03-11-2012, 11:53 AM
This 108-page "Brief Russian-German Military Phrase Book" for "the soldier and junior commander" was set to print 29 May 1941, almost a month before the actual German invasion. This book was definitely not intended for jovial, fraternal conversations between the two military powers' service members.
The Soviet GRU defector writing under the pseudonym Viktor Suvorov invokes this booklet as one piece of evidence indicating Soviet intentions to invade the West, however Stalin was preempted by Hitler. This proposal has been fiercely contested by both Western and Russian historians.
Back to the booklet, for starters, the very first phrases the soldier is urged to memorize are "Halt!", "Drop your weapon!", and "Hands up!".
Chapter 10 deals with "Capture of a Railroad Station by Disembarking or Reconnaissance Party" and includes the phrase "Cease transmission of telegraphs or I'll shoot!"
Finally, the booklet has ID drawings of German aircraft and tanks.
Interestingly, the booklet is not classified, however this is are "27" and "35" control numbers stamped on the final pages.
You draw your own conclusions.
The Soviet GRU defector writing under the pseudonym Viktor Suvorov invokes this booklet as one piece of evidence indicating Soviet intentions to invade the West, however Stalin was preempted by Hitler. This proposal has been fiercely contested by both Western and Russian historians.
Back to the booklet, for starters, the very first phrases the soldier is urged to memorize are "Halt!", "Drop your weapon!", and "Hands up!".
Chapter 10 deals with "Capture of a Railroad Station by Disembarking or Reconnaissance Party" and includes the phrase "Cease transmission of telegraphs or I'll shoot!"
Finally, the booklet has ID drawings of German aircraft and tanks.
Interestingly, the booklet is not classified, however this is are "27" and "35" control numbers stamped on the final pages.
You draw your own conclusions.
