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HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE D-WLB-el
APO 520, U. S. Army
11 July, 1944
ANNEX NO. 4
Fifteenth Air Force Plan for Operation “FRANTIC THREE”
The Fifteenth Air Force Fighter Task Force is the third American unit to be based at Russian airdromes. Impressions already created by preceding units have been favorable to the Russian military establishment with the result that a firmer basis for mutual cooperation and understanding between the two countries has been established. Every officer and man in this Task Force has in his hands, by his conduct and actions, the profound responsibility of maintaining and where possible furthering the favorable impressions already gained. Our performance will be the yardstick by which the Russians will judge the fighting quality, discipline and morale of all American Armed Forces – Air, Ground and Naval. The importance of this judgment not only during the course of the war but in years to come cannot be over emphasized.
The Russia of today is a new country only 25 years old. We must forget all preconceived prejudices and opinions realizing the army and the people have been educated to a political, social and military discipline dictated by the requirements of their own problems.
DO NOT ENTER INTO POLITICAL OR SOCIAL DISCUSSIONS BASED ON COMPARISONS WITH OUR OWN INSTITUTIONS.
THE RUSSIANS DO NOT RECOGNIZE PERSONAL OPINIONS IN THE ARMED FORCES. STATEMENTS MADE
BY INDIVIDUALS ARE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL OPINIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT.
Discipline and Security consciousness is very high in the Russian Forces. Our standard must not suffer by comparison.
Exchange of vital classified information will be seriously hampered by any display of carelessness. Provisions of AR 380-5 should be adhered to strictly. Coded or Secret messages should not be paraphrased or copied if received from Russian sources, without prior approval of the Russian signal or intelligence authorities concerned. An understanding by all of the great stress laid by the Russian Command on Security of information is imperative.
The Russian Army is schooled to absolute obedience to the letter of an order, to strict observance of all military customs, and takes great pride in personal military appearance.
Rather than change a Sentry’s orders, once they are transmitted, they change the Sentry. It is essential that all who come in contact with the military realize this inflexible discipline and obey and follow whatever regulations are set forth.
Our discipline will be judged from outward actions. The salute is vital. Russian officers as well as ours will be recognized and saluted.
The handshake between officers on meeting and leaving, no matter how frequent the encounter, is a national custom.
Remember always you are the personification to the entire Russian nation of our military strength and types. Regardless of physical problems, your personal appearance is exceedingly important. Take sufficient toilet articles and supplies to maintain the highest standard of appearance.
You will find the Russians quite friendly although somewhat shy on first acquaintance. Fighting men the world over judge each other on performance, not talk. The Russians respect physical prowess, mental and mechanical ability. Let your actions, not talk, prove these points.
Do not boast of the marvels of home. Answer questions but do not volunteer information. What you’ve never seen or heard of, is difficult to believe.
The Russian is an experienced and hardy drinker. Vodka is not to be taken on an empty stomach. Always eat as you drink. The Russians are very hospitable and will drink innumerable toasts at dinners or social functions. Flying or a business conference is an excuse they will respect for declining further alcohol.
Russian women are quite friendly and open. Do not mistake the friendliness as an invitation to further intimacy.
REMEMBER AGAIN : 11,000,000 FIGHTING MEN IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY THE WORLD OVER ARE BEING JUDGED BY THE IMPRESSION YOU CREATE.
The Task Force will be based at three fields approximately 50 miles apart: Poltava, Mirgorod, Piryatin, each self contained and operating under the Eastern Base Command.
Piryatin – This is the most advanced of our bases and at the present is about 270 miles from the nearest German Fighter Station. The Russians have prepared quarters for us in a large girls school 12 klm (7 ½ miles) from the air base. Owing to the lack of transportation, only permanent headquarters personnel will be located in this building. Transients quarters, a field hospital and base headquarters are at the field in tents. Steel mat runway, approximately, 5800 feet.
Mirgorod – Probably the best of the three bases. Headquarters personnel is housed in permanent buildings formerly belonging to a Red Army Artillery Brigade. Field Hospital and Field Headquarters are located at the field. The permanent buildings are just a few miles from the field. Facilities are good and there is a suitable artesian well. Steel mat runway, approximately 5800 feet.
Poltava – The city normally of a quarter of a million population reduced now to thirty thousand, has been almost completely destroyed. Ninety-five per cent of the buildings are down. This was not achieved through aerial bombing or artillery fire but through deliberate destruction by specialized demolition squads. One of the few large buildings remaining houses the headquarters of the Eastern Base Command and the Russian Headquarters under the command of Russian Air Corps General Pernanov. The ‘U’ shaped building, five stories high, is approximately a mile from the air field. At present, the field is being used as a staging area for the Russian Air Force. Planes and personnel are converging at the field, squadrons are formed and sent to the Front. The base headquarters is in a tent area at the field. Eastern Base Command Headquarters personnel and Russian officers are messing together at headquarters building. There is a Russian officers Club and Americans are often invited there. Several times a week there are outdoor movies, generally attended by a mixed audience of Russians and Americans.
DESIGNATIONS – THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY FORCES IS “THE RED ARMY” (V.V.S.)
THE RUSSIAN AIR FORCES ARE THE “MILITARY AIR FORCES OF THE RED ARMY” (V.V.S.K.A.)
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