'Guival'nt o- ration car%s ;ork'rs ar' giv'n Aust 'nough to buy
br'a% or potato's! a poor Guality suit 'v'ry thr'' y'ars an% vo%ka 'v'ry %ay $his
mon'y is print'% by th' Stat' but it is not r'cognis'% by anyon' abroa%! sinc' it can
not b' '/chang'% -or gol%
"n th' Sovi't 0nion th'r' ar' virtually no ta/'s! b'caus' th'y ar' not n''%'%
Bv'rything is in th' han%s o- th' Stat'! 'v'rything has b''n nationalis'% & Sovi't
banknot' is 'ss'ntially a ration car%! issu'% by th' Stat' -or )ork %on' in its
int'r'sts ;hy han% out t'n ration car%s an% th'n tak' -iv' o- th'm back again= $h'
Stat' %o's not gro) any rich'r by r'6acGuiring th's' car%s! )hich %o not h'lp to mak'
mor' m'at availabl' in th' shops &ccor%ingly! th' Stat'! )hich prints th's' car%s!
pro%uc's only 'nough to buy th' amount o- br'a%! potato's! rott'n m'at an% ol%
-ashion'% cloth's )hich it is pr'par'% to %istribut' to its citi@'ns $h' latt'r 'at th'
m'at an% giv' th' ration car%s back to th' Stat'! )hich han%s th'm out again
Som'tim's th' Stat' b'com's mor' conc'rn'% about pro%ucing tanks than -oo%!
but it must continu' to han% out ration car%s to th' p'opl' $his cr'at's in-lation!
sinc' no) th' ration car%s can not 'v'n purchas' br'a% an% this soon has a
calamitous '--'ct on th' )hol' hug' military machin'
"t is a goo% thing that th'r' ar' capitalists in th' )orl%! r'a%y to com' -or)ar% )ith
h'lp at tim's lik' th's'


Copying )eapons

1

$h' Sovi't 0nion has %'sign'% a larg' numb'r o- -irst6class )'apons! among th'm
th' $625 tank! th' Calashnikov automatic assault ri-l' an% th' ",62 Shturmovik groun%
attack aircra-t Bv'n to%ay! in th' 'arly 198+s! no on' has succ''%'% in improving on
th' p'r-ormanc' o- th' Sovi't 12+mm gun! although it )as %'v'lop'% as long ago as
1923 $h' Sovi't 0nion )as th' -irst to us' rock'ts -ir'% -rom an aircra-t66this )as in
&ugust 1929 in Mongolia! in combat )ith 9apan's' aircra-t & Sovi't motor torp'%o
boat (un%'r Bgyptian colours) )as th' -irst in history to us' rock'ts to sink an 'n'my
ship $h' Sovi't 0nion )as th' -irst to us' th' ?M612 salvo6-iring rock't launch'r $h'
Sovi't 0nion )as th' -irst! many y'ars ago! to r'alis' th' valu' o- smoothbor' guns!
)ith th'ir astonishingly high mu@@l' v'locity! an% it )as th' -irst to mass6pro%uc'
automatic mortars an% many oth'r '/c'll'nt typ's o- )'apon
&t th' sam' tim'! th' Sovi't int'llig'nc' s'rvic's! th' larg'st in th' )orl%! s'arch
unc'asingly -or anything n') in th' -i'l% o- military 'Guipm'nt $h' 'normous '/t'nt
o- Sovi't activity in this sph'r' b'ggars %'scription Sovi't int'llig'nc' succ''%'% in
obtaining all th' t'chnical %ocum'ntation n''%'% to pro%uc' nucl'ar )'apons! in
)inning ov'r a numb'r o- %istinguish'% sci'ntists an% in i%'ologically r'cruiting oth'rs
as ag'nts
Sinc' th' )ar! th' Sovi't 0nion has succ''%'% in copying an% in putting into mass
pro%uction th' &m'rican ?629 bomb'r! ?ritish <olls6<oyc' aircra-t 'ngin's! &m'rican
lorri's an% 8'rman V62 rock'ts "t has also compl't'% th' %'v'lopm'nt o- a numb'r
o- 8'rman rock't %'signs )hich )'r' still un-inish'% at th' 'n% o- th' )ar "t has
128
stol'n plans -or th' construction o- 7r'nch anti6tank rock'ts! &m'rican air6launch'%
missil's! las'r rang'6-in%'rs! stabilis'rs -or tank guns! rock't -u'l! sp'cial %y'6stu--s
an% many! many oth'r highly important pro%ucts


Part Seven
The Soldier#s (ot

-uilding ;p

1

7or 23 y'ars (b't)''n th' ag's o- 11 an% 3+) all Sovi't m'n66an% all th' Sovi't
)om'n )hos' pro-'ssions might mak' th'm us'-ul to th' &rm'% 7orc's66r'main on
th' r'gist'r o- thos' liabl' -or military s'rvic'! -orming th' &rm'% 7orc's r's'rv' $his
r'gist'r! listing all th's' in%ivi%uals! is maintain'% by <ayon City! >blast! an% <'public
Commissars! )ho com' un%'r th' or%'rs o- th' >rganisational .ir'ctorat' o- th'
Military .istricts an%! thus! ultimat'ly! o- th' Chi'- >rganisational .ir'ctorat' o- th'
8'n'ral Sta--
$h' t'ns o- millions o- p'opl' on th' r'gist'r may b' call'% up )ithout notic'! i-
'ith'r partial or -ull mobilisation is announc'%
&s soon as a young man is 11! h' app'ars b'-or' a m'%ical boar% an% is list'% on
th' r'gist'r $h' n'/t y'ar! as soon as h' is 18! h' is call'% up -or s'rvic' in th'
&rm'% 7orc's .'p'n%ing on th' %at' o- his birth%ay! this may happ'n in th' spring
(in May or 9un')! or in th' )int'r (in (ov'mb'r or .'c'mb'r)
Conscripts sp'n% t)o y'ars in all S'rvic's an% arms o- s'rvic'! '/c'pt -or th' (avy!
in )hich th'y s'rv' -or thr'' y'ars
Bv'ry y'ar! t)o intak's! 'ach o- appro/imat'ly a million young m'n Aoin th' &rm'%
7orc's an% thos' )ho hav' compl't'% th'ir s'rvic' ar' %'mobili@'% $hus! 'v'ry si/
months som'thing lik' a Guart'r o- th' total numb'r o- oth'r ranks chang's ov'r (')
m'n Aoin! th' ol%'r on's l'av'! r'maining on th' r's'rv' until th'y ar' 3+

2

Privat' "vanov r'c'iv'% instructions to r'port to th' local ass'mbly point on 29 May
"n pr'paration h' %i% thr'' thingsH
66 h' got tog'th'r )ith a gang o- -'llo) spirits to b'at up som' o- his 'n'mi's! in
accor%anc' )ith th' principl'66I$o%ay you h'lp m' to knock th' h'll out o- th' p'opl'
" %on4t lik' an% th'n tomorro) "4ll h'lp you to %o th' sam'4
66 h' tol% his girl6-ri'n% that sh' )as to )ait t)o y'ars -or him! to go out )ith no
on' 'ls' an% to )rit' to him -r'Gu'ntly66I>th'r)is' you4ll s''! "4ll com' back an% kill
you *ou kno) m'4
66 on th' night o- 28 May h' %rank hims'l- into compl't' ins'nsibility Par'nts
r'alis' that unl'ss th'y han% ov'r th'ir %runk'n son to th' ass'mbly point by mi%%ay
h' )ill b' punish'% un%'r military la)
& convoy tak's th' cro)% o- %runk an% hal-6%runk youths to th' station! )h'r' th'y
ar' put on a train an% tak'n to th'ir plac' o- %uty
& sol%i'r is not 'ntitl'% to choos' an arm o- s'rvic'! th' ar'a in )hich h' )ill s'rv'
or th' tra%' )hich h' )ill -ollo) in th' army ,ong b'-or' "vanov r'c'iv'% his call6up
pap'rs! th' 8'n'ral Sta-- ha% s'nt all Military Commissariats %'tails o- th' m'n th'y
)oul% b' r'c'iving an% instructions on )h'r' th'y )'r' to s'n% th'm (aturally! th'
129
8'n'ral Sta-- %o's not go into %'tails! saying no mor' than I13+ m'n! o- cat'gory
D+E ar' to b' s'nt to Military unit 35#184 $his may b' a unit o- %iv'rsionary troops! it
may b' a nucl'ar submarin'! or it may b' som'thing v'ry s'cr't in%''% $h' Military
Commissar can only gu'ss ("- th' numb'r has -our -igur's th' unit b'longs to 'ith'r
th' C8? or th' Ministry o- "nt'rnal &--airs "- it has -iv'! it is a Ministry o- .'-'nc'
unit) $his is all h' is tol% '/c'pt that th'r' is som'tim's a minor a%%itional
r'Guir'm'nt! such as ICat'gory D+E! but all ar' to b' tall an% physically )'ll6
%'v'lop'%4
$h' Military Commissar pr'par's groups o- sol%i'rs by cat'gori's66-or instanc'! 3
m'n -rom Cat'gory 1! 1++ -rom Cat'gory 2 an% 3!+++ -rom Cat'gory 2 to military
unit #5192 $h' Military 0nits r'c'iv' th'ir o)n instructions66I*ou )ill r'c'iv' 1++
m'n -rom Chabarovsk! 93+ -rom ?aku! #21 -rom $bilisi4
Bach Military .istrict mak's up s'v'ral troop transports! provi%'s 'scorts an%
o--ic'rs! an% s'n%s th'm o-- to %i--'r'nt corn'rs o- th' hug' country! )hil' mi/'%
columns mov' o-- to %istant rock't batt'ri's! -orti-i'% ar'as an% motor6ri-l' %ivisions
>n' r'Guir'm'nt is sacrosanct )h'n th's' s'l'ctions ar' b'ing ma%'H )h'n'v'r
possibl'! <ussians must not b' station'% in th' <S7S<! 0krainians in th' 0krain' or
,atvians in ,atvia "- th'r' ar' %isturbanc's among th' <ussian population o-! -or
instanc'! Murom or $olyatti or >msk! th's' )ill b' crush'%! som'tim's )ith
consi%'rabl' bloo%sh'%! by non6<ussian sol%i'rs "- a strik' br'aks out in .on'tsk (as
on' %i% in 191+) th'r' )ill b' no 0krainian sol%i'rs in th' ar'a $h' sol%i'rs station'%
th'r' ar' $atars! Cirghi@! 8'orgians "t is all th' sam' to th'm )ho th'y shoot at
;hat is important is that th'r' is no on' in th' cro)% con-ronting th'm )hom th'y
kno) an% no on' in it )ho sp'aks a languag' th'y can un%'rstan%
"t is also 'ss'ntial to mi/ all th' nationaliti's tog'th'r in %ivisions! r'gim'nts an%
battalions "- on' r'gim'nt contains too many ,ithuanians an% anoth'r too many
$atars! this must r'sult -rom a slip6up by som' military bur'aucrat $h' punishm'nt
-or such mistak's is harsh
$h' mov'm'nt o- such colossal numb'rs o- m'n tak's up t)o )hol' months
Surprisingly! th' machin' )orks '/tr'm'ly smoothly! rath'r lik' a sausag' machin'66
all sorts o- pi'c's o- m'at! som' onions! som' rusks! an% som' garlic ar' put in at
on' 'n% an% out o- th' oth'r com' soli%ly compr'ss'% rolls o- )'ll6mi/'% human
mat'rial

2

& column o- n') r'cruits is not a sight -or anyon' )ith )'ak n'rv's $ra%itionally!
anyon' Aoining th' army %r'ss's in such rags that you )on%'r )h'r' on 'arth h'
-oun% th'm 7or r'cruits kno) that any mor' or l'ss us'abl' articl'66socks )hich ar'
not in tatt'rs! -or instanc'66)ill imm'%iat'ly b' s'i@'% -rom th'm by th' sol%i'rs
'scorting th' column So th'y %r'ss in th' sort o- rags )hich shoul% b' thro)n on a
bon-ir'66a m'chanic4s boil'r suit! soli% )ith gr'as'! a paint'r4s )orking cloth's %aub'%
)ith paint o- all colours! 'v'n a s')ag'6coll'ctor4s ov'ralls Many o- th'm )ill hav'
black 'y's! acGuir'% in -ar')'ll -ights )ith th'ir local 'n'mi's &ll ar' unshav'n!
uncomb'%! shaggy! %irty66an% %runk! into th' bargain
&ll th' o--ic'rs an% sol%i'rs 'scorting th' column ar' arm'% $h' rough'st!
tough'st s'rg'ants an% oth'r ranks ar' chos'n -or this Aob $h'y stop th' -ights )hich
k''p br'aking out! giving th' r'cruits n') bruis's as th'y %o so $h' young
n')com'rs Guickly -''l th' )'ight o- a s'rg'ant4s -ist an% soon r'alis' that it is b'st
to %o )hat h' t'lls th'm66an% that th' sam' go's -or a sol%i'r! )ho may hims'l- hav'
sp'nt a -ortnight in th' sam' sort o- column! s)apping punch's )ith thos' aroun%
him! as r'c'ntly as a y'ar ago
130
&nyon' )ho has onc' s''n -or hims'l- )hat a column o- th's' n') r'cruits looks
lik' )ill un%'rstan% )hy th'r' ar' no volunt''rs in th' Sovi't &rmy! )hy th'r' n'v'r
coul% b' an% )hy th'r' is no n''% -or th'm $h' )hol' syst'm is too in-l'/ibl'! too
r'gulat'%! an% too tightly controll'% to conc'rn its'l- )ith any in%ivi%ual4s opinions or
)ish's Bv'ryon' is simply grabb'%! in%iscriminat'ly! as soon as h' r'ach's 18! an%
that4s that


'o% to avoid being called up

1

&t som' Aunctur' long ago! b'-or' Stalin! in ,'nin4s %ay! th' )is' %'cision )as
tak'n that th' stat' apparatus shoul% b' mann'%! not by ri--6ra--! but by comra%'s o-
prov'n )orth! )ho )'r' r'sponsibl'! '/p'ri'nc'% an% %'%icat'% to th' popular caus'
"n or%'r that th' stat' shoul% not b' in-iltrat'% by ali'n 'l'm'nts at som' stag' in th'
-utur'! it )as %'ci%'% that succ'ssors to this ruling group shoul% b' pr'par'% an% that
it )as 'ss'ntial to 'nsur' that th's' young p'opl' )'r' appropriat'ly '%ucat'%
B%ucational 'stablishm'nts )'r' th'r'-or' s't up to pr'par' th' -utur' ruling class!
an% th's' )'r' -ill'%! -or th' most part! )ith th' chil%r'n o- th' comra%'s o- prov'n
)orth! )ho )'r' th'ms'lv's %'%icat'% to th' r'volutionary caus' $h' comra%'s )'r'
v'ry pl'as'% )ith this plan an% hav' n'v'r sinc' cont'mplat'% any %'viation -rom th'
cours' approv'% by ,'nin
&s an illustration66th' Minist'r o- 7or'ign &--airs o- th' 0SS<! Comra%' & &
8romyko is! o- cours'! a p'rson o- prov'n )orth "t -ollo)s that his son! too! must b'
%'%icat'% to th' p'opl'4s caus'F this m'ans that Comra%' 8romyko4s son can b'com'
a %iplomat an%! provi%'% that it is possibl' to ch'ck that Comra%' 8romyko4s son has
ma%' a succ'ss o- this car''r! th' gran%son o- Comra%' 8romyko! too! can 'nt'r th'
%iplomatic s'rvic' Comra%' 8romyko4s %'puty is Comra%' Malik :'! too! is a trust'%
p'rson! %'%icat'% to th' national caus' an% this m'ans that th' roa% to a %iplomatic
car''r is also op'n to both his son an% his gran%son
$h' comra%'s o- prov'n )orth got tog'th'r an% agr''% among th'ms'lv's that!
sinc' th'ir chil%r'n )'r' alr'a%y %'%icat'% to th'ir Moth'rlan% an% pr'par'% to
%'-'n% its int'r'sts throughout th'ir 'ntir' liv's! th'r' )as no n''% -or th'm to 'nt'r
th' army &ccor%ingly! )h'n th' sons o- th' comra%'s o- prov'n )orth r'ach 11 th'y
ar' not r'Guir'% to r'gist'r -or military s'rvic'F inst'a%! )asting no tim'! th'y 'nt'r
th' "nstitut' o- "nt'rnational <'lations &-t'r Guali-ying th'r'! th'y go o-- to sp'n% not
Aust t)o y'ars but th' )hol' o- th'ir liv's %'-'n%ing th' int'r'sts o- th'ir Moth'rlan%
at th' most '/pos'% portion o- th' -ront lin' in th' battl' against capitalism66in Paris!
Vi'nna! 8'n'va! Stockholm or ;ashington $his is )hy th' chil%r'n o- th' comra%'s
o- prov'n )orth %o not hav' to b' -'rri'% aroun% in %irty rail)ay trucks! ar' not
punch'% in th' mouth by s'rg'ants! an% %o not hav' th'ir gol% t''th pull'% out! an%
)hy! too! th'ir girl6-ri'n%s %o not n''% to )ait -or th'm -or t)o or thr'' y'ars
,'st th' absur% i%'a shoul% 'nt'r anyon'4s h'a% that th' sons o- th' comra%'s o-
prov'n )orth ar' not %'-'n%ing socialism! )ith )'apons in th'ir han%s! th'y ar' giv'n
military a)ar%s -or th'ir s'rvic' -rom tim' to tim' $h' son o- that most r'sponsibl'
an% trust'% o- all comra%'s! ?r'@hn'v! -or instanc'! sp'nt y'ars %'-'n%ing th'
int'r'sts o- socialism in th' barrica%'s o- StockholmF on his r'turn -rom this most
crucial op'ration h' )as giv'n th' military rank o- MaAor68'n'ral 'v'n though h' has
n'v'r sp'nt a %ay in th' army! or in%''% as much as an hour lock'% in a rail)ay
)agon )ith a lot o- grubby r'cruits
131
"n th' C8?! as in th' Ministry o- 7or'ign &--airs! th'y r'a% th' )orks o- ,'nin an%
th'r'-or'! -ollo)ing his pr'c'pts! th'y! too! a%mit to th'ir training 'stablishm'nts th'
sons o- comra%'s o- prov'n )orth! rath'r than Aust anyon' &n% b'caus' th's' boys!
too! )ill hav' to sp'n% th'ir liv's %'-'n%ing socialism! th'y ar' also giv'n '/'mption
-rom military s'rvic'
$h' ;ork'rs4 an% P'asants4 Stat' contains a mass o- oth'r important stat'
organisations an% un%'rtakings -or )hich -utur' l'a%'rs must b' pr'par'% $o train
th'm an 'normous n't)ork o- high'r '%ucational institutions has b''n s't up $h'
comra%'s o- prov'n )orth hav' %'cr''% that anyon' 'nt'ring on' o- th's' high'r
'%ucational institutions is to b' grant'% '/'mption -rom military s'rvic' $h'
univ'rsiti's organis' military training cours's! o- limit'% scop'! an% th's' ar'
consi%'r'% su--ici'nt

2

"n 'v'ry to)n th'r' is at l'ast on' institut' )hich is ultimat'ly controll'%! through
a s'ri's o- int'rm'%iat' authoriti's! by th' 7irst S'cr'tary o- th' >blast Committ'' o-
th' Party (aturally! th' 7irst S'cr'tary4s o)n chil%r'n %o not att'n% this institut'
$h'y stu%y som')h'r' in Mosco) ?ut h' has a S'con% S'cr'tary an% a $hir%F th'y
hav' %'puti's! )ho th'ms'lv's hav' assistants! )ho hav' consultants &ll o- th's'
hav' chil%r'n 7orm'rly all thos' conc'rn'% )ith th' a%ministration o- th' >blast s'nt
th'ir chil%r'n straight to th' local institut' )h'r'! sinc' th'y )'r' th' chil%r'n o-
trust'% comra%'s! th'y )'r' r'c'iv'% )ith op'n arms (o)a%ays! things hav'
chang'% som')hat $h' $hir% S'cr'tary o- th' >blast Committ'' )ill t'l'phon' his
opposit' numb'r in a n'arby to)n66IMy son is %u' -or call6up in th' autumn an% your
boy n'/t spring "- you4ll look a-t'r my son! "4ll %o th' sam' -or yours4 & mutually
b'n'-icial '/chang' is arrang'% & coupl' o- lotus6'at'rs ar' a%mitt'% to t)o high'r
'%ucational institutions! )ithout b'ing r'Guir'% to pass any '/aminations :o)'v'r!
th'y -in% th'ms'lv's in n'ighbouring to)ns! rath'r than at hom'! an% th'y ar' also
r'gar%'% as I)ork'rs an% p'asants4 rath'r than as th' sons o- comra%'s o- prov'n
)orth ?ut th'n! -irst in on' to)n an% th'n in th' oth'r! th' t)o $hir% S'cr'tari's ar'
su%%'nly s'i@'% )ith th' %'sir' to improv' th' living con%itions o- stu%'nts (ot
'v'ryon' can b' giv'n a r'nt6-r'' apartm'nt! o- cours'! so th' >blast Committ''
allocat's Aust on' $hus only on' stu%'nt g'ts on'66our o)n! %'ar I)ork'r6p'asant4
;ith consi%'rabl' '--ort h' obtains his c'rti-icat' o- high'r '%ucation Bv'ryon' 'ls' is
s'nt o-- to )ork in Sib'ria but h' is -oun% a plac' )ith th' >blast Committ''! as an
assistant $im' pass's Guickly! h' climbs st'a%ily up)ar%s an% b'-or' long his o)n
son is gro)ing up an% )ill soon b' 'ligibl' -or army s'rvic' M'an)hil'! ho)'v'r! th'
syst'm has b'com' mor' complicat'% Mutually h'lp-ul '/chang's b't)''n t)o
n'ighbouring to)ns ar' too conspicuous So our )ork'r6p'asant %o'sn4t 'nrol his son
in th' n'ar'st to)n "nst'a%! th' son o- som'on' )ho app'ars to b' a tru' m'mb'r
o- th' )orking class 'nt'rs an institut' in a thir% to)n! )ithout having to pass '/ams!
)hil' -rom this thir% to)n to ours com's an appar'ntly straight-or)ar% young man!
th' son o- som' o--icial or oth'r! )hos' nam' no on' kno)s & -lat is Guickly -oun% -or
this young man! )ho th'n g'ts a post )ith th' >blast Committ'' :' -in%s a Aob th'r'
-or som'on' 'ls'! )ho r'ciprocat's by l'tting him hav' a car! )ithout paym'nt! an%
)ho in his turn %o's th' sam' -or y't anoth'r p'rson $h' )h''l turns on an%
hun%r'%s o- thousan%s o- parasit's avoi% having to 'n%ur' th' rail)ay )agons or th'
brutish arm'% s'rg'ants

2

132
?ut )hat happ'ns i- your -ath'r is not among thos' at th' h'lm o- th' ;ork'rs4 an%
P'asants4 Stat'= "n that cas' i- h' )ill Aust slip th' Military Commissar a -') thousan%
rubl's! you can b' -oun% un-it -or military s'rvic' an% your nam' r'mov'% -rom th'
r'gist'r $h' Military Commissar in >%'ssa )as shot -or %oing this! th' sam'
happ'n'% in Charkov! in $bilisi! 'v'ry y'ar -or -iv' y'ars in succ'ssion! th'y s'nt a
Military Commissar to gaol but that %i% not solv' th' probl'm so th'y ha% to shoot th'
si/th on' $h'y )oul% har%ly hav' shot a Military Commissar66a Colon'l66-or mis%''%s
involving a -') thousan% rubl's $h' sums conc'rn'% must hav' b''n v'ry larg'
in%''%
&n% i- your -ath'r has not got a -') thousan% rubl's to spar'= $h'n you coul% cut
o-- your trigg'r -ing'r )ith an a/' >r you coul% stick a small pi'c' o- -oil on your back
)h'n you go -or your V6ray! so that th'y %'ci%' you hav' tub'rculosis an% turn you
%o)n -or th' army *ou coul% go to prison ?ut i- you hav'n4t th' courag' -or any o-
th's'! broth'r! you4ll -in% yours'l- in that %irty rail)ay )agon


If you can#t3 %e#ll teach you< if you don#t %ant to3 %e#ll make you

1

$h' column o- r'cuits -inally r'ach's th' %ivision to )hich it has b''n allocat'% $h'
thousan%s o- hush'%! rath'r -right'n'% youths l'av' th' train at a station surroun%'%
by barb'% )ir'! th'ir h'a%s ar' Guickly shav'n! th'y ar' %riv'n through a col% bath!
th'ir -ilthy rags ar' burn'% on hug' -ir's! th'y ar' issu'% )ith crumpl'% gr'atcoats!
tunics an% trous'rs that ar' too larg' or too small! sGu'aky boots an% b'lts ;ith that
th' -irst gra%ing proc'ss is compl't'% "t %o's not occur to any o- th'm that 'ach o-
th'm has alr'a%y b''n ass'ss'%! taking into account his political r'liability! his
-amily4s criminal r'cor% (or abs'nc' o- on')! participation (or -ailur' to participat') in
Communist mass m''tings! his h'ight an% his physical an% m'ntal %'v'lopm'nt &ll
th's' -actors hav' b''n tak'n into account in gra%ing him as Cat'gory +! 1! 2! an% so
-orth an% th'n allocating him to a sub6cat'gory o- on' o- th's' groups $h'r' )ill b'
no mor' than t'n Cat'gory + sol%i'rs in a )hol' motor6ri-l' %ivision66th'y )ill go to
th' 8th %'partm'nt o- th' %ivisional sta-- "n 'ach intak' th'r' )ill b' t)o or thr'' o-
th'm! )ho )ill r'plac' oth'rs )ho ar' b'ing %'mobilis'%! an% )ho )ill th'ms'lv's
Aoin th' r's'rv' $h'y hav' no i%'a that th'y ar' in this particular cat'gory or that
-il's '/ist on th'm )hich hav' long ago b''n ch'ck'% an% pass'% by th' C8?
Cat'gory 1 sol%i'rs ar' snapp'% up by th' %ivisional rock't or r'connaissanc'
battalions or by th' r'gim'ntal r'connaissanc' compani's Cat'gory 2 sol%i'rs ar'
thos' )ho ar' abl' to un%'rstan% an% to )ork )ith complicat'% math'matical
-ormula' $h'y ar' grabb'% by th' -ir'6control batt'ri's o- th' artill'ry r'gim'nt! o-
th' anti6aircra-t rock't r'gim'nt an% o- th' s'l-6prop'll'% artill'ry battalions o- th'
motor6ri-l' an% tank r'gim'nts &n% th'n th'r' ar' th' sol%i'rs o- my o)n arm o-
s'rvic'! th' tank cr')s66Cat'gory #! thanks to th' s)in' )ho %o th' planning in th'
8'n'ral Sta-- ?ut nothing can b' %on' about that66th' army is 'normous an% bright
sol%i'rs ar' in %'man% 'v'ry)h'r' Bv'ryon' is a-t'r th' strong! brav'! h'althy on's
(ot 'v'ryon' can b' lucky
& %'tachm'nt is s't up in 'ach battalion! to han%l' th' n') intak' $h' battalion
comman%'r4s %'puty h'a%s this an% h' is assist'% by som' o- th' platoon
comman%'rs an% s'rg'ants $h'ir task is to turn th' r'cruits into prop'r sol%i'rs in
th' cours' o- on' month $his is call'% a I*oung Sol%i'r4s Cours'4 "t is a v'ry har%
133
month in a sol%i'r4s li-'F %uring it h' com's to r'alis' that th' s'rg'ant abov' him is a
king! a go% an% his military comman%'r
$h' r'cruits ar' subA'ct'% to a most 'laborat' an% rigorous %isciplinary
programm'F th'y cl'an out lavatori's )ith th'ir tooth6brush's! th'y ar' chas'% out o-
b'% t)'nty or thirty tim's 'v'ry night! un%'r pr'ssur' to cut s'con%s o-- th' tim' it
tak's th'm to %r'ss! th'ir %ays ar' tak'n up )ith training '/'rcis's )hich may last -or
si/t''n hours at a str'tch $h'y stu%y th'ir )'apons! th'y ar' taught military
r'gulations! th'y l'arn th' signi-icanc' o- th' %i--'r'nt stars an% insignia on th'ir
o--ic'rs4 shoul%'r boar%s &t th' 'n% o- th' month th'y -ir' th'ir o)n )'apons -or th'
-irst tim' an% th'n th'y ar' para%'% to s)'ar th' oath o- all'gianc'! kno)ing that any
in-ring'm'nt o- this )ill b' h'avily punish'%! 'v'n! p'rhaps! )ith th' %'ath6s'nt'nc'
&-t'r this th' r'cruit is consi%'r'% to hav' b'com' a r'al sol%i'r $h' training
%'tachm'nt is %isban%'% an% th' r'cruits ar' %istribut'% among th' compani's an%
batt'ri's

2

Socialists mak' th' lying claim that it is possibl' to cr'at' a classl'ss soci'ty "n
-act! i- a numb'r o- p'opl' ar' thro)n tog'th'r! it is c'rtain that a l'a%ing group! or
p'rhaps s'v'ral groups! )ill 'm'rg'66in oth'r )or%s %i--'r'nt class's $his has
nothing to %o )ith rac'! r'ligion or political b'li'-s "t )ill al)ays happ'n! in 'v'ry
situation o- this sort "- a group o- survivors )'r' to r'ach an uninhabit'% islan% a-t'r
a ship)r'ck an% you )'r' abl' to tak' a look at th'm a-t'r th'y ha% b''n th'r' only
a )''k! you )oul% un%oubt'%ly -in% that a l'a%'r or l'a%ing group ha% alr'a%y
'm'rg'% "n th' 8'rman conc'ntration camps! no matt'r )hat sort o- p'opl' )'r'
imprison'% tog'th'r! th'y )oul% al)ays 'stablish th'ms'lv's in strati-i'% soci'ti's!
)ith high'r an% lo)'r class's
$h' %ivision into l'a%'rs an% -ollo)'rs occurs automatically $ak' a group o-
chil%r'n an% ask th'm to put up a t'ntF %o not put on' o- th'm in charg' but stan%
asi%' an% )atch th'm ;ithin -iv' minut's a l'a%'r )ill hav' 'm'rg'%
& group o- short6hair'% r'cruits n'rvously 'nt'rs an 'normous barrack room! in
)hich t)o! thr'' or 'v'n -iv' hun%r'% sol%i'rs liv' $h'y Guickly com' to r'alis' that
th'y hav' 'nt'r'% a class6%ominat'% soci'ty Communist th'ory has no plac' h'r'
$h' s'rg'ants split th' young sol%i'rs up by platoons! %'tachm'nts an% t'ams &t
-irst 'v'rything go's normally66h'r' is your b'%! this is your b'%si%' lock'r in )hich
you can k''p your )ashing6kit! your -our manuals! brush's an% your han%book o-
sci'nti-ic communism an% nothing 'ls' 0n%'rstan%= *'s! s'rg'ant
?ut at night th' barrack6room com's aliv' $h' r'cruits n''% to un%'rstan% that it
contains -our class's66th' sol%i'rs )ho )ill b' l'aving th' army in si/ months! thos'
)ho )ill go a-t'r a y'ar! a thir% class )ho hav' 'ight''n months still to s'rv' an%!
lastly! th'y th'ms'lv's! )ho hav' a -ull t)o y'ars to go $h' high'r cast's guar% th'ir
privil'g's A'alously $h' lo)'r cast's must ackno)l'%g' th'ir s'niors as th'ir 'l%'rs
an% b'tt'rs! th' s'niors r'-'r to in-'riors as Iscum4 $hos' )ho still hav' 'ight''n
months to s'rv' ar' th' sup'riors o- th' n') r'cruits! but scum! naturally! to thos'
)ho hav' only a y'ar to go
$h' night a-t'r th' n') intak' has arriv'% is a t'rribl' on' in 'v'ry barracksH th'
nak'% r'cruits ar' -logg'% )ith b'lts! an% ri%%'n! bar'back! by th'ir s'niors! )ho us'
th'm as hors's to -ight cavalry battl's an% th'n th'y ar' %riv'n out to sl''p in th'
lavatori's )hil' th'ir b'%s ar' -oul'% by th'ir 'l%'rs an% b'tt'rs
$h'ir comman%'rs kno) )hat is going on! o- cours'! but th'y %o not int'r-'r'F it is
in th'ir int'r'sts that th' oth'r ranks shoul% b' %ivi%'% among th'ms'lv's by barri'rs
o- r'al hatr'%
134
$h' lo)'st class hav' no rights )hatso'v'r $h'y! th' scum! cl'an th' sho's an%
mak' th' b'%s o- th'ir s'niors! cl'an th'ir )'apons -or th'm! han% ov'r th'ir m'at
an% sugar rations! som'tim's 'v'n th'ir br'a% to th'm $h' sol%i'rs )ho ar' soon to
b' r'l'as'% appropriat' th' r'cruits4 n') uni-orms! l'aving th'm )ith th'ir o)n )orn6
out on's "- you ar' in comman% o- a platoon or a company you ar' Guit' cont'nt )ith
th' situation *ou or%'r your s'rg'ants to g't som'thing %on'66%igging tank pits! -or
instanc' $h' s'rg'ants giv' th' s'nior sol%i'rs this Aob to %o an% th'y in turn han% it
on to th' scum *ou can b' con-i%'nt that 'v'rything )ill b' -inish'% in goo% tim'
$h' s'nior sol%i'rs )ill %o nothing th'ms'lv's but th'y )ill mak' 'ach o- th' scum %o
'nough -or t)o or thr'' m'n *ou can tak' your s'rg'ants o-- into th' bush's an%
han% out your cigar'tt'sF )hat'v'r you %o! %on4t -uss ;ait until som'on' com's to
r'port that th' Aob has b''n %on' $his is your mom'ntH app'ar lik' th' sun -rom
b'hin% th' clou%s! an% thank th' s'nior sol%i'rs -or th'ir har% )ork " assur' you66
both th' s'nior sol%i'rs an% th' scum )ill lov' you -or it
Si/ months pass an% a n') consignm'nt o- scum Aoins your sub6unit (o) thos'
)ho su--'r'% y'st'r%ay hav' a chanc' to v'nt th'ir rag' on som'on' &ll th'
humiliations an% insults )hich th'y hav' su--'r'% -or si/ months can no) b' h'ap'%
on th' n')com'rs M'an)hil' thos' )ho still insult an% b'at th'm up continu' to b'
r'gar%'% as scum by th'ir o)n sup'riors
$h's' ar' th' circumstanc's in )hich a sol%i'r b'gins to mast'r th' ru%im'nts o-
th' sci'nc' o- )ar


=3>>= inutes

1

I<oll on my %'mobJ4 I" )ish you all a sp''%y %'mob66mak' sur' you %'s'rv' itJ4
$h'y4v' tak'n 'v'rything 'ls' a)ay! but th'y can4t tak' my %'mobJ4 I.'mobili@ation
is as in'vitabl' as th' collaps' o- capitalism4 $h's' ar' s'nt'nc's you )ill s''
scribbl'% on th' )all o- any sol%i'rs4 lavatory $h'y ar' cl'an'% o-- 'v'ry %ay but th'y
ar' soon back again! in paint )hich is still )'t
.'mobili@ation com's a-t'r t)o y'ars4 s'rvic' "t is th' %ay6%r'am o- 'v'ry sol%i'r
an% (C> 7rom th' mom'nt a r'cruit Aoins th' army! h' b'gins to cross o-- th' %ays
to his %'mob :' lists th' %ays l'-t on th' insi%' o- his b'lt or ticks th'm o-- on a
boar%! a )all! or on th' si%' o- his tank4s 'ngin' compartm'nt "n any military camp!
on th' backs o- th' portraits o- Mar/! ,'nin! ?r'@hn'v! &n%ropov an% 0stinov you )ill
-in% scor's o- inscriptions such as I1+2 Sun%ays l'-t to my %'mob4! accompani'% by
th' appropriat' numb'r o- marks! car'-ully tick'% o-- on' by on' in ink or p'ncil >r
I12+ %inn'rs to my %'mob4 an% mor' marks >r! -r'Gu'ntly I11!32+ hours to my
%'mob4 or! 'v'n mor' o-t'n! I1!+31!2++ minut's to my %'mob4
& sol%i'r4s %ay is split up into a numb'r o- p'rio%s o- so many minut's 'ach an%
this mak's it most conv'ni'nt -or him to calculat' in minut's $h' Sovi't sol%i'r
r'ckons that his %ay lasts Aust a littl' bit long'r than it %o's -or any oth'r inhabitant o-
th' plan't! so in his calculations h' r'ckons that a %ay contains 1!551 minut's66a
minut' long'r than it %o's -or th' r'st o- us
& minut' is th' most conv'ni'nt %ivision o- tim' -or him! although h' has to count
in s'con%s! too

2

135
$h' sol%i'r4s s'con% %ay6%r'am! a-t'r his %'mobili@ation! is to b' allo)'% to sl''p
-or #++ minut's $h'or'tically! h' is allo)'% 58+ minut's -or sl''p >- cours'! on' o-
th' scum g'ts only hal- thisH as h' mov's into a high'r cast' an% b'com's mor'
s'nior h' sl''ps long'r an% long'r & month b'-or' his %'mobili@ation a s'nior sol%i'r
hangs a not' abov' his b'% I.o (ot $iltJ $o b' Carri'% >ut 7irst "n Cas' >- 7ir'4
<'v'ill' is at +#++ hours ;ak' up! Aump out o- b'%! trous'rs an% boots on! run
outsi%' -or a rapi% visit to th' lavatory! sprint to th' %oor! )hich is Aamm'% )ith
p'opl'! anoth'r sprint an% you ar' on th' roa% outsi%'! past th' s'rg'ants )ho ar'
lying in )ait -or th' Ilast on para%'4 ?y +#+3 th' company is alr'a%y moving briskly
along th' roa%s o- th' military camp "n rain an% )in%! in hail an% sno)66Aust boots
an% trous'rs! ch'sts bar' <unning an% P$ until +#5+6623 minut's o- r'ally har%
physical '/'rcis'
$h'n th' company go's back to th' barrack6room )ith 2+ minut's to )ash an%
mak' b'%s .uring this tim' th' scum hav' to mak' both th'ir o)n b'%s an% thos' o-
th' s'nior sol%i'rs &t +1++ th'r' is morning insp'ctionF th' s'rg'ant6maAor sp'n%s
hal- an hour on a rigorous ch'ck o- th' company4s g'n'ral ti%in'ss! haircuts! cont'nts
o- pock'ts! 'tc &-t'r this! th' company -alls in an% mov's o--! ba)ling a song an%
marching in tim' to it! to th' %ining hall &n att'ntiv' obs'rv'r )oul% notic' that th'
numb'r o- sol%i'rs in th' company is no) gr'at'r by a Guart'r than it )as %uring th'
P$ para%' &ctually! )h'n th' or%'rly -irst shout'%! ICompany >n your -''tJ4 at
r'v'ill'! by no m'ans 'v'ryon' Aump'% hastily out o- b'% $h' most s'nior o- th'
sol%i'rs! thos' )ith only si/ months to go b'-or' th'ir %'mob! g't up un)illingly an%
slo)ly! str'tching! s)'aring Gui'tly to th'ms'lv's! not Aoining in th' rush to th'
lavatory or t'aring o-- to th' para%' ;hil' th' r'st o- th' company march's roun%
th' corn'r! th'y go Gui'tly about th'ir o)n a--airs >n' may str'tch out un%'r his b'%
to sl''p -or anoth'r hal- hour! oth'rs %o@' b'hin% th' long ro) o- gr'atcoats! )hich
hang -rom p'gs by th' )all! an% th' r'st may tuck th'ms'lv's a)ay som')h'r' at
th' back o- th' barrack6room by a )arm pip' -rom th' -urnac'6room ;hat'v'r th'y
choos' to %o! th'y %on4t turn out -or P$ )ith th' r'st o- th' company $h'y k''p an
'y' out -or th' patrolling %uty o--ic'rs! Gui'tly changing th'ir hi%ing plac's i- h'
approach's Bv'ntually th'y go an% )ash! l'aving th'ir b'%s to b' ma%' by th' scum
$h' Sovi't &rmy s'rv's a m'agr' br'ak-ast & sol%i'r is allo)'% 2+ gramm's o-
butt'r a %ay! but sinc'! th'or'tically! 1+ o- th's' ar' us'% -or cooking! th'r' ar' only
1+ gramm's on his plat' ;ith this! -or br'ak-ast! h' r'c'iv's t)o slic's o- black
br'a%! on' o- )hit'! a bo)l o- kasha an% a mug o- t'a! )ith on' lump o- sugar
?utt'r an% sugar ar' us'% as a sort o- curr'ncy! )ith )hich to placat' on'4s s'niors
-or y'st'r%ay4s mistak's or -or som' pi'c' o- %isr'sp'ct-ul b'haviour $h'y ar' also
us'% as stak's -or b'ts so that many o- th' sol%i'rs hav' to han% ov'r th'ir br'ak-ast
butt'r or sugar66or both66to thos' )ho hav' b''n lucki'r than th'm at gu'ssing th'
r'sults o- -ootball or hock'y match's
$h'r' is not much br'a%! 'ith'r! but i- a sol%i'r som'ho) manag's to g't hol% o- an
'/tra slic'! h' )ill al)ays try to mak' his tiny portion o- butt'r cov'r it too! so that it
is br'a% an% butt'r rath'r than Aust br'a% that h' is 'ating S'v'ral sol%i'rs -rom my
company onc' sp'nt a %ay )orking in th' bak'ry an%! o- cours'! th'y h'lp'%
th'ms'lv's to a -') loav's! )hich th'y shar'% )ith th' oth'r m'mb'rs o- th'ir
platoon Bach o- th'm ha% t'n or -i-t''n slic's o- br'a% to spr'a% his butt'r on an%
)as abl' to 'at as much as h' )ant'%! -or th' -irst tim' -or months ?ut th'r' )as
v'ry littl' butt'r in%''% -or 'ach slic' " )as not -ar a)ay! an%! s''ing ho) th'y )'r'
'nAoying th'ms'lv's! " )'nt ov'r an% ask'% ho) th'y coul% t'll )hich o- th' slic's
ha% butt'r on th'm $h'y laugh'% an% on' h'l% a pi'c' o- br'a% abov' his h'a% an%
g'ntly tilt'% it to)ar%s th' sun $h' ans)'r b'cam' cl'ar66a slic' on )hich th'r' )as
'v'n th' small'st scraping o- butt'r r'-l'ct'% th' sunlight
136

2

&t +8++ hours th'r' is a r'gim'ntal para%' $h' %'puty r'gim'ntal comman%'r
pr's'nts th' r'gim'nt -or insp'ction by th' comman%'r $h'n th' %ay4s training!
)hich lasts -or s'v'n hours! b'gins $h' -irst hour is a r'vi') p'rio%! %uring )hich
o--ic'rs -rom th' r'gim'ntal or %ivisional sta--s t'st th' '/t'nt to )hich o--ic'rs! (C>s
an% sol%i'rs ar' r'a%y to proc''% )ith th' -orthcoming %ay4s )ork Sol%i'rs ar'
Gu'stion'% on )hat th'y l'arn'% %uring th' pr'vious %ay! )hat training th'y r'c'iv'%
an% )hat th'y hav' m'mori@'% 7or m'! as -or any comman%'r! this )as a most
uncom-ortabl' hour .uring this r'vi') p'rio%! too! or%'rs by s'nior comman%'rs
-rom r'gim'ntal l'v'l up to that o- th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc' hims'l- ar' r'a% out!
tog'th'r )ith th' s'nt'nc's impos'% on th' pr'vious %ay by Sovi't &rmy military
tribunals66outlin's o- cas's involving -iv' to t'n y'ars4 imprisonm'nt! an% som'tim's
%'ath s'nt'nc's
"- th' r'vi') p'rio% 'n%s 'arly! th' r'st o- th' hour is us'% -or %rill &-t'r this com'
thr'' p'rio%s! 'ach o- t)o hours .uring th's' 'ach platoon )orks in accor%anc' )ith
a training sch'%ul' )hich cov'rs th' -ollo)ing subA'ctsH

Political training
$actics
;'apon training
.rill
$'chnical training
;'apons o- mass %'struction an%
.'-'nc' against th's'
Physical training

$h' numb'r o- hours sp'nt on 'ach subA'ct vari's consi%'rably! %'p'n%ing on th'
arm o- s'rvic' an% th' &rm'% S'rvic' in )hich th' sol%i'rs ar' s'rving :o)'v'r! th'
g'n'ral plan o- )ork is th' sam' 'v'ry)h'r'66a r'vi') p'rio%! %rill an% th'n si/ hours
o- )ork on th' subA'cts list'% abov' in accor%anc' )ith in%ivi%ually arrang'% training
sch'%ul's
(in'ty6-iv' p'r c'nt o- all )ork! '/c'pt -or political training! is %on' out o- %oors!
rath'r than in classrooms66in th' op'n country on rang's! in tank training ar'as! in
tank %'pots! 'tc &ll p'rio%s! '/c'pt -or political training! involv' physical )ork! )hich
is o-t'n v'ry str'nuous
7or instanc'! tactical training may involv' si/ hours %igging tr'nch's in bla@ing sun
or in a har% -rost! high6sp''% crossings o- riv'rs! ravin's! %itch's an% barrica%'s!
rapi% 'r'ction o- camou-lag'66an% 'v'rything is %on' at th' %oubl' "nstruction in
tactics is al)ays giv'n )ithout 'Guipm'nt $hus! a tank cr') is tol% to imagin' that
th'y ar' in a tank! attacking th' 'n'my Ion th' '%g' o- th' )oo% ov'r th'r'4 :aving
run to th' )oo%! th' cr') r'turns an% th' tank comman%'r '/plains th' mistak's
th'y ma%'66th'y shoul% hav' attack'% not on th' cr'st o- th' hill but in th' gully
(o)! onc' again 0sing this syst'm o- instruction! you can Guickly t'ach a cr')! )ho
may b' unabl' to un%'rstan% complicat'% '/planations! ho) an 'n'my shoul% b'
attack'%! an% ho) to us' 'v'ry hollo) in th' groun% to prot'ct th'ir o)n tank in
battl' "- th'y %on4t! )'ll th'y Aust run o-- again! an% again! an% again -or th' )hol'
si/ hours i- n'c'ssary
;'apon training involv's stu%y o- )'apons an% o- combat 'Guipm'nt ?ut you
shoul% not imagin' that a platoon sits in a classroom! )hil' th' instructor %'scrib's
th' construction o- tanks! guns an% armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs
137
$h' s'rg'ant sho)s a young sol%i'r an assault ri-l' $his is your p'rsonal )'apon
*ou strip it lik' this *ou ar' allo)'% 13 s'con%s to %o this " )ill sho) you an% th'n
)' )ill practis' it66%o it again66an% again66no) %o it )ith this blin%-ol% &n% again
$his is our tank "t carri's 5+ sh'lls! 'ach o- )hich )'ighs b't)''n 21 an% 22
kilogramm's! accor%ing to typ' &ll th' sh'lls ar' to b' loa%'% -rom th's' contain'rs
through this hatch into th' tank4s ammunition stor' *ou4v' got 22 minut's to %o this
8oJ (o) %o it again66an% again66an% again
&ny proc'ss! -rom changing a tank4s tracks or its 'ngin' to running in rubb'r
prot'ctiv' clothing %uring C; training! is al)ays l'arn'% by practical '/p'ri'nc' an%
practis'% again an% again until it b'com's 'ntir'ly automatic! 'v'ry %ay! 'v'ry night
-or t)o y'ars So many s'con%s ar' allo)'% -or 'ach part o- th' op'ration Mak' sur'
you %o it this tim'H i- you %on4t you4ll hav' to practis' it again an% again an% again! at
night! on Sun%ays! on Sun%ay nights
B/c'ptional physical strain is put upon Sovi't sol%i'rs .uring his -irst %ays in th'
army a young r'cruit los's )'ight! th'n! %'spit' th' r'volting -oo%! h' b'gins to put it
on! not as -at! but as muscl' :' starts to )alk %i--'r'ntly! )ith his shoul%'rs back! a
mischi'vous t)inkl' app'ars in his 'y' an% h' b'gins to acGuir' s'l-6con-i%'nc' &-t'r
si/ months! h' b'gins to %'v'lop consi%'rabl' aggr'ssion! an% to %ominat' th' scum
"n his battl's )ith th' latt'r! h' )ins not only b'caus' o- tra%ition! or th' support o-
his s'niors! his (C>s an% o--ic'rs66h' is also physically strong'r than th'y ar' :'
kno)s that r'cruits coming into th' army ar' -ar )'ak'r than h' is66h' has si/
months o- s'rvic' b'hin% him ;ithin a y'ar h' has b'com' a r'al -ighting6man
& Sovi't sol%i'r is -orc'% to a%apt to circumstanc's :is bo%y n''%s r'st an% h' )ill
-in% a thousan% )ays to g't it :' l'arns to sl''p in any position an% in th' most
unlik'ly plac's .on4t 'v'r think o- giving an au%i'nc' o- Sovi't sol%i'rs a l'ctur' )ith
any th'ory in it66th'y )oul% -all asl''p at your v'ry -irst )or%s
&t 13++ hours th' platoon! '/haust'% an% %ripping )ith s)'at! r'turns -rom
training! an% ti%i's its'l- up :astily! 'v'ryon' cl'ans boots! )ash's! puts things
right66at th' %oubl'! all th' tim' .inn'r para%'66th'y march o--! singing! to th'
%ining hall an% sp'n% 2+ minut's th'r' ov'r %isgusting! thin soup! s'mi6rott'n
potato's )ith ov'r6salt'% -ish an% thr'' slic's o- br'a% :urry! hurry ICompany! on
your -''tJ 7all inJ4 .inn'r is ov'r $h'y march o--! singing! to th' barrack6room 7rom
1#++ to 18++ th'y cl'an )'apons! s'rvic' 'Guipm'nt! cl'an th' barracks an% ti%y th'
surroun%ing ar'a 7rom 18++ to 2+++ Is'l-6tuition4 $his m'ans training )hich is
%'vis'% not by th' %ivisional sta-- but by th' s'rg'ants I3+ pr'ss6ups (o) %o it
again *ou %i%n4t mak' much o- a Aob o- loa%ing thos' sh'lls $ry it again (o) onc'
mor' $h' tim' you took to run thr'' kilom'tr's in your r'spirator )as poor 8o an%
%o it again4
7rom 2+++ to 2+2+66supp'r Casha or potato's! t)o slic's o- br'a%! t'a! a lump o-
sugar I?utt'r=66you ha% that this morning4 &-t'r supp'r a sol%i'r has 2+ minut's o-
-r'' tim' ;rit' a l'tt'r hom'! r'a% a pap'r! s') up a s'nior sol%i'r4s collar6lining -or
tomorro)4s insp'ction! cl'an his boots until th'y gl'am! iron his trous'rs
&t 21++ hours th'r' is a -ormal battalion! r'gim'ntal or %ivisional para%' Bv'ning
roll6call! a run6through o- th' tim'6tabl' -or tomorro) an% o- th' r'sults o- to%ay4s
training! mor' s'nt'nc's impos'% by military tribunals an% th'n an 'v'ning stroll
$his tak's th' -orm o- 2+ minut's o- %rill! )ith tim' k'pt by %rum6b'at! an% training
songs! y'll'% out by s'v'ral thousan% voic's &t 2153 th' sol%i'r r'ach's th' barracks
again! )ash's! cl'ans his t''th! polish's an% cl'ans 'v'rything -or n'/t morning &t
22++66lights out 7or thos'! that is! )ho ar' not on night '/'rcis's $h' tim'tabl'
mak's provision -or 9 hours o- night training 'ach )''k (o allo)anc' is ma%' -or loss
o- sl''p $h's' night '/'rcis's can! o- cours'! go on -or any l'ngth o- tim' &n% thos'
138
)ho ar' not on night '/'rcis's may b' got out o- b'% at any mom'nt by a practic'
al'rt

5

Satur%ay is a )orking6%ay in th' Sovi't &rmy ;hat mak's it %i--'r'nt -rom oth'r
%ays o- th' )''k is that th' sol%i'rs hav' a -ilm6sho) in th' 'v'ning (o66not about
9am's ?on%! but about ,'nin or ?r'@hn'v
Sun%ay is a r'st6%ay So r'v'ill' is at +1++ hours! inst'a% o- +#++ $h'n! as
al)ays! morning toil't! P$! br'ak-ast &n% th'n -r'' tim' $his is )hat th' political
o--ic'r has b''n )aiting -or $h'r' is on' o- th's' IKampolits4! as th'y ar' call'%! in
'ach company! battalion! r'gim'nt an% so on $h' Kampolit can only )ork )ith th'
sol%i'rs on Sun%ays! so his )hol' 'n'rgy is %'vot'% to that %ay :' arrang's tug6o-6
)ar comp'titions an% -ootball match's66mor' runningJ :' also giv's l'ctur's about
ho) ba% things )'r' b'-or' th' <'volution! ho) goo% li-' is no)a%ays! ho) th'
p'opl's o- th' )orl% groan un%'r th' yok' o- capitalism an% ho) important it is to
)ork har% to -r'' th'm "n som' r'gim'nts th' sol%i'rs ar' allo)'% to sl''p a-t'r
%inn'r &n% ho) th'y sl''p66all o- th'mJ >n a bright sunny Sun%ay! som'tim's! a
%ivision looks lik' a lan% o- th' %'a% >nly v'ry occasionally is a singl' -igur'66th'
%uty o--ic'r6to b' s''n )alking aroun% $h' sil'nc' is astonishing an% unimaginabl' at
any oth'r tim' Bv'n th' bir%s stop singing
$h' sol%i'rs sl''p on $h'y ar' tir'% ?ut th' Kampolits ar' not tir'% $h'y hav'
b''n r'sting all )''k an% no) th'y ar' bustling about! )on%'ring )hat to organis'
n'/t -or th' sol%i'rs :o) about a cross6country run=
Sun%ay %o's not b'long to th' Sovi't sol%i'r! an% so h' r'ckons! r'asonably
'nough! that this %ay! too! lasts 1!551 minut's inst'a% o- 1!55+


/ay After /ay

1

Practic' mak's p'r-'ct $his is a )is' saying! )hich th' Sovi't &rmy acc'pts
&ccor%ingly! %uring his s'rvic' 'v'ry sol%i'r go's through th' sam' cycl' o-
instruction -our tim's
Bach o- th's' lasts -or -iv' months! )ith on' month as a br'ak b'-or' th' n'/t on'
b'gins .uring this int'rval! th' sol%i'rs )ho hav' compl't'% th'ir s'rvic' ar'
%'mobili@'% an% th' n') intak' arriv's "n this month th' r'cruits go through th'ir
*oung Sol%i'r4s Cours'H th' r'main%'r ov'rhaul an% r'pair 'Guipm'nt an% )'apons!
an% %o maint'nanc' )ork at barracks! camps an% -iring6rang's $h'y ar' also us'%
-or various sorts o- h'avy )ork $his is not al)ays -or th' &rm'% 7orc'sF som'tim's
th'y b'com' labour'rs on Stat' proA'cts $h'n th' -iv'6month cycl' o- instruction
b'gins &ll th' subA'cts in th' training sch'%ul' ar' cov'r'% but %uring th' -irst month
th' 'mphasis is on th' in%ivi%ual training o- 'ach sol%i'r $h' young'st on's l'arn
)hat th'y n''% to kno) an% %o! )hil' th' ol%'r on's r'p'at 'v'rything -or th'
s'con%! thir% or -ourth tim' &s a sol%i'r4s s'rvic' l'ngth'ns! th' %'man%s h' must
m''t incr'as' & sol%i'r )ho has only Aust Aoin'% may b' r'Guir'% to %o! -or instanc'!
2+ pr'ss6ups! on' )ho has s'rv'% -or # months 5+! a-t'r a y'ar h' )ill hav' to %o 53
an% a-t'r 18 months 3+ $h' stan%ar%s r'Guir'% incr'as' similarly in 'v'ry typ' o-
activity66shooting! running! %riving military v'hicl's! r'sistanc' to C; mat'rials!
'n%uranc' )ithout an air6supply in a tank un%'r )at'r! 'tc
139
"n th' s'con% month! )hil' )ork continu's on th' improv'm'nt o- in%ivi%ual skills!
s'ctions! cr')s an% military t'ams ar' s't up "n r'ality th'y '/ist alr'a%y! sinc' 13L
o- th'ir m'mb'rs ar' sol%i'rs )ho hav' alr'a%y s'rv'% in th'm -or at l'ast si/
months $h' young r'cruits a%apt Guickly! -or th'y ar' ma%' to %o th' )ork -or th'
)hol' t'amH th' ol%'r m'mb'rs %o not '/'rt th'ms'lv's but th'y sGu''@' 'nough
s)'at -or t'n out o- th' n') arrivals so as o avoi% b'ing accus'% o- i%l'n'ss
th'ms'lv's an% in or%'r not to incur th' )rath o- th'ir platoon or r'gim'ntal
comman%'r
7rom th' s'con% month! )'apon training is no long'r in%ivi%ual but to )hol'
s'ctions Similarly! th' s'ctions! t'ams an% oth'r basic combat units r'c'iv' all th'ir
tactical! t'chnical an% oth'r instruction as groups &t th' sam' tim'! m'mb'rs o-
th's' s'ctions! t'ams an% groups l'arn ho) to r'plac' on' anoth'r an% ho) to stan%
in -or th'ir comman%'rs Sub6machin' gunn'rs practis' -iring machin'6guns an%
gr'na%' launch'rs! machin' gunn'rs l'arn to %riv' an% s'rvic' armour'% p'rsonn'l
carri'rs! m'mb'rs o- rock't launch'r t'ams ar' taught ho) to carry out th' %uti's o-
th'ir s'ction comman%'r M'mb'rs o- tank! gun! mortar an% rock't6launch'r cr')s
r'c'iv' similar instruction
$h' thir% month is %'vot'% to p'r-'cting unit an% in particular platoon coh'sion
B/'rcis's lasting -or s'v'ral %ays! -i'l% -iring! riv'r crossing! n'gotiation o- obstacl's!
anti6gas an% anti6ra%iation tr'atm'nt o- p'rsonn'l an% 'Guipm'nt66th' sol%i'rs carry
all th's' out as platoons .uring th's' '/'rcis's! s'ction comman%'rs r'c'iv' practic'
in comman%ing a platoon in battl' $h'n com' -i'l% -iring an% oth'r practical '/'rcis's
lasting -or t)o )''ks 'ach! -irst at company! th'n at r'gim'ntal an% -inally at
%ivisional l'v'l $)o -inal )''ks ar' tak'n up )ith larg'6scal' mano'uvr's! involving
&rmi's! 7ronts or 'v'n compl't' Strat'gic .ir'ctions
&-t'r this an insp'ction o- all th' -ormations )hich mak' up th' Sovi't &rmy is
carri'% out Ch'cks ar' carri'% out on in%ivi%ual sol%i'rs! s'rg'ants! o--ic'rs! g'n'rals!
s'ctions! platoons! compani's! batt'ri's! battalions! r'gim'nts! briga%'s! %ivisions
an% &rmi's ;ith this th' cycl' o- instruction is compl't'% & month is s't asi%' -or
r'pair an% r'-urbishing o- 'Guipm'nt! -iring6rang's! training groun%s an% training
c'ntr's "n this month! again! th' %'mobili@ation o- tim'6'/pir'% sol%i'rs an% th'
r'c'ption o- a n') intak' o- r'cruits tak's plac' $his is -ollo)'% by a r'p'tition o- th'
'ntir' training cycl'66in%ivi%ual instruction an% th'n th' )'l%ing tog'th'r o- s'ctions!
platoons! compani's! battalions! r'gim'nts! %ivisions! th'n th' larg'6scal' '/'rcis's
an% -inally th' insp'ction So it go's on! ov'r an% ov'r again


)hy does a soldier need to read a map+

1

Most Sovi't sol%i'rs %o not kno) ho) to r'a% a map $his is th' absolut' truth
$h'y ar' Aust not taught to %o so ;hat is mor'! th'r' is no int'ntion that th'y shoul%
l'arn! sinc' it is not consi%'r'% n'c'ssary
"n th' ;'st you can buy a map at any p'trol station "n th' 0SS< any map )ith
mor' than a c'rtain amount o- %'tail on it is classi-i'% as a s'cr't %ocum'nt "- you
los' a singl' sh''t o- a map you can b' put in prison -or a long tim'66not a lu/urious
;'st'rn prison! but som'thing Guit' %i--'r'nt
$h' -act that maps ar' r'gar%'% as s'cr't giv's th' Sovi't comman% a numb'r o-
important a%vantag's "n th' 'v'nt o- a )ar on Sovi't t'rritory an 'n'my )oul% hav'
consi%'rabl' %i--iculty in %ir'cting his artill'ry -ir'! or his aircra-t! or in planning
140
op'rations in g'n'ral $hus! in 1951! th' 8'rman comman% ha% to us' pr'6
r'volutionary maps! print'% in 1891! to plan its air rai%s on Mosco) 7rom tim' to
tim' singl' Sovi't maps -'ll into th' han%s o- 8'rman troops! but this only occurr'%
acci%'ntally so th' maps )'r' unlik'ly to b' cons'cutiv' sh''ts ;h'n th' 8'rmans
'nt'r'% Sovi't t'rritory! it )as notic'abl' that th' accuracy o- th'ir artill'ry -ir' -rom
cov'r'% -ir' positions -'ll o-- sharply $h'y )'r' unabl' to us' th'ir V61 an% V62
rock'ts
?y making th' map a s'cr't %ocum'nt th' Communists achi'v'% som'thing 'ls'66
att'mpting to -l'' -rom th' Sovi't para%is' )ithout a map is a -airly risky
un%'rtaking >n on' occasion a Sovi't sol%i'r s)am across th' Blb' n'ar ;int'rb'rg
an% ask'% -or political asylum ;h'n h' )as ask'% i- h' ha% any s'cr'ts to %isclos' h'
r'v'al'% that h' ha% sp'nt th' last 'ight''n months painstakingly gath'ring 'v'ry
crumb o- in-ormation h' coul% lay his han%s on :' )as car'-ully Gu'stion'% an% )as
th'n s'nt'nc'% to %'ath an% shot :' ha% s)um th' Blb' at th' )rong point an% ha%
-all'n into th' han%s o- th' Bast 8'rman -ronti'r guar%s! )ho ha% Gu'stion'% him! in
brok'n <ussian! at th' r'Gu'st o- th'ir Sovi't comra%'s "- h' ha% s)um across th'
Blb' a -') kilom'tr's -urth'r north h' )oul% hav' lan%'% sa-'ly in ;'st 8'rmany66i-!
that is! h' ha% avoi%'% tr'a%ing on min's or b'ing torn to pi'c's by guar% %ogs

2

"n th' Sovi't &rmy th'r' ar'! it is tru'! hun%r'%s o- thousan%s o- sol%i'rs )ho hav'
b''n instruct'% in map6r'a%ing ?ut th'y ar' only thos' )ho )oul% n''% to us' a
map in battl'66r'connaissanc' an% assault troops! SPB$S(&K %iv'rsionary troops!
topograph'rs! missil' control op'rators! aircr')! artill'rym'n! 'tc
&n or%inary tank cr') m'mb'r or in-antry sol%i'r %o's not n''% a map :' %o's
not tak' op'rational %'cisions! h' ob'ys th'm <'m'mb'r Sovi't tactical th'ory66no
battalion! no r'gim'nt! %ivision or &rmy a%vanc's in%'p'n%'ntly Bv'n a 7ront can
only op'rat' in%'p'n%'ntly in '/c'ptional circumstanc's & Sovi't o--'nsiv' is a
massiv' avalanch' o- tanks! support'% by a storm o- artill'ry -ir' &ll this is %ir'ct'%
at a singl'! narro) s'ctor o- th' 'n'my4s -ront "n%ivi%ual initiativ' coul% ruin th'
ov'rall plan "n many cas's! r'gim'ntal an% %ivisional comman%'rs hav' no authority
to %'viat' -rom th' rout' th'y hav' b''n or%'r'% to -ollo) "n this situation an
or%inary sol%i'r %o's not n''% a map :is -unction is to k''p his )'apons an%
'Guipm'nt in goo% or%'r an% to us' th'm skil-ully! to a%vanc' brav'ly an% )ith
%'t'rmination in th' %ir'ction in%icat'% by his comman%'r! an% to push -or)ar% at all
costs an% )hat'v'r th' loss's $h' Sovi't sol%i'r is not '/p'ct'% to por' ov'r a map66
th'r' ar' any numb'r o- oth'rs )ho ar' %oing that66but to r'-u'l a tank Guickly! to
unloa% ammunition as -ast as h' can! to aim accurat'ly an% to -ir' col%6bloo%'%ly :is
task is to )ork as -ast as h' can! r'pairing %amag' to his p'rsonal )'apons or
changing roll'rs or tracks on tanks! putting out -ir's! %riving his tank un%'r )at'r
to)ar%s th' 'n'my4s shor' :' must go )ithout sl''p -or thr'' %ays an% )ithout -oo%
-or -iv'! h' must sl''p in th' sno) in his shabby gr'atcoat an% carry out th' or%'rs o-
his comman%'r unGu'stioningly $h' Sovi't &rmy t'ach's him to %o all this ?ut it
only t'ach's map r'a%ing to thos' )ho )ill comman% an% %ir'ct this sol%i'r
$hos' )ho built th' 8r'at Pyrami%s )'r' probably not particularly )'ll '%ucat'%
an% o-t'n th'y probably %i% not 'v'n un%'rstan% 'ach oth'r! sinc' slav's ha% b''n
%riv'n tog'th'r -rom %istant ar'as to buil% th' hug' structur's ?ut th' pyrami%s
turn'% out non' th' )ors' -or that $h' slav's )'r' not '/p'ct'% to carry out
intricat' calculations or to mak' pr'cis' m'asur'm'ntsH all that )as r'Guir'% -rom
th'm )as ob'%i'nc' an% %ilig'nc'! submission to th' lash an% )illingn'ss to sacri-ic'
th'ms'lv's in or%'r that som' unkno)n but most %'sirabl' aim shoul% b' achi'v'%
141
Sovi't g'n'rals a%opt a similar position66sur'ly it is not n'c'ssary to involv' 'v'ry
slav' in plans o- such 'normous compl'/ity Sovi't g'n'rals ar' not arrogantF th'y
ar' compl't'ly satis-i'% )ith a sol%i'r )ho! 'v'n i- h' cannot r'a% a map! %o's not
strik'! %o's not s't up tra%'s unions! %o's not pass Au%g'm'nt on th' actions o- his
comman%'rs an% only g'ts his hair cut )h'n a s'rg'ant t'lls him to


The Training of Sergeants

1

Sol%i'rs ar' gla% )h'n th'ir column r'ach's th'ir n') %ivision an% th'y ar' tol%
that th'y ar' Aoining! -or instanc'! th' 2+1th Motor6<i-l' .ivision! th' 25th 8uar%s
&rtill'ry or th' 22r% 8uar%s $ank .ivision $h'y kno) an% ar' r'a%y -or )hat a)aits
th'm ?ut th'y ar' s'riously alarm'% i- th'y %iscov'r that th'y ar' Aoining th' 92n%
Motor6<i-l' $raining .ivision! th' 212th Motor6<i-l' $raining .ivision or th' ##th
8uar%s Motor6<i-l' $raining .ivision $h' )or% I$raining4 has an ominous soun% to a
r'cruit $ru'! it m'ans that h' )ill n'v'r b' on' o- th' scum! that h' )ill n'v'r hav'
s'nior sol%i'rs abov' him! but! inst'a%! h' )ill b'com' a s'rg'ant in si/ months4 tim'!
stan%ing abov' both scum an% s'nior sol%i'rs! as th'ir lor% an% mast'r ?ut h' kno)s
that -or this h' )ill hav' to pay a v'ry h'avy pric'66si/ months in a training %ivision
7orm'rly 'ach r'gim'nt train'% its o)n s'rg'ants "n a%%ition to its -our or -iv'
battalions an% its various compani's! 'ach r'gim'nt ha% a Ir'gim'ntal school4 $h'
r'gim'ntal comman%'r put his b'st company comman%'r in charg' o- this school "-
th' last o- an o--ic'r4s postings contain'% th' )or%s Icomman%'% th' r'gim'ntal
school4 this sho)'% that at on' stag' h' )as r'gar%'% as th' b'st young o--ic'r in his
r'gim'nt $h' r'gim'ntal comman%'r %'vot'% 'Gual att'ntion to his choic' o- platoon
comman%'rs -rom this school an% h' also s'nt th' most -'rocious o- his s'rg'ants
th'r' $h'n 'ach company comman%'r )oul% pick out th' most promising o- his
r'cruits an% )oul% s'n% th'm to th' school $h'ir training )oul% turn th'm into r'al
)ol-6houn%sF th'y )oul% r'turn to th'ir company )ith th'ir s'rg'ant4s shoul%'r6
boar%s an% l'a% its sol%i'rs to glory
?ut th' syst'm o- r'gim'ntal schools ha% on' shortcoming .i--'r'nt nationaliti's
hav' %i--'ring t'mp'ram'nts an% th'ir o)n tra%itions &ny Sovi't o--ic'r )ill con-irm
that a $atar mak's th' b'st s'rg'ant o- all 0krainians ar' v'ry goo% s'rg'ants $h'
,ithuanians ar' not ba% ?ut th' <ussian! )hil' h' mak's a goo% sol%i'r or a goo%
o--ic'r! is not a goo% s'rg'ant $h' gr'at <ussian p'opl' must -orgiv' m'! but this is
not Aust my opinionH it is that o- th' maAority o- Sovi't o--ic'rs
"t may! o- cours'! b' that all Sovi't o--ic'rs ar' mistak'n but! any)ay! th'
r'gim'ntal schools c'rtainly acc'pt'% all th' $atars th'y )'r' o--'r'%! imm'%iat'ly
$h'y took th' 0krainians an% th' ,ithuanians! too! but 8'orgians! <ussians! 0@b'ks
an% &@'rbai%@hanis )'r' giv'n no plac's (o)! consi%'r )hat happ'ns )h'n
mobili@ation is or%'r'% &ll %ivisions! )h'r'v'r th'y ar' p'rman'ntly garrison'%! )ill
call up th'ir r's'rvists an% -ill all th'ir vacanci's ('/t s'con% -ormation %ivisions66
Iinvisibl' %ivisions4 ar' -orm'% "n th' proc'ss! it com's to light that in th' $atar
<'public all th' r's'rvists ar' s'rg'ants an% that th'r' ar' no oth'r ranks $h'
situation in th' 0krain' an% in ,ithuania is almost th' sam' "n th' oth'r r'publics
though! all th' r's'rvists ar' privat' sol%i'rs an% th'r' ar' no s'rg'ants at all ;hil'
it is tru' that -or instanc'! 8'orgians mak' '/c'll'nt o--ic'rs! th'y ar' not acc'pt'%
-or training as s'rg'ants! b'caus' th'y ar' too )arm6h'art'% an% this mak's th'm
r'a%y to ov'rlook tri-ling mistak's $ri-ling mistak's ar' pr'cis'ly )hat a s'rg'ant is
142
conc'rn'% )ith66h' must n'v'r ov'rlook th'm an% h' must punish thos' r'sponsibl'
)ithout m'rcy So! ho) coul% you 'v'r buil% up a %ivision in 8'orgia=
$h' 8'n'ral Sta-- rack'% its brains -or a long tim' ov'r this probl'm! but -inally
a%opt'% th' ra%ical solution o- %isban%ing all th' r'gim'ntal schools an% o- training
s'rg'ants c'ntrally! in training %ivisions

2

(aturally! th' stan%ar% o- s'rg'ants an% th'ir authority %ropp'% sharply as this
%'cision )as impl'm'nt'% ;h'r'as pr'viously 'ach company comman%'r ha% pick'%
out on' o- his r'cruits an% tol% him! I*ou ar' going to b' a s'rg'ant4! no) th'r' )as
no such p'rsonal s'l'ction >n' column o- r'cruits )as s'nt to a normal %ivision!
anoth'r )'nt to a training %ivisionH it )as %on' Guit' hapha@ar%ly &gainst that! th'
8'n'ral Sta-- no) kno)s that! un%'r th' mobili@ation plans! 8'orgia! -or instanc'!
n''%s to pro%uc' 1+3!+++ s'rg'ants -rom its r's'rv' but that in -act it has only
12!+++ $h' r'm'%y is obvious66in th' n'ar -utur' th' r'Guisit' numb'r o- n') intak'
columns -rom 8'orgia must b' s'nt to training %ivisions &ll th' 8'n'ral Sta-- n''%s
to %o is to )ork out )hat sort o- s'rg'ants it n''%s66rock't troops! artill'ry or
in-antry66an% to issu' th' n'c'ssary instructions to local Military Commissars about
th' numb'rs th'y ar' to s'n% to 'ach training %ivision
>- cours'! in -ormulating th's' instructions! th' 8'n'ral Sta-- %o's not -org't to
'nsur' that a suitabl' mi/tur' o- nationaliti's is r'tain'% in 'ach %ivision

2

& training %ivision has th' sam' 'stablishm'nt! organisation an% 'Guipm'nt as a
normal motor6ri-l' %ivision $hr'' o- th' most important battalions66th'
r'connaissanc'! communications an% rock't battalions66ar' combat subunits )hich
ar' i%'ntical )ith thos' in a normal %ivision &ll th' oth'r r'gim'nts an% battalions o-
th' %ivision k''p th'ir )'apons mothball'%! hol%ing a%%itional )'apons -or training
purpos's $h' training %ivisions hav' no -i/'% 'stablishm'nt o- p'rsonn'lH 'v'ry si/
months 'ach %ivision r'c'iv's t'n thousan% r'cruits to train &-t'r -iv' months o-
brutally tough training th's' train''s b'com' s'rg'ants an% ar' s'nt to combat
%ivisions! to r'plac' thos' )ho hav' b''n %'mobili@'% $h'n th' training %ivision
r'c'iv's anoth'r t'n thousan% an% th' cycl' b'gins again $hus 'ach training %ivision
turns out t)'nty thousan% s'rg'ants a y'ar
Bach train'' sp'n%s hal- o- his -irst y'ar at th' training %ivision! is promot'% an%
th'n sp'n%s th' r'maining 'ight''n months o- his s'rvic' )ith a combat %ivision
$raining %ivisions ar' locat'% only on Sovi't t'rritory "- )ar shoul% br'ak out th'ir
curr'nt intak' )oul% b' promot'% ah'a% o- tim' an% th'y )oul% call up th'ir r's'rv's!
tak' th'ir )'apons out o- storag' an% -unction as a combat %ivisions
Bach o- th' r'gim'nts o- a training %ivision trains s'rg'ants in on' particular -i'l%!
-ollo)ing a sp'cialis'% curriculum $h' artill'ry r'gim'nt trains 1!3++ artill'ry
s'rg'ants! th' 'ngin''ring battalion turns out 2++ 'ngin''r s'rg'ants )ith varying
sp'cialist Guali-ications! an% so -orth & v'ry larg' proportion o- tank cr') m'mb'rs
pass through th' training %ivisions! sinc' th' comman%'r! gunn'r an% %riv'r o- a tank
ar' all (C>sH only th' loa%'r is a privat' sol%i'r Sinc' th' n')'st Sovi't tanks carry
no loa%'rs! 'v'ry m'mb'r o- a tank cr') )ill h'nc'-orth pass through a training
%ivision "n th' artill'ry th' proportion o- s'rg'ants is much lo)'r "n th' in-antry!
units )ith armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs hav' on' s'rg'ant to 'ach s'ction! thos' )ith
in-antry combat v'hicl's hav' thr'' s'rg'ants to 'ach s'ction $h' training o-
143
s'rg'ants in th' various %i--'r'nt -i'l%s proc''%s in accor%anc' )ith th' r'Guir'm'nts
o- th' combat %ivisions
"n th' tank training r'gim'nts! th' -irst battalion usually trains tank comman%'rs!
th' s'con%! th' gunn'rs an% th' thir%! th' %riv'rs
&t th' conclusion o- th'ir training all train''s sit '/aminations "- th'y pass th'm
th' sp'cialists (gunn'rs! tank %riv'rs! ra%io op'rators 'tc) b'com' lanc'6corporalsF
thos' )ho pass )ith %istinction b'com' Aunior s'rg'ants 8un6! tank6 an% s'ction6
comman%'rs b'com' Aunior s'rg'antsH thos' )ho pass )ith %istinction r'c'iv'
imm'%iat' promotion to s'rg'ant

5

& training %ivision has no scum or s'nior sol%i'rs &ll 1+!+++ r'cruits arriv' an%
l'av' th' %ivision at th' sam' tim' $h' %ivision %o's! ho)'v'r! hav' s'rg'ants! an%
th'ir in-lu'nc' is a hun%r'% tim's gr'at'r than that o- th' s'rg'ants in combat
%ivisions "n a combat %ivision! )hil' a s'rg'ant must not b' ov'r6-amiliar )ith his
s'nior sol%i'rs! h' must at l'ast r'sp'ct th'm an% tak' th'ir opinions into account "n
a training %ivision! on th' oth'r han%! a s'rg'ant simply %ominat's his train''s!
totally ignoring any vi')s th'y may hav' "n a%%ition! 'ach platoon comman%'r in a
training %ivision! sup'rvising thirty or -orty young train''s! is allo)'% to r'tain th'
s'rvic's o- on' or t)o o- th' tough'st o- th'm & s'rg'ant in a training %ivision also
kno)s that h' )oul% hav' nothing lik' th' sam' authority in a combat %ivision ;hil'
h' is still a train''! th'r'-or'! h' picks noisy Guarr'ls )ith his -'llo)s! in th' hop' that
his platoon comman%'r )ill notic' an% %'ci%' that h' is som'on' )ho shoul% b' k'pt
on to Aoin th' sta-- a-t'r th' 'n% o- th' cours' :' cannot a--or% to r'%uc' his
aggr'ssiv'n'ss i- h' succ''%s in lan%ing a Aob )ith th' training %ivision! or h' may
-in% hims'l- s'nt o-- to Aoin a combat %ivision! having b''n r'plac'% by som' young
t'rror )ho is only too r'a%y to sp'n% all his nights as )'ll as his %ays 'n-orcing or%'r
an% %isciplin' ("-! ho)'v'r! this shoul% happ'n! h' )oul% soon r'alis' that h' is
unlik'ly to b' s'nt on any)h'r' 'ls' -rom a combat %ivision an% that h' can th'r'-or'
a--or% to l't up a bit an% to slack'n th' r'ins)
.isciplin' in a training %ivision is almost unb'li'vably strict "- you hav' not
'/p'ri'nc'% li-' in on' you coul% n'v'r imagin' )hat it is lik' 7or instanc'! you might
hav' a s'ction o- non6smok'rs h'a%'% by a s'rg'ant )ho %o's smok' Bv'ry m'mb'r
o- th' s'ction )ill carry cigar'tt's an% match's in his pock't "- th' s'rg'ant!
appar'ntly )ithout r'alising that h' is %oing so! li-ts t)o -ing'rs to his mouth! th'
s'ction )ill assum' that h' is in n''% o- a cigar'tt' &s on'! t'n train''s )ill rush
-or)ar%! pulling cigar'tt' pack'ts -rom th'ir pock'ts $h' s'rg'ant h'sitat's!
consi%'ring )hich o- th' t'n stan%s high'st in his -avour at that mom'nt! an% -inally
s'l'cts on' o- th' cigar'tt's h' is o--'r'% ?y %oing so! h' r')ar%s a train'' -or his
r'c'nt p'r-ormanc' $'n pack'ts o- cigar'tt's %isapp'ar in a -lashF in th'ir plac'
app'ar t'n light'% match's! h'l% out -or th' s'rg'ant4s us' >nc' again h' paus's!
looking thought-ully -rom -ac' to -ac'66)hom to r')ar% this tim'= >n' match go's
out! burning th' -ing'rs o- a young train''! )ho stoically 'n%ur's th' pain! 'v'n
though it brings t'ars to his 'y's $h' s'rg'ant acc'pts th' light o--'r'% by th' sol%i'r
n'/t to him an% pu--s cont'nt'%ly a)ay
Bach %ay th' s'rg'ant picks on' o- th' train''s an% puts him in comman% o- th'
oth'rs $h' train'' must sp'n% th' %ay %'vising -r'sh torm'nts -or his -'llo)s "- h'
r'ally %istinguish's hims'l- by his inv'ntiv'n'ss! h' )ill r'c'iv' th' gr'at'st honour o-
all66h' )ill b' allo)'% to polish th' s'rg'ant4s boots that 'v'ning $h' train''s -ight a
sil'nt battl' among th'ms'lv's! 'v'ry hour o- 'v'ry %ay! -or this privil'g'
144
Po)'r %'prav's thos' )ho )i'l% it an% a s'rg'ant in a training %ivision is as
%'prav'% as it is possibl' to b' :' us's his po)'r to manipulat' his subor%inat's!
gra%ually turning th'm into r'al man6'at'rs
S'rvic' in a training %ivision is th' pip'6%r'am o- many Sovi't o--ic'rs "t is
g'n'rally b'li'v'% that in a training %ivision on' %o's no )ork at all ?ut this is not
tru'H " kno) b'caus' " hav' s'rv'% in on' $h' )ork is sh''r %ru%g'ry "t is tru' that
you n'v'r n''% to t'ach th' train''s anything66th'ir s'rg'ants %o that "t is tru' that
'v'ry sGuar' m'tr' o- asphalt is scrubb'% )ith toothbrush's "t is tru' that th' -loors
in th' lavatori's shin' almost as brightly as th' s'rg'ant4s boots "t is tru' that no
s'rg'ant )ill 'v'r st'p out o- lin'! -or -'ar o- b'ing post'% to a combat %ivision
&gainst all this! ho)'v'r! th' numb'r o- suici%'s in th' training %ivisions must
'/c''% th' -igur's -or any similarly6si@'% group o- p'opl' any)h'r' 'ls' in th' )orl%
"- a train'' in your platoon or your company kills hims'l-! your o)n r'cor% o- s'rvic'
)ill carry a black mark &n% this black mark )ill n'v'r b' 'ras'% Bach o--ic'r must
th'r'-or' k''p a constant )atch on 'ach o- his train''s &s soon as h' spots th'
slight'st in%ication that som'thing is )rong h' must tak' action :' must pick out
an% giv' po)'r to th' train'' )ho app'ars to hav' r'ach'% th' 'n% o- his t'th'r an%
to b' about to turn on his platoon! to bla@' a)ay at th'm! at his o--ic'rs an% at
anyon' 'ls' n'arby an% th'n! calmly changing th' maga@in'! to s'n% anoth'r long
burst ripping through his o)n young bo%y
?ut ho) can you )atch th'm all= Can you g't to th' right on' in tim' to mak' him
so %runk )ith po)'r that h' )ill r'sist th' t'mptation to kill hims'l-=


The Corrective System

1

Som' say that b'-or' th' <'volution th' <ussians )'r' slav's in chains Many
b'li'v'% this an% many oth'rs still %o so (apol'on )as on' o- th's' an% h' %'ci%'%
that h' )oul% conGu'r th' country by )inning ov'r its %o)n6tro%%'n s'r-s &s h'
'nt'r'% <ussia! th'r'-or'! h' publish'% a mani-'sto! -r''ing th' p'asantry -rom
s'r-%om :o)'v'r! -or )hat'v'r r'ason! th' <ussian p'asants %i% not vi') him as a
lib'rator an% th'y ignor'% his '%ict Mor' than that! th'y ros' against him!
'v'ry)h'r' h' or his armi's app'ar'% Bv'ntually th'y %rov' him -rom <ussian soil!
ignominiously aban%oning his armi's as h' %i% so
$h' Communists claim that th'y lib'rat'% th' <ussian p'opl' *'t! )h'n th' )ar
b'gan! th's' sam' <ussians gr''t'% th'ir -or'ign inva%'rs )ith t'ars! )ith -lo)'rs
an% )ith 'nthusiastic hospitality ;hat can hav' brought th'm to th' point at )hich
th'y )oul% gr''t 'v'n :itl'r as th'ir saviour an% lib'rator=
$h' Sovi't -orc's surr'n%'r'% to :itl'r in r'gim'nts! %ivisions! corps! an% &rmi's
"n S'pt'mb'r 1951 th' 3th! 21st! 2#th! an% 21th &rmi's surr'n%'r'% simultan'ously
an% )ithout r'sistanc' "n May 1952 th' )hol' o- th' South6;'st'rn 7ront! th' #th!
9th an% 31th &rmi's! th' 2n%! 3th an% #th Cavalry Corps! th' 21st an% 22r% $ank
Corps surr'n%'r'% in th' Charkov ar'a $h'y -ought -or -our %ays an% lai% %o)n th'ir
arms on th' -i-th &t th' sam' mom'nt! th' 2n% Shock &rmy capitulat'% on th' (orth6
;'st'rn 7ront ;hat is mor'! th'y th'n turn'% th'ir )'apons against th'
Communists Sol%i'rs! o--ic'rs! an% g'n'rals o- 'v'ry nationality o- th' Sovi't 0nion
surr'n%'r'%! although th' <ussians )'r' th' most num'rous! both in numb'rs an% as
a p'rc'ntag' o- th' total <ussian population o- th' country $h' <ussian ,ib'ration
&rmy )as th' larg'st o- all th' anti6Communist -orc's! %ra)n -rom th' inhabitants o-
145
th' pr'6r'volutionary <ussian Bmpir'! )hich )'r' s't up %uring th' S'con% ;orl%
;ar ?y th' 'n% o- th' )ar it consist'% o- appro/imat'ly on' million <ussian sol%i'rs
an% o--ic'rs! )ho ha% chos'n to -ight against th' Sovi't &rmy "t coul% hav' b''n still
larg'r than this! but :itl'r )oul% not giv' his )hol'h'art'% support to ,i'ut'nant6
8'n'ral & Vlasov! th' l'a%'r o- th' <ussian anti6Communist mov'm'nt ;ith
unb'li'vabl' short6sight'%n'ss! h' 'mbark'% upon a bloo%thirsty campaign o- t'rror
against th' inhabitants o- th' t'rritori's occupi'% by his armi's Compar'% to th'
lib'ration an% coll'ctivisation campaigns carri'% out by th' Communists! this t'rror
)as r'lativ'ly mil%! but it %'priv'% :itl'r o- any hop' o- )inning th' laur'ls o- a
champion o- -r''%om
?ut th' Communists )'r' not i%l' $h'y %i% 'v'rything th'y coul% to r'tain po)'r
an% to pr'v'nt th' total collaps' o- th' Sovi't &rmy >n 12 May! 1952 th' mur%'rous
ISm'rsh4 organisation66a military count'r6int'llig'nc' s'rvic'! op'rating
in%'p'n%'ntly o- th' (CV.66)as 'stablish'% "ts most important task )as %'-in'% by
?'riya on 13 May as I-ighting att'mpts to r'viv' a <ussian &rmy4 $hat sam' %ay a
n') la) on hostag's )as 'nact'%! %'cr''ing that th' r'lativ's o- Sovi't citi@'ns )ho
Aoin'% th' <ussian ,ib'ration &rmy coul% b' imprison'% -or t)'nty6-iv' y'ars or shot
& %ay lat'r n') gui%anc' on p'nal battalions )as issu'%
P'nal battalions '/ist'% alr'a%y but not in th' -orm no) 'nvisag'% (or ha% th'r'
'v'r b''n as many o- th'm as )as no) propos'% $h'ir -inal shap' )as %'ci%'% upon
in May 1952 $h' original proposals )'r' con-irm'% an% th'y hav' not chang'% -rom
that %ay to this ,'t us look at th'm mor' clos'ly

2

$h' ol% <ussian &rmy ha% a goo% tra%itionH i- its sol%i'rs consi%'r'% a )ar to b' a
Aust on' th'y )oul% -ight lik' lions "- th'y b'li'v'% it to b' unAust an% unn'c'ssary
-or th' <ussian p'opl'! th'y )oul% simply stick th'ir bayon'ts in th' groun% an% go
hom' $hat is )hat th'y %i% in 1911 an% th'y %i% it again in 1951 Millions o- <ussian
sol%i'rs coul% s'' no r'ason to %'-'n% th' Communist r'gim' Proo- that this )as a
)i%'spr'a% attitu%' )as provi%'% by th' &rmi's )ho gav' th'ms'lv's up $h' sam'
opinion )as shar'% by hun%r'%s o- thousan%s o- 0krainians! )ho 'stablish'% th'
0krainian "nsurg'nt &rmy! by Cossacks! 8'orgians! ,ithuanians! ,atvians! Crim'an
$atars an% by many oth'r p'opl's )ho! b'-or' th' <'volution! ha% -ought -'arl'ssly
-or th' int'r'sts o- th' <ussian Bmpir' against 'v'ry -or'ign invasion
$h' Communists ar' cl'v'r p'opl' $h'y sav'% th'ir %ictatorship in a most original
)ay66by %'v'loping a n') us' -or p'nal battalions! )hich prov'% to b' a %'cisiv'
-orc' in th' battl's )ith th' 8'rman army $h' 8'rmans chok'% on th' bloo% o- th'
Sovi't p'nal battalions &lso! )ith th' h'lp o- th' p'nal battalions! th' Communists
%'stroy'% millions o- th'ir pot'ntial an% actual %om'stic 'n'mi's an% put an 'n% -or
s'v'ral %'ca%'s to th' gro)th o- %isob'%i'nc' an% r'sistanc' to th'ir r'gim'
0ntil May 1952! 'ach &rmy -ighting at th' -ront ha% on' p'nal battalion $h's'
battalions )'r' us'% in %'-'nc' as )'ll as %uring o--'nsiv's &-t'r this th' situation
alt'r'%66th' battalions )'r' only to b' us'%! accor%ing to th' n') policy! in
o--'nsiv's "n %'-'nc' th'y )'r' to b' 'mploy'% only to count'r6attack 66an%! a-t'r
all! a count'r6attack is its'l- an o--'nsiv' action on a small scal' "n a%%ition to th'
battalions alr'a%y s'rving )ith &rmi's! oth'r battalions! subor%inat'% to 7ronts! )'r'
intro%uc'% Bach 7ront comman%'r h'nc'-orth ha% b't)''n 1+ an% 13 p'nal
battalions at his %isposal
Bach battalion ha% an a%ministrativ' group! a guar% company an% thr'' p'nal
compani's $h' p'rman'nt compon'nt o- th' battalion66th' comman% sta-- an% th'
guar%s66consist'% o- or%inary sol%i'rs an% o--ic'rs )ho )'r' s'l'ct'% -or th'ir
146
obtus'n'ss! th'ir -'rocity an% th'ir -anaticism $h'y )'r' r')ar%'% )ith unh'ar%6o-
privil'g's $h' o--ic'rs r'c'iv'% s'v'n tim's th' normal pay66-or 'ach y'ar o- s'rvic'
th'y )'r' giv'n s'v'n y'ars to)ar%s th'ir p'nsion
$h' p'nal battalions contain'% in%ivi%uals )ho ha% sho)n r'luctanc' to -ight an%
oth'rs )ho )'r' susp'ct'% o- co)ar%ic' ;ith th'm )'r' o--ic'rs an% sol%i'rs )ho
ha% b''n s'nt'nc'% -or various crim's an% o--'nc's $h' o--ic'r4s )ho )'r' s'nt to
th' battalions lost any %'corations th'y ha% b''n a)ar%'%! tog'th'r )ith th'ir ranks!
an% Aoin'% th' battalion as privat's
.uring p'rio%s o- calm th' p'nal battalions )'r' k'pt in th' r'ar &t th' last
mom'nt b'-or' an o--'nsiv'! th'y )'r' brought up! un%'r guar%! an% position'% at
th' -or)ar% '%g' o- th' battl' ar'a &s th' artill'ry pr'paration b'gan! th' guar%
company! arm'% )ith machin' guns! )oul% tak' th'ir plac' b'hin% th' p'nal
compani's! )ho )'r' th'n issu'% )ith )'apons $h'n! on th' comman% I&%vanc' to
attackJ4 th' guar% company4s machin' guns )oul% -orc' th' r'luctant p'nal compani's
to g't to th'ir -''t an% to a%vanc' ?'ing unabl' to mov' in any oth'r %ir'ction! th'y
attack'%! -r'n@i'%ly $h' most brilliant victori's achi'v'% by th' Sovi't &rmy )'r'
bought )ith th' bloo% o- th' p'nal battalions $h'y )'r' giv'n th' har%'st an% most
thankl'ss tasks $h'y )oul% br'ak through th' 'n'my4s %'-'nc's an% th'n! s)''ping
through th'ir mi%st! trampling on th'ir corps's! )oul% com' th' 'lit' 8uar%s
%ivisions $h'r'a-t'r no on' )ant'% th' p'nal compani's in th' ar'a "t )as -ar b'tt'r
to l't th' 8uar%s %o th' -ighting
.uring th' assault on th' 8'rman %'-'nc's at Stalingra%! 1# p'nal battalions )'r'
conc'ntrat'% in th' 21st &rmy4s br'akthrough s'ctor an% 22 mor' in th' #3th &rmy4s
s'ctor on th' .on 7ront Sovi't 7ronts 'mploy'% almost as many as this %uring th'
Cursk battl's! to br'ach th' 8'rman %'-'nc's &t on' point in th' cours' o- th'
-ighting in ?y'lorussia! on th' or%'rs o- Marshal Khukov! 25 p'nal battalions )'r'
brought tog'th'r an% thro)n into th' attack! to cut a )ay through -or th' 3th 8uar%s
$ank &rmy 25 battalions ar' th' 'Guival'nt o- almost 5 %ivisions >n' shoul% a%% that
v'ry -') o- th'm surviv'% th' 'ngag'm'nt an% that! o- cours'! thos' )ho )'r'
-ortunat' 'nough to liv' through this battl' )'r' almost c'rtainly kill'% in th' n'/t
on'
Bach p'nal battalion ha% an 'stablishm'nt o- 2#+ $his may s''m a small numb'r
*'t th' capacity o- th's' battalions )as astonishing Sovi't g'n'rals lov'% to attack or
count'r6attackH anyon' un%'r th' comman% )ho s''m'% to lack -ighting spirit )oul%
Guickly -in% hims'l- s'rving as a privat' in a p'nal battalion &n unsucc'ss-ul attack
brought c'rtain %'ath -or th' m'mb'rs o- th' p'nal compani's66th'y )'r' unabl' to
'scap' an% th'y )'r' shot %o)n by th' guar% company "- th'y succ''%'% in
a%vancing! th' proc'ss )oul% b' r'p'at'%! again an% again $h'y )oul% %i'!
'v'ntually! )h'n th'y cam' up against an impr'gnabl' %'-'nc' $h' guar% company
)oul% th'n r'turn to th' r'ar! an% ass'mbl' a n') battalion! )hich )oul% r'sum' th'
attack on th' -ollo)ing %ay66or 'v'n th' sam' %ay
$h' o--icial -igur's giv'n -or Sovi't casualti's %uring th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar is
2+!+++!+++ o--ic'rs an% m'n "n r'ality! o- cours'! th' total )as consi%'rably high'r &
larg' proportion o- th's' millions r'ach'% th'ir %'stiny through th' sausag' machin'
o- th' p'nal battalions Much stupi%ity an% i%iocy )as %isplay'% in th' )ar! th'r' )'r'
many unn'c'ssary an% unAusti-iabl' sacri-ic's ?ut this )as an '/c'ptionH a subtl' an%
car'-ully thought6out policy o- using th' bloo% o- pot'ntial int'rnal 'n'mi's to %'stroy
an '/t'rnal 'n'my66th' 8'rman military machin' "t )as at onc' a shr')% an%
appalling sch'm'
$h' 8'rman comman% un%'rstoo% th' situation v'ry )'ll ?ut th'ir outlook )as too
limit'% an% too p'%antic to allo) th'm to a%opt th' corr'ct ripost'66r'tr'ating rapi%ly
b'-or' th' p'nal battalions! giving th' latt'r a chanc' to -in% cov'r -rom th' h'avy
147
machin' guns! )hich thr'at'n'% th'm -rom th' r'ar! an% to turn th'ir )'apons on th'
guar% company "- 7i'l% Marshal von Paulus ha% %on' this at Stalingra%! th' Sovi't
p'nal battalions )oul% hav' cl'ar'% his path to th' Volga "- von Manst'in ha% %on'
this at Cursk h' )oul% hav' )on th' gr'at'st battl' in tank history
"- i- i- only som'on' ha% r'alis'% ho) th' <ussians loath' Communism "- only
som'on' ha% tri'% to tap this r's'rv' o- hatr'%

2

"n a%%ition to th' in-antry p'nal battalions! )hich r'pr's'nt'% th' maAority! th'r'
)'r' min'6cl'aring an% air -orc' p'nal units $h' -unction o- th' min'6cl'aring units is
s'l-6'/planatory but som'thing mor' must b' sai% about th' air -orc' p'nal
compani's "n a%%ition to th'ir bomb6loa%s an% rock'ts th' bomb'rs an% groun%6
attack aircra-t carri'% cannon or machin' guns in turr'ts -or %'-'nc' against 'n'my
-ight'rs ;hy! r'ason'% our glorious Communist l'a%'rs! shoul% honourabl' young
Communists! %'vot'% to th' caus' o- lib'rating th' )orking6class! %i' in our aircra-t=
>- cours'! our pilots must b' trust)orthy an% %'%icat'% (an% th'r' ar' hostag's )'
can us' to 'nsur' that th'y r'main so) but an air6gunn'r4s %uti's coul% Aust as )'ll b'
carri'% out by som'on' )ho is an 'n'my o- socialism &n% )hy shoul%n4t th'y b'= :'
can4t 'scap' an% h' can4t avoi% -ighting! sinc' his o)n li-' %'p'n%s on th' outcom'!
?y r'p'lling 'n'my -ight'rs h' is -irst o- all pr's'rving his o)n )orthl'ss li-'! but h' is
also %'-'n%ing th' aircra-t! an% )ith it th' Communist caus'
7rom May 1952 on)ar%s! p'nal compani's o- air6gunn'rs )'r' attach'% to all th'
bomb'r an% groun%6attack units o- th' <'% &rmy $h'y )'r' k'pt n'ar th' air-i'l%s! in
stocka%'s surroun%'% by barb'% )ir' $h'ir training )as rapi%ly compl't'% $h'y
)'r' simply taught ho) to 'stimat' th' %istanc' o- an approaching 'n'my aircra-t
an% ho) to -ir' th'ir cannon or machin'6guns $h'y )'r' not giv'n parachut's66th'y
)oul% not! in any cas'! hav' kno)n ho) to us' th'm "n or%'r that no rash i%'as
shoul% 'nt'r his h'a% %uring a -light! th' n')ly6-l'%g'% gunn'r )as -irmly strapp'% to
his s'at66as i- -or his o)n sa-'ty $h' pilot in th' ",62 an% ",61+ groun%6attack aircra-t
)as prot'ct'% by armour6platingF b'hin% him )ith his back to him! sat th' gunn'r!
)ho )as prot'ct'% only by his 121mm machin' gun M'mb'rs o- p'nal compani's
)'r' also us'% as gunn'rs on PB62 an% $062 %iv'6bomb'rs an% also on th' PB68 an%
oth'r bomb'rs
"n or%'r to arous' th' -ighting spirit o- th's' I-lying convicts4! an inc'ntiv' )as
%'vis'%66th'ir s'nt'nc's )'r' r'%uc'% by a y'ar -or 'ach op'rational -light &t that
tim' th'ir stan%ar% s'nt'nc' )as t'n y'ars $'n -lights an% you4ll b' -r''J $his %'vic'
)ork'%! 'v'n though th' gunn'rs ha% not volunt''r'% -or th' Aob ('v'rth'l'ss! th'
-ighting spirit among th's' prison'rs! )ho )'r' r'ally un%'r s'nt'nc' o- %'ath! )as
consi%'rably high'r than it )as among th'ir -'llo)6su--'r'rs on th' groun%
;ho'v'r thought o- this i%'a )as c'rtainly no -ool "n th' -irst plac' not many o-
th' gunn'rs surviv'% nin' -lights &nyon' )ho %i% manag' to %o so )as n'v'r s'nt on
a t'nth -light :is companions )'r' tol% that h' ha% b''n s'nt to anoth'r r'gim'nt!
n'arby! or r'l'as'%! )h'r'as in -act th' poor %'vil ha% b''n s'nt to s'rv' -or a y'ar
)ith a min'6cl'aring battalion $h' pr't'/t us'% )as a stan%ar% on'66Iyour n'rv's
ar' in a ba% stat' $h' m'%ical o--ic'r )on4t allo) you to -ly any mor'4
$h' av'rag' '/p'ctation o- li-' in a min'6cl'aring battalion )as! i- anything! lo)'r
than that in th' p'nal battalions )hich s'rv'% )ith th' in-antry
$h' %'ath rat' among th' I-lying convicts4 r'main'% '/c'ptionally high $his %i%
not gr'atly conc'rn anyon'66this )as th'ir in'vitabl' -at' 0n-ortunat'ly though!
)h'n an air6gunn'r )as kill'%! his machin'6gun )oul% slip -rom his han%s an% its
barr'l )oul% %rop li-'l'ssly %o)n)ar%s $his )as a us'-ul signal to th' 8'rman
148
-ight'rs66th' gunn'r in that aircra-t has b''n kill'%! so th' aircra-t is %'-'nc'l'ss
,'t4s g't itJ
$h' Sovi't comman% -inally r'alis'%! a-t'r Gu'stioning a numb'r o- 8'rman airm'n
)ho ha% b''n shot %o)n! that! as h' %i'%! th' air gunn'r )as involuntarily signalling
to th' 'n'my that his aircra-t )as un%'-'n%'% ;hat coul% b' %on'= *ou coul% not g't
t)o -lying convicts into on' cabin66an% )hat )oul% b' th' point! in any cas'! sinc' th'
sam' burst o- -ir' might kill both o- th'm Much thought )as giv'n to th' probl'm
$h'n a brilliant i%'a occurr'% to Marshal o- th' &ir 7orc's & B 8olovanov! Stalin4s
-orm'r p'rsonal pilot an% bo%yguar%! )hos' Aob it ha% b''n to arr'st marshals an%
g'n'rals -or his mast'r an% to con%uct th'm to Mosco) :' thought o- th' i%'a o-
-i/ing a spring to th' br''ch o- an aircra-t4s machin' gun ;h'th'r th' gunn'r )as
aliv' or not! th' barr'l o- th' gun )oul% no) k''p pointing up)ar%s 7or this inv'ntion
Stalin r')ar%'% this -avourit' o- his )ith th' >r%'r o- ,'nin

5

"n p'ac'tim' th' p'nal battalions ar' kno)n as "n%'p'n%'nt .isciplinary
?attalions Bach comman%'r o- a Military .istrict is r'sponsibl' -or t)o or thr'' o-
th'm Comman%'rs o- 8roups o- 7orc's station'% outsi%' th' 0SS< also hav'
battalions o- this sort un%'r th'ir comman%! but th'y ar' station'% on Sovi't t'rritory
$h' %isciplinary battalions hav' b''n organis'% in pr'cis'ly th' sam' )ay as th'
)artim' p'nal battalions66a%ministration! a guar% company an% thr'' p'nal
compani's "n p'ac'tim' th' o--ic'rs s'rving )ith th's' battalions ar' pai% at %oubl'
rat's66-or 'ach y'ar o- s'rvic' th'y r'c'iv' t)o y'ars4 pay an% t)o y'ars to)ar%s
th'ir p'nsion
$h' sol%i'rs an% s'rg'ants on th' p'rman'nt sta-- o- th's' battalions hav' b''n
s'nt to th'm by military tribunals )hich hav' s'nt'nc'% th'm to )ork th'r' -or
p'rio%s o- b't)''n thr'' months an% t)o y'ars $im' sp'nt in a %isciplinary battalion
%o's not count as part o- a sol%i'r4s military s'rvic' "n my %ivision! on on' occasion!
t)o s'rg'ants got %runk th' %ay b'-or' th'y )'r' to b' %'mobili@'% a-t'r t)o y'ars4
s'rvic' "n th'ir %runk'n stat' th'y )'r' insu--ici'ntly r'sp'ct-ul to)ar%s on' o- th'
sta-- o--ic'rs & tribunal s'nt'nc'% 'ach o- th'm to los' his rank an% to s'rv' -or t)o
y'ars )ith a %isciplinary battalion &-t'r t)o y'ars th'y r'turn'% to th' %ivision!
compl't'% th'ir r'maining %ay4s s'rvic' an% )'r' %'mobili@'%
,i-' in a Sovi't %isciplinary battalion to%ay is a larg' subA'ct! )hich shoul% b'
%iscuss'% at l'ngth an% s'parat'ly " )ill limit mys'l- to saying that such a battalion
)ill br'ak th' strong'st o- charact'rs )ithin thr'' months " hav' n'v'r! %uring my
'ntir' s'rvic'! m't a sol%i'r )ho ha% sp'nt tim' in on' )ho sho)'% th' slight'st
trac's o- %isob'%i'nc' or in%isciplin' "t is a gr'at %ay -or any comman%ing o--ic'r in
th' Sovi't &rmy )h'n his unit is r'6Aoin'% by som'on' )hom 'v'ryon' has -orgott'n
an% )hom v'ry -') )ill r'cognis'66a man s'nt to a %isciplinary battalion som' tim'
ago -or insubor%ination! or in%isciplin' or -or som' -orm o- prot'st $h' o--ic'rs in th'
r'gim'nt an% th' %ivision hav' mostly chang'% sinc' his %ay! as hav' th'
ov'r)h'lming maAority o- s'rg'ants an% oth'r ranks Su%%'nly! h' app'ars66Gui't!
%o)ntro%%'n! submissiv' :' talks to no on' an% carri's out all or%'rs or instructions
uncomplainingly "t is impossibl' to g't him to say a singl' )or% about )h'r' h' has
b''n or )hat h' has s''n :is ans)'rs ar' monosyllabic an% '/pr'ssionl'ss66I*'s4
an% I(o4 s''m to b' th' only )or%s l'-t in his vocabulary $h'n su%%'nly on' o- th'
long'r6s'rving sol%i'rs r'm'mb'rs66this )as Col4ka! th' troubl'6mak'r! th' )it! a liv'6
)ir'! -or'v'r sugg'sting risky 'scapa%'s! )ho sang an% play'% th' guitar an% )as
a%or'% by all th' local girls Bight''n months ago h' )as s'nt to a %isciplinary
battalion -or som' tri-ling o--'nc' $h' young'r sol%i'rs! ga@ing at this sil'nt! gloomy
149
n') arrival! can only hal-6b'li'v' )hat th'y h'ar $h' r'gim'nt Gui't'ns %o)n!
%isciplin' improv's! mor' r'sp'ct is sho)n to its o--ic'rs
7or minor o--'nc's a sol%i'r %o's 2 to 13 %ays in th' unit4s guar%room &ny sol%i'r
)ho sp'n%s mor' than 53 %ays th'r' in a y'ar is automatically s'nt to a %isciplinary
battalion $h'r' h' is r'-orm'%H a-t'r h' r'turns to his unit h' )ill n'v'r again commit
a %isciplinary o--'nc' :' )ill n'v'r )ant to sit b'hin% bars again
('v'rth'l'ss! i- )ar )ith th' ;'st shoul% br'ak out! Sovi't sol%i'rs )oul%
surr'n%'r by th' million .isciplinary or p'nal battalions )oul% not pr'v'nt this -rom
happ'ning &n% th' Politburo has no illusions about this

Part !ight
The &fficer#s Path

'o% to Control Them

1

" arriv'% at %ivisional h'a%Guart'rs 'arly in th' morning $h' %uty o--ic'r! a
,i'ut'nant6Colon'l! )as )'lcoming :' ha% not sl'pt all night an% h' might )'ll hav'
tol% m'! p''vishly! to go to h'll &s it )as! my bran%6n') li'ut'nant4s shoul%'r6
boar%s s''m'% to strik' a chor% in his m'mory! an% h' Aust smil'% to hims'l- an%
sai%! I8o out an% tak' a )alk -or hal- an hour or so "t4s still a bit 'arly4
:al- an hour lat'r " r'turn'% to %ivisional :O an% )as tak'n straight to th' o--ic' o-
th' h'a% o- th' p'rsonn'l %'partm'nt :'! too! )as pl'asantly )'lcoming :' ha%
b''n s'nt my p'rsonal -il' a month 'arli'r &-t'r " ha% -inish'% my training! " ha%
tak'n my -irst l'av' as an o--ic'r! lik' all my companions -rom th' military training
coll'g'! but my -il' )as alr'a%y lying in -ront o- this p'rsonn'l o--ic'r! on that tabl'!
an% at night it ha% b''n put in that sa-' ov'r th'r' Probably h' kn') m' b'tt'r than
" kn') mys'l- :' took a long look at m' an% th'n ask'% on' Gu'stion! )hich " ha%!
o- cours'! b''n '/p'ctingH
I:o) about changing to 7irst Sp'cialisation=4
Bach military tra%' is r'-'rr'% to by a numb'r ?'-or' th' )ar th'r' )'r' about 13+
o- th'm (o)a%ays th'r' ar' mor' than 1!+++ ?ut all6arms comman%'rs ar' all 7irst
Sp'cialisation m'n66an% th'y ar' th' on's )ho 'nsur' that all th' %i--'r'nt arms o-
s'rvic' an% &rm'% S'rvic's )ork tog'th'r prop'rly $hos' )ho comman% motor6ri-l'
platoons! compani's! battalions! r'gim'nts! %ivisions an% all6arms &rmi's! 7ronts an%
Strat'gic .ir'ctions ar' all 7irst Sp'cialisation o--ic'rs $h' Supr'm' Comman%'r! too!
has th' sam' backgroun% " am a tank o--ic'r an% " lov' tanks! but no) th'y ar'
o--'ring m' an in-antry Aob66on' )hich is mor' %i--icult! but )hich has b'tt'r
prosp'cts $h' cushy Aobs ar' al)ays -ull! but th'r' is a constant an% acut' shortag'
o- o--ic'rs in th' in-antry Platoons ar' comman%'% by s'rg'ants! b'caus' th'r' ar'
not 'nough li'ut'nants "n th' in-antry! on'4s chanc's o- promotion ar' v'ry goo%! but
th'y ar' n'v'r abl' to -in% 'nough p'opl' )ho ar' pr'par'% to put up )ith th'
har%ships o- in-antry li-' So th'y o-t'n ask o--ic'rs )ith oth'r sp'cialisations66o--ic'rs
)ith tank! anti6tank an% mortar training66this Gu'stion
I" am in no hurry *ou4v' got tim' to think it ov'r66an% it is som'thing you n''% to
think about4 ('v'rth'l'ss! th' p'rsonn'l o--ic'r looks at m' '/p'ctantly " %o not
usually tak' long to mak' up my min% " stan% up an% say! %'cisiv'ly! I" )ish to
trans-'r to 7irst Sp'cialisation4
:' lik's my r'action! p'rhaps not b'caus' h' has succ''%'% so 'asily in g'tting m'
to volunt''r -or such a h'llish Aob! but simply b'caus' h' r'sp'cts a positiv' attitu%'
150
I:av' you b''n abl' to hav' any br'ak-ast y't=466his ton' alt'rs
I(ot y't4
I$h'r'4s Guit' a goo% ca-' opposit' .ivisional :O ;hy %on4t you look in th'r'=
M''t m' th'r' at 1+ o4clock an% "4ll tak' you to th' %ivisional comman%'r "4ll
r'comm'n% you -or a company straight a)ay " kn') you )oul% acc'pt "n th'
%ivisional tank r'gim'nt you )oul% only g't a platoon an% you4% hav' to %o thr''
y'ars th'r' b'-or' th'r' )as any prosp'ct o- promotion4

2

$h' or%'r appointing m' comman%'r o- th' 5th motor6ri-l' company o- th' 8uar%s
motor6ri-l' r'gim'nt )as sign'% at 1++2 hours &lr'a%y by 1+2+ " )as at r'gim'ntal
h'a%Guart'rs $h' r'gim'ntal comman%'r look'% %isapprovingly at my tank ba%g's "
coul% s'' him thinking66a lot o- you crooks )angl' yours'lv's Aobs in th' in-antry to
s'' )hat you can g't out o- it :' ask'% m' som' stan%ar% Gu'stions an% th'n tol%
m' " coul% tak' ov'r th' company
$h' 5th Company ha% alr'a%y b''n )ithout a comman%'r -or thr'' months
"nst'a% o- -iv' o--ic'rs it ha% only on'! a li'ut'nant )ho )as in comman% o- th' -irst
platoon :' ha% gra%uat'% -rom his military training coll'g' th' pr'vious y'ar! ha%
comman%'% a platoon -or si/ months an% ha% b''n giv'n comman% o- th' company
?ut th'n h' ha% tak'n to %rinking h'avily an% ha% b''n r'turn'% to his platoon
BGuipm'nt= $h' company ha% non' "n th' 'v'nt o- mobili@ation a r'gim'nt )oul%
r'c'iv' agricultural lorri's to %o th' Aob o- armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs! but in
p'ac'tim' th' r'gim'ntal comman%'r has a numb'r o- &PCs at his %isposal! an%
th's' ar' us'% -or th' combat training o- in%ivi%ual compani's an% battalions
$h'r' )'r' 38 (C>s an% oth'r ranks in th' company! inst'a% o- th' -ull
compl'm'nt o- 1+166th' %ivision )as b'ing k'pt b'lo) str'ngth Most o- th' company
spok' <ussian .isciplin' )as poor .'mobili@ation )as approaching66an or%'r )oul%
b' coming -rom th' Minist'r imm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' insp'ction "n anticipation o- this!
th' ol%'st sol%i'rs ha% b'com' slack! putting pr'ssur' on th' scum! not to mak'
th'm )ork har% but to g't th'm to -'tch vo%ka $h'r' )'r' 19 o- th's' s'nior
sol%i'rs in th' company $h'ir s'rg'ants -oun% th'm almost uncontrollabl' $h'
insp'ction )as to b'gin in -our %ays4 tim'

2

&t a m''ting that 'v'ning th' r'gim'ntal comman%'r pr's'nt'% m' to his hun%r'%
or so o--ic'rs! )ho look'% at m' )ithout particular int'r'st " click'% my h''ls an%
ma%' a small bo)
$h' only subA'ct %iscuss'% at th' m''ting )as th' -orthcoming insp'ction I&n%
Aust in cas' th' i%'a shoul% occur to anyon'66th'r' is to b' no ch'ating66b'tt'r th'
truth! ho)'v'r unpl'asant! than som' 'laborat' cov'r6up "- " h'ar o- any att'mpt to
%'c'iv' th' commission! to try to mak' things look b'tt'r than th'y ar'! th' o--ic'r
conc'rn'% )ill los' his Aob an% )ill b' put un%'r imm'%iat' arr'stJ4 " lik'% this
straight-or)ar% approach $hat )as th' prop'r )ay to %o things "t )as Guit' )rong to
s)''p things un%'r th' carp't $h' oth'r o--ic'rs no%%'% in agr''m'nt $h'
r'gim'ntal comman%'r -inish'% his a%%r'ss an% look'% to)ar%s his chi'- o- sta--! )ho
smil'% Aocularly ICompany comman%'rs 2+ rubl's 'ach! %'puty battalion
comman%'rs 23! battalion comman%'rs 2+ an% th' r'st kno) )hat th'y shoul% giv'
8iv' your %onation to th' -inanc' o--ic'r " )ant to 'mphasis' onc' again! that this is
'ntir'ly voluntary "t4s Aust a matt'r o- hospitality4 $h' pil' o- mon'y in -ront o- th'
-inanc' o--ic'r gr') st'a%ily " %i% not ask )hy )' )'r' han%ing ov'r this mon'y $h'
151
Sovi't &rmy has not only got mor' %ivisions an% tanks! mor' sol%i'rs an% g'n'rals!
than any oth'r army in th' )orl% "t also has mor' pigs 0n%'r th' Socialist syst'm o-
'Guitabl' %istribution! mor' is coll'ct'% -rom th' in%ustrious than -rom th' i%l' an%
th' p'asants ar' giv'n no inc'ntiv' to )ork har%H any surplus th'y pro%uc' is Aust
tak'n a)ay -rom th'm $his m'ans that th' agricultural s'ctor is unabl' to supply
'nough -oo% -or 'ith'r th' army or th' %'-'nc' in%ustri's ?'caus' o- this! 'ach
r'gim'nt has to k''p pigs (o mon'y is allocat'% -or this purpos' $h' pigs ar' -'% on
l'-t6ov'rs -rom th' kitch'ns $h'r' ar' thousan%s o- r'gim'nts in th' Sovi't &rmyH
'ach o- th'm has a hun%r'% pigs :o) coul% any army on 'arth hav' so many pigs=
"n th'ory! th' pigs ar' k'pt so that th' %i't o- th' sol%i'rs can b' improv'% "n
practic' th'y ar' all %'stin'% to -''% th' commissions )hich com' to insp'ct th'
r'gim'nt Som' o- th'ir m'at is ma%' into '/c'll'nt chops! gammon st'aks an% so
-orth $h' r'main%'r is sol%! an% th' proc''%s ar' us'% to buy caviar'! -ish! ham an%
oth'r %'licaci's! all o- )hich! )ith th' m'at! is -or consumption by th' commissions
&n% th'ir vo%ka is bought )ith mon'y -rom r'gim'ntal -un%s! tog'th'r )ith th'
Ivoluntary4 %onations provi%'% by th' o--ic'rs

5

Commissions ar' ma%' up o- sta-- o--ic'rs -rom oth'r military %istricts 7or
instanc'! this y'ar! o--ic'rs -rom th' ?altic Military .istrict may insp'ct th' %ivisions in
th' 7ar Bast'rn an% $urk'stan Military .istricts! )hil' oth'rs -rom th' Sub6Carpathian
Military .istrict )ill insp'ct thos' in th' Mosco)! Volga an% ?altic Military .istricts
Sta-- o--ic'rs ar' i%'alists! th'or'ticians )ho ar' r'mot' -rom r'al li-' $h'y hav'
-orgott'n! or p'rhaps hav' n'v'r kno)n! th' cost o- human s)'at $h'y '/p'ct
sol%i'rs to b' abl' to ans)'r Gu'stions about th' principl's o- mo%'rn )ar-ar'!
-org'tting that som' o- th'm hav' n'v'r 'v'n h'ar% th' <ussian languag' until th'y
'nt'r'% th' army $h'y '/p'ct sol%i'rs to b' abl' to %o -i-ty pr'ss6ups! unconc'rn'%
that som' o- th'm com' -rom -amili's that hav' su--'r'% -or g'n'rations -rom
un%'rnourishm'nt "t may hav' tak'n m' t)o y'ars to t'ach som'on' -rom this sort
o- backgroun% to %o t'n pr'ss6ups an% both h' an% " may b' prou% o- )hat )' hav'
achi'v'% ?ut this )oul% not satis-y a sta-- o--ic'r Sta-- o--ic'rs ar' us'% to moving
armi's across maps! lik' pa)ns on a ch'ssboar%! -org'tting that a sol%i'r may
%isob'y an or%'r! h' may su%%'nly go ma%! h' may r'b'l against authority! oppos'
his sup'riors! or p'rhaps! %riv'n to %'sp'ration! h' may kill his unit comman%'r .o
sta-- o--ic'rs r'alis' this= ,ik' h'll th'y %o &n% this is )hy th'y hav' to b'
'nt'rtain'% ov'r an% ov'r again & glass o- vo%ka an% anoth'r an% anoth'r= & littl'
pork= Som' caviar'= & h'lping o- mushrooms an% a littl' mor' vo%ka=
:o)'v'r! as " han%'% ov'r my mon'y -or th' vo%ka! it %i% not occur to m' that a
r'gim'ntal comman%'r n''%s to cr'at' a g'n'ral atmosph'r' o- -ri'n%lin'ss an%
hospitality -or th' commission! " -orgot about th' bitt'r comp'tition b't)''n company
an% battalion comman%'rs! " compl't'ly ov'rlook'% th' -act that th' commission is
not allo)'% to giv' 'v'ryon' goo% marks an% that! i- on' company succ''%s by its
)'lcom' an% hospitality in achi'ving an IB/c'll'nt4 rating! anoth'r )ill hav' to su--'r!
b'caus' th' commission is comp'll'% to mark som'on' I0nsatis-actory4
" assum'% that th' r'gim'ntal comman%'r4s )arning against -rau%ul'nc' )as
sinc'r' "t %i% not occur to m' that! i- )hat )as r'ally going on b'cam' kno)n! th'
comman%'r hims'l- )oul% b' %ismiss'% imm'%iat'ly &t th' sam' tim'! h' coul%
har%ly a%vocat' th' us' o- %'c'it66h' coul% b' thro)n into gaol -or that So )hat 'ls'
coul% h' hav' sai%=
&ny)ay th' insp'ction b'gan " pr's'nt'% th' company '/actly as it )as ?ut! all
aroun% us! miracl's )'r' b'ing p'r-orm'% $h' r'sults achi'v'% by th' oth'r
152
compani's )'r' Guit' astonishing "n th' 3th Company! -or instanc'! th'y t'st'% th'
%riv'rs o- armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'rs $h' latt'r4s kno)l'%g' o- th'ir v'hicl's )as
'ntir'ly th'or'tical *'t all t'n %riv'rs )'r' giv'n I'/c'll'nt4 gra%ings -or th'ir
p'r-ormanc' in %riving an &PC ov'r rough groun% "t )as only s'v'ral months lat'r
that " %iscov'r'% that th' company comman%'r ha% us'% up all th' p'trol allocat'% to
him in training Aust t)o! not t'n! o- his %riv'rs .uring th' t'st! th' %riv'rs took th'ir
plac's on' a-t'r anoth'r in th' &PC an% 'ach on'! as h' got in! )oul% clos' th' hatch
$h'n on' o- th' t)o '/p'rts )ho )as alr'a%y in th' v'hicl'! )oul% tak' th' )h''l an%
rac' th' v'hicl' roun% th' cours'
&ll th' sol%i'rs in th' 1st Company )'r' gra%'% I'/c'll'nt4 -or th'ir shooting $h'ir
p'r-ormanc' s''m'% too goo% to b' tru'! but th' m'mb'rs o- th' commission! )ho
)'r' Guit' sob'r at th' tim'! ha% '/amin'% th' targ't a-t'r 'ach sol%i'r ha% -ir'% his
roun%s an% ha% mark'% 'v'ry bull't6hol' )ith paint Ouit' by chanc'! " %iscov'r'%
that th' b'st shot in th' company ha% b''n lying in som' n'arby bush's )ith a
snip'r4s ri-l'! -itt'% )ith a sil'nc'r :' ha% h'lp'% his comra%'s out Bv'ryon' )as
%oing much th' sam' sort o- thing $h'n th'r' )as th' boo@ing 7irst th' commission
)as 'nt'rtain'% at r'gim'ntal l'v'l an% th'n cam' th' turns o- in%ivi%ual battalions
an% compani's (o pr'paration at all ha% b''n ma%' in my company &s a r'sult! th'
marks )hich )' )'r' a)ar%'% turn'% out to b' catastrophic Bach tim' " para%'% th'
m'n a-t'r th' insp'ction " )oul% h'ar som'on' b'hin% m' mutt'r angrily! through his
cl'nch'% t''th! IScumJ4 :' )as! o- cours'! a%%r'ssing m'
Bach o--ic'r is r'sponsibl' -or th' unit un%'r his comman% -rom th' v'ry mom'nt
h' tak's it ov'r :' is ans)'rabl' -or 'v'rything! 'v'n i- h' has only arriv'% -our
%ays66or thr'' hours66'arli'r
My company got th' )orst marks in th' )hol' r'gim'nt "t %i% not matt'r that th'
n'/t )orst %i% not g't many mor'66a )i%' ri-t app'ar'% b't)''n us an% all th' oth'r
compani's $h' o--ic'rs laugh'% at m'! op'nly! an% on th' %oors o- th' company4s
barrack6room th'r' app'ar'% th' inscription IS0C W Suvorov4s 0ncontroll'%
Company4
" r'act'% to all this mock'ry )ith a ch''r-ul smil' M'an)hil'! th' compani's )hich
ha% tak'n b't)''n thir% an% 'ighth plac's in th' insp'ction )'r' b'ing put through
Itraining4 s'ssions by th'ir o--ic'rs >st'nsibly in or%'r to corr'ct th' mistak's -or
)hich th'y ha% b''n mark'% %o)n! th'y )'r' tak'n o-- into op'n country an%
punish'% in th' most brutal -ashion! b'ing ma%' to run in gas masks an% rubb'r
prot'ctiv' clothing until th'y collaps'%! unconscious My company )ait'%! mut'ly! -or
m' to %o th' sam' " %i% not %'lay " %r') up a training programm' an% ha% it
approv'% by th' r'gim'ntal sta-- " ask'% -or th' us' o- -iv' armour'% p'rsonn'l
carri'rs an% -or th' h'lp o- a tank platoon! sinc' my company ha% tol% m' that th'y
ha% ha% no instruction in )orking )ith tanks in action ?'si%'s th' tanks " appli'% -or
thr'' blank roun%s -or th' tanks4 guns
" took my company out to a training ar'a an% carri'% out or%inary training
'/'rcis's )ith th'm " '/plain'% anything th'y %i% not un%'rstan% an% th'n put th'm
through th'ir pac's! but %i% not punish th'm in any )ay ('/t " para%'% th'm an%
call'% th' ol%'st group o- sol%i'rs -or)ar% I*ou hav' %on' your %uty honourably!4 "
sai% to th'm! Ian% you hav' -ollo)'% a har% roa% $o%ay you hav' com' to its 'n%
*our last %ay o- training in th' Sovi't &rmy is ov'r " thank you -or all you hav' %on'
" cannot r')ar% you in any )ay "nst'a%! allo) m' to shak' you by th' han%4
" )'nt up to 'ach man an% shook him -irmly by th' han% ('/t " )'nt back to th'
c'ntr' o- th' para%' an% bo)'% sti--ly to th'm66som'thing )hich! accor%ing to th'
r'gulations! shoul% only b' %on' in -ront o- a group o- o--ic'rs $h'n! at my signal! th'
thr'' tanks su%%'nly shatt'r'% th' Gui't o- th' autumn )oo%s by -iring th' blank
153
roun%s! on' a-t'r th' oth'r $his )as so un'/p'ct'% that it ma%' th' young sol%i'rs
-linch
I$h' &rmy salut's you $hank you4 " turn'% to th' s'rg'ant6maAor an% tol% him to
march th' company back to th' barracks
Som' %ays a-t'r this! lat' on' 'v'ning! %o@'ns o- rock'ts su%%'nly soar'%
sky)ar%s ov'r th' camp! thun%'r-lash's an% practic' gr'na%'s '/plo%'% an% bon-ir's
)'r' lit $h' %'mobili@ation or%'r! sign'% by th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! ha% arriv'% "t
ha% b''n '/p'ct'% -or som' %ays but it al)ays arriv's )ithout )arning &s soon as
th'y h'ar about it! thos' )ho ar' to b' %'mobili@'% tr'at th'ms'lv's to a -ir')ork
%isplay 7or s'v'ral %ays b'-or' th' or%'r 'v'ry r'gim'nt has a t'am s'arching -or
ill'gally h'l% rock'ts! training gr'na%'s an% anything )hich coul% b' us'% -or a
bon-ir' $h'y -in% an% con-iscat' a lot but th'y cannot %iscov'r 'v'rything! -or 'ach
sol%i'r has b''n car'-ully gath'ring an% hi%ing mat'rials )hich h' can us' -or th'
Ic'r'monial salut'4
&t th' mom'nt )h'n th' sky )as su%%'nly lit up by bla@ing bon-ir's )'! th'
o--ic'rs! )'r' in th' mi%%l' o- a Party m''ting
I8o an% stop thatJ4 th' r'gim'ntal comman%'r snapp'% $h' company
comman%'rs l'apt to th'ir -''t an% ran o-- to stop th' ro) )hich th'ir unruly charg's
)'r' making
$h' only p'opl' l'-t in th' room )'r' th' r'gim'ntal %octor! th' -inanc' o--ic'r!
som' t'chnical an% sta-- o--ic'rs )ho ha% no sol%i'rs un%'r th'ir %ir'ct comman%! an%
m' " stoo% Gui'tly )atching )hat )as going on outsi%' th' )in%o) $h' r'gim'ntal
comman%'r look'% at m' in astonishm'nt
I$h' 5th Company ar' not involv'%!4 " sai%! in ans)'r to his unspok'n Gu'stion
I"s that so=4 h' sai%! )ith som' surpris' an% s'nt on' o- th' oth'r o--ic'rs to ch'ck
my claim
"t )as in%''% tru' that nothing )as happ'ning in th' 5th Company My tank salut'
ha% b''n a gr'at %'al mor' impr'ssiv' than a -') rock'ts an% thun%'r-lash's $h'
appr'ciation )hich " ha% sho)n ha% -latt'r'% th' s'nior sol%i'rs an% ha% giv'n th'm
pr'stig' an% s'l-6r'sp'ct ;hil' th' barrack6rooms o- all th' oth'r compani's )'r'
b'ing s'arch'% -or anything )hich coul% b' %'tonat'% or burn'%! th'y cam' to m' to
han% ov'r a kit6bag -ull o- o%%s an% 'n%s )hich th'y ha% coll'ct'% an% promis'% that
th'y )oul% not tak' part in th' c'l'brations
;h'n th' m''ting )as r'sum'%! th' r'gim'ntal comman%'r r'buk'% th' oth'r
company comman%'rs -or th'ir -ailur' to pr'v'nt th' outburst $h'n h' ask'% m' to
stan% up an% h' comm'n%'% m' -or th' )ay " controll'% my m'n an% ma%' th'm
b'hav' as " )ant'% "t )as n'v'r his )ay to ask o--ic'rs ho) th'y achi'v'% r'sults
:o)'v'r! his chi'- o- sta-- coul% not r'strain hims'l- an% h' ask'% m' to t'll th'm ho)
" ha% han%l'% th' s'nior sol%i'rs in my company! so that 'v'ryon' coul% l'arn -rom
my '/ampl'
IComra%' ,i'ut'nant6Colon'l66" gav' my or%'rs an% th'y )'r' ob'y'%4 7rom th'
outburst o- goo%6natur'% laught'r )ith )hich this )as gr''t'%! " kn') that " ha%
b''n acc'pt'% as an 'Gual by th' r'gim'nt4s o--ic'rs

3

& Sovi't o--ic'r is som'on' )ho has no rights )hatso'v'r
"n th'ory! h' kno)s! h' must 'ncourag' thos' )ho ar' %ilig'nt an% car'-ulF h'
must punish th' i%l' an% th' un%isciplin'% ?ut th' %ictatorship o- th' prol'tariat has
pro%uc'% a stat' in )hich authority is too c'ntralis'% to p'rmit him to us' 'ith'r a
stick or a carrot :' is allo)'% n'ith'r :' is not 'ntitl'% 'ith'r to punish or to r')ar%
154
>n Sun%ays! th' comman%'r o- a sub6unit is allo)'% to s'n% 1+L o- his (C>s an%
sol%i'rs into to)n %uring %aylight hours $his might s''m to b' a )ay o- 'ncouraging
thos' )ho %'s'rv' it "n -act! ho)'v'r! although h' may mak' a sol%i'r a pr's'nt o-
'ight hours in this )ay! h' cannot b' sur' that his battalion or r'gim'ntal comman%'r
)ill not ov'rrul' him by stopping all l'av' ?'si%'s! platoon an% company
comman%'rs th'ms'lv's ar' not 'nthusiastic about l'tting sol%i'rs out o- camp "- a
sol%i'r is ch'ck'% by a patrol in th' to)n an% th'y -in% th' slight'st thing )rong! th'
o--ic'r )ho allo)'% th' sol%i'r to l'av' his barracks is h'l% r'sponsibl' & comman%'r!
th'r'-or'! pr'-'rs to s'n% sol%i'rs o-- -or th' %ay in a group! un%'r th' 'y' o- th'
political o--ic'r $his is th' only )ay in )hich Sovi't sol%i'rs ar' allo)'% to go into a
to)n in Bast'rn Burop' an% it is v'ry -r'Gu'ntly us'% in th' Sovi't 0nion! too Sinc' a
Sovi't sol%i'r %o's not lik' b'ing part o- a convoy! h' Aust %o's not both'r to l'av'
camp
& company comman%'r may hol% a sol%i'r un%'r arr'st -or thr'' %ays! but a
platoon comman%'r is not allo)'% to %o so :o)'v'r! by giving th' company
comman%'r this right! th' Sovi't authoriti's hav' him by th' throatF )h'n th' stat'
o- %isciplin' in a unit is b'ing ass'ss'%! th' numb'r o- punishm'nts is tak'n into
account 7or instanc'! arr'sts might av'rag' 13 in on' company 'ach month! but 53
in anoth'r Cl'arly! say th' po)'rs that b'! th' -irst company must b' th' b'tt'r on'
$hr'' sol%i'rs might b' punish'% in th' -irst company an% t'n in th' s'con% &gain!
this is a cl'ar in%ication that th' -irst company is in b'tt'r shap' $his attitu%' on th'
part o- th' authoriti's -orc's unit comman%'rs to hush up or ignor' %isciplinary
o--'nc's an% 'v'n crim's! in or%'r not to %rop b'hin% th'ir comp'titors &s a sol%i'r
com's to un%'rstan% th' syst'm! h' b'gins to br'ak th' rul's mor' an% mor'
-r'Gu'ntly an% ing'niously! con-i%'nt that h' )ill not b' punish'% Many att'mpts
hav' b''n ma%' to 'stablish %i--'r'nt crit'ria -or ass'ssing th' stat' o- %isciplin'! but
nothing has com' o- th'm So long as th' pr's'nt syst'm lasts! a comman%'r )ill
avoi% han%ing out punishm'nts! 'v'n )h'n th'y ar' r'ally call'% -or
.'priv'% o- th' right to punish or r')ar%! an o--ic'r %'vis's an% impos's his o)n
syst'm $hus! in on' company! th' sol%i'rs )ill kno) that! i- anything go's )rong!
th'ir night '/'rcis's )ill al)ays b' h'l% )h'n it is raining an% )ill %rag on -or a long
tim' "n anoth'r! th'y )ill kno) that th'y )ill hav' to sp'n% a lot o- tim' %igging
tr'nch's in rocky groun%
Bv'ry comman%'r gra%ually r'-in's his syst'm an% h' may 'v'ntually manag' to
avoi% arr'sts an% o--icially r'cognis'% punishm'nts compl't'lyH h' com's to b'
ob'y'%! )ithout having to r'sort to th'm

#

&s )'ll as %'nying th' o--ic'r any l'gal m'tho% o- controlling his charg's! th'
syst'm also -orc's him to %'v'lop his o)n m'tho%s o- instructing th'm (or is h'
giv'n any prop'r gui%anc' in )ays o- 'nsuring th' ob'%i'nc' o- th' m'n -or )hom h'
is r'sponsibl' $hos' )ho un%'rstan% ho) to '/'rcis' po)'r in th' 0SS< guar% th'ir
kno)l'%g' A'alouslyH th'y c'rtainly %o not )rit' t'/tbooks on th' subA'ct $his is %on'
-or th'm by pro-'ssors! )ho hav' n'v'r s't 'y's on a sol%i'r in th'ir liv's $h's'
pro-'ssors hav' no po)'r th'ms'lv's66th'y may un%'rstan% ho) it is acGuir'% an%
r'tain'%! but th'ir kno)l'%g' is 'ntir'ly th'or'tical
(or )ill a young o--ic'r4s coll'agu's pass on th'ir '/p'ri'nc' on to him! -or it has
cost th'm too much to b' han%'% out -r'' &nything )hich h' l'arns at his military
training coll'g' about r'lationships )ith his subor%inat's is th' pro%uct o- a
pro-'ssor4s imagination an% is o- no practical valu'
155
>nc' h' gra%uat's -rom his training coll'g'! th' young o--ic'r su%%'nly -in%s
hims'l- in th' position o- a lion6tam'r in a cag' o- lions! '/c'pt that h' kno)s no
mor' about lions than that th'y b'long to th' cat -amily $h'r'a-t'r! th' syst'm o-
natural s'l'ction com's into op'ration66i- you un%'rstan% ho) to control your troops
you )ill b' acc'pt'% by th' syst'mF i- not you )ill b' r'l'gat'% to th' humbl'st o-
rol's
*ou l'arn th' t'chniGu's o- control -rom your o)n mistak's66an%! unl'ss you ar' a
-ool! -rom th' mistak's o- oth'rs 7or th'r' )ill b' mistak's in pl'nty to b' s''n
'v'ry)h'r' aroun% you
&s an '/ampl'! -or s'v'ral y'ars th' comman%'r o- th' guar% company o- th' 3th
&rmy Sta-- punish'% any -orm o- %isob'%i'nc' )ithout m'rcy :is company )as
consi%'r'% on' o- th' b'st in th' )hol'! hug' 7ar Bast'rn Military .istrict :is
'/c'll'nt r'cor% )as not'% an% h' )as nominat'% -or a plac' at an &ca%'my! )hich
)oul% 'nabl' him to %'v'lop an% to g't ah'a% ;ith only a month l'-t in comman% o-
th' company! h' -oun% it impossibl' to r'tain his tight hol%66his thoughts )'r'
c'ntring mor' an% mor' on th' &ca%'my :' chang'% his )ay o- '/'rcising comman%
>n' 'v'ning h' invit'% all his s'rg'ants to his o--ic' an% gav' th'm a tr'm'n%ous
party $h' night turn'% out to b' an unpl'asant on' -or him66th' s'rg'ants! having
ha% a lot to %rink! nail'% him to his o--ic' -loor $h' un-ortunat' man obviously ha% a
poor kno)l'%g' o- historyF h' ha% not grasp'% th' simpl' -act that a r'volution %o's
not occur %uring a p'rio% o- t'rror! but at th' mom'nt )h'n that t'rror is su%%'nly
r'la/'% :istorically! th' '/ampl's o- th' 7r'nch <'volution an% o- th' :ungarian
uprising in 193# illustrat' this principl'F it )ill continu' to op'rat'
& tough comman%'r may tak' a %isob'%i'nt sol%i'r into th' company o--ic' an%
b'at him unm'rci-ully $h' sol%i'r )rith's on th' -loor -or a )hil' but th'n h' g'ts to
his -''t! s'i@'s a lamp -rom th' tabl' an% hurls it in th' o--ic'r4s -ac' $h' sol%i'r )ill
b' court6martiall'% but th' o--ic'r )ill n'v'r again b' abl' to control his companyF th'
sol%i'rs )ill laugh at him b'hin% his back
& young o--ic'r in -ront o- his sol%i'rs says to th'm! I"- you g't goo% marks at th'
insp'ction " promis' you "4ll4 &s an outsi%' obs'rv'r! you )ill s'' sc'pticism on th'
-ac's o- th' sol%i'rs *ou r'alis' that th' young ,i'ut'nant is r'v'aling on' o- his
)'akn'ss's! his %'sir' to succ''% *ou can4t al)ays b' kin% to 'v'ryon'! ,i'ut'nant!
an% h'nc'-orth anyon' )hom you tr'at roughly )ill us' this )'akn'ss against you
Bv'ryon' has a -ailing o- som' sort! but )hy l't oth'rs r'alis' it= $h'y may prov' to
b' anything but sympath'tic 9ust look at this sc'n' an% al)ays try to r'm'mb'r th'
gol%'n rul' o- controlling oth'rs66(BVB< P<>M"SB &(*>(B &(*$:"(8J
"- you ar' abl' to %o som'thing -or anoth'r p'rson66%o it! )ithout having ma%' any
promis's 7rom this -irst rul' th'r' -ollo)s a s'con%66(BVB< $:<B&$B( &(*>(BJ
*ou can punish som'on' an%! i- you consi%'r it n'c'ssary! you shoul% %o so ?ut
promis's an% thr'ats simply )'ak'n your authority as a comman%'r
&-t'r som' tim' you )ill com' to un%'rstan% th' most important rul's o- all! on'
)hich you hav' n'v'r b''n taught66<BSPBC$ *>0< S>,."B<S
"- a comman%'r is invit'% by his sol%i'rs to sit at th'ir tabl'! an% i- h' acc'pts )ith
th' gratitu%' )ith )hich h' )oul% acc'pt an invitation -rom his colon'l! h' is n'v'r
lik'ly to su--'r at th'ir han%s :' can b' sur' that th's' sol%i'rs )ill %'-'n% him in
battl'! 'v'n i- it shoul% cost th'm th'ir liv's "- a comman%'r has l'arn'% to r'sp'ct
his sol%i'rs ()hich m'ans mor' than Aust sho)ing th'm r'sp'ct)! h' )ill su%%'nly
r'alis'! )ith som' surpris'! that h' no long'r n''%s in-orm'rs in th'ir ranks :is m'n
)ill com' -or)ar% o- th'ir o)n accor%! t'll him )hat is going on an% ask -or his h'lp or
prot'ction
& comman%'r )ho r'sp'cts a sol%i'r can ask anything o- him an% can b' con-i%'nt
that th' sol%i'r )ill carry out all his r'Gu'sts )ithout pr'ssur' o- any sort
156


'o% uch /o ?ou /rink In ?our Spare Time+

1

$h' r'gim'ntal para%' tak's plac' 'v'ry %ay at +8++ hours &ll th' o--ic'rs o- th'
r'gim'nt must att'n% Som' o- th'm )ill alr'a%y hav' sup'rvis'% r'v'ill' an%
morning P$! so th'y )ill hav' ha% to hav' arriv'% at th' barracks b'-or' +#++ "- it
tak's th'm an hour to g't to th' unit! th'y )ill hav' ha% to g't up v'ry 'arly in%''%
7rom +8++ to 13++ hours all o--ic'rs tak' part in th' training programm's "- you ar'
a platoon comman%'r you )ork )ith your platoon "- you ar' a company comman%'r!
you may )ork )ith your company s'rg'ants or )ith on' o- th' platoons66p'rhaps on'
o- th' platoon comman%'rs is on l'av'! or p'rhaps you hav' no platoon comman%'rs
in your company ?attalion comman%'rs! th'ir %'puti's an% battalion chi'-s o- sta--!
'ith'r )ork )ith platoons )hich hav' no comman%'rs or ch'ck th' training b'ing
carri'% out by platoon or company comman%'rs Ch'cking training is a goo% %'al
'asi'r than b'ing ch'ck'% yours'l-
>--ic'rs hav' lunch b't)''n 13++ an% 1#++ hours 7rom 1#++ until th' lat'
'v'ning th'y ar' involv'% in o--ic'rs4 m''tings or Party m''tings! or th'y att'n%
Comsomol m''tings h'l% in platoons! compani's or battalions .uring this p'rio%!
a-t'r th'ir lunch! o--ic'rs also r'c'iv' th'ir o)n training66th'y por' ov'r s'cr't or%'rs!
th'y ar' sho)n classi-i'% -ilms! an% so -orth M'an)hil'! th' cl'aning o- )'apons an%
combat 'Guipm'nt is b'ing carri'% out in sub6units an%! although this is sup'rvis'% by
s'rg'ants! th' o--ic'rs ar' r'sponsibl' -or th' con%ition o- th' 'Guipm'nt! an% th'y
th'r'-or' n''% to tak' a -') minut's to k''p an 'y' on )hat is going on 7inally! th'
o--ic'r )ill hav' to giv' s'v'n hours o- instruction n'/t %ay an% h' must pr'par' -or
this $h' colon'l com's ov'r -rom %ivisional h'a%Guart'rs to s'' )hat pr'parations )'
ar' making :' stat's that th' pr'paration -or a t)o6hour training p'rio% must inclu%'
a trip out to th' training ar'a! th' s'l'ction o- a goo% spot -or th' )ork )hich is to b'
%on' th'r' an% bri'-ing -or th' s'rg'ants on th' )ay th' training is to b' carri'% out
$h'r'a-t'r! sub6unit comman%'rs ar' to r'turn to th' camp an% to )ork )ith th'ir
s'rg'ants! stu%ying manuals! r'gulations an% r'comm'n%ations ('/t! th'y ar' to
%ra) up plans listing th' '/'rcis's )hich ar' to b' carri'% out! to hav' th's'
approv'% by th'ir imm'%iat' sup'riors an% targ'ts! simulators! combat to pr'par'
'v'rything )hich )ill b' n''%'%66'Guipm'nt! 'tc
7rom )hat th' colon'l says! it app'ars that th' pr'parations -or a t)o6hour
'/'rcis' shoul% tak' at l'ast -iv' hours ;' '/pr'ss agr''m'nt! o- cours'! but to
ours'lv's )' think! I*ou can g't stu--'%! Colon'l " giv' s'v'n hours4 instruction a
%ay "- " pr'par' -or it in th' )ay you ar' sugg'sting! " shan4t 'v'n hav' tim' to go to
th' lavatory (o! my %'ar Colon'l! "4m not going to sp'n% -iv' hours pr'paring this
'/'rcis' "4ll sp'n% -iv' minut's4 &s Guickly as " can! " )rit' out th' plan -or th'
'/'rcis' an% '/plain to my %'puty ho) h' must pr'par' -or it Bv'rything )ill sort
its'l- out tomorro) "- tim' is r'ally pr'ssing! %uring th' Party m''ting " g't hol% o-
th' plans " pr'par'% -or last y'ar4s '/'rcis' an% car'-ully alt'r th' %at' $hat m'ans
)' can us' last y'ar4s plan ov'r again
"n th' lat' 'v'ning com's th' s'con% r'gim'ntal para%' an% by 22++ hours th'
o--ic'rs )ho ar' not involv'% in night '/'rcis's hav' -inish'% -or th' %ay
;hat shall " %o no)= " am unmarri'%! o- cours' &nyon' i%iotic 'nough to g't
marri'% )hil' h' is a li'ut'nant soon r'gr'ts it bitt'rly :' an% his )i-' n'v'r s''
'ach oth'r $h' r'gim'nt has no marri'% accommo%ation -or Aunior o--ic'rs an% th'
157
r'lationship is %oom'% to -ailur' &ny sort o- privat' li-' is s'v'r'ly %iscourag'% un%'r
Socialism! as a pot'ntial sourc' o- %iscont'nt an% %isunity $h' r'sourc's availabl' to
th' &rm'% S'rvic's ar' us'% to buil% tanks! not to put up marri'% Guart'rs -or
li'ut'nants " r'alis'% this a long tim' ago an% this )as )hy " hav' not got marri'%
So! )hat shall " %o )ith my spar' tim'= $h' library is alr'a%y clos'%! o- cours'! an%
so is th' cin'ma " hav' no int'r'st in going to th' gymnasium66" hav' b''n rushing
about so much to%ay that " -''l utt'rly '/haust'% "4ll Aust go back to th' o--ic'rs4
Guart'rs! )h'r' all th' young bach'lors liv' $h'r' is a t'l'vision s't th'r' but "
alr'a%y kno) that th' )hol' o- to%ay4s programm' is about ,'nin *'st'r%ay it )as
about th' %ang'rs o- abortion an% th' '/c'll'nc' o- th' harv'st! tomorro) it )ill b'
about ?r'@hn'v an% th' harv'st or 0stinov an% abortion
&s " 'nt'r th' living room! " am gr''t'% )ith %'light'% cri's &roun% th' tabl' sit
-i-t''n or so o--ic'rs $h'y hav' Aust b'gun a gam' o- car%s an% thick clou%s o-
cigar'tt' smok' hang ov'r th'm alr'a%y " got no sl''p last night so " %'ci%' to play
Aust on' roun% an% th'n go to b'% & plac' is ma%' -or m' at th' tabl' an% a larg'
glass o- vo%ka put %o)n b'si%' m' " %rink it! smiling at my companions! an% push a
larg' sum o- mon'y ov'r to th' bank :'r' )' go
Som' tim' a-t'r on' o4clock! o--ic'rs r'turning -rom night '/'rcis's burst noisily
into th' room! %irty! )'t an% )orn out $h'y ar' -oun% plac's at th' tabl' an%
som'on' brings th'm glass's o- vo%ka $h'y got no sl''p last night an% %'ci%' to go
to b'% a-t'r Aust on' roun%
" los' mon'y -ast $his is a goo% sign66unlucky at car%s! lucky in lov' " assur' th'
sc'ptics aroun% m' that losing is r'ally a sign o- goo% -ortun'
$hr'' hours lat'r! th' comman%'r o- a n'ighbouring company app'ars! having Aust
insp'ct'% th' night guar% :' is gr''t'% )ith %'light'% cri's Som'on' pro%uc's a -ull
glass o- vo%ka -or him ;' hav' alr'a%y got through a goo% %'al an% )' hav' b'gun
to %rink only hal- a glass at a tim' $h' n') arrival got no sl''p last night! so h'
%'ci%'s to l'av' a-t'r on' roun% $h' mon'y -lo)s Guickly -rom his pock'ts66this is
not a ba% sign &t l'ast anyon' )ho los's mon'y is not hi%ing it in his pock'ts ?y
tra%ition th' los'r buys %rinks -or 'v'ryon' 'ls' :' %o's so ;' %'ci%' to play on'
mor' roun% & goo% sign )'4v' %runk all that som'on' is coming th'y4r'
pouring out mor' %rinks anoth'r roun% a goo% sign
&t si/ o4clock th' cl'ar not's o- a bugl' -loat out ov'r th' r'gim'nt66r'v'ill' -or th'
sol%i'rs ;h'n )' h'ar it )' all g't up! thro) our car%s on th' tabl' an% go o-- to
b'%
&t +1++ hours a sol%i'r! %'signat'% by m' as th' b'st in my company! has to )ak'
m' up $his is no 'asy task! but h' manag's it " sit on my b'% an% ga@' at th'
portrait o- ,'nin )hich hangs on th' )all ;hat )oul% our gr'at $'ach'r an% ,'a%'r
say i- h' coul% s'' m' in this stat'! my -ac' pu--y )ith %rink an% lack o- sl''p= My
boots hav' b''n car'-ully cl'an'%! my trous'rs pr'ss'% $his is not part o- th'
sol%i'r4s %uti's! but 'vi%'ntly th' s'nior sol%i'rs hav' giv'n him or%'rs o- th'ir o)n
$h'y must lik' m'! a-t'r allJ
$h' %oors an% )in%o)s s)im b'-or' my 'y's :'r' com's th' %oor -loating past "t
is 'ss'ntial not to miss this an% to choos' th' right mom'nt to run through it! as it
pass's Som'on' h'lp-ully push's m' in th' right %ir'ction &long th' corri%or th'r'
ar' t'n %oors an% th'y ar' all s)imming past m' " must -in% th' right on' Som'ho)
" manag' it an% " st'p un%'r th' -r''@ing! s'aringly col% sho)'r $h'n com's
br'ak-ast an% by +8++ hours! glo)ing an% r'Auv'nat'%! " am pr's'nt at th'
r'gim'ntal para%'! in -ront o- my 8uar%s company :'ll! "4v' -orgott'n my map cas'!
)hich has got th' %ay4s programm' in itJ ?ut som' on' h'lp-ully hangs it ov'r my
shoul%'r an% th' )orking %ay b'gins

158
2

$h' Communist Party hop's that an unconGu'rabl' sol%i'r can b' pro%uc'%66on'
)ho is mor' %'%icat'% to ,'ninism than ,'nin hims'l-! )ho is an athl't' o- >lympic
stan%ar%s! )ho kno)s his tank! his gun or his armour'% p'rsonn'l carri'r at l'ast as
)'ll as its %'sign'r ?ut! -or )hat'v'r r'ason this is not ho) things )ork out! so th'
Party comra%'s call -or a %'tail'% training programm' -or sol%i'rs an% (C>s to b'
pr'par'% $his is pr's'nt'% to th' C'ntral Committ''! but it %o's not pro%uc' b'tt'r
sol%i'rs Cl'arly! th' Aunior comman%'rs ar' not -ul-illing th'ir norms Ch'ck up on
th'mJ
&n% ch'ck on us th'y %o! 'ach %ay an% 'v'ry %ay Bv'rything is ch'ck'% an%
t'st'%66by th' sta--s o- th' battalions! r'gim'nts &rmi's an% Military .istricts! by th'
8'n'ral Sta-- an% by a )hol' mass o- committ''s )hich it has s't up! by th'
"nsp'ctorat' o- th' Sovi't &rmy! by th' .ir'ctorat' o- Combat $raining o- th' Sovi't
&rmy! by similar %ir'ctorat's )ithin Military .istricts! &rmi's an% %ivisions an% by th'
Strat'gic Camou-lag' .ir'ctorat' "n a%%ition! tank cr')s ar' ch'ck'% an% t'st'% by
th'ir o)n comman%'rs! artill'ry p'rsonn'l by th'irs an% so on $h' -irst Gu'stion any
comman%ing o--ic'r is ask'% is66hav' you ha% '/p'ri'nc' o- )orking )ith th'
in-antry= "- h' has! h' is s'nt o-- to t'st th'm! an% th'n th'y com' back to t'st his
sub6unit
:ar%ly a %ay pass's )ithout t)o or thr'' ch'cks Bv'ry commission )hich arriv's
to carry out a ch'ck has its o)n p't subA'ct Can your m'n g't into an &PC in t'n
s'con%s an% out again in th' sam' tim'= >- cours' th'y can4t! " r'ply
$hat4s ba%! ,i'ut'nant :av'n4t you stu%i'% th' plan= ;'4ll mak' a not' o- that
Cursing! " tak' th' on' &PC " hav' b''n allocat'% o-- to a cl'aring in th' )oo%s an%
mak' my -irst platoon climb in an% out o- it again an% again as th' plan r'Guir's ?ut
soon anoth'r commission app'ars an% )ants to kno) )h'th'r my m'n can r'ach th'
stan%ar%s lai% %o)n -or high6sp''% crosscountry %riving across brok'n t'rrain (o! "
say! th'y can4t ;'ll! ,i'ut'nant! that4s v'ry ba% $h' ass'ssors r'cor% this
unsatis-actory -in%ing an% or%'r m' to b'gin training my %riv'rs imm'%iat'ly! using
th' &PC " salut' an% r'call th' platoon )hich has b''n practising g'tting in an% out o-
th' &PC! but " %on4t s'n% th' v'hicl' -or %riv'r6training "4ll k''p th' %amn'% thing
h'r' )ith m'! " %'ci%' & n') commission app'ars an% asks th'ir p't Gu'stions :o)
is your platoon g'tting on )ith -iring automatic )'apons -rom an &PC= (ot too )'ll! "
r'ply! but )' ar' practising %ay an% night :'r' is th' &PC! th'r' is th' platoon an%
thos' ar' th' machin'6gun cr')s $h' m'mb'rs o- th' commission smil' an% mov'
on
$)o -ailur's in on' %ay ?ut no on' is int'r'st'% in th' -act that " hav'n4t got
'nough &PCs Bv'n i- " ha%! -u'l )oul% b' short or th'r' )oul%n4t b' 'nough gr'na%'s
or gr'na%' launch'rs
$)o -ailur's in on' %ay66t)o -ailur's to r'ach th' norms pr'scrib'% in th'
programm' -or th' training o- (C>s an% oth'r ranks )hich has b''n approv'% by th'
C'ntral Committ'' o- th' Communist PartyJ
" g't back to my Guart'rs lat' that 'v'ning! )'t! %irty! tir'% an% angry " hav' ha%
to %o t)o night '/'rcis's! )ith t)o %i--'r'nt platoons! straight o--66t)o mor' t'ams
hav' ch'ck'% our p'r-ormanc' an% )'4v' b''n a)ar%'% t)o mor' ba% marks
P'opl' mak' a plac' -or m' Som'on' giv's m' a tumbl'r o- vo%ka an% tri's to
ch''r m' up66%on4t tak' it too s'riouslyJ " %rink th' vo%ka! but it is som' tim' b'-or'
it tak's '--'ct So " hav' anoth'r (o) "4ll play Aust on' roun% o- car%s ?ut my ang'r
%o's not 'vaporat' $h'y pour m' anoth'r %rink &noth'r roun% o- car%s & sur'
sign Som'on' bursts through th' %oor th'y pour him a %rink th'y pour m' a
159
%rink anoth'r roun% a goo% sign &t +#++ hours th' bugl' rous's us -rom th'
tabl' >n it th'r' ar' pil's o- cigar'tt' 'n%s! un%'rn'ath it is a h'ap o- bottl's

2

8ra%ually on' g'ts us'% to ch'cks an% t'sts >n' -in%s )ays o- %'aling )ith th'
s'arching Gu'stions " com' gra%ually to th' conclusion that it is Guit' impossibl' -or
m' to m''t th' r'Guir'm'nts o- th' training plan66-or m' or -or anyon' 'ls' "ts
%'man%s ar' too high an% th' training -aciliti's ar' Guit' ina%'Guat' ?'si%'s! th'
plan robs an o--ic'r o- any initiativ' "4m not allo)'% to giv' th' company physical
training i- th' plan sho)s that this is th' p'rio% -or t'chnical training .uring t'chnical
training " cannot sho) th'm ho) to r'plac' th' 'ngin' o- a v'hicl' i-! accor%ing to th'
plan! " shoul% b' t'aching th'm its )orking principl's ?ut " can4t '/plain an 'ngin'4s
)orking principl's b'caus' th' sol%i'rs %on4t un%'rstan% <ussian su--ici'ntly )'ll! so "
am unabl' to %o 'ith'r on' thing or th' oth'r M'an)hil'! th' commissions k''p
arriving "n th' 'v'nings my -ri'n%s t'll m' not to g't ups't " %o th' sam' )h'n'v'r
" s'' signs that on' o- th'm is approaching br'aking point " hurry ov'r an% pour him
a %rink " sit him n'/t to m' at tabl' an% thrust car%s into his han% :'r'! hav' a
cigar'tt' .on4t tak' it so har%
&-t'r a -') mor' months! " r'alis' that it is 'ss'ntial -or m' to go through th'
motions o- m''ting th' plan4s r'Guir'm'nts :o)'v'r! " %o not giv' all th' %riv'rs a
chanc' at th' )h''lH inst'a% " allo) t)o or thr'' o- th' b'st o- th'm to us' all th'
%riving tim' )hich )' ar' allocat'% &ll th' anti6tank rock'ts )hich )' r'c'iv' go to
th' thr'' )ho p'r-orm b'st )ith th' launch'rsF th' oth'r si/ )ill hav' to g't by )ith
th'or'tical training
;h'n a commission arriv's! " t'll th'm con-i%'ntly that )' ar' making progr'ss in
th' right %ir'ction ,ook at thos' %riv'rs66th'y ar' my r'cor%6br'ak'rs66th'
champions o- th' companyJ $h' r'st ar' coming along Guit' )'ll! but th'y ar' still
young an% in'/p'ri'nc'% Still! )' kno) ho) to bring th'm on $h' commission is
happy )ith this &n% thos' ar' th' rock't launch'rs $h'y coul% hit an appl' )ith th'ir
anti6tank rock'ts (i- you4% car' to stan% your son ov'r th'r' )ith an appl' on his
h'a%) $h'y ar' crack shots! th' stars o- our t'amJ ;'4ll soon hav' th' oth'rs up to
th'ir stan%ar%! too &n% th's' ar' our machin'6gunn'rs66thr'' o- th'm ar' Guit'
sup'rbJ &n% this man is a marksmanJ &n% that s'ction can g't into an &PC in s'v'n
s'con%s -lat66)hich is -ast'r than th' o--icial r'cor% -or th' Military .istrictJ :o) can
th' commission kno) that Aumping into an &PC is all that th' s'ction 'v'r %o's! an%
that th'y hav' n'v'r b''n taught to %o anything 'ls'=
P'opl' b'gin to notic' m' $h'y prais' m' $h'n " am promot'% to th' sta-- (o) "
)alk about )ith a not'book! %ra)ling comm'nts664+T v'ry goo%J :av' you not
stu%i'% th' Plan )hich th' Party has approv'%= >ccasionally " say66(ot T++ ba% "
kno) p'r-'ctly )'ll that )hat " am s''ing has b''n -ak'%! that this is a han%pick'%
t'am66an% " also kno) th' cost at )hich such r'sults ar' achi'v'% ?ut still " say
(ot T++ ba% $h'n " mov' o-- to th' o--ic'rs m'ss so that th'y can ply m' )ith -oo%
an% %rink
$h' %i--'r'nc' b't)''n th' )ork o- a sta-- o--ic'r an% that o- a sub6unit comman%'r
is that on th' sta-- you hav' no r'sponsibility *ou also g't a chanc' to %rink but %on4t
hav' to %rink too much &ll you %o is )alk about giving som' p'opl' goo% marks an%
oth'rs ba% on's &n% you 'at b'tt'r as a sta-- o--ic'r $hos' pigs ar' m'ant -or
visiting commissions! a-t'r all66in oth'r )or%s! -or us sta-- o--ic'rs


160
/rop in3 And )e#ll 'ave a Chat

1

$h' triangl' o- po)'r r'pr's'nt'% by th' Party! &rmy an% C8? brings pr'ssur' to
b'ar on 'v'ry o--ic'r an%! )hat is mor'! it %o's so )ith 'ach o- its corn'rs
simultan'ously " am conscious o- thr'' s'parat' )'ights pr'ssing %o)n on m' at th'
sam' tim'F th' -orc's th'y '/'rt ar' %i--'r'nt an% push in %i--'r'nt %ir'ctions $o
acc'pt th' pr'ssur' o- all thr'' at onc' is impossibl' an% i- you ar' not car'-ul you
can -in% yours'l- caught an% crush'% b't)''n t)o o- th'm
$o m'! as a platoon or company comman%'r! th' po)'r o- th' &rmy is p'rsoni-i'%
by my battalion comman%'r! by th' comman%'r o- my r'gim'nt or %ivision! by th'
Comman%'r o- th' &rmy or Military .istrict in )hich " -in% mys'l-! by th' Minist'r o-
.'-'nc' an% by th' Supr'm' Comman%'r &s " a%vanc' in my car''r as an o--ic'r!
th'r' )ill al)ays b' 'nough gra%ations o- authority abov' m' -or m' to -''l th'
)'ight o- som' sup'rior4s boots on my shoul%'rs
$h' Party! too! k''ps an 'y' on 'ach o--ic'r! (C> an% oth'r rank Bv'ry company
comman%'r has a %'puty )ho h'a%s th' political s'ction $his %'puty has 'Guival'nts
at battalion an% r'gim'ntal l'v'l an% 'ach succ'ssiv' high'r l'v'l & political o--ic'r is
not r'ally an o--ic'r at all :' )'ars uni-orm an% has stars on his shoul%'rs! but th'
'/t'nt o- his succ'ss or -ailur' is not %'p'n%'nt upon th' Au%g'm'nts o- military
comman%'rs :' is a man o- th' Party $h' Party appoint'% him to his post an% can
promot' an% %ismiss himH h' is accountabl' only to it $h' company Ipolitrabochiy4!
as h' is kno)n! is subor%inat'% to th' battalion Ipolitrabochiy4 )ho is hims'l-
ans)'rabl' to his r'gim'ntal 'Guival'nt an% so -orth! right up to th' Chi'- Political
.ir'ctorat' its'l- $his .ir'ctorat' is in som' s'ns's a part o- th' &rm'% S'rvic'sF at
th' sam' tim'! ho)'v'r! it is a -ull .'partm'nt o- th' C'ntral Committ'' o- th' Party
$h' C8?! too! is activ' in 'v'ry r'gim'nt $hat inconspicuous s'nior li'ut'nant ov'r
th'r'! th' on' )hom our colon'l has Aust ackno)l'%g'% )ith a bo)! r'pr's'nts a
sp'cial %'partm'nt! an% h' controls a s'cr't C8? n't)ork! )hich is at )ork in our
r'gim'nt an% also in its imm'%iat' surroun%ings

2

$h' thr'' -orc's push m' in %i--'r'nt %ir'ctions! thr'at'ning to t'ar m' apart $o
mano'uvr' b't)''n th'm is v'ry %i--icult Bach o- th' thr'' tri's inc'ssantly to
control my v'ry thoughts an% to '/clu%' th' in-lu'nc' o- its rivals
$h' army is gla% that " am a bach'lor "t )oul% b' i%'al i- all o--ic'rs )'r' a sp'ci's
o- crusa%ing monks! cont'nt to liv' in a cita%'l )hich )' )oul% n'v'r l'av'! unl'ss
th' Stat' r'Guir'% us to %o so $h' %ivisional comman%'r calls on' o- my platoon
comman%'rs -or)ar% an% a%%r'ss's him cl'arly an% %istinctly! so that 'v'ryon' can
h'ar I" ma%' a vo) that " )oul% %'-'n% our Moth'rlan% $h'r'-or' " )ill %'-'n% you
an% " '/p'ct you to %o th' sam' -or m' ?ut " ma%' no such vo) to your )i-'! an% so
" cannot allo) you to sp'n% th' night at hom' *ou ar' an o--ic'r an% you must b'
op'rationally availabl' at any mom'nt $'l'phon' your )i-' an% t'll h'r that! although
sh' has not s''n you -or t)o months! sh' shoul% not '/p'ct to %o so -or as long
again *ou can a%% that th' situation in th' (avy is 'v'n )ors' than in th' &rmyJ4
:o)'v'r! my situation %o's not pl'as' th' Party at all $h' political o--ic'r
summons m' an% )' hav' a long talk I$h' country4s birth6rat' is catastrophically
lo) Bv'n un%'r th' Mongols our population r'main'% stabl'! but that is not th' cas'
to%ay! un%'r Communism Viktor! you ar' a Communist *ou shoul% -ul-il your %uty to
161
th' Party4 " no% in agr''m'nt an% ask! naiv'ly! I?ut )ill you -in% m' accommo%ation=
;ill " b' allo)'% l'av' ov'rnight! 'v'n onc' a month=4 $h' political o--ic'r bangs his
-ist on th' tabl' :' '/plains that a tru' Communist must %o his %uty to th' Party!
)h'th'r h' has accommo%ation an% -r'' tim' or not I&ll right! "4ll think about it!4 "
say I*'s! think about it66an% soon!4 h' calls a-t'r m' $his puts m' in a tricky
situation "- som' local prostitut' no) go's to th' political o--ic'r an% r'ports that "
hav' sp'nt th' night )ith h'r! th'y4ll mak' m' marry h'r straight a)ay $hat is th'
policy o- th' Party &n% " am a m'mb'r o- th' Party "- " ha% not Aoin'% th' Party! it
)oul% not hav' allo)'% m' to b'com' a company comman%'r >n th' oth'r han%!
having Aoin'% th' Party! " must b' gui%'% by its )is' polici's
$h' C8?! too! k''ps a clos' 'y' on m' "n 'v'ry company th'r' ar' sur' to b' hal-
a %o@'n in-orm'rs &n% )ho is th' -irst p'rson on )hom th'y r'port= $h' company
comman%'r! o- cours'! although th'y also r'port on th' man )ho is trying to
p'n'trat' my v'ry soul! th' political o--ic'r So th' Ch'kist runs into m'! appar'ntly
by chanc' I.rop in an% )'4ll hav' a chat4 ;h'n " %o so! h'! too! 'ncourag's m' to
marry $h' C8?! too! is k''n to g't 'v'ry o--ic'r marri'% $h'y )on4t giv' m'
accommo%ation or tim' o-- 'ith'r but th'y )ill put pr'ssur' on m'
$h' C8? lik's to hav' a spy in 'ach o--ic'r4s hom' "- " %o som'thing )rong an% my
)i-' -alls out )ith m'! sh' )ill k''p th' Ch'kist in-orm'% o- my int'r'sts an% my
contacts

2

$h' &rmy )oul% pr'-'r m' not to %rink at all $h' Party %o's not '/pr'ss its'l-
cl'arly on th' subA'ct 7rom on' point o- vi') alcohol is obviously highly un%'sirabl'!
but against this! th'y r'ason! )hat am " lik'ly to b'gin thinking about i- my h'a% is
not spinning )ith th' accurs'% stu--= $h' C8? simply avoi%s '/pr'ssing any opinion!
but )h'n'v'r " m''t th' Ch'kist h' al)ays o--'rs m' som'thing to %rink "- " %on4t
%rink anything at all! " am unlik'ly to unbur%'n mys'l- to him &n%! i- " %on4t %rink
mys'l- into a stupor 'ach 'v'ning! ho) can h' hop' to h'ar about my inn'rmost
thoughts=
$h' &rmy totally %isapprov's o- alcohol &n% y't th' r'gim'ntal shop s'lls sho'6
polish! toothpast'! vo%ka66a gr'at %'al o- vo%ka66an% nothing 'ls' at all Bvi%'ntly!
th' &rmy4s position is %ictat'% by pr'ssur' '/'rt'% by th' Party an% th' C8?! n'ith'r
o- )hich 'v'r cl'arly stat's its o)n points o- vi')

5

$h'r' has b''n mor' -ighting66a n') )ar in th' Mi%%l' Bast >nc' again! our
Ibroth'rs4 hav' som'ho) su--'r'% %'-'at $h' &rmy r'Guir's m' to '/plain to my
sol%i'rs th' tactical 'rrors )hich hav' l'% to this " %o so " %'scrib' to th'm ho) a
small! %'t'rmin'% country )ag's )ar (o propagan%a66h'av'n -orbi%J " simply
%'scrib' th' op'rations con%uct'% by th' t)o si%'s calmly an% %ispassionat'ly! as i-
th' )ar ha% b''n a gam' o- ch'ss
Soon " -in% mys'l- summon'% to th' political o--ic'r an% th'n by th' sp'cial
%'partm'nt! too So! no! this y'ar " shan4t b' going to th' &ca%'my "- 'ith'r th'
Party or th' C8? ar' %ispl'as'% )ith m'! it is not )orth th' &rmy4s )hil' to stick up
-or m' My sup'riors ar' only human an% th'y %on4t )ant to pick a -ight )ith t)o such
po)'r-ul -orc's Aust about m' $h'r' ar' pl'nty o- oth'r young o--ic'rs in th' &rmy
this y'ar )ho ar' 'ligibl' -or th' &ca%'my in 'v'ry r'sp'ct

162

)ho -ecomes a Soviet &fficer and )hy+

1

$h' gr'at i%'als o- Socialism ar' simpl' an% can b' un%'rstoo% by anyon'
Soci'ty is built upon r'asonabl' principl's 0n'mploym'nt is a thing o- th' past
M'%ical s'rvic's ar' -r'' 7oo%! in r'asonabl' Guantiti's! is -r''! too Bv'ry p'rson
has a s'parat' room! )ith light an% v'ntilation ;at'r! %rainag' an% h'ating ar' -r''
Bv'ryon' has th' right to som' -r'' tim' $h'r' ar' no rich or poor Bv'ryon' has
com-ortabl'! %urabl' clothing! appropriat' to th' tim' o- y'ar66an% this is! o- cours'!
provi%'% -r'' Bv'ryon' is 'Gual b'-or' th' la)
*ou may say that this is nothing but a b'auti-ul %r'am! that no on' has 'v'r
succ''%'% in buil%ing pur' socialism (ons'ns' "n 'v'ry country th'r' ar' alr'a%y
islan%s o- pur'! untaint'% Socialism! in )hich 'ach on' o- th's' r'Guir'm'nts ar' m't
"s th'r' a prison in your to)n= "- so! go an% tak' a look at it66you )ill -in% yours'l-
in a soci'ty in )hich 'v'ryon' is -'%! an% 'v'ryon' has )ork! in )hich clothing!
accommo%ation an% h'ating ar' all provi%'% -r''
Sovi't Communists ar' -r'Gu'ntly r'proach'% -or having att'mpt'% to buil% a
socialist soci'ty but having pro%uc'% som'thing )hich clos'ly r's'mbl's a prison
Such a charg' is 'ntir'ly unAusti-i'% "n th' Sovi't 0nion som' o- th' inmat's hav'
larg'r c'lls than oth'rs! som' 'at )'ll! oth'rs ba%ly $h'r' is compl't' con-usion66a
lot r'mains to b' %on' to ti%y up th' situation $ru' socialism! in )hich 'v'ryon' is
truly 'Gual! %o's not Aust r's'mbl' a prison66it is a prison "t can not '/ist unl'ss it is
surroun%'% by high )alls! by )atchto)'rs an% by guar%6%ogs! -or p'opl' al)ays )ant
to 'scap' -rom any socialist r'gim'! Aust as th'y %o -rom a prison "- you try to
nationalis' m'%icin' an%! -rom th' b'st possibl' motiv's! to guarant'' )ork -or all
th' %octors! you )ill -in% that th'y pack th'ir bags an% l'av' th' country $ry to bring
a littl' or%'r into th' situation an% your 'ngin''rs (th' b'st on's)! your %'sign'rs!
your ball'rinas (again! th' b'st on's) an% many! many oth'rs )ill also -l'' abroa% "-
you continu' your att'mpts to 'stablish a mo%'l soci'ty you )ill n''% to buil% )alls
aroun% it *ou )ill b' -orc'% to %o this soon'r or lat'r by th' -loo% o- r'-ug''s

2

$h' Politburo is th' gov'rning bo%y o- th' prison *ou shoul% not abus' th'm -or
th' privil'g's th'y poss'ss $hos' in charg' o- a prison must b' b'tt'r o-- in som'
)ays than th' convicts $h' C8? ar' th' )ar%'rs! th' Party is th' a%ministrativ' an%
'%ucational organisation! th' &rmy guar%s th' )alls
;h'n " am ask'% )hy " chos' to b'com' a Sovi't o--ic'r! " say that thos' )ho
s'rv' as guar%s ar' b'tt'r -'% an% hav' a pl'asant'r an% mor' vari'% li-' than thos'
in th' c'lls "t )as only som' tim' a-t'r " Aoin'% th' &rmy that " r'alis'% that it is -ar
'asi'r to 'scap' -rom a prison i- you ar' on' o- th' guar%s $rying to 'scap' -rom a
c'll is a hop'l'ss busin'ss
"n most stat's! li-' in th' arm'% s'rvic's is -ar mor' strictly r'gulat'% than it is -or
most o- th' inhabitants
"n th' 0SS<! ho)'v'r! th' r'v'rs' is tru' $h' )hol' soci'ty -in%s its'l- in prison
an%! 'v'n though th' &rm'% S'rvic's ar' k'pt un%'r th' tight'st possibl' control
(although 'v'n guar%s must b' r'li'v'%)! th' li-' o- an o--ic'r is -ar b'tt'r than th'
%ru%g'ry )hich is th' lot o- th' or%inary Sovi't citi@'n
163
;hil' " )as still on' o- thos' guar%ing our b'lov'% prison! " carri'% out a
sociological inv'stigation among my broth'r o--ic'rs! in an att'mpt to %iscov'r )hat
ha% l'% th'm to ti' th'ms'lv's! han% an% -oot! to th' Sovi't &rmy! )ithout '/p'cting
any guarant''s or any -orm o- contract (aturally! " approach'% my coll'agu's )ith
th' gr'at'st car' an% %iscr'tion
I*ou r'm'mb'r!4 " )oul% ask! Iho)! )h'n Chrushch'v cam' to po)'r h' ha%
1!2++!+++ m'n thro)n out o- th' &rmy )ith a strok' o- his p'n= *our -ath'r )as on'
o- th'mF a-t'r anoth'r thr'' months h' )oul% hav' compl't'% 23 y'ars4 s'rvic' :'
)as kick'% out lik' a %og! )ithout any sort o- p'nsion! in spit' o- his m'%als an%
%'spit' th' bloo% )hich h' ha% sh'% -or th' country %uring his -our y'ars o- )ar
s'rvic' :o) %i% you! Colya M Val'ntin M Constantin "vanovich! com' to choos' an
o--ic'r4s car''r in spit' o- that=4
" coll'ct'% s'v'ral hun%r'% r'pli's to my Gu'stion $h'y all amount'% to th' sam'
thing66'v'ryon' )ant'% to 'scap' th' %rabn'ss o- li-' in our prison c'lls


'igher ilitary Training Colleges

1

"- you %'ci%' to b'com' a Sovi't o--ic'r! you )oul% b' )'ll a%vis'% to los' no tim'
an% to submit your application as soon as you l'av' school
$h' training o- o--ic'rs is carri'% out by :igh'r Military Coll'g's $h' authoriti's
consi%'r! r'asonably 'nough! that i- you ar' to b'com' a goo% o--ic'r you must -irst
b' a goo% sol%i'r $raining at a coll'g' lasts -or b't)''n -our an% -iv' y'ars an%
%uring this tim' a -utur' o--ic'r l'a%s a tough '/ist'nc'! )hich combin's th'
har%ships o- a sol%i'r4s li-' in barracks )ith th' p'nury o- a Sovi't stu%'nt4s '/ist'nc'
"nstruction b'gins at th' v'ry b'ginning! )ith a -'rocious cours' o- sGuar'6bashing
$h' s'rg'ants )ho put you through this hav' compl't'ly arbitrary po)'rs ov'r you!
)h'th'r or not you hav' alr'a%y put in t)o y'ars o- military s'rvic' >nc' you hav'
%'ci%'% to b'com' an o--ic'r! th'r'-or'! it is b'tt'r not to )ait until you g't s)'pt up
as a conscript but to try to g't into a Coll'g' imm'%iat'ly you l'av' school 0nl'ss
you succ''%! you )ill simply los' t)o y'ars! an% you )ill -in% yours'l- sp'n%ing long'r
in a privat'4s uni-orm! )hich! as you may hav' r'alis'% alr'a%y! is not a pl'asant
'/p'ri'nc'
0ntil som' y'ars ago! o--ic'rs )'r' train'% at military schools $h' cours's last'%
b't)''n t)o an% thr'' y'ars! %'p'n%ing on th' arm o- s'rvic' conc'rn'% $h's'
schools gav' a m'%ium6l'v'l military '%ucation an% th' stu%'nts b'cam' li'ut'nants
upon th' compl'tion o- th'ir stu%i's &t th' b'ginning o- th' 19#+s! Chrushch'v! )ho
)as going through a p'ac'6loving phas'! thr') 1!2++!+++ o--ic'rs an% (C>s out o-
th' &rmy & Sovi't o--ic'r has no contract or oth'r guarant'' o- t'nur' an% so! i-
som'on' still ha% a coupl' o- months to go to compl't' 23 y'ars o- s'rvic'! h' )as
simply %ismiss'%! )ith th' tini'st o- p'nsions i- h' )as lucky "- h' still ha% som' %ays
to s'rv' b'-or' compl'ting 2+ y'ars o- s'rvic' no matt'r ho) unbl'mish'% h' )as
kick'% out )ithout anything Most o- th's' un-ortunat's )'r' o--ic'rs )ho ha% s'rv'%
at th' -ront an% ha% un%'rgon' th' )orst horrors o- th' S'con% ;orl% ;ar
$h' Party )as %'light'%! b'caus' th'y )'r' abl' to r'%uc' '/p'n%itur'
consi%'rably :o)'v'r! th's' short6t'rm gains 'v'ntually l'% to colossal '/p'ns' 7or
many y'ars! no on' ha% th' slight'st %'sir' to b'com' an o--ic'r66you giv' th' &rmy
25 y'ars o- your li-' an% th'n th'y %riv' you out lik' a %ogH )hat happ'ns to you
th'n= "mm'%iat'ly a-t'r th' -all o- Chrushch'v! st'ps )'r' tak'n to r'stor' th'
164
pr'stig' o- o--ic'rs $h'ir uni-orms )'r' improv'%! th'ir salari's )'r' incr'as'%! an%
th'y )'r' giv'n a numb'r o- a%%itional privil'g's ?ut this %i% not caus' young m'n
to rush to Aoin th' colours $h'y )ant'% p'rman'nt guarant''s -or th' -utur' &
curr'nt Aok' ranH I"- you can go to a tank training school66an% th'y thro) you out!
you can b'com' a tractor %riv'r "- you go to a -lying school! you can g't straight into
&'ro-lot i- you ar' sack'%! but )hat )ill happ'n to political o--ic'rs! i- th'y mak' mor'
cuts in th' &rmy=4 $h' ans)'r )asH IPolitical o--ic'rs can 'asily g't Aobs )ith th' post
o--ic'! sticking stamps on 'nv'lop's! b'caus' th'y hav' such long tongu's4
$h' solution )hich )as -oun% 'v'ntually )as a goo% on' -or in%ivi%uals as )'ll as
-or th' Stat' &ll military training schools )'r' to b' up6gra%'% -rom m'%ium to
high'r '%ucational 'stablishm'nts an% 'v'ry stu%'nt )as to r'c'iv' a univ'rsity
'%ucation an% to b' train'% -or a civilian pro-'ssion! as )'ll as -or an army car''r
7irst! th' cours' o- instruction giv'n at th' in-antry training schools )as
r'organis'%! sinc' it )as th' in-antry )hich )as -''ling th' shortag' o- Aunior
comman%'rs most acut'ly $h' l'ngth o- th' cours' )as incr'as'% -rom t)o y'ars to
-our 8ra%uat's -rom th' school continu'% to 'm'rg' )ith a m'%ium6l'v'l military
'%ucation an% th' rank o- li'ut'nant! but -rom no) on th'y also r'c'iv'% a high'r
g'n'ral '%ucation! a normal univ'rsity %iploma an% civilian pro-'ssional training $h'
civilian pro-'ssions -or )hich thos' att'n%ing :igh'r Military $raining Coll'g's ar'
pr'par'% normally inclu%' automobil' 'ngin''ring an% th' t'aching o- math'matics!
physics! history! g'ography an% -or'ign languag's >nc' th' in-antry training schools
ha% b''n r'organis'% in this )ay Coll'g's -or tank! airborn' an% artill'ry o--ic'rs
)'r' s't up! an% th'n! -inally! oth'rs to s'rv' th' r'maining arms o- s'rvic'

2

&t pr's'nt th'r' ar' 135 :igh'r Military $raining Coll'g's in th' Sovi't 0nion $h'ir
cours's last -or b't)''n -our an% -iv' y'ars Bach Coll'g' has about 1!+++ stu%'nts
an% 'ach th'r'-or' turns out b't)''n 2++ an% 23+ li'ut'nants a y'ar Bach has a
MaAor68'n'ral! a ,i'ut'nant68'n'ral or 'v'n a Colon'l68'n'ral as Comman%ant
"n s'l'cting a Coll'g' on' is! o- cours'! compl't'ly ignorant o- th' choic's )hich
ar' availabl' >nc' a y'ar th' &rmy n')spap'r (rasnaya )ve*da publish's a long list
o- Coll'g's! tog'th'r )ith th'ir a%%r'ss's an% v'ry bri'- '/planatory not's on 'ach
*ou stu%y this! scratch your h'a% an% plump -or on' o- th' Coll'g's )hich s''ms to
cat'r -or your int'r'sts :o)'v'r! th'r' ar' usually s'v'ral )hich sp'cialis' in 'ach
-i'l% o- stu%y66thus! -or instanc'! th'r' ar' s'v'n tank coll'g's Som' p'opl' choos'
th' on' clos'st to th'ir hom's but oth'rs may s'l'ct on' )hich is -ar a)ay! in C'ntral
&sia or th' 7ar Bast'rn Military .istrict! b'caus' it is 'asi'r to g't into
:o)'v'r! th'r' is so littl' in-ormation in th' n')spap'r that you cannot 'v'n -orm
th' vagu'st i%'a o- )hat li's ah'a% o- you 7or instanc'! in th' $ashk'nt $ank >--ic'rs
$raining Coll'g'! in a%%ition to th' normal -aculti's! th'r' is anoth'r -aculty )hich
trains tank o--ic'r ca%'ts -or s'rvic' )ith th' &irborn' 7orc's ;h'n you pass your
'/aminations! you r'c'iv' your o--ic'r4s shoul%'r6boar%s an% s)'ar your oath o-
all'gianc' an% th'n you su%%'nly -in%! to your gr'at surpris'! that you ar' to b'gin
parachut' training v'ry shortly an% that you ar' going to sp'n% all your li-' Aumping
out o- aircra-t! until you br'ak your n'ck
$h' Mosco) >--ic'rs $raining Coll'g' has no -aculti's at all! th' on' in Ci'v!
although it is in '/actly th' sam' cat'gory! has both g'n'ral an% r'connaissanc'
-aculti's! an% in ?aku th'r' is a marin' in-antry -aculty "n ?lagov'shch'nsk th'r' is a
sp'cialist -aculty )hich trains o--ic'rs -or )ork in 7orti-i'% &r'as! an% in <ya@an!
b'si%'s a normal -aculty! th' &irborn' >--ic'rs $raining Coll'g' contains a -aculty
)hich trains o--ic'rs -or %iv'rsionary units
165
$h' young 'ntrant! o- cours'! kno)s non' o- this! so h' may th'r'-or' 'n% up!
Guit' unint'ntionally! in a %iv'rsionary unit! in th' marin' in-antry66or! in%''%!
any)h'r' 'ls' at all
$h' situation is th' sam' in th' &ir 7orc' >--ic'rs $raining Coll'g's66on' trains
-ight'r pilots! anoth'r pilots -or transport aircra-t an% a thir% thos' )ho )ill -ly long6
rang' bomb'rs -or th' (avy ?ut! o- cours'! no on' )ill '/plain this to you b'-or' you
'nt'r that particular coll'g'
$his is! p'rhaps! not so ba%! but th'r' ar' many Coll'g's about )hich nothing at all
is sai% 7or instanc'! th' S'rpukhov Bngin''r >--ic'rs $raining Coll'g' "- you look at
th' pap'rs s't -or its 'ntranc' '/aminations! you )ill r'alis' that th'y ar' unusually
%i--icult Som' p'opl' ar' put o-- by this but it attracts oth'rs "- you succ''% in
gaining a plac' th'r'! you )ill %iscov'r! %uring your s'con% y'ar! that you ar' b'ing
train'% -or s'rvic' )ith th' Strat'gic <ock't 7orc's

2

:aving chos'n a Coll'g' )hich app'ars to cat'r -or your int'r'sts! 'v'n though you
hav' no r'al i%'a )hat it o--'rs! you shoul% imm'%iat'ly apply to its comman%ant!
saying that you )ant to b'com' an o--ic'r an% '/plaining )hat you )ant to %o! attach
your school6l'aving c'rti-icat'! r'-'r'nc's -rom your school an% -rom th' Comsomol
an% s'n% 'v'rything o-- as Guickly as possibl' to th' Coll'g' "n %u' cours' you )ill
b' summon'% to sit th' 'ntranc' '/amination
My o)n choic' )as straight-or)ar%66th' Charkov 8uar%s $ank >--ic'rs $raining
Coll'g' " scribbl'% my )ay through -our '/ams! )ithout particular %i--iculty $h'y
t'st'% m' to -in% out )hat l'v'l " ha% r'ach'% at school! but it )as cl'ar that th'
stan%ar% o- my kno)l'%g' )as not particularly important an% that th'y )'r' mor'
int'r'st'% in my sp''% o- r'action! in my g'n'ral l'v'l o- %'v'lopm'nt an% in th'
rang' o- my int'r'sts Mor' important than th' )ritt'n t'sts )'r' th' m'%ical
'/aminations an% th' t'sts o- physical %'v'lopm'nt S'cr'tly! b'-or' can%i%at's )'r'
summon'% to th' '/aminations! o- cours'! 'nGuiri's about th'm ha% b''n ma%' )ith
th' local C8? o--ic'sF nothing )as %on' until th's' )'r' compl't'% $h' %'cisiv' part
o- th' s'l'ction proc'ss! ho)'v'r! )as a %iscussion )hich last'% -or s'v'ral hours!
%uring )hich on'4s suitability66or lack o- it66-or commission'% rank in th' Sovi't &rmy
)as '/plor'% $h' ass'mbly lin' mov's -ast $hr'' or -our applications ar' usually
r'c'iv'% -or 'ach vacancy Bv'ry 'v'ning th'r' is a para%'! at )hich on' o- th'
o--ic'rs r'a%s out th' nam's o- thos' )ho hav' b''n giv'n a plac' an% o- thos' )ho
hav' b''n r'A'ct'% Bv'ry morning! a n') batch o- hop'-uls arriv's an% 'v'ry
'v'ning! a-t'r a )''k sp'nt at th' Coll'g'! groups o- %isappoint'% )oul%6b' 'ntrants
l'av' "- th'y hav' not %on' th'ir military s'rvic' th'y )ill b' call'% up b'-or' long
" )as succ'ss-ul an% Aoin'% a battalion662++ strong o- young! shav'n6h'a%'% n')
ca%'ts ;' )'r' %ivi%'% into thr'' compani's! 'ach o- thr'' platoons ;' )'r'
comman%'% by a li'ut'nant6colon'l! )ho ha% a maAor as his %'puty an% political
o--ic'r $h' compani's )'r' comman%'% by maAors! th' platoons by captains an%
s'nior li'ut'nants &t that point )' ha% no s'rg'ants "n my o)n platoon o- 22! only
on' ha% %on' his military s'rvic' &ll th' r'st ha% com' straight -rom school
Bvi%'ntly! not many o- thos' )ho ha% alr'a%y ha% th' opportunity to s'' ho) an
o--ic'r liv'% )ish'% to tak' up th' army as a car''r $h' -irst night a-t'r th' battalion
ha% b''n -orm'% )' -oun% ours'lv's on a troop train! in goo%s )agons (o on' kn')
)h'r' )' )'r' going ;' trav'll'% -or thr'' )hol' %ays an% th'n )' arriv'% at a
training %ivision Most o- us ha% only th' vagu'st i%'a )hat this m'ant! but on' ca%'t!
)ho ha% alr'a%y s'rv'% in th' army -or t)o y'ars! b'cam' Guit' agitat'% :' ha%
c'rtainly not '/p'ct'% this .uring his army s'rvic' )ith a tank unit! h' ha% b''n a
166
loa%'r an% h' ha% th'r'-or' 'scap'% s'rvic' )ith a training %ivision! but h' ha% h'ar%
a lot about such units &n% no) h' -oun% hims'l- in on'! )ith a conting'nt o- scum
$h' battalion no) acGuir'% s'rg'ants66o- th' typ' )ho run training %ivisions66an%
li-' b'gan to gath'r sp''% <'v'ill'! P$! training '/'rcis's! %isgusting -oo%! col%! night
al'rts &n% tog'th'r )ith this! cam' or%'rs such as I$ak' a matchstick! m'asur' th'
corri%or )ith it! an% th'n com' an% t'll m' ho) long th' corri%or is4 >r! I$ak' your
toothbrush an% cl'an out th' latrin' <'port to m' on th' progr'ss you4v' ma%' by
%a)n4
(o high'r '%ucation -or you -or th' pr's'nt! my -ri'n%sF -irst )' must mak' goo%
sol%i'rs out o- youJ
& training %ivision knocks all th' in%'p'n%'nc' an% insubor%ination out o- you *ou
l'arn a lot )hil' you ar' th'r' *ou ar' taught to un%'rstan% oth'rs an% to r'pr's'nt
th'm *ou l'arn ho) to r'cognis' scoun%r'ls an% ho) to -in% -ri'n%s
$h' -irst l'sson )hich you l'arn is that sol%i'rs an% -utur' o--ic'rs must not b'
a-rai% o- tanks .uring 'ach o- th' -irst -') %ays you sp'n% s'v'ral hours g'tting us'%
to th'm &t -irst it is 'asy66you li' at th' bottom o- a concr't'6lin'% tr'nch )hil' a
tank roars roun% an% roun% abov' your h'a%! crushing th' concr't' )ith its tracks as
it %o's so $h'n things g't a bit mor' complicat'%66you ar' tol% that you ar' to tak'
sh'lt'r in an unlin'% slit tr'nch! )hich you ar' to %ig *ou ar' tol% that! provi%'% you
mak' th' tr'nch narro) 'nough! you )ill b' sa-' :o)'v'r! you ar' also tol% to cov'r
your h'a% )ith your tunic! so that i- th' tr'nch shoul% cav' in! you )ill hav' a -')
lung-uls o- air! )hich shoul% b' 'nough to 'nabl' you to %ig yours'l- out ('/t! you
ar' tol% that you )ill b' giv'n on' an% a hal- minut's to %ig your tr'nch66an% to Aump
into it! curl'% up lik' a h'%g'hog *ou can s'' th' tank! )aiting not -ar a)ay ?oth o-
you ar' giv'n th' signal to start at th' sam' mom'nt *ou start %igging lik' a mol'!
as th' tank b'ars %o)n on you
&n% so you carry on! %ay a-t'r %ay! s)'ating your guts out! until you hav' spots in
-ront o- your 'y's! until you vomit -rom -atigu'! until you collaps' )ith '/haustion
$h'r' is a lot mor' -un to b' ha% %uring th' training! b'si%'s your intro%uction to
tanks66napalm! gas! rubb'r prot'ctiv' clothing )orn in th' bla@ing sun! barb'%6)ir'
obstacl's

I&ccurs'% barb'% )ir' obstacl'
Cr'ation o- th' 2+th c'ntury
?y th' tim' a man has climb'% across you
:' is no mor' than hal- a man4

66an% th' 't'rnal pr'ssur' to sav' s'con%s &n% th' constant unc'rtainty
&-t'r si/ months )' -inish th' training cours' an% th' tim' -or ass'ssm'nt irriv's
:ith'rto! )' hav' )orn or%inary sol%i'rs4 shoul%'r6boar%s! but no)! a-t'r th' cours'!
)' ar' giv'n black v'lv't on's )ith th' gol% stitching an% th' r'% piping o- th' ca%'ts
o- a $ank >--ic'rs $raining Coll'g' ?ut not all o- us g't th's' 7orty out o- our 2++
r'c'iv'% th' shoul%'r6boar%s o- Aunior s'rg'ants an% )'r' s'nt o-- to b'com' tank
comman%'rs an% tank gunn'rs >ur Coll'g' %i% not 'v'r )ant to s'' th'm %ark'n its
%oors again
$h' battalion )as r'6-orm'% (o) it ha% only t)o compani's! 'ach o- 12+ ca%'ts
;' )'r' s'nt back to th' Coll'g' -or th' n'/t thr'' an% a hal- y'ars

5

$h' li-' o- a ca%'t at a Coll'g' is v'ry littl' %i--'r'nt -rom th' on' h' l'% in th'
training %ivision $h' shoul%'r6boar%s ar' %i--'r'nt! it is tru'! an% h' r'c'iv's 1+
167
rubl's a month inst'a% o- 2 ("n his thir% y'ar h' r'c'iv's 13 an% in his -ourth 2+)
&n% th' -oo% is b'tt'r ?ut 'v'ry Coll'g' has a training c'ntr' & ca%'t sp'n%s on' or
t)o )''ks at th' Coll'g' stu%ying th'ory66both military an% civil $h'n h' go's to th'
training c'ntr' -or th' n'/t on' or t)o )''ks $h'r' h' sp'n%s his tim' %riving!
shooting! %oing night '/'rcis's! platoon 'ngag'm'nts! 'ncount'r battl's )ith tank
compani's! mor' %riving! mor' -amiliarisation '/'rcis's )ith tanks an% )ith napalm
Mor' pr'ssur' to sav' s'con%s Mor' unc'rtainty
*ou ar' constantly %riv'n out o- th' Coll'g' $h' tim' you sp'n% th'r' only counts
to)ar%s your army s'rvic' i- you ar' th'r' -or m'%ical r'asons ?ut sinc' 'v'ryon' is
robustly h'althy! this r'ally %o's not apply
>n' night! my -ri'n% Pashka Coval'v! )ho )as alr'a%y in his -ourth y'ar! )ith thr''
months to go b'-or' h' gra%uat'%! brok' out o- barracks :' ha% a girl6-ri'n% in
Charkov :' )as a)ay -or thr'' hours :' manag'% to g't through th' barb'%6)ir'
an% oth'r obstacl's on his )ay back in )ithout b'ing spott'% an% h' slipp'% Gui'tly
into b'% ?'-or' l'aving! h' ha% put his roll'% gr'atcoat into th' b'%! an% ha% lai% out
his %r'ss uni-orm an% boots b'si%' it! in accor%anc' )ith r'gulations &s a rul'!
anyon' carrying out a kit insp'ction %uring th' night )oul% b' sur' to ch'ck that all
-oot)'ar )as prop'rly %isplay'% ?ut Pashka )as cl'v'r66h' ma%' his unauthoris'%
trip in running sho's
<'v'ill'! P$! an% br'ak-ast )'nt by )ithout inci%'nt $h'n cam' th' r'vi') p'rio%
$h'r' )'r' about a thousan% o- us on para%' ;' stoo%! -r''@ing! an% list'n'% to a
string o- or%'rs issu'% by %i--'r'nt authoriti's $h's' )'r' r'a% out in or%'r o-
s'niorityH -irst cam' thos' -rom th' Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! th'n oth'rs -rom th'
Comman%'r o- th' Military .istrict! mor' -rom his %ir'ctor o- training an%! -inally!
thos' issu'% by th' Coll'g' Comman%ant Su%%'nly! an% )ithout )arning! Pashka )as
call'% out o- th' ranks an% an or%'r -or his '/pulsion )as r'a% :is v'lv't shoul%'r6
boar%s )'r' ripp'% o-- an% r'plac'% )ith thos' )orn by a privat' sol%i'r :is abs'nc'
ha% b''n %'t'ct'% by a surpris' ch'ck %uring th' night $h' ca%'ts )ho ha% b''n on
guar% %uty that night )'r' imm'%iat'ly arr'st'% an% thro)n in th' c'lls -or t'n %ays
>th'rs )'r' b'ing )ok'n up to tak' th'ir plac'! as th' commission )hich ha% ma%'
th' ch'ck %'part'% $h'y )'r' tol% nothing o- )hat ha% occurr'% Pashka r'turn'%
to)ar%s morning! cr'pt in through a )in%o) in th' latrin's an% got back into his b'%
:' %i% not r'alis' that th' guar% ha% b''n chang'% an% assum'% h' ha% got a)ay
)ith it ?ut! )hil' h' )as br'aking in! th' or%'r -or his '/pulsion )as b'ing alr'a%y
%ra-t'% by th' sta-- "t took no account o- th' -our y'ars h' ha% sp'nt at th' Coll'g'66
-our y'ars )hich ha% ma%' him -''l that h' )as alr'a%y almost an o--ic'r :' )as
s'nt to th' training %ivision at )hich )' b'gan our s'rvic'
,ong a-t'r)ar%s! " h'ar% that h' ha% not b''n abl' to 'n%ur' li-' in th' training
%ivision! that h' ha% -inally r'-us'% to ob'y or%'rs an% ha% hit a s'rg'ant 7or this h'
)as s'nt to a p'nal battalion -or t)o y'ars66)hich %i% not! o- cours'! count as part o-
his military s'rvic' &-t'r this h' )oul% hav' b''n r'turn'% to th' unit )hich ha% s'nt
him to th' p'nal battalion66th' training %ivision ;h'th'r h' 'v'r %i% go back " %o not
kno)66" n'v'r h'ar% anything mor' about him


/uties and ilitary *anks

1

168
" knock'% on th' %oor! )ait'% -or p'rmission to 'nt'r an% )'nt in $h' r'gim'ntal
comman%'r! Colon'l .ontsov! )as stan%ing .'spit' this! a maAor! )hom " %i% not
r'cognis'! )as sitting by his si%' " salut'% smartly! clicking my h''ls as " %i% so
IComra%' Colon'l! may " hav' p'rmission to mak' my r'port=4
I&sk th' MaAor -or p'rmission4
" turn'% Guickly to th' MaAor
IB/cus' m'! Comra%' MaAor! " am S'nior ,i'ut'nant Suvorov May " r'port to
Colon'l .ontsov=4
$h' maAor no%%'%! '/pr'ssionl'ssly " r'port to th' colon'l on a %uty trip " ha% Aust
-inish'% :' ask'% a -') Gu'stions an% th'n no%%'%! sho)ing that h' ha% no mor' to
say " again turn'% to th' maAor
IComra%' MaAor! may " hav' p'rmission to l'av'=4
:' sai% that " might go " turn'% an% )'nt out
$h' situation ha% b''n cl'ar to m' -rom th' mom'nt " 'nt'r'% ;hil' " ha% b''n
a)ay -rom th' unit! an o--ic'r o- gr'at'r importanc' than our r'gim'ntal comman%'r
ha% arriv'%! as his sup'rior (an% th'r'-or' also min') "- this maAor )as mor'
important than th' comman%'r o- a r'gim'nt! h' must b' th' 'Guival'nt o- at l'ast a
%'puty %ivisional comman%'r
"n th' corri%or " m't on' o- th' or%'rly room cl'rks an% " ask'% him! I;ho4s this
n') maAor! )ho is lor%ing it ov'r th' boss=4
I:'4s an important man!4 sai% th' cl'rk! )ith som' a)' I:' is th' n') %ivisional
chi'- o- sta--! MaAor >ganskiy4
" )histl'%H -rom no) on " kn') )hom to salut'! )hom to click my h''ls to

2

$h' syst'm o- a)ar%ing military ranks in th' Sovi't &rmy is a -airly simpl' on'! but
it is %i--'r'nt -rom thos' us'% 'ls')h'r' an% th'r'-or' n''%s to b' '/plain'%
$h' syst'm cam' into us' %uring th' )ar66'--'ctiv'ly at th' tim' o- th' battl' -or
Stalingra% "n oth'r )or%s! it %at's -rom th' tim' )h'n th' Sovi't 0nion -irst b'gan to
aspir' to b'com' a sup'r6po)'r "t is %'sign'% to tak' ma/imum a%vantag' o- th'
rivalry b't)''n th' o--ic'rs on 'ach rung o- th' promotion la%%'r an% to 'nsur' that
a%vanc'm'nt com's as Guickly as possibl' to th' staunch'st support'rs o- th'
r'gim'66th' har%'st! most callous! most mast'r-ul an% most comp't'nt
$o achi'v' this! th' Sovi't syst'm appli's th' -ollo)ing simpl' rul'sH

1 S'niority %'p'n%s! not on rank but on appointm'nt >nly )h'n t)o o--ic'rs hav'
no pro-'ssional conn'ction )ith on' anoth'r! is s'niority %'t'rmin'% by rank
2 &n o--ic'r4s 'ligibility -or a high'r appointm'nt %'p'n%s! not on his rank or l'ngth
o- s'rvic'! but on his ability to comman%
2 $h' tim' sp'nt in a particular appointm'nt is not limit'% in any )ay $hus! an
o--ic'r may comman% a platoon -or th' )hol' o- his s'rvic' or h' may b' giv'n
gr'at'r r'sponsibility )ithin a -') months
5 $h' appointm'nt h'l% by an o--ic'r mak's him 'ligibl' -or a particular rank
:o)'v'r! h' is not giv'n this rank unl'ss h' occupi's an a%'Guat'ly r'sponsibl' plac'
on th' la%%'r o- s'rvic' an% has s'rv'% -or a giv'n numb'r o- y'ars

$h' syst'm -or th' a%vanc'm'nt an% promotion o- o--ic'rs in p'ac'tim' )orks in
'/actly th' sam' )ay as it %i% %uring th' )ar ;' )ill th'r'-or' illustrat' it )ith
)artim' '/ampl's
"magin' that th' %'puty comman%'r o- a battalion is kill'% in action & r'plac'm'nt
is n''%'% )ithout %'lay $h' battalion comman%'r has only a limit'% choic' $h'r'
169
ar' thr'' compani's in his battalion an% th' comman%'r o- on' o- th's' compani's
must tak' his %'puty4s plac' "n making his choic'! th' battalion comman%'r )ill
ignor' an in%ivi%ual4s '/p'ctations! his l'ngth o- s'rvic' an% th' numb'r o- stars on
his shoul%'rboar%s ;hat h' n''%s! Guickly! is th' man )ho! in his opinion! )ill
m'asur' up b'st to n') r'sponsibiliti's >- th' thr'' can%i%at's on' is! l't us say! a
captain! th' s'con% a s'nior li'ut'nant an% th' thir% a li'ut'nant )ho arriv'% r'c'ntly
-rom his military training school an% )ho has b''n in comman% o- his company -or
t)o )''ks $h' battalion comman%'r kno)s that th' captain is a h'avy %rink'r! th'
s'nior li'ut'nant is a co)ar% but that th' li'ut'nant is n'ith'r o- th's' :' th'r'-or'
appoints th' li'ut'nant as his %'puty $h' li'ut'nant )ill b' promot'% to a high'r rank
lat'r! but th' t)o oth'r o--ic'rs! )ith )hom h' )as on 'Gual t'rms until this mom'nt!
ar' no) his subor%inat's Shortly a-t'r)ar%s! th' battalion comman%'r is kill'%! at
)hich point our li'ut'nant automatically tak's his plac'! l'aving th' post o- %'puty
battalion comman%'r vacant onc' again $h' n') battalion comman%'r must no)
%'ci%'66v'ry Guickly66)ho shoul% -ill th' vacancy :' coul% s'l'ct th' alcoholic
captain! although almost anyon' 'ls' )oul% b' b'tt'r! or h' might choos' a li'ut'nant
)ho is 'v'n young'r than him! )ho -inish'% his training 'v'n mor' r'c'ntly than h'
%i%! but )ho r'c'iv'% b'tt'r marks at th' training school than h' %i% hims'l-
:'r' ar' som' '/ampl's -rom r'al6li-' $h' -irst is -rom 1955! )h'n th' 29th
8uar%s <i-l' .ivision -oun% its'l- in urg'nt n''% o- a comman%ing o--ic'r -or on' o- its
r'gim'nts Captain " M $r'tyak )as chos'n :' )as only t)'nty6on'! but h' ha%
thr'' an% a hal- y'ars o- continuous s'rvic' in action b'hin% him .uring th's' y'ars
h' ha% )ork'% his )ay st'a%ily up th' promotion la%%'r! having h'l% 'v'ry rank! on'
a-t'r th' oth'r 0n%'rstan%ably! h' t'n%'% to b' chos'n )h'n'v'r an o--ic'r )as
n''%'% -or a mor' r'sponsibl' post :' )as promot'% lat'r on but -or th' tim' b'ing
h' comman%'% th' r'gim'nt )hil' still a captain 0n%'r his comman% )'r' 'ight
li'ut'nant6colon'ls! an% %o@'ns o- maAors an% captains Subs'Gu'ntly h' continu'% up
th' la%%'r )ith th' sam' sp''% $o%ay h' is a Marshal
"n 1952 th' 31st &rmy )as l'-t )ithout a comman%ing o--ic'r $h' s'nior comman%
%'ci%'% that th' b'st can%i%at' -or this post )as Colon'l & M Cu@n'tsov $h'
briga%'s an% %ivisions in th' army )'r' comman%'% by g'n'rals! a g'n'ral
comman%'% 'ach o- th' corps an%! in -our cas's! ha% anoth'r g'n'ral as %'puty! th'
&rmy4s a%ministrativ' an% sta-- %'partm'nts bulg'% )ith still mor' g'n'rals! but
Colon'l Cu@n'tsov su%%'nly asc'n%'%! through th'ir mi%st! to l'a% th'm all :'
b'cam' th' comman%'r66h' )as th' on' you ha% to click your h''ls to
$h' 38th &rmy! too! )as comman%'% by a Colon'l66( & Moskvin66in spit' o- th'
-act that th'r' )'r' g'n'rals galor' on th' &rmy4s str'ngth ?ut it )as Colon'l
Moskvin to )hom th'y an% all th'ir m'n b'cam' ans)'rabl'! -or h' )as th' man
)hom th' high'r comman% s'l'ct'% as th' b'st o--ic'r availabl' $h' situation in
p'ac'tim' r'mains '/actly as it )as %uring th' )ar $h' tim' an o--ic'r sp'n%s %oing
a particular Aob is not limit'% by any rul's or r'gulations *oung o--ic'rs arriv' -rom
th'ir coll'g's an% ar' giv'n platoons $h' r'gim'ntal comman%'r has th' right to tak'
on' o- th'm an% put him in comman% o- a company66an% h' can %o this a-t'r th'
o--ic'r has b''n in charg' o- a platoon -or only on' %ay "n his o)n int'r'sts! a
r'gim'ntal comman%'r )ill al)ays s'l'ct th' harsh'st! th' most %'man%ing! an% th'
most %'p'n%abl' o- th' o--ic'rs at his %isposal -or th' post
& %ivisional comman%'r appoints his %'puty battalion comman%'rs an% all o--ic'rs
hol%ing 'Guival'nt appointm'nts un%'r him :o)'v'r! h' may only mak' his choic'
-rom o--ic'rs )ho hav' r'ach'% th' imm'%iat'ly pr'c'%ing gra%'66that is -rom among
his company comman%'rs but not -rom th' latt'r4s platoon comman%'rs "n or%'r to
ris' to th' post o- %'puty battalion comman%'r! a young o--ic'r must -irst pl'as' his
r'gim'ntal comman%'r su--ici'ntly to b' put in charg' o- a company an% th'n h'
170
must -in% -avour )ith th' %ivisional comman%'r66)ithout! ho)'v'r! -alling out )ith his
r'gim'ntal comman%'r! )ho has 'nough po)'r to ruin th' car''r o- any o--ic'r )ho is
un%'r his comman%
&n &rmy Comman%'r can choos' his battalion comman%'rs! but th's' must com'
-rom thos' )ho hav' %on' th' Aob o- %'puty battalion comman%'r $h' Comman%'r o-
a Military .istrict can s'l'ct an% appoint %'puti's -or his r'gim'ntal comman%'rs -rom
any o- his battalion comman%'rs <'gim'ntal comman%'rs ar' appoint'% by th'
Minist'r o- .'-'nc'
$h' sam' proc'%ur' is -ollo)'% at oth'r l'v'ls $h' chi'- o- sta-- o- a Military
.istrict appoints battalion chi'-s o- sta--! th' Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- choos's th'
chi'-s o- sta-- -or r'gim'nts
&ll o--ic'rs high'r than r'gim'ntal comman%'r ar' appoint'% by th' &%ministrativ'
.'partm'nt o- th' C'ntral Committ'' &ppointm'nts s'nior to that o- %ivisional
comman%'r must also b' rati-i'% by th' Politburo :o)'v'r! th' Politburo -ollo)s th'
principl' us'% throughout66s'niority is %'t'rmin'% not by rank but by th' appointm'nt
h'l%66-or it )as th' Politburo its'l- )hich %'vis'% this principl'
Bach appointm'nt in th' Sovi't &rmy is op'n only to o--ic'rs o- not mor' than a
c'rtain rank $hus! a platoon comman%'r may not b' mor' than a s'nior li'ut'nant
Similarly! as r'gar%s comman% appointm'ntsH

& company comman%'r may not b' mor' than a captain & %'puty battalion
comman%'r may not b' mor' than a maAor
& battalion comman%'rM%'puty r'gim'ntal comman%'r may not b' mor' than a
li'ut'nant6colon'l
& r'gim'ntal comman%'rM%'puty %ivisional comman%'r may not b' mor' than a
colon'l
& %ivisional comman%'rM%'puty &rmy comman%'r may not b' mor' than a maAor6
g'n'ral
&n &rmy Comman%'r may not b' mor' than a li'ut'nant6g'n'ral
& 7ront or Military .istrict Comman%'r may not b' mor' than a g'n'ral o- th'
&rmy
Minist'r o- .'-'nc'! Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--! Chi'- o- a Strat'gic .ir'ction! Chi'-
o- an &rm'% S'rvic' may not b' mor' than a Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion
$h' Supr'm' Comman%'r %uring )artim' ranks as 8'n'ralissimo o- th' Sovi't
0nion

$h' sam' appli's to non6comman% appointm'nts $husH

$h' chi'- o- sta-- o- a battalion must not b' mor' than a maAor
$h' chi'- o- sta-- o- a r'gim'nt must not b' mor' than a li'ut'nant6colon'l
$h' chi'- o- sta-- o- a %ivision must not b' mor' than a colon'l
$h' chi'- o- sta-- o- a &rmy must not b' mor' than a maAor6g'n'ral $h' chi'- o-
sta-- o- a 7ront must not b' mor' than a li'ut'nant6g'n'ral $h' chi'- o- sta-- o- a
Strat'gic .ir'ction must not b' mor' than a colon'l6g'n'ral $h' chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral
Sta-- is a Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion
"n th' -inancial branch! to tak' a -urth'r '/ampl'! th' -inancial s'ction o- a
r'gim'nt )ill b' h'a%'% by a captain! o- a %ivision by a maAor! o- an &rmy by a
li'ut'nant6colon'l! o- a 7ront or Military .istrict by a maAor6g'n'ral $h' s'nior o--ic'r
o- th' 'ntir' branch is a colon'l6g'n'ral
&n o--ic'r is giv'n an appointm'nt )ithout r'-'r'nc' to his rankH h' )ill r'c'iv' any
promotion %u' to him subs'Gu'ntly $h' -ollo)ing ar' th' minimum tim's -or )hich
an o--ic'r must r'main at 'ach rankH
171

9unior li'ut'nant
1
2 y'ars
,i'ut'nant 2 y'ars
S'nior li'ut'nant 2 y'ars
Captain 5 y'ars
MaAor 5 y'ars
,i'ut'ntant6colon'l 3 y'ars
&bov' this rank th'r' ar' no -i/'% t'rms

(ormally! th' gra%uat' o- a :igh'r Military $raining Coll'g' (at )hich h' has sp'nt
5 y'ars) b'com's a li'ut'nant at 21 "n th'ory! h' )ill r'ach th' rank o- li'ut'nant6
colon'l in 19 y'ars :o)'v'r! in or%'r to r'c'iv' 'ach promotion! h' must not only
s'rv' -or th' r'Guisit' numb'r o- y'ars but h' must also b' acc'ptabl' -or an
appointm'nt )hich carri's this rank
"- you ar' a platoon comman%'r! provi%'% that your platoon4s p'r-ormanc' is
satis-actory! you )ill automatically b'com' a s'nior li'ut'nant a-t'r thr'' y'ars &-t'r
thr'' mor' y'ars you b'com' 'ligibl' -or th' n'/t rank! that o- captain :o)'v'r! i-
you ar' still )ith your platoon! not having succ''%'% in b'ing chos'n to comman% a
company! you )ill not b' promot'% "- you ar' alr'a%y in charg' o- a company! or
hav' progr'ss'% still -urth'r up th' la%%'r! you )ill r'c'iv' your captain4s star
imm'%iat'ly 7our y'ars lat'r! th' tim' com's )h'n you can b' promot'% to maAorF
provi%'% that you ar' by no) %'puty comman%'r o- a battalion your progr'ss )ill not
b' h'l% up "- you ar' still a company comman%'r! you )ill hav' to )ait -or promotion
"- you ar' n'v'r abl' to sho) that you ar' b'tt'r than th' oth'r company
comman%'rs an% that you shoul% b' promot'% b'-or' th'm! you )ill n'v'r b'com' a
maAor
"n principl'! th'r'-or'! an o--ic'r4s appointm'nt op'ns th' )ay -or his promotion!
but promotion only -ollo)s a-t'r th' compl'tion o- a c'rtain numb'r o- y'ars4 s'rvic'
sp'nt in th' pr'c'%ing rank "- you hav' 'v'r b''n h'l% back! an% hav' lost som'
y'ars in on' particular rank! you )ill n'v'r catch up ;h'n you ar' 'v'ntually
promot'%! you )ill still hav' to s'rv' -or th' pr'scrib'% numb'r o- y'ars in your n')
rank b'-or' you b'com' 'ligibl' -or th' n'/t on'

1
$his rank is giv'n only to thos' )ho hav' un%'rgon' a short'r cours' o- training

2

:'r' is anoth'r '/ampl' -rom li-' "n &ugust 1951! 8'n'ral MaAor & M
Vasily'vskiy )as appoint'% to h'a% th' >p'rational .ir'ctorat' o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--
&t th' sam' tim' h' also b'cam' %'puty to th' Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- $h'
>p'rational (or 7irst) .ir'ctorat' o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- is r'sponsibl' -or pro%ucing )ar
plans
$his post is on' o- 'normous importanc' by any stan%ar%s! not only thos' o- th'
<'% &rmy "t is 'nough to say that it is in this .ir'ctorat' that th' Sovi't 0nion4s 36
y'ar 'conomic plans originat'F th'r'a-t'r! th' Council o- Minist'rs an% th' Stat'
Planning Commission %'ci%' ho) th' r'Guir'm'nts o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--s ar' to b'
m't! b'-or' proc''%ing! )ith th' highly s'cr't military plan as a basis! to %ra) up th'
&ll60nion Plan! in both its s'cr't an% op'n variants
$h' 8'rman int'llig'nc' s'rvic's conclu%'% that th' appointm'nt o- a m'r' colon'l
to such an august position )as an in%ication that th' rol' o- th' 8'n'ral Sta-- )as
b'ing r'%uc'% in importanc' $h' r'ason that th'y ma%' this mistak' )as that th'
172
8'rmans %i% not un%'rstan% th' <'% &rmy4s simpl' principl'66s'niority is not
%'t'rmin'% by rank! but by appointm'nt <ank -ollo)s appointm'nt! slo)ly but sur'ly!
Aust as in-antry -ollo)s tanks )hich hav' su%%'nly an% -orc'-ully brok'n through into
th' r'ar o- th' 'n'my
"n -act th'r' )as nothing particularly astonishing about th' appointm'nt o- th'
8'n'ral MaAor to such a high postH th' '/planation )as! Guit' simply! that th'
Supr'm' Comman%'r %'ci%'% that this particular o--ic'r )oul% m''t th' %'man%s o-
th' Aob b'tt'r than anyon' 'ls' $his Vasily'vskiy %i%66)ithin 'ights months h' ha%
b'com' Chi'- o- th' 8'n'ral Sta--
Sinc' h' ha% ris'n to so high an appointm'nt! th' )ay to consi%'rabl' -urth'r
promotion )as op'n to him Stars rain'% %o)n on his shoul%'rboar%s :' pass'%
Guickly through th' hi'rarchy o- g'n'rals! )'aring th' -our stars o- a 8'n'ral o- th'
&rmy -or a m'r' t)'nty6nin' %ays b'-or' b'ing promot'% to th' rank o- Marshal
&-t'r th' 'n% o- th' )ar )ith 8'rmany h' carri'% out a brilliant op'ration in
Manchuria! b'coming Comman%'r6in6Chi'- o- th' 7ar Bast'rn Strat'gic .ir'ction
?ut )' must not b' misl'% $h' <'% &rmy is an 'normous organisation an% not
'v'ryon' can succ''% as Vasily'vskiy %i% " hav' m't hun%r'%s o- s'nior li'ut'nants
)ho )ill stay at this rank -or th' r'st o- th'ir liv's


ilitary Academies

1

"n or%'r to achi'v' high rank you n''% an appropriat'ly s'nior appointm'ntH in
or%'r to b' consi%'r'% -or such an appointm'nt you must hav' compl't'% a cours' o-
stu%i's at a Military &ca%'my
"t )ill b' r'call'% that :igh'r Military $raining Coll'g's provi%' a high'r g'n'ral
'%ucation but only a m'%ium6l'v'l military on' :igh'r military '%ucation is th'
provinc' o- th' Military &ca%'mi's! o- )hich th'r' ar' 12 at pr's'nt &mong th's' ar'
th' 7run@' &ll6&rms! &rmour'%! &rtill'ry! Bngin''ring! Military6Political! (aval! t)o &ir
7orc'! t)o <ock't! &ir .'-'nc'! an% Ch'mical ;ar-ar' &ca%'mi's >--ic'rs sp'n%
thr'' y'ars at an &ca%'my! )hich may b' h'a%'% by a Colon'l68'n'ral! a 8'n'ral o-
th' &rmy! a Marshal o- on' o- th' arms o- s'rvic' or 'v'n th' Chi'- Marshal o- a
particular s'rvic'
$h' roa% to an &ca%'my is a har% on' 7irst! on' must hav' comman%'% at l'ast a
company S'con%ly! th' sub6units un%'r your comman% must achi'v' '/c'll'nt ratings
-or t)o y'ars ()hich m'ans that you must lay in 'nough vo%ka an% proc''% to pour it
into th' commissions )hich com' to ch'ck you until th'y ar' a-loat )ith it66assuming!
o- cours'! that th'y cons'nt to %rink )ith you at all) $hir%ly! approval -or your
application -or 'ntry is r'Guir'% -rom all your sup'rior o--ic'rs up to an% inclu%ing your
%ivisional comman%'r &ny o- th's' o--ic'rs has th' right to stop your application -rom
going on to his imm'%iat' sup'rior "- on' o- th'm %o's so you )ill hav' to )ait until
th' -ollo)ing y'ar an% your battalion or company )ill hav' to maintain its '/c'll'nt
r'cor% 7inally! you )ill hav' to pass '/aminations! a m'%ical commission! an%
int'rvi')s an%! th'r'a-t'r! succ''% against th' comp'tition )ithin th' &ca%'my its'l-
0nl'ss an o--ic'r manag's to s'cur' a plac' at an &ca%'my! h' )ill n'v'r comman%
mor' than a battalion "- h' is succ'ss-ul! h' has thr'' y'ars o- int'nsiv' )ork on a
v'ry )i%'6ranging an% %'tail'% curriculum &-t'r gra%uation! )i%' hori@ons str'tch
b'-or' him Ouit' young maAors ar' -r'Gu'ntly ma%' r'gim'ntal comman%'rs! or!
173
-ailing that! %'puty r'gim'ntal comman%'rs! as soon as th'y hav' compl't'% th'
cours' ;hat'v'r happ'ns th' path up)ar%s is no) op'n

2

$o)'ring abov' all th' &ca%'mi's is th' 8'n'ral Sta-- &ca%'my Bntry to this is tr''
o- all th' comp'tition! '/aminations! applications an% oth'r probl'ms involv'% in
a%mission to th' oth'rs Bv'rything is %on' -or you by th' &%ministrativ' .'partm'nt
o- th' C'ntral Committ'' o- th' CPS0 $h' C'ntral Committ'' s'l'cts thos' )ho )ill
h'a% th' <'% &rmy in th' imm'%iat' -utur' -rom among all th' colon'ls )ho sho)
promis' an% )ho ar' truly %'%icat'% to th' r'gim'
>- cours'! all th' 'ntrants to th' 8'n'ral Sta-- &ca%'my hav' alr'a%y stu%i'% at a
:igh'r Military $raining Coll'g' an% th'n at th' 7run@' &rmour'% or &ir &ca%'mi's! or
at on' o- th' oth'rs
$h' lo)'st rank h'l% by 'ntrants is colon'l an% th'r' ar' o-t'n s'v'ral colon'l6
g'n'rals on th' curr'nt list o- thos' att'n%ing Comman%'rs o- &rmi's! Military
.istricts! 8roups o- $ank &rmi's! 7lotillas an% 7l''ts ar' o-t'n invit'% to visit th'
&ca%'my by th' C'ntral Committ''
:aving compl't'% his stu%i's at this &ca%'my! a g'n'ral )ill ris' high'r an% high'r!
l'aving his -orm'r rivals -ar b'hin%


0enerals

1

I:o) -in' to b' a 8'n'ral4 runs a lin' -rom a popular song &n%! in%''%! s''n -rom
b'lo)! th' li-' l'% by a g'n'ral %o's s''m to b' a Guit' sublim' '/ist'nc'
& Sovi't g'n'ral 'nAoys a gr'at many privil'g's "- h' )ish's! h' can acGuir' his
o)n har'm Sovi't i%'ology )ill not stan% in his )ay Bv'ry %ivisional comman%'r!
'v'ry &rmy! 7ront an% Military .istrict comman%'r has signal units! communications
c'ntr's an% t'l'phon' s)itchboar%s un%'r his comman%! sta--'% by attractiv' girls
)ho hav' b''n s'curity6v'tt'% $h' g'n'ral is th'ir absolut' mast'r :' guar%s th'm
A'alously against th' att'ntions o- oth'rs
;hil' " )as )ith th' 25th .ivision! a s'nior li'ut'nant )ho )as a -ri'n% o- min'!
b'cam' -ri'n%ly )ith an attractiv' girl -rom th' %ivisional communications battalion
:' )as haul'% b'-or' an >--ic'r4s Court o- :onour )hich s'nt'nc'% him to r'v'rt to
th' rank o- li'ut'nant $h' girl )as %ismiss'% -rom th' army! imm'%iat'ly :' ha% to
-ac' a charg' o- having att'mpt'% to p'n'trat' th' %ivisional communications c'ntr'!
in )hich th'r' )'r' s'cr't comman% chann'ls an% sh' )as accus'% o- complicity
?oth )'r' 'normously r'li'v'% )h'n th's' accusations )'r' %ropp'% an% %'light'% to
hav' 'scap'% as lightly as th'y %i% $his 'piso%' s'rv'% as a l'sson to th' )hol'
%ivision .uring th' sam' p'rio%! th' %ivisional comman%'r! in or%'r to 'nsur' that h'
k'pt in touch )ith th' girls un%'r his comman%! organis'% a numb'r o- th'm into a
shooting t'am >n th'ir %ays o--! h' )oul% pack his Imarks)om'n4 into his car! tak'
th'm o-- to th' %ivisional -iring rang' an% train th'm! p'rsonally! th'r' "magin' th'
sc'n'66a vast! 'mpty str'tch o- country in th' Carpathian mountains! a hug' ar'a!
car'-ully guar%'% an% compl't'ly shut o-- -rom th' )orl% $hickly )oo%'% mountains!
rocky slop's int'rs'ct'% by str'ams rushing %o)nhill ov'r rapi%s66)ithout a living soul
-or mil's aroun% >n Sun%ays! our g'n'ral )as Aoin'% at th' rang' by th' local Party
174
boss's! )ho us'% to bring th'ir o)n girls -rom ,vov :' train'% th'm! too :' )as
Guit' a man
>n a rath'r high'r l'v'l! th' 'nt'rtainm'nt o- g'n'rals in th' Sovi't &rmy is
cat'r'% -or by pro-'ssionals Bv'ry Military .istrict! 8roup o- 7orc's an% 7l''t has its
o)n troup' o- sing'rs an% %anc'rs $h's' ar' ma%' up o- pro-'ssional p'r-orm'rs!
)ho ar' un%'r contract to th' &rm'% S'rvic's $h'y ar' subA'ct to military %isciplin'!
-or th'y ar' 'mploy''s o- th' &rm'% S'rvic's Aust lik' th' &rmy4s %octors! nurs's!
typists an% so -orth $h' &rmy is a mor' g'n'rous 'mploy'r than any oth'rs $h' girls
in th's' 'ns'mbl's66sing'rs an% %anc'rs66ar' k'pt continuously an% int'nsiv'ly at
)ork 'nt'rtaining th' comman% sta-- 8'n'rals4 %achas hav' long sinc' b''n
trans-orm'% into t'mpl's %'%icat'% to th' )orship not o- Mar/ an% ,'nin but o-
?acchus an% V'nus
&thl'tically inclin'% young girls! 'sp'cially gymnasts! ar' in sp'cial %'man% among
our military l'a%'rs $h' &rmy4s C'ntral Sports Club is on' o- th' larg'st an% rich'st
in th' 0SS< 8irls )ho hav' no conn'ction )hatso'v'r )ith th' &rm'% S'rvic's can
Aoin this organisation an% hav' all th'ir living '/p'ns's pai% Sport in th' 0SS< is an
'ntir'ly pro-'ssional a--air Sportsm'n or sports)om'n ar' pai%! -'%! cloth'%! an%
giv'n %'corations! accommo%ation an% cars -or th'ir s'rvic's66an% th' b'tt'r th'y ar'
th' mor' th'y ar' pai% ?ut th'ir -r'' an% 'asy li-' must still b' pai% -or by th'
athl't's th'ms'lv's $h' girls pay in kin%! b'coming involv'% in prostitution )hil'
th'y ar' still v'ry young $hos' )ho ar' most am'nabl'! as )'ll as thos' )ho ar'
most tal'nt'%! ar' l'% by th'ir coach's to th' high'st r'alms o- pro-'ssional sport

2

;hat mor' can th' g'n'rals )ant -rom li-'= $h'ir %achas ar' hug' an% lu/urious
Marshal Chuykov4s %acha! -or '/ampl'! )as built -or him by t)o briga%'s o-
'ngin''rs! 'ach o- -our battalions Mor' than 2!3++ m'n )'r' involv'% an% th'y ha%
th' us' o- th' b'st military 'ngin''ring 'Guipm'nt
>ur military l'a%'rs -ly o-- on hunting trips in h'licopt'rs! )hich th'y th'n us' to
%riv' gam' through natur' r's'rv's $h'y ar' giv'n 'v'rything th'y n''%66Guart'rs!
cars! an% all th' cognac an% caviar' th'y )ant Sur'ly th'irs must b' a p'r-'ct
'/ist'nc'= &n% y't th' numb'r o- s'nior military l'a%'rs )ho commit suici%' is
'/c'ptionally high >- cours'! th'y %o not shoot th'ms'lv's )h'n th'y b'com' too -at
or sat'% to go on but )h'n rivals s'i@' th'm by th' throat an% )r'st th'ir po)'r -rom
th'm
.uring th' 8r'at Purg'! 22!+++ o--ic'rs )ith th' rank o- briga%' comman%'r or
abov' )'r' '/'cut'% in a singl' y'ar I?ut that )as in Stalin4s %ay4 " shall b' tol%66as
i- th' v'ry nam' o- Stalin '/plains 'v'rything ?ut 'v'n sinc' Stalin4s %ay! g'n'rals
hav' not b''n abl' to sl''p p'ac'-ully at night $h'y ar' constantly plagu'% by
unc'rtainty &lthough Stalin is %'a% an% gon'! g'n'rals ar' still b'ing o--'r'% up as
sacri-ic's $h' -irst victim )as ,i'ut'nant68'n'ral Vasiliy Stalin :' )as thro)n into a
m'ntal asylum imm'%iat'ly a-t'r Stalin4s %'ath an% th'r' h' %i'%! Gui'tly an% Guickly
;hil' his -ath'r )as still aliv'! no on' ha% %iagnos'% any abnormality :' )as as
strong as a bullF h' )as th' only g'n'ral o- his rank in th' )hol' Sovi't &rmy )ho
-l') A't6plan's
&-t'r Stalin4s %'ath! Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion Con'v shot Marshal o- th' Sovi't
0nion ?'riya %uring a s'ssion o- th' Politburo its'l- ('/t! Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion
?ulganin lost his rank an% )as %riv'n in %isgrac' -rom his position at th' h'a% o- th'
Sovi't gov'rnm'nt $h'r' )as also th' cas' o- Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion Culik!
%'mot'% to maAor6g'n'ral by Stalin! )ho ha% th'n s'nt him to prison an% announc'%
that h' )as %'a% &-t'r Stalin! Culik )as r'l'as'% -rom prison an% r'stor'% to his rank
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o- li'ut'nant6g'n'ral :' )as promis'% promotion to Marshal i- h' coul% organis' th'
%'sign an% pro%uction o- th' -irst Sovi't int'rcontin'ntal ballistic missil' :'
succ''%'% an% in 1931 h' again b'cam' a Marshal o- th' Sovi't 0nion! although no
'/planation o- his r'turn -rom th' %'a% )as 'v'r ma%' public ;h'n h' r'c'iv'% a
t'l'gram -rom th' gov'rnm'nt announcing this an% congratulating him! Culik
collaps'% an% %i'%! -rom a h'art attack! at th' rock't rang' at Capustin *ar &ccor%ing
to on' story! )h'n h' r'c'iv'% th' t'l'gram h' shot hims'l-
Such has b''n th' -at' o- various Marshals $h' g'n'rals -ar' )ors' $h'y ar'
plagu'%! 'n%l'ssly! by unc'rtainty "n on' %ay! in 7'bruary 19#+! Chrushch'v sack'%
3++ g'n'rals -rom th' Sovi't &rmy
(o Sovi't g'n'ral! an% -or that matt'r no Sovi't o--ic'r or sol%i'r66no singl'
m'mb'r o- this 'normous organisation66has any guarant'' that h' )ill b' allo)'% to
r'tain his privil'g's! his rank or 'v'n his li-' $h'y may %riv' him out! lik' an ol% %og!
at any mom'ntH th'y may stan% him against a )all an% shoot him


Conclusion

;hy %on4t th'y prot'st= ;hy %on4t th'y r'b'l= Can th'y r'ally 'nAoy living lik' this=
;hy ar' th'y sil'nt=
&n '/cursion gui%' onc' sho)'% m' an ar'a in a larg' ;'st'rn city )hich h' sai%
)as 'ntir'ly controll'% by th' Ma-ia Prostitut's! %rug6p'%%l'rs! sho'blacks!
shopk''p'rs! o)n'rs o- r'staurants! ca-'s an% hot'ls66all o- th'm controll'%! an%
prot'ct'% by th' Ma-ia
>nc' )' ha% 'm'rg'%! unscath'%! -rom this unhappy %istrict! in our larg' tourist
bus! an% -'lt that )' )'r' back in sa-'ty! " put th's' sam' Gu'stions to our
appr'h'nsiv' gui%' ;hy th' h'll %i%n4t th'y prot'st= Bv'ryon' living th'r' ha% gro)n
up in -r''%om an% %'mocracyF b'hin% th'm lay c'nturi's o- -r''%om o- sp''ch! o- th'
pr'ss an% o- ass'mbly *'t! %'spit' th's' c'nturi's6ol% tra%itions! th' inhabitants
)'r' sil'nt $h'y ha% a -r'' pr'ss on th'ir si%'! th' population o- th' 'ntir' country!
running into many millions! th' polic'! political parti's! parliam'nt! th' gov'rnm'nt
its'l- &n% y't th'y sai% nothing $h'y ma%' no prot'st
$h' soci'ty -rom )hich " -l'% is not simply a spacious )'ll6lit prison! provi%ing -r''
m'%ical car' an% -ull 'mploym'nt "t! too! is un%'r th' control o- a Ma-ia $h'
%i--'r'nc' b't)''n Sovi't soci'ty an% th' ;'st'rn city )hich " visit'%! is that thos'
)ho liv' )h'r' " us'% to liv' ar' unabl' to turn to th' polic' -or h'lp! b'caus' th'
polic' th'ms'lv's r'pr's'nt th' mail'% -ist o- our Ma-ia $h' army is anoth'r s'ction66
th' most aggr'ssiv' on'66o- th' Sovi't Ma-ia $h' gov'rnm'nt is th' ruling bo%y o-
th' Ma-iaH parliam'nt is th' ol% p'opl'4s hom' in )hich th' ag'% l'a%'rs o- th' Ma-ia
ar' car'% -or Pr'ss! t'l'vision! th' Au%g's! th' pros'cutors66th's' ar' not in-lu'nc'%
by th' Ma-ia66th'y ar' th' Ma-ia
Smart tourist bus's pass through our unhappy capital $h' %riv'rs an% gui%'s
b'long to th' Ma-ia I"ntourist4 )orks -or th' C8? I&'ro-lot4! is controll'% by th'
military int'llig'nc' s'rvic'! th' 8<0 7or'ign tourists sit list'ning to th' patt'r o- th'
gui%'s an% )on%'ring )ith ama@'m'nt66)hy %on4t th'y prot'st= Can th'y r'ally 'nAoy
living lik' this= "n th'ir plac'! th'y think! " )oul% )rit' to th' pap'rs! or organis' a
%'monstration ?ut cl'arly th' C8? has sti-l'% inhabitants so that th'y ar' unabl' to
prot'st $h' C8? has %riv'n th'm to th'ir kn''s an% ma%' th'm slav's
My -ri'n%! you ar' right ;' ar' slav'sH )' ar' on our kn''sH )' ar' sil'ntH )' %o
not prot'st
&ccor%ing to th' 'stimat's o- %'mograph'rs! bas'% on o--icial Sovi't statistics! th'
population o- my country shoul% hav' r'ach'% 213 million in 1939 "nst'a%! th'
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c'nsus sho)'% only 2+9 million >nly our o)n gov'rnm'nt kno)s )hat happ'n'% to
th' missing hun%r'% million :itl'r is sai% to hav' '/'cut'% 2+ million ?ut )h'r' ar'
th' oth'rs= *ou must agr'' that no criminal organisation in your o)n country has
sho)n such activity as our Sovi't Ma-ia
:aving brought my countrym'n to th'ir kn''s! th' Ma-ia triumvirat' o- th' C8?!
Party an% &rmy mov'% on to conGu'r n'ighbouring countri's $o%ay th'y ar' busy in
your country! in your hom' to)n $h'y hav' stat'% op'nly that it is th'ir %'ar'st )ish
to %o to th' )orl% )hat th'y hav' %on' to my country $h'y mak' no s'cr't o- it
" sp'nt thirty y'ars o- my li-' on my kn''s $h'n " got up an% ran $his )as th'
only )ay " coul% prot'st against th' syst'm &r' you surpris'%! my %'ar ;'st'rn
-ri'n%! that " %i% not %'monstrat' against th' C8? )hil' " )as living th'r'= ;'ll!
th'r' is som'thing )hich surpris's m'! too "n your o)n b'auti-ul country! th' C8?!
that monstrous organisation! is har% at )ork at this v'ry mom'nt! th' Sovi't
Communist Party is subsi%ising a hor%' o- pai% hacks an% crackpots Sovi't Military
"nt'llig'nc' is s'n%ing m'mb'rs o- its %iv'rsionary units to visit your country! so that
th'y can practis' parachuting on to your nativ' soil $h' aim o- all this activity is!
Guit' simply! to bring you to your kn''s ;hy %on4t you prot'st=
Prot'st to%ay $omorro) it )ill b' too lat'
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