By Cadet Field Correspondent, Vasily Grossman
1.I.1937 New Year Edition
Meet the Politburo – The White Queen
Underestimate Anastasia Petrova at your peril! Her beautiful looks and young age belie a razor sharp mind and a psyche as hard as diamond.
Comrade Petrova had a meteoric rise to head the Foreign Ministry at the age of only 21 in 1932. Such a rapid promotion would suggest a charmed life but Anastasia’s journey has been anything but. She has seen first hand the horrors of war visited upon her family by foreign aggressors, and at the age of 8 was able to strike down a Polish reactionary soldier who dared sully our proud State’s honour.
The Comrade’s wit and insight soon drew the attention of the General Secretary. She could have excelled in any department but her talents led her to Foreign Affairs. She soon gained the sobriquet, the White Queen, not for any reactionary leanings (far from it, Comrade Stalin has no more loyal lieutenant), but because of her skills in the great chess game of international diplomacy. Comrade Petrova has demonstrated time and again her skills in studying the board and planning several moves ahead of her opponents, almost as if she can read their minds. She has become the most versatile and dangerous piece on the board.
Anastasia has recently had an opportunity to shine in comparison to the iron fisted brute, Arthur Vandenberg of the United States. Her elegance and cutting insight contrast with the ham fisted isolationism of the capitalist tyrant. Although she was unable to save our Spanish friends, she had the foresight to help them store their valuable gold reserves and art treasures in the Soviet Union until the day Spain is free again to enjoy the liberties of Communism. And we are left to wonder what her next master stroke will be.
A New Army For A New Age
The modern Red Army continues to take shape.
Comrade NK of Defence Rakobolskaja personally redrafted the organisation of the army. Every member of the RKKA, down to the lowliest private, felt the gentle touch of her hand, guiding them to their place in the new and more efficient structure of command.
Stavka then took advantage of the congregation of units to engage in extended training manoeuvres over the long warm summer which we enjoyed this year. The men received new weopoms to replace their old equipment. Comrade Marshal Tukhachesvsky also issued the Fields Service Regulations 1936 to introduce new tactics for our Rifle Divisions, the backbone of the State’s defence. The men spent long, hot days drilling and practising the new tactics of Deep Operations.
They also spent time to become acquainted with the modern tools of their trade. The Tokarev SVT38 rifle replaced the old Simonov AVS36. The men appreciated the lighter weight although the RKKA is investigating complaints that the handling was too cumbersome and that the magazines tend to fall out during movement across the battlefield.
However, the talk of the camp was the new Simonov PTRD anti tank rifles.
Whilst viewing the troops in training, Starshina Yankobb emerged from his concealed position, his browncoat caked in dust and proudly recited to me the virtues of his new rifle. Able to penetrate 40 mm of armour at 100 metres, an effective range of 2,000 metres and a firing rate of 8 rounds a minute, the starshina lovingly called it Vera.
Welcome To Our Spanish Comrades
Unfortunately, the forces of progress were unsuccessful in Spain due to the conspiracy of conniving capitalist and Fascist fiends. However all was not lost.
In addition to the Spanish gold reserve, the bulk of the former Royalist art collections and several freighters of Seville oranges, General Rokossovsky was able to rescue a number of the leading lights of the Revolution in Spain. First amongst them in honour is the Hero of the Barcelona Barricade, the old German Spartacist, Kurt Steiner, and his loyal hound, Peti. Comrade Steiner, the sole survivor of his platoon of international volunteers, single-handedly held off a company of Falangists with his machine gun, as Peti gallantly fetched more ammunition for his master.
Kurt Steiner and his late comrades, early in the Battle of Barcelona
General Rokossovsky was also able to pass on his personal observations of the new ways of making war which were experienced by both sides. Comrade Marshal Tukhachevsky praised the General’s insight and bravery in travelling so close to the front line and living to pass on this invaluable information. The Soviet Union will be all the stronger now that we know the tricks and tactics of our Fascist foes.
Kurt and his comrades will return to Spain one day, with the strong arm of the RKKA, the VVS and the Red Banner Fleet by their side. Until then, they can dream of the balmy, summer nights of the Old Republic.
Dinner Is On Again
After some hiccoughs earlier in the year, supplies are again running smoothly to the mess hall again, to the relief of all.
Comrade NK for Trade and Industry, Milena Kamensky, proved she is not just a pretty face as her wheeling and dealing with the capitalists have secured a bountiful supply at no expense to Soviet industry which can concentrate on producing modern factories, tanks and planes. The Comrade must be praised for the supply of Irish potatoes, Spanish oranges and Hungarian goulash which ladens the regimental tables.
Praise must also be given to Comrade Rakobolskaja who intervened with Comrade NK for Agriculture Gey to prevent the excessive diversion of grain supplies to vodka production.