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A POCKET GUIDE TO TH E

WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS WASHINGTON, D . C.

CO T S For use of military personnel only. Not to be Page republished, in whole or in part, without the Introduction 1 consent of the War Department. The Soviet Government 4 The Economic System 7 Nationality 9 Geography and Climate 10 The Counterattacks 13 Men and Machines 16 Wartime Life in 19 Drama-Music-Literature-Sports 23 Rules for Health 30 Check List of Do's 32 Prepared by And Don'ts 33 ARMY INFORMATION BRANCH, A .S .F. Soviet Uniforms and Army Grades 34 ARMY Soviet Awards and Decorations 37 Financial Guide 39 Weights and Measures 42 Speak Russian 43 Language Guide 14 UNTRODUCIli0 N On duty in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the largest country on the face of the earth, you may be stationed in a sub-tropical climate or within a stone' s throw of the Arctic Circle. You may be in rugged mountains or on the steppe, which is level as far as the eye can see. The people will vary as much as the climate ; the population of the Soviet Union consists of a grea t variety of peoples, each with its own culture, art, musi c and language. However, the predominant language o f the Soviet Union is Russian ; and, if you take the time and effort necessary to learn it, it will serve you well i n any section of the country . The U.S.S.R. is one of the most active theatres of oper- ation of the present war. The Soviet Union has bee n fighting since June 1941 . The has won great victories, after having withstood many initia l defeats. You should make it a point to remember that , in their march toward victory, the civilian population, as well as the Red Army, has undergone many hardship s and suffered many casualties . The most densely popu- lated and most productive section of the country was over-run by the Germans . In areas recaptured by the cal exertion . The know from first-hand experi- Red Army, Allied military observers have been astonishe d ence what total mobilization means . by the total destruction wrought by the Germans befor e Wherever your duties may take you in the Sovie t their evacuation . In , it is difficult t o Union, you will find the people extremely conscious o f find a single person who has not lost at Ieast one relative the war . However, Russians do not spend all thei r during the war . time at the serious business of war. You will find enter- It may seem to you that there is a pitiful lack of thing s tainment facilities such as theaters, motion pictures an d to buy, especially food ; but you must realize that all the public sports clubs to which you, as a soldier of on e resources and reserves of the Soviet Union have bee n of the United Nations, will be welcome. mobilized and organized with one purpose in view-TO You will find the Russian people very proud of thei r WIN THE WAR . Some of the people may appea r country and of their efforts to industrialize it during the shabby, or very plainly dressed, but they have been wear - ing past quarter of a century . At the same time, they admire those same clothes for nearly three years with almos t American technical ability and are quick to praise Amer- no opportunity to replace even the most essential items ican craftsmanship . One of the principal ambitions o f of apparel. Soviet Russia is to build an industrial organization Russian men and women have been completely mobil- similar to that of America, but on a different economi c ized to furtherthe war effort. As in all the United basis. Nations, a very great percentage of the ablebodied me n The Russians are a friendly and congenial people . are in the armed forces . However, there is also a grea t They will entertain you as well as they possibly can, but number of women in the Red Army and the Red Navy . the chances are they are much more interested in hearin g In - addition, essential war industries have absorbed a your comments, as an American, about the accomplish- large percentage of the population . In industry, women ments of their country than in hearing you boast about have filled many of the positions requiring heavy physi - your own nation . If you make any comments be sure 2 3

that what you say is well thought-out and based on On this basis, generally speaking, the U .S.S.R. is knowledge of the subject being discussed. For this, i t organized into political units possessing relative influence is necessary to understand the country and the people . in the as follows : The following pages will serve to give a basis for bette r Union Republics (25 deputies) . These units are the understanding of the Soviet Union, its peoples, its prob- largest, have the most political prestige, and are more lems, and its aims. politically advanced than the lesser units which they . These lesser units, in order of rank, are : T AE aOV@ET GOVERN M may include Autonomous Republics (11 deputies) . Non-Russian The basic is the Constitution . of 1936. people, chiefly, make up the population of these units ( "Autonomous " means self-governing) . The chief law-making body or is called th e . These are racia l (Supreme Council) . Autonomous Regions (5 deputies) units less advanced politically, but still self-governing Two chambers with equal legislative make up . the Supreme Soviet. These two chambers are the Soviet in local affairs of the Union, and the Soviet of Nationalities . National Areas (1 deputy) . These are the lowes t The is elected by the citizens o f ranking groups which are nevertheless represented i n the U.S.S.R. on the basis of one deputy for every 300,000 the Supreme Soviet . of the population . The smallest political unit in the Soviet Union is the The Soviet of Nationalities is also elected by the citi- simple "cell" or "council", for which the Russian word zens of the U.S.S.R., but by a system whose main idea is is soviet . This form of organization is duplicated at to permit representation of all racial, linguistic or other all levels of the Soviet governmental structure to it s unified population groups ; as well as the representatio n highest form in the Supreme Soviet. of groups having common economic interests . Laws may be initiated by either chamber of the

4 5 Supreme Soviet, and a law is considered adopted i f Marshal J . V. Stalin is Secretary-General of the Com- approved by a majority of each house . munist Party. He is also Chairman of the Council of . The Supreme Soviet elects a committee called the People's Commissars Presidium which, in the intervals between sessions of E ECONOMIC SYSTE M the Supreme Soviet, exercises many of its duties an d functions. The economic foundation of the U .S.S.R. is the social- ist system of economy. The Supreme Soviet also elects the Council of People' s Commissars (Sovnarkom), which is the highest adminis- The socialist principle requires public ownership an d trative organ of the U.S.S.R., and is responsible to th e public enterprise rather than private ownership and Supreme Soviet or, between sessions, to the Presidium . private enterprise. n The Council of People's Commissars issues decrees In the U.S.S.R., this system requires the commo and executive orders on the basis of laws in operatio n ownership of the following : and supervises their execution. Each Commissar is. (1) Means of production (mines, factories, farms , responsible for a special field of work : foreign trade , etc.) . banking, defense, heavy machine building, shipbuilding , (2) Means of distribution (railways, etc . ) food supplies, railways, chemical industry, electrical in- (3) Means of exchange (stores, etc . ) dustry, home trade and so forth. Also, this system requires the officially controlled al- The only legal political party in the Soviet Union i s lotment and consumption of all products. the Communist Party . This party guides all important action through instructions from the central organs of There are two forms of socialist property in th e the party to the party members who occupy most of th e U.S.S.R. : important positions in the government . For example, (1) State property (property of the whole people)

7 (2) Collective property (property of co-operating NA HONALRT Y groups, mostly collective farm groups ) Citizens of the Soviet Union are of many races. The State property includes the following : the land, min- population contains representatives of most of the majo r eral deposits, waters, forests, mills, factories, mines, rail - European and Asiatic stocks. Indeed, one area alone, ways, water and air transport, banks, means of com- the Caucasus, with its profusion of nationalities, has bee n munication, large State-organized agricultural enterprises termed an "ethnographical museum" . such as State farms (Sovkoz), machine and tractor sta- In the U.S.S.R. there are Slavic and non-Slavic groups . tions and the like, municipal enterprises, and principa l According to the 1939 census, the Great Russians, dwelling-house properties in the cities and industrial localities. Ukrainians, and White Russians, all basically Slavic i n race and entirely so in language, comprised about 76 pe r Collective property includes the land occupied by the cent of the population. These elements occupy roughly collective farmers . This property is secured to them as the areas of European Russia and , while the non - long as they use it in accordance with the Iaws of th e Slavic and non-European stocks inhabit, in general, th e country and as long as they produce required quotas . A border areas in Central Asia and the Caucasus. These collective farm is known as a Kolkhoz. non-Slavic groups number about 40,000,000 people ; of Soviet citizens unwilling to enter a Kolkhoz may retai n which the greater part are of Turkish or Mongolia n their small individual farms, but may not hire outsid e labor. stock. Because of this great variety of peoples, it is not cor- The Soviet law protects personal property rights of th e . While the term "Rus- following kinds : income from work; savings ; dwelling- rect to call them all "Russians" houses ; domestic furniture ; utensils and objects of per- sian'' applies to the majority population, "Soviet citizen" sonal use and comfort. is more proper for general usage.

N7ANTRY

down along the Volga are Kuibyshev, Saratov, Stalin- GEOGRAPHY AND CL 11MAT E grad, and finally Astrakhan where the great river emptie s The Soviet Union extends from the sub-tropics to th e into the . North Pole, stretches east and west nearly half aroun d Most of the big cities east of the wer e the globe, and covers an area equal to one-sixth of th e built or enlarged during the past 25 years . They repre- earth's total land area . This fact may be difficult for sent the new backbone of Russian industry, far removed you to comprehend until this country is compared wit h from possible invasion . Magnitogorsk, Sverdlovsk , the United States, which is only about one-third as large . Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Komsomolsk, The pre-war population numbered about 171,000,00 0 and Khabarovsk are included in this group . people, most of whom lived in European Russia, west o f European Russia is a vast plain lying about 550 fee t the Ural Mountains. In the last 25 years, but especially above sea level . The only mountain ranges of any sig- since the outbreak of the war, a large part of this popu- nificance are along the eastern and southern borders o f lation has migrated eastward to the Ural Mountains an d across them into Asia this plain ; the Urals to the east, the Crimean and Cau- . Industrial plants were move d , away from the fighting zone casus Mountains to the south. The Caucasus, the highest . Large new cities and t farmlands were built and developed, out of range of th lie between the Black and Caspian Seas with the highes e d German Army. peak over 18,000 feet. The Urals, commonly accepte as the dividing line between Europe and Asia, are from There are cities in European Russia which are among 1,000 to 4,000 feet in height. the oldest and the most famous throughout the world . is the seat of the government and the larges t The Asiatic part of Russia, or Siberia, is also an im- city. Leningrad lies about 400 miles to the northwest of mense plain with mountain ranges on its eastern an d Moscow. In the South, Kiev, Kharkov and are southern borders. big cities of the Ukraine. Gorki and Kazan are two old The rivers of the Soviet Union are noted for thei r cities located on the upper reaches of the Volga. On great length, volume, and sluggishness ; they wind an d 10 11

bend through the countryside. The main rivers in latitude) and is remote from seas which would have a Western Russia are the Volga flowing south into th e moderating influence on the climate. In the northern Caspian Sea, and the Dnepr, Don and Dnestr flowin g areas, winters are particularly severe . south into the Black Sea . For reasons unknown, bu t Probably no other country in the world has such a expressed by some as the curious "tilt of the earth", th e variety of climate. For example, the temperature i n western banks of these rivers are considerably higher Baku on the Caspian Sea will soar to 120° in mid- than the eastern banks . This fact presented difficult summer while in a little town north of Markovo in problems to the Red Army when it was driving th e Siberia the coldest temperatures in the world have Germans westward out of the Ukraine . These rivers been recorded . are an important link in the transportation system of the s country. You will notice that the Russians build their house and clothe themselves irk order to defend themselves In Siberia and Asiatic Russia, the most importan t against the weather . If you happen to be in rivers are the Ob, the Yenisei and the Lena . These rivers or Archangel or travel over the Trans-Sib air route, you flow north into the Arctic Ocean . Since the Arctic i s will note that the houses are built with heavy logs an d closed to navigation most of the year, their use fo r are well insulated and that the people are wearing clothes transportation is limited . In the far east, another grea t designed for warmth if not appearance. As you travel river, the Amur, rising in the mountains of norther n southward you will notice changes in construction and Mongolia, flows along the border of Manchuria an d dress as climatic conditions vary. empties into the waters of the Pacific . In general, the Russian climate is stern . As a whole TIE SOVIET UNBON COUNTERATTACK S the annual mean temperature is lower than that of mos t The countries of Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, European countries, due to the fact that the main bul k , Rumania, Yugoslavia and Greece were crushed of the country lies well north (between 50° and 70° and used as stone to pave the road to Russia for Hitler' s 12 13

juggernaut. As dawn broke on 22 June 1941, nearly severe weather, they were on the offensive against the 200 Axis divisions, more than 2,000,000 men, plunged shivering Hitlerites . into a front 2,000 miles broad, reaching from the White In the early summer of 1942, the Germans again took Sea to the Black . And though the offensive started the initiative and concentrated their whole strengt h along the whole length of this front, it was concentrated against Stalingrad. If Hitler could cut through here, he on three main objectives : Leningrad, Moscow, and Kiev . would sever the north from the south, and win th e In the first thirty days, von Leeb's forces drove to Caucasus oil for use in German motors . By late August , within 125 miles of Leningrad, while the Finns unde r German guns and German bombers had shattered th e Mannerheim, supported by the Germans, began a driv e city. Once again on the threshold of victory, Germa n from the north to encircle the city. In the center, von troops on 20 September entered the outskirts of the city . Bock's army plunged 430 Miles into Soviet territory But the Hitlerites had not reckoned with Russian courage . and, on 17 July, captured Smolensk . According to Furiously, Soviet Armies lashed out in a spectacular Hitler, this was to be the German last halt on the roa d counter-attack. By brilliantly executed encircling moves , to Moscow. the besiegers were besieged . Twenty-two Axis divisions , . Simultaneously, in the south, von Rundstedt's forces 25 generals, 330,000 men were taken prisoners of war e swept east into the Ukraine. This was blitzkrieg at its This was the Red Army's Christmas present to th .S.R. in 1942. best. The world gave Russia another six weeks . U.S a But six months later, by the winter of 1941, the Naz i The Germans have never again been able to mount . Even before the German defeat a t blitz had stumbled, fallen and frozen . The Germans sustained offensive Stalingrad, the Red Army had launched powerful offen- had reached out for more than they could handle. The sives on the middle Don and in the Caucasus and ha d Red Army had begun to launch smashing counter - . In July 1943, the attacks. Throughout the winter of 1941, in spite of the broken the blockade of Leningrad Germans tried once more to take Kursk and develo p 14 15

an offensive toward Moscow, but these attacks wer e These millions of people went to work on the ne w repelled. collective farms in the east, and in the new factories . Beginning in , the whole front began to Under the Five-Year Plans, dams and electric-powe r move westward, and by the summer of 1944 the Re d plants had been built and were ready to provide powe r Army had recovered almost all lost territory . for the new industrial centers The completion of larg e new irrigation projects made it possible to develop ne w AND MACflUNE 5 farming areas. Russian scientists developed harder Perhaps a decisive factor in Russia's ability to resis t grains which made new "bread baskets" possible in th e the German invasion was the fact that she was able t o colder climates of the eastern plateaus . replace her losses in the Ukraine by new production i n As the Germans advanced, the Russians evacuate d the Urals and east of the Urals. whole factories on river barges or by train on long The Ukraine had been called "the bread basket" . strings of flat cars . Engineers and laborers went along Wheat and sugar-beets, for example, were grown in huge and rebuilt the factories where they would be safe fro m quantities there. Mineral products also were a sourc e the enemy, beyond the Volga . of wealth: the Donbas coal, the Krivoi Rog Steel, an d Thus, the "scorched earth" policy, as well as the re - the Nikopol manganese. But the Ukraine had to be birth of industry and agriculture in the east, was a grea t evacuated as the Germans attacked in 1941 . example of defensive strategy which denied the Germans Over 20,000,000 people were evacuated eastward a s what they wanted most: the riches of the Ukraine. the tide of the German invasion swept forward. What They were sadly disappointed . The Ukrainian "brea d the Russians could not take with them they destroye d basket" was made to yield to them little more tha n so that the Germans would not benefit . Farmers applied enough to feed the German armies of occupation . Their the "scorched earth" policy ; they burned and destroyed efforts to convert mines, oil wells or factories to thei r their houses, barns and unmovable equipment . needs were just as discouraging. Aside from the

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''scorching" and destruction which they found whe n strengthen it by making the various parts of the countr y they took over, they soon learned that the remainin g as self-sufficient as possible . local population not only would not cooperate, bu t Another decisive factor in Russia's victory over the hindered the Germans in every way possible . Through- Germans on the eastern front was Allied aid in the form out the period of German occupation, guerrillas were of tanks, planes and many other war supplies, even in- active and sabotage was usual . Add to this the clestruc- cluding butter . Thousands of Red Army men, for ex - tion of communications, the evacuation of all skilled ample, are familiar with American tanks and planes , personnel before the Germans arrived, the lack of usable and appreciate Lend-Lease material sent from the Unite d machinery, the lack of fuel, and, of course, the more o r States. less imminent clanger of land or air attack by the Re d WARTIME LIFE IN RUSSI A Army, and it is understandable why the occupied area s As a stranger in the Soviet Union, you will notice did not yield to Hitler the riches he had hoped for . customs and manners which differ from those i n . For example, Russian men may embrace an d Now the tables are turned. The Red Army attacks. America . Such customs are long-established. The Germans fall back in retreat-the Ukraine is read y kiss upon meeting Don't laugh or stare at their strangeness . to be farmed again. Cities and factories are being re - built. When you see a woman acquaintance you speak first or otherwise she will not greet you . (It is ex- The new industrial giants, agricultural areas and popu- tremely impolite to whistle .) lation centers far to the east, which received such a n Not so easily understandable to the American, coming impetus during the war, must not be considered as tem- from a country where almost everything he wants is ob- porary. They were not created just to relieve the wa r tainable, is the lack of consumer goods in Russia . This situation, but are part of a long-range plan to indus- lack is apparent in the clothing, the housing and th e trialize and build up the entire Soviet Union and food.

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In the 1920's, the Soviet leaders made plans and set are thus in a position to buy whatever consumer good s in motion an industrial program of huge proportions, are available, and so, perhaps, are more comfortable. aimed primarily at building up the heavy industries. The Soviet citizen generally is very likeable, well in- Luxury goods were low on the priority list. Russians tentioned and friendly. When circumstances permit, he had to manage without silk-stockings so that factorie s will invite you to his home and will accept your hos- might be established which could produce more neces- pitality in return . As in all personal relationships, friend - sary things . Great dams like the one at Dnepropetrovsk ship depends on good will and intelligence . As an were built to provide industries with electric power . American soldier you should be well equipped wit h Mass production went along on a big scale . "Speed-up" these virtues . Other items of interest about Russian life was the watchword. Russian life took on something are the following: of the "hurry-up" spirit in America . If you should visit the average Russian family in a DRIN K city such as Moscow, the quarters may seem cramped Vodka is the national drink in the Soviet Union . It to you, and there will not be as many pots and pans and is made from grain or potatoes, and looks like water . household gadgets as you are probably accustomed to . It is drunk straight in small glasses, bottoms up, and Food will not be plentiful, but sufficient. Rationing in usually followed by a piece of black bread. One hun- Russia has had to be much more rigid and severe than i n dred grams, or about one-third pint, are issued daily to America: people receive no more than what is con- Russian front-line troops. sidered enough for the type of work they are doing . Russians don't particularly care for mixed drinks, and Country people live better than city citizens as they invariably with their drinks they serve "za-KOO-ski" o r grow their own food and have the privilege of sellin g Russian hors d'oeuvres. They are usually made of fish, whatever surplus they produce in the open market . They black bread, caviar and spiced meat .

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CIGARETTE S You may encounter your first caviar . There are eRussians seldom smoke cigarettes as we know three types : fresh, grey-black caviar ; pressed grey-black them. Instead they smoke what they call "pa-pee- caviar, which will keep for months ; and orange red RAW-sih" . Pa-pee-RAW-sib range from three to five caviar, which comes from salmon . inches in length, two-thirds being a hollow round card - The national beverage of the Soviet Union is tea , board tube, and one-third a paper extension of this tub e served in glasses. A Russian will break up a lump o f filled with tobacco . They like this individual cigarett e sugar in his mouth, and drink his tea by filtering i t holder because it keeps the tobacco out of their mouths through the sugar . and enables them to smoke all the tobacco . TRANSPORTATIO N 1lahorha is another Russian smoke . It is made from a small, wild weed and is very harsh to throats When the war came to the Soviet Union, all taxicab s unaccustomed to it . Russians roll it in pieces of were mobilized as well as most private vehicles, in- newspaper and smoke it, seemingly with relish . cluding cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles . Auto busses, trolley busses, street cars and, in Moscow, th e FOO D Metro (or subway) are used for public transportatio n Before the war, Russians served many deliciou s and are very overcrowded. n ;ittOnal dishes, but now, under war-time conditions , •i ailability of food is limited and their hospitality ha s DRAMA-LHTERATURE-SPORT S necessarily been curtailed. THEATR E Throughout the Soviet Union, black bread is regarde d Most Russians are artistic by nature, and are enthusi- as the staff of life, like rice in and japan . Made astic theatre-goers . They like ballet and grand opera from unrefined rye, it is deep brown, very moist, heavy , as well as plays ; in the big cities especially, man y and somewhat sour. popular performances take place .

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Theatrical companies have frequently visited th e Myaskovsky. You will be able to hear frequent sym- front-line troops during the war years . Most of Russia's phony concerts, if not in person, at least over the radio. top-notch singers, actors and dancers as well as other artists have made tours through the army camps and RADI O bivouacs. Many entertainers have been killed at th e In pre-war times, Russians owned their own pri- front. vate radio sets, but with the German invasion in 1941 , The Red Army Ensemble, for example, presents the all private sets were stored in warehouses for th e folk dances and songs of the various nationalities of th e duration. Soviet Union . Now, most Russian homes in metropolitan district s In general, the Soviet theatre prefers serious rather have a loudspeaker which is wired to the central radi o than light themes . Musical comedy, for example, is not station in Moscow. This central station broadcasts news , often produced in the U.S.S.R. In the same way, con- symphonic concerts, folk music, pickups from Mosco w cert music is preferred to jazz, although jazz has becom e theaters and just about everything that an American increasingly popular among troops. radio station handles except comedy programs an d advertising. musi c Excellent symphony orchestras, brilliantly conducted, LITERATUR E can be heard in the Soviet Union . Russian symphonic To know the Russians, read their literature . As in all music is famous throughout the world ; Tchaikovsky, fo r countries, great writers of the U.S.S.R. reflect the life , example, is very well known in America . American s the thought and the aspirations of her people. Her also know of Shostakovich as one of the great livin g writers have gained world-wide honor for their realism, Russian composers . Others of our generation are Stra- their directness and their simplicity . Among those who vinsky, Gliere, Prokofiev, Shebalin, Derzhinski and have contributed to Russia's place in the world o f

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literature are Pushkin, Lermontov, Leo Tolstoy,Dostoev- Most of the current movies have military themes , sky, Turgenev, Chekhov, Gogol and Gorky . and you will enjoy seeing them. Soviet newsreels con- tain magnificent action shots (many cameramen hav e Although many local papers are published and man y been killed in the front lines trying to take them) . special small papers are printed daily at the front, thei r line of thought is taken from the main newspapers i n Newsreelmen have also parachuted into enemy-occupie d Moscow : , organ of the Communist Party in the territory, taken shots there, and returned guided b y Soviet Union ; Izvestia, official organ of the Soviet Gov- partisans . ernment ; and Krarnaya Zvesda (), organ of You may think Soviet movies arc rather heavy fare, the Red Army. but remember they are made with a moral-they hav e As in all the arts, contemporary Soviet authors hav e a purpose to accomplish from the Soviet point of view . been spurred by the war to write books, many of them said, "Movies are our best means of propagandiz- dealing with the heroic spirit of the an d ing the masses ." the Red Army. Over 20,000 new books have been published since 1941-over 2,000 having been writte n SPORT S by Army personnel . Soccer is the most popular spectator-sport in th e Soviet Union ; big soccer games in pre-war times dre w MOVIE S as many as 160,000 people . While Soviet movies may lack the technique, polish The Russians play tennis, basketball, volleyball and and lavishness of a Hollywood production, many o f hockey, but do not know our baseball and football . them are very good . Historical films like "Peter the Great," "Alexander Nevsky," and "Suvarov" have won Now, in war-time, those sports developing qualities use- e acclaim from foreign film critics . ful at the front are stressed by Soviet authorities . Thes 27 26

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include skiing, cross-country running, swimming, boxing , milk and small animals carry diseases which can incapaci- wrestling, bayonet fighting and motorcycle obstacle races . tate you for many weeks and perhaps cripple you for life. You may get an opportunity to see Russian boxers. Fungus germs are widespread and will quickly infect They may be short on skill, but they make up for tha t a scratch or cut . in spirit and ability to take it. Russian wrestlers employ As in all countries, be particularly careful to observ e the Greco-Roman style, all holds below the waist being all rules relating to sex hygiene. If you expose your- barred. self, venereal disease may well be the price you'll pay. Soviet weight-lifters have beaten many of the officia l Don't take chances ; the odds are against you. If you do, world's records and Soviet swimming records are withi n take prophylactic treatment immediately . seconds of America's best times. Fruits and vegetables must not be eaten raw unless the skin is first removed from the fruit, or the vegetabl e LaMP,P0 FOR HEA T is cooked in boiling water . The watchword for the American soldier in Russia, as Due to the extremes of temperature, you must b e in other countries, is "prevention". Be on your guard prepared to protect yourself against heat exhaustion an d against diseases carried by insects, animals, food and sunstroke in the short hot summers, and against frost - water, and protect yourself during extremes of hea t bite in the long severe winters. You should dress sensibly. and cold. While keeping in mind the above conditions, remem - Some diseases in the U.S.S.R. used to be limited to ber that there is no substitute for the Army method s certain sections of the country. But due to conditions of personal hygiene and sanitation . If your knowl- encountered in the long war, they tend to become edge and teachings are carefully followed, you ca n epidemic in war areas. As in all battle-torn countries, expect to enjoy the same good health that you woul d bed bugs, lice, ticks, flies, sand flies, mosquitoes, water, have in any American army camp .

30 31 CHECK UST O Carry toilet paper with you . Paper of all kinds is Be friendly, courteous, and polite. Say "Pa-ZHAH- scarce. loo-sta" (Please) or "Spa-SEE-bo" (Thank you) . Re- Familiarize yourself, if you like, with some of thei r member that you are looked upon as a representativ e writers and composers : Tolstoy, Puskin, Chekhov , of our government . Gogol, Tschaikovsky, Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, Shosta- Shake hands on meeting and parting. It's an old kovich. The Russian loves good literature and goo d Russian custom . music. Try Chekhov and Tolstoy or Dostoevsky in th e many English translations you can have sent to yo Stop when challenged : "STOY, ktaw eed-YAWT ". u from home. (Halt, who goes there?) . The Soviet soldier and militia- AND DON'T S man have been trained to shoot if you don't stop . Don't be a "wise-guy"-the one guy out of a thousan Speak Russian all you can . Russians will feel yo u d who wrecks good-will by showing-off, bragging an are making a sincere attempt to understand them if you d griping with a loud voice and a thrust-out chin . use even a few Russian words and phrases . And they Don't get into fights about politics or religion will like it, no matter how badly it is clone . . tolerant, be reasonable. Be generous in your praise of the Soviet people and Don't deal in the black market . It is a violation o f the Red Army whose exploits have won the admiration the law. of the world . Don't call Russians Tovarich (Comrade) . This is a Be frank, but friendly-but firm . The Soviets are salutation used only between Soviet citizens . Use, in- frank, sometimes blunt. They respect strength and stead the word Gaspodeen, meaning "mister" . despise weakness . Don't joke about Soviet leaders. Soviet citizens have Be generous with your cigarettes . The Russians like great respect, almost reverence for them and will be of- them. fended if they are treated lightly .

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Don't criticize the homes, clothing or food of a UNIFORM S people who have been fighting a great war for three Aral or Service Uniform Branch Color years and who have made tremendous sacrifices. Don't photograph anything without specific author i Army Light Olive Drab zation. The laws regarding the use of cameras in war- Infantry Crimson Artillery Red time Russia are very strict. Tank Troops Red Be security-conscious . Military information is not to Air Arm Light Blue be given out to strangers. Cavalry Blue Don't get too romantic with Russian women . If you Technical should get any ideas of marriage, you Troops Black would have to get Med. & Vet. a "yes" from your commanding officer as well as fro m Service Dark Green the girl herself . In any case, treat Russian wome n Navy Dark Blue with utmost respect. N.K.V.D. (Internal Security, formerl y the police organi- If you are sensible and use your head, you will usually zation known as O .G.P.U.) find that people in the U.S.S.R. are easy to get along Border OD Blouse, Navy Top of cap is with. Troops Blue breeches green, wit h dark red band . SOVIET UNIFORMS AND ARMY O R Interior Same as Army Top of cap is Most people in the U .S.S.R. wear uniforms or semi- Troops bright blue, uniforms. Not all are in the armed services . People en- with red band. gaged in many pursuits which we classify as civilia n Militia Dark Blue Top of cap is (Police) wear clothes that are in fact uniforms. Unless such dark blue, with light blue band . people wear insignia it is difficult to tell what they are. RR Guards Same Top of cap is red . 34 35

d S AND SHONN P INS8GNd A Corporal 1 narrow loop aroun shoulder strap . Marshal of the Soviet Union 1 large star on lace. . Army General (full Private Plain shoulder strap General) stars on gold lace. Colonel Genera l stars on gold lace. SO168 T AWARDS AND DECORATRON S Lieut. General stars on gold lace. Demonstration of courage and bravery on the battl e Major Genera l star on gold lace . field is acknowledged in the U .S.S.R. by generous Colonel stars and 2 bars. ' bestowal of orders and medals. Likewise, the signal an d Lieut. Colonel stars and 2 bars. loyal accomplishments of civilians, contributing to th e Major star and 2 bars. Captain stars and 1 bar. betterment of the Soviet Union, are amply rewarded by Senior Lieutenan t stars and 1 bar. decorations. Military and civilian personnel who receive Lieutenant stars and 1 bar. such awards are entitled to special privileges accordin g Junior Lieutenant star and 1 bar . to the degree of decoration . These special privileges Sergeant Majo r wide loop aroun d may include: travel free of charge on railroads, water- shoulder strap belo w ways and street cars ; small monthly pensions, various the button, and a longi - tudinal stripe. tax exemptions, and special attention at government insti- Senior Sergeant 1 wide loop aroun d tutions and establishments. The Gold Star Medal is be - shoulder strap. stowed on the outstanding heroes of the Soviet Union ; Sergeant 3 narrow loops around it is equivalent to our Congressional Medal. Decorated shoulder strap. personnel are authorized to wear service ribbons in lie u Junior Sergeant 2 narrow loops around shoulder strap. of the actual orders and medals . The Gold Star Medal, however, does not have a service ribbon substitute an d * The "bars" are narrow stripes of the branch color and run lengthwise on the shoulder strap. is always worn on the left side above all other decora -

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tions. It is a plain gold star. The "For the Defense of Odessa" Medal . also has no substitute service ribbon and is worn on the "For the Defense of " Medal. left side five inches above the waist. It is a ruby an d "For the Defense of Stalingrad" Medal . diamond-studded star. SOVIET CIVILIAN DECORATION S Sickle and Hammer (Recipient is a " of Socialis t SOVIET MILITARY DECORATION S Labor". He also receives the ) . Gold Star (Recipient is a "" . Order of Lenin . He also receives the Order of Lenin) . Order of Lenin. . Order of Victory . Order of the Red Banner for Labor. Order of the Red Banner . . . Order of the Badge of Honor. Order of Suvarov-In three classes . "For Labor Prowess" Medal. Order of Ushakov-For naval officers. In two classes . "For Distinguished Labor" Medal . Order of Kutuzov-ln three classes . "For the Defense of Leningrad" Medal . Order of Bogdan Hmelnitski-In three classes . "For the Defense of Odessa" Medal . Order of Nakhimov-For naval officers . In two classes . "For the Defense of Sevastopol" Medal. Order of Alexander Nevski . "For the Defense of Stalingrad" Medal . Order of the War for Fatherland-In two classes . Order of the Red Star . Civilian recipients of awards and decorations, if in - Order of the Badge of Honor . ducted into military service, may continue to wear them "For Valor" Medal . on their uniforms . Ushakov Medal-Naval decoration . In two classes. FINANCIAL GUID E "For Combat Service" Medal . Nakhimov Medal-Naval decoration . In two classes . The official monetary unit is the chervonets, which is "For the Defense of Leningrad" Medal divided into 10 rubles of 100 kopeks each. Prices are

38 39 quoted and official statistics are prepared and publishe d Do not carry large sums of rubles on hand . You will in terms of rubles. find very little opportunity to spend rubles for anythin g because essentials are strictly rationed and no luxuries are MONEY TABL E available at the present time. Do not expect to buy 10 chervontsev (chehr-VON-tsev) equals 100 rubles souvenirs: above all, do not offer high prices in orde r 1 chervonets (chehr-VO-nets) equals 10 rubles to obtain something you want . Better still, send you r 1 ruble (roobl) equals 100 kopeks money home. 1 kopek (ko-PEY-ka) equals 0.01 ruble SAVING S EXCHANGE AND PRICE S Save as much of your money as you can, for your own Soviet laws prohibit the importation into, and th e benefit after the war when you 'll need it. The Army exportation from the U .S.S.R. of Soviet currency . State provides some highly-convenient facilities for saving . banks are the only authorized institutions through which You can buy War Bonds by allotment or cas h foreign exchange transactions may be effected. Soviet purchase. banks readily purchase foreign money for rubles, but i t You can put your surphis cash into Soldiers' Deposits is not their practice to sell foreign money for rubles . at 4% interest. The Soviet Government maintains the ruble at a fairly You can make regular Allotments-of-Pay (Class E) to constant value of 5 .30 to a dollar. your family, or to your own credit in bank savings or It is forbidden to bring any rubles whatsoever, from checking accounts . outside sources, into the Soviet Union, as these are con- For sending odd sums of money home to individual s sidered to be "black market rubles" and are strictly or banks, you can use the Personal Transfer Accoun t prohibited. System.

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If you want more details about any of these services, Go«va-REE-tyeh Pa-ROO-ski ! ask your Commanding Officer. (Speak Russian ) The Soviet Union is a vast country of many peoples WEIGHTS AND MEASURE S and many languages . It is a country of 169 ethnic The metric system of weights and measures is i n groups, each with a language of its own . use throughout the Soviet Union . Great Russian is the term used to designate the languag e The principal weights and measures, and thei r which the man in the street knows as Russian . It is the American equivalents are : official language of the government and of the Soviet kilometer equals 0.6 mile meter equals 3.3 feet Union. It is the mother tongue of more than half o f centimeter equals 0.4 inches the population and is understood by all educated peopl e long ton equals 2,240 pounds in the U.S.S.R. kilogram equals 2 .2 pounds Russian constitutes the largest section of the Slavoni gram equals 0 .04 ounces c liter equals 1 .1 quarts tongues. Bulgarian and Serbo-Croatian are its firs t hectare equals 2 .5 acres cousins, while Czech, Slovenian and Polish are somewhat The "pood" is 16 kilograms and is used chiefly whe n further removed. In origin, it stems from Old Bulgarian computing agricultural weights. and, modified through time, has resulted in the modern . APPROXIMAT E CONVERSION S inches x 2. 5 equals centimeter s The difficulty of the language is easily exaggerated . yards x0.9 equals meters Being an inflected tongue, like Latin and Greek, and miles x 1 .6 equals kilometers with a strange alphabet to boot, it will puzzle you fo r pounds x 0. 5 equals kilograms gallons x 3 .8 equals liters a while. But don't let it throw you. Remember, you 42 43

may not intend to be a student of the language, but you SPECIAL POU'IT S should learn enough to get along . To begin with, study E or EH as in let, met, bell. Be sure not to r pronounce it like the e in me. Exam- the following language guide, and practice with you ple : G,_,DEH meaning "where" . Russian friends. I or IH as in hill, sick, rib, limb, but you will notice that the Russian sound is RUSSIAN LANGUAGE GUID E a little different from the English one . All the words and phrases are written in a simplifie d Example : chip-TII-I-ree meaning "four". spelling which you read like English . Each letter or combination of letters is used for the sound it usually when underlined stands for a soun d t something like the one you make stands for in English and it always stands for tha when you clear your throat to spit. sound. Thus, oo is always pronounced as it is in too, Example: beez DVOOH meaning boot, tooth, roost, never as anything else . Say these "minus two". words and then pronounce the vowel sound by itself . A or AH as in father, calm, ah, pa . Example: That is the sound you must use every time you see o o kahg-DA meaning "when" . In un- in the simplified spelling. If you should use som e accented syllables it may sound like a in sofa, China, about. Example : other sound-for example, the sound of oo in blood or ZAHF-tra meaning "tomorrow" . door-you might be misunderstood. J stands for the sound we have in Syllables that are accented, that is, pronounced loude r measure, usual, division, occasion . We than others, are written in capital letters . Curved have no single letter for this soun d lines (") are used to show sounds that are pronounce d in English, so we write it here as j. Remember that j always stands for together without any break ; for example, G,_,DEH the sound in measure, never for the meaning "where". sound in judge. 44 45

You will notice that consonants in Russian are fre- quently followed by a y-sound. Such combinations English Russian are like the n~,y sound in canyon or like the sounds i n Captain Pavlov ga-spa-DEEN ka-pee-TAHN PAHV-luf How are you ? view (pronounced V"YOO), beauty (B_Y00-tee) , KAHK pa-jee-VA-yee-tee ? Fine ha-ra-SHA W mule (pronounced M4,YOOL), or few (pronounced Excuse me eez-vee-NEE-tee F~,YOO) . Consonants may be followed by a y-soun d Pleas e pa-JA-loo-sta even at the end of a word in Russian ; in this case, a n Do you under- pa-nee-MA-yee-tee? stand ? apostrophe is written . Examples : DAYN' meaning Ye s DA "day", P"YAT' meaning "five" . N o NET You may hear slight variations in the way Russia n I understan d pa-nee-MA-yoo is spoken in various regions but these differences ar e I don't under- nee pa-nee-MA-yoo no greater than those you hear in different sections o f stand Speak slowly ga-va-REE-tee MED-Teen-n(1 our own country . It is always best to try to talk lik e the people among whom you happen to be . LOCATIO N GREETINGS AND GENERAL PHRASE S When you need directions to get somewhere, you English Russian use the word for "where" along with the word fo r Hello Z,„DRAI-IST-voo,,ee-tee the place. For "Where is a restaurant?" you simply Good morning DATI?-troy 00-tra say "Where restaurant? " Good afternoon DAIF-brih DAYN' Good evening DA TV-brih VECH-ee r Where G,,,,DEH Comrade ta-VA-reeshch restauran t ree-sta-RAHN Mr. Pavlov ga-spa-DEEN PAHV-luf Where is a G,,,DEH ree-sta-RAHN ? Mrs . Pavlov ga-spa-JA PAHV-la-va restaurant ? hotel ga-STEE-neet-sa 46 47

English Russia n NUMBER S G,,DEII ga-STEE-neet-sa ? Where is a English hotel ? Russian station STAHN-tsee-ya One ah-DEEN or if it is a large statio n Two DVA in a big city vahg-ZAHL Three TREE Where is th e G,,DEH STAHN-tsee-ya ? Four chih-Tlll-ree station? or G,,DEH vahg-ZAHL ? Fiv e P,.,YA r toilet oo-BAIVR-na-ya Six Where is th e G,,DE11 oo-BAIVR-na-ya? SHAYST' toilet ? Seve n SEM Eigh t VA IV-see m DIRECTION S Nine DAY-veer ' The answer to your question "Where is such an d Te n DAY-sect' such?" may be "To the right" or "To the left" o r Eleven ah-DEE-na-tsut' "Straight ahead," so you need to know these phrases . Twelve elvee-NA-1sue Thirteen tree- N A-t cut' To the right na-PRA-va Fourtee n chih-7MR-na-tsut' To the left na-LEV-a Straight ahead PR,,YA-ma Fiftee n beet-NA-tsue Please point pa-JA-loo-sta pa-ha-JEE-tee Sixteen shiss-NA-tsut' Seventee n seem-NA-tsut' If you are driving and ask the distance to anothe r Eighteen va-seem-NA-ts e town it will be given to you in kilometers, not miles . Nineteen dee-veer-NA-tsue Kilometer kee-la-METR Twenty DVA-tsut' 48 49

For "twenty-one," "twenty-two" and so on, you add ASKING FOR THING S the word for "one," "two" and so on, to the word for When you want something use the phrase "I want "twenty," just as in English . " and add the name of the thing wanted . English Russian English Russian Twenty-one DVA-t.rut' ah-DEEN I want YA ha-CHO O Twenty-two DVA-tsut DVA cigarettes pa-pee-RAW'-sib Thirty TREE-I rut' Forty SAID/-rule I want YA ha-0100 pa-pee-RAW'-sib cigarettes Fifty pay-deers-Y AHT Sixty shiz-deers-Y AFIT to eat KOO-shut' Seventy SEM-deers-yut I want to eat YA ha-CHOO K00-shut ' Eighty VA room-deer r- yut a glass of tea sta-KAHN CI-IA-yo o Ninety dee-nee-N A1V-sta a cup of coffee CHAHSH-kao KuIV'F-ya A hundred STA IF a bottle of boo-7'1E4 oo PEE-n a A thousand TIS-ee-cha beer a bottle of boo-TIE-too nee-NA WHAT'S THIS? win e matches SPEE-chik When you want to know the name of somethin g you can say "What's this?" and point to the thing you Mone y mean. To find out how much things cost you say: How much? SKA1FL'-lea ? What S11TAIP' or this ET-a How much is it SKAIVL'-ka STAII"-yeet ? What's this? SHTAIl' ET-a? worth ? 50 51

The answer will be given you in kopeks and rubles. The simplest way to give the time in hours and min- A hundred kopeks make a ruble. About five rubles utes is exactly like English : make a dollar . English Russian English Russian Five twenty P,,I'AT' DVA-tsut' Kopek ka-PAY-ka Ten thirty DAY-sect' TREE-tsut' Ruble ROOBL' Ten fifty DAY-sect' pee-deess-YA T

Tim e However, you will also hear expressions like When you want to know what time it is you say "twenty minutes of the sixth" for "twenty after five " really "Which hour?" and "half of the sixth" for "half past five'' and "minu s Which ka-TAW'-rih two ten" for "two minutes to ten". hour CIIAHSS Twenty min- DVA-tsut' mee-NOOT' shee-STAN/-va What time is it? ka-T'A1ti'-rib CHAHSS? utes after five To say it is "one o'clock," you simply use the word Half past five pa-la-VEE-na shee-STAR'-va Two minutes heez dvooh mee-HOOT DAY-seet' for "hour" . to te n One o'clock CHAHSS When kahg-DA the begin - na-CHA-la For "two o'clock," "three o'clock" and so forth, you ning say "two hours," "three hours" and so on . of the movi e kar-TEE-nih When does th e kahg-DA na-CHA-la kar-TEE-nih ? Two o'clock DVA chili-SA movie begin ? the trai For "five o'clock" and up, the word for hours is a n PAIY/-yeest it leaves aht-HAW-deet little different. When does th e kahg-DA aht-HAW-deet PAll-yeest ? Five o'clock P.YAT' chih-SAIY/F train leave?

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English Russian ADDITIONAL EXPRESSION S Yesterday J,,thee-RA English Russian Today see-VAIVD-n-ya Tomorrow ZAHF-tra Come in! voy-DEE-tee ! Sunday va-skree-SAYN'-ya Have a seat! sa-DEE-teess ! Monday pa-nee-DEL'-neek Thank you spa-SEE-ba Tuesday F,,TAlVR-neek You're pa-JA-loo-st a Wednesday sree-DA welcome or nee STAN-yee t Thursday cheer-VAYR K Friday P, YAHT-neet-sa Note that the expressions used when someone thank s Saturday soo-BAW-ta you really mean "Please" and "It isn't worth anything " -just as we say "Don't mention it" or "It's nothing" Other Useful Phrases What's your KAHK VA-shee EEM-ya ? The following phrases will be useful. first name ? What's your KAHK VA-sha fa-MEEL-ya ? English Russian family name ? How are you Glad to know RAHT putt-na-KA1V-meet-sa called? or you What ' s your I am your friend YA VAHSH DROO G name? KAHK VAHSS za-VOOT? Please repeat pa-JA-loo-sta puJ-to-REE-te e My name is- meen-YA za-VOOT- I don't know YA nee ZNA-yo o I am an YA a-mee-ree-KA-neets I think so KA-jit-sa TAHK American I don't think so VR,YAHD-lee How do yo u say table (or Maybe MAIV-jit BIT' anything else) I am hungry YA ga-LAIV-deep in Russian? KAHK ska-ZAHT' table pa-ROO-skee? or Al„NEH KOO-shut' HAW-chit-sa Good-by da svee-DAHN-ya n thirsty M,,,NEH PEET' HAIV-chit-sa 54 5 5

English Russia n English Russian Stop ! a-sta-na-VEE-teens ! Take me to the pra-va-DEE-tee meen-YA V,GA1Y/-spee - hospital tul Come here ! ee-DEE-tee s,,yoo-DA ! Danger! a-PA-snust'! Right awa y see-CHAHS S Take cover! voo-BEJ-eesh-chee ! Come quickly ! pree-ha-DEE-tee ska-RAY ! Gas alarm! hee-MEE-chee-ska-ya tree-VAN-ga ! Go quickly ! ee-DEE-tee ska-RAY ! Careful! a-sta-RA117J-na! Help ! pa-ma-GI-IEE-tee ! Wait a minute! pa-dahj-DEE-tee mee-NOO-too ! Help me ! pa-ma-GHEE-tee AI NEI-I ! Good luck! f,,see-VAWYW ha-RAN-shee-va ! Bring help ! pa-za-VEE-tee na PAIY'-mushch ! I'll pay yo u YA VAII11I za-pla-CHO O Where are th e G,,DEH sahl-DA-tih? soldiers ? Where are th e G,,,DEH a-mee-nee-KAHN-skee-yee sahi- America n DA-tih ? soldiers ? IIow far is th e KAHK da-lee-KAII" see-LAW ? town ? How far is it ? KAHK da-lee-KAW' ? Is it far ? da-lee-KAW' ? Is it near ? BLEES-ka lee ET-a ? Which way is G,,DEH SEV-eer ? north ? Which is the road to Moscow ? G, .,DEH da-RAW-ga na mahsk-VOO ? Draw me a map na-chayr-TEE-tee KAR-to o Take me ther e pra-va-DEE-tee meen-YA too-D A Take me to a pra-va-DEE-tee meen-YA G,,,DAIVK-ta- doctor roo

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