life has changed radically. On the 23rd of August, I was sent to the front.21 And here I am at the forefront. On the second day of my combat life, my three-line rifle killed two White Finns22. That was all my combat successes so far.
Well, how do I feel here? Imagine – I am OK. Before, I always faced the truth and did not claim that I was not afraid of anything, that I was brave, etc. Here, to my surprise, it turned out that, in comparison with the majority, I tolerate the nearness of death rather well. And death constantly reminds of itself with the whistling of bullets, the bursting of shells and mines.
So far, it’s not very cold here. There was, however, a night when the water froze. The overnight stay and the whole life under the open sky are very annoying; otherwise, everything would be fine.
A tragicomic incident happened to me tonight. My tunic and shirt caught fire from the fire, and the whole side burned out. I woke up with a burn. Hilarious! Now I walk with ventilation.
I feel the need for a sweatshirt, two pairs of warm gloves, footcloths and socks, blades, paper, envelopes.
Unfortunately, this address is probably short-lived because I and my group are not permanently attached to any unit.
Now I am writing about sad news. Nedro and Zhenya Khapulin came to the front with me. I kept in touch with them all the time. Once I was sent to the rear for food. At that time, there was a hot battle, during which Nedro and Khapulin were killed.23 I was saved, as you can see, by chance. It is not known exactly what happened to them – killed or taken prisoner – I think that they did not surrender and died a heroic death. Yes, now there is no Khapulin – our friend. And in 1945, the drama club scheduled a meeting of all members. So, we met… Well, OK, then I’ll tell them about the last days of his life. (For some reason, I have no thoughts that I can be killed, etc.).
Mom, there is no time for letters in a combat situation. Don’t worry if you won’t receive them for a long time.
Then bye. Kisses to everyone.
PS The last letter was received from Aunt Nadya on the 2nd of August.
Greetings, your Yasha. Write more about everything!
11.
13 September 1941
Hello Mom!
On the 7th of September I sent you the last letter. In case you did not receive it, I inform you that since the 23rd of August I have been at the front. I had a chance to participate in two battles. In the first of them, I sent two White Finns to the next world. At this point, my combat successes have paused so far because now I am in the guard of the headquarters. You know, it’s very interesting how quickly a person gets used to all kinds of conditions: on the second day I was already calmly having breakfast and lunch to the accompaniment of artillery fire and the whistle of bullets. And they use explosive bullets – as a bullet touches a knot, it explodes. There is continuous crackling noise due to this.
I am all the time in the open air. I will probably breathe oxygen for life. We all have a very good appetite from the forest air. This is also helped by the fact that we receive 100 g of vodka every day. As before breakfast you drink it, so half a liter of soup [crossed out]. If there is a possibility, send me a parcel. I need:
1). Sweatshirt or [illegible]
2). Warm socks
3). Warm footcloths
4). Warm mittens (with finger)
5). Shoe polish
6). Paper and envelopes.
When you write, put an envelope with paper in the letter or send it in a separate envelope. Well, that’s all. I’ll tell you about the rest when I arrive. And I will arrive by route through Berlin. Well, we will not have to wait long to see the Red Army on this route.
Write how Aunt Nadya, Lyalya, Grisha, Lida and Vadya, Seryoga are doing there.
Write in more detail. Otherwise, Nadya writes that she wants to write about everything, but that her “breath stole from joy in her goiter” and her thoughts scattered. And does it make it easier for me? She could drink water and write about everything.
In that letter, I wrote about the fate that befell Khapulin and Nedro. I was with them on the front lines. On the 30th of August, the commander sent me to bring food for the soldiers. In my absence, Khapulin and Nedro perished.
Here we got confusion with the addresses of the group where they were. Therefore, they will probably not inform their relatives soon. I will certainly try to insist on informing them.
Yes, I wonder which of the drama club members will remain to meet in 1945? Sorry for Khapulin. And for Albert too. Well, I will do my best to take revenge. I have nothing else to help the grief of their mothers.
Give everyone there my address. Couldn’t Lyalya write me a letter?
Don’t worry if there are no letters for a long time. No time and wish to write. Interruptions are possible. Now I will not write until I get an answer from you.
My address: Field post station 280, 273rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd battalion, Yakov.
12.
7 December 1941
Hello Mom! For some reason, there have been no letters from you for a long time, so I am writing not in response.
My life went on normally until the 26th of November. And on the 26th I was sent to the junior commanders’ school, so now I am not on the front line for the first time in many months of war. Here I am spared the daily enjoyment of the whistle of bullets and the hoot of shells. The explosions from the shells can be heard, it is true, but in the distance – quietly. You know, it’s very interesting – right away my war changed to peace. It is now necessary to welcome the commanders and to address them in accordance with the regulations and follow many other rules. After the liberties of the front line, this whole discipline seems very strange. We live like in peacetime with fixed times to get up and to sleep – we need to get used to it again. Yesterday the school commissar sent me personally a gift from the Kandalaksha women for my good academic performance. There was a “cocoa and cream” pill. I dissolved it and tasted the cocoa with an indescribable pleasure!!! I am doing well with my studies, so I will soon be the commander of our Red Army.
Strangely, our weather is not very frosty. However, two days ago it spun at -35 C° (at night). The Germans, and they are still here in boots, garrison caps and summer overcoats, are probably very cold. We, dressed in sheepskin coats, felt boots, and hats, are not so cold.
Write how you live there, what do you hear about Vasya? Does Zhenya Khapulin’s mother know about his death?
Well, bye! My address: Field post station 280, 273rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd battalion, 4th company.
With front-line Arctic greetings, cadet <Signature>
PS Yes, tomorrow we will have a movie. Here is happiness!
13.
Hello Mom! Just now I have received your two letters dated the 7th and 11th of November. Great that you guessed to put the envelope and paper, otherwise I don’t have a lot of these materials. You wrote that you were upset that I received a poor parcel. Freak, if you lived for six months among stones, forests, swamps, and snow without a roof, then you would understand what joy this parcel brought me.
You write that Grisha has been evacuated from the hospital. By God,