Why Become a Commissar?

[Dave]

I've often wondered why someone would become a Commissar, instead of remaining in the "combat arms". Most of the time it was due to age, but I just got some research in that has a soldier (who started the war as a "krasnoarmeets', and ended it as a Major!) becoming a Commissar for a different reason. This is a letter that was in his personnel file. Enjoy!

--Dave

"My request regarding being appointed to do political instruction work in the armoured trains union was passed on to you on November 8 of this year.

As far as my professional experience is concerned, I am a railway electrician. Since 1935, I have been working in the economic, administrative and party lines of work. By my higher education degree, I am a junior aviation specialist.

On 16 July 1941, as a volunteer political instructor/soldier, I was dispatched to the Leningrad Front. I served as a Communications Engineer, and the Commander of the Communications Unit of the 313th Artillery Regiment of the 115th Rifle Division.

In December, I was transferred to the infantry as a Company Political Instructor of the 638th Rifle Regiment, and in January this year, I was appointed the Military Commissar of a Rifle Battalion.

I took part in battles from August to April of this year. On 10 April, I was heavily wounded in my face: My lower jaw was destroyed, and I lost all teeth in the upper jaw. I was discharged from the hospital on 18 October this year.

Possessing a physical impediment (prosthesis in my mouth) I am no longer able to serve in rifle units as I cannot eat solid food, even bite bread crusts, and each time I eat, I have to wash my prosthesis to avoid inflammation.

I am asking you to grant my request as I am familiar with railway service, and I will quickly learn the new type of fighting and will be able to crush the enemy with no lesser strength.

In the beginning of April this year, I was to be attested and appointed Battalion Commander and given the rank of a Captain by the leadership of the 638th Rifle Regiment but I was wounded soon after and was evacuated far away from the front line.

On 7 July this year, according to the order across the units of the 115th Rifle Division and on the order of the Military Council No.284 from 18 June 1942 of the Volkovsk Front I was given the rank of Senior Political Instructor.

I am asking you to honour my request."