We Russians are different from Europeans. We are a different civilization. And this becomes evident throughout. Including how we occupy the….
The invasion of the Warsaw contract in Czechoslovakia in 1968 — an entirely reasonable operation. We did not allow chaos in a friendly country and destruction of our defensive zone. This is the first. The second – in Czechoslovakia was going the same way (with minor amendment), and in Ukraine in 2014.-M. And the third — order and security in Czechoslovakia is provided not only Soviet troops but also military contingents of some countries of the Warsaw Pact. Including troops of the GDR.
How the Germans behaved and Russian? What was the difference?
This material, which was sent to me by a reader resource nstarikov.ru Victor Dmitrievich Bychkov. They are the stories of one direct participant in these events. He continues the theme that was opened my story of reading the book of Yury Galushko “Czechoslovakia-68. The sight of a Soviet officer from the past to the future.”
Of Czechoslovakia and in 1968 took place there.
These are my youthful memories. In 1968, I was in the 8th grade. And I remember how we were acutely conscious of with their friends the events taking place there, as spared deceived by the Czechs, and were ready at any moment to go down there and help. Already at the beginning of winter, sometime in December, he returned from the army, the elder brother of my friend, Vladimir Anikin, who participated in the events that took place in Czechoslovakia.
At first he almost didn’t say anything, but gradually we got talking. They gathered a small company of young men, mostly it was close friends who returned from the army, I go there sometimes came as the friend of the younger brother. The home was light wine, but most importantly, we all eagerly listened to the stories of an eyewitness, who had been much abroad, and even participated in such historical events. He asked to convey his story. However, I remember very well what he said then.
So, first — how it got there. Served in the military in the Ukraine, when a military airfield, any airfield service. They are mostly engaged in the protection of the aerodrome and the simple things of type of the contents in a proper manner runway, fixing planes under the guidance of technicians, etc. One night they raised the alarm, a personal weapon, helmet, ammunition, etc., loaded into transport, and they flew. The soldiers noticed that in addition to the ammunition and weapons on Board uploaded quite a lot of ammunition and other things. Where flying did not know, all thought it was teaching.
The flight was long. Once seated, quickly began unloading the lorry. The fact that this is abroad, realized immediately, just after dawn.
Other planes were unloaded, the Marines with their technique, which quickly left, and the soldiers the part of the narrator for the airfield near the forest and the stream have pitched tents, built a tent city. Near the airfield was a small town, in which they sent armed patrols with officers. On the opposite side of the airport was a small terminal building and a few low buildings of the airport. In the morning the staff came to the airfield and watched with amazement at the soldiers, planes, etc. I Must say,
our aircraft flew quite often, brought in mainly paratroopers with equipment and other things that quickly went away.
Bring the ammunition was stored right next to the runway. There were tents that housed our army airfield authorities, node, etc. All had their own.
By the middle of day began to show the first signs of rejection and unfriendliness of the local population. Especially trying young people.
Shouted obscenities, showing all sorts of obscene gestures.
In the evening on the runway stopped by two motorcyclists, which were worn on the runway, drove up to the aircraft, threw stones and bottles at the air intakes, Windows, airplane cabins, etc .. the Soldiers had orders, not using weapons and force to oust them from the strip. It barely managed to do.
Another problem is water. First the water gained for the kitchen and other households.the needs of a fairly pure stream, but soon it was impossible to do, because the local population began to walk and especially to shit in the Creek upstream, throw sewage, dead dogs, etc. Trips to town for water, too, had no success if then began to draw water, she quickly ended. Moved to another place and there is the same picture. Very quickly and in a coordinated off the water. All water was already was going to carry more planes.
Was tight and with firewood for the kitchen — mostly stoked broken boxes of ammunition, and zinc with cartridges stacked in piles. Airport officials would not let the soldiers in the airport, in the toilet, etc., and the soldiers had to run around in the bushes on the other side of the strips, which caused laughter among local residents and airport employees. Tried to dig a hole under the toilet for the military, but from the airport came from a local chief and was not allowed to do that. They say that nothing is impossible to dig and all. It was difficult to patrol the area around the town. Local people very quickly nagleli in the expression of his dislike, especially young people. Throwing stones, sticks, screaming. But there were strict orders: weapons and physical strength to use, to carry, to show friendliness.
The situation grew tense, and this of course in the end would lead to bad consequences. Ran out of the patience from our soldiers.
Moreover, patrols sent many and there were not enough officers, and often were two soldiers without officera. On the second day, two soldiers patrol disappeared altogether and was never found. Everyone knew that they most likely killed and then buried.
Then came the Germans. And the situation began to change radically. By lunchtime of the third day came a column of German army. As told Vladimir, who was on patrol and had just been in the center of this town square, it was like the movies about the Great Patriotic war. First, motorcyclists with machine guns, then the column. The front and rear of the armored personnel carriers with machine guns at the ready. In the center column the senior officer — in a car, accompanied by other officers. The convoy entered the area, part of it dispersed through the streets near the square. The car left the senior officer and his entourage.
Senior inspected the area and the surrounding area, checked the map. Then indicates where will be the headquarters, next to the future headquarters building for yourself. Immediately gives the command to his officers showing where they will be situated units. Before this, soldiers were sitting in the cars, there was no movement, everyone was waiting for. As did team — work started. The soldiers quickly released under the home headquarters and housing for senior officer, the others were also involved in placing under the leadership of their commanders. As the freed house? Very simple — have driven out local residents.
The senior quickly gave a solid man, presumably the local Governor, even some of the representative personalities. The eldest of the Germans they are briefly explained, or rather pointed out what to do. Since the discussion and did not smell, the local authorities did not think to argue, and only reached out to the Germans. And the Germans all spoke the local German, not bothering to transfer, and they perfectly understood them. The Germans behaved very prudently.
Our patrols approached the German officer saluted, and asked in Russian who they are and where they part. Explained that they need to contact the leadership of our parts. The soldiers responded, then the officer saluted and went reported to the senior. The senior officer, accompanied by motorcyclists with machine guns rode in the location of our parts. The soldiers did not know what he was talking about senior officers, but, apparently, our commander complained on the water. Somewhere in the evening, two hours later, the three were visible this picture. The Czechs quickly pulled the water pipe in the location of metal pipes laid directly on the ground or slightly dripped. Did wiring for a few taps where they have worked very very fast. Since clean water was always in abundance. In addition, the Czechs began to regularly bring chopped firewood ready in the required amount, i.e., this problem was also quickly resolved.
In the evening at the airfield events occurred that radically changed the relation to our local presence. In fact, the airfield could come from different parties, it was not fenced. Only one side in the direction from the airport to the city, there was a fence. And the cattle, because there was pasture. And it used the same local youth. Flew on motorcycles, airplanes threw bottles, stones and other things, laughed at the soldiers who tried to oust them from runways. The soldiers threw the same thing and they received injuries and bruises, but nothing I could do about it. And on the evening of the third day after the appearance of the Germans on the strip stopped a car in which four of the youths ran around the runway in drove up to the aircraft, etc .. an Order to oust them nothing. However, this time the bullies had gone too far, they got knocked down two soldiers, seriously injuring them. The Czech staff of the airfield with a laugh, watching with great pleasure to meeting every successful trick of the youths and especially their impact on soldiers. And soldiers with guns had nothing to do with these youths to shoot because they were not allowed.
But then unfortunately these youths to the airfield was approached by a German patrol on two motorcycles with machine guns. The Germans quickly understood. Youngsters saw a German patrol, rushed to escape in the outside lane. For them, or rather in parallel to the strip, ran one bike. After driving away, so that it was impossible to catch someone random, a machine gunner with one burst knocked out the car. He immediately shot and killed two young men sitting in the front seats. The vehicle is stopped. Two sitting in the back jumped out and started running.
Gunner gave two short bursts on the ground left and right of the running. One stopped, raised his hands, and went back, the second continued to run, trying to Dodge. This caused laughter at the gunner, and he a short burst cut him, then walked out of the gun at the cards already in two queues. The second, standing with arms raised, German beckoned shouting, “kom, kom”. He went like a drunken, sobbing loudly. Our officer sent soldiers, and they pulled out of the car illuminated the two bodies, sitting in the front. Walking with raised arms and sobbing, the youngster showed the German where to go.
Moving it closer to the airport, on my knees, hands behind his head and stood nearby with a gun ready. The youngster all the while loudly crying about something asked. But the German did not pay any attention to it
The second patrol motorcycle radio reported to their superiors. Czech staff at the airport did not laugh and silently watched the scene. Soon came a car with a German officer and two soldiers. The officer got out of the car, listened to the report of the senior of the patrol, turned and went to the nearest downed our soldiers lying on the runway in the blood, in the place where he was hit. He has provided assistance, bandaged, put tires, and he loudly groaned. The officer came, looked, saluted approached our officer and said, pointing to the guns the soldiers: “we need strelyaet”. He clearly didn’t understand why no weapons were used in less obvious situations. Turned around and went to standing on the knees of the youngster. Up, on the move, undid the holster. Approaching three meters, shot him in the forehead, and then quietly put the gun back and gave the command to his soldiers.
His soldiers ran to the airport and hid there. It soon became clear why. They all are there literally kicked kicked to the ground in front of the airport. When there came the officer, the soldiers were already out last.
The side and rear of the officer was approached by one of the patrol motorcycle with a machine gun and a machine gunner held at gunpoint all this crowd, silently and very cautiously looked at the officer and gunner. We also thought that now they will put from machine guns facing them. But the officer said a short speech in German, which is driven in front of him sullenly accepted. He probably explained to them who the master is,and how necessary to conduct.
After that they very quickly run into the airport and moved. Rushed fire brigade, to extinguish tan machine, and atasheva it after that landing. Soon towed. Then came three local police officers, with whom the German officer also had a brief conversation. Junior police loaded the corpses into the truck and left, and the senior police took a German officer. In General, the Germans acted with such absolute self-righteousness and correctness of what they do that all local they unwillingly obeyed.
After all that has happened never none of the locals and not come close to the airfield, except for those who worked there. In addition, two hours later came the shovel, and the old excavator operator asked where it is necessary to Russian to dig. So had blocked the side roads and lanes leading to the airport, and then was dug a big hole under the soldiers ‘ toilet, which the Czechs are not allowed to do. Now none of the locals objected. It is necessary to tell that after that our soldiers and officers began to let free to the airport and everywhere. Tried… as if not to notice. Attempts to vandalize at the airport, etc. too.
And one more consequence. The next day came a team of Czech and carpenters under the leadership of the German noncommissioned officer had quickly built a tall and sturdy tower on the road leading from town to the airport. Comfortable staircase, the roof, the tower is double wall, made of boards overlapping, between the walls of sand bags for protection from bullets.
Mounts for machine guns, a powerful floodlight on the turret. Conveniently, you can see everything and all the bastions. The same set barrier and next to it a box of boards with glass Windows, which was very convenient especially in bad weather. Tower our soldiers are almost never used, but it was visible far and produced in the local very disciplining effect. This classic German tower.
After about a week to the airport from the pasture came a group of young people, 20-30 people, with posters “Russians go home”, with a loudspeaker, they shouted all sorts of calls to “remove the occupiers”. Approached from the side of the airport, but not too close to the runway and the tents did not come. On duty at the checkpoint soldier sent to the tower, that would have looked, how many of them, is there someone else behind them, at all, to have a look around.
So as soon as the protesters saw the soldiers began to climb the tower, they immediately fled, leaving some of the posters on the spot. Maybe he thought they will shoot.
Another episode of remember, which told Vladimir Anikin. With the arrival of the Germans the situation has changed dramatically. The local population is very respectful of the Germans and German units to fulfill their slightest demands. In General, the Czechs had not occurred, with the Germans one can argue or disagree. Especially as it is not respectful to treat them. And German patrols cartridges are not spared. No one dared to throw a stone at them or sling mud, etc. In response — instant fire indiscriminately, why it happened. Therefore our patrols tried to get himself in the company of a German soldier or even go along with a German patrol. The Germans it was treated favorably. They obviously liked the role of peace officers.
And then one day a patrol, which was Volodya, and a Russian Sergeant, the senior patrol was sent to patrol the streets on the outskirts of town. Going there, they made a detour and passed through the streets, where he was assigned to the Germans. There near one of the houses clustered German soldiers, cackling fun.
I must say that German soldiers, in spite of discipline, had a lot more freedom than our soldiers. Had more free time, could go somewhere in private time, etc.
Approaching our German colleagues tried to talk, to say something or to understand. The Germans knew that Russian soldiers often hurt
local, and they obviously flattered by the role in some way defenders. At least the German soldiers immediately realized that our soldiers have the pedestrian system to patrol the outskirts and want to have a German cover. I must say that the Germans are usually patrolled on two motorcycles with sidecars with machine guns. The gunners were always ready…
Volunteered with our one young soldier, who immediately ran and reported this to his Sergeant, the one smiling knowingly released the soldier. Here they go, the three of us, trying to communicate. The German knows some Russian words, lots of gestures, facial expressions, all three of them fun and interesting. Are already on the outskirts, in the suburbs, where everything is more like giving. There is a solid fence, and then mesh. The German turned to solid fence and began to celebrate small need. (Generally the German soldiers in need, especially the small, celebrated unashamedly, almost everywhere in the city). Well, Volodya Sergeant walked a little further forward, where it began a chain-link fence. Then from behind the fence, bushes, stone flies and hits the back of our Sergeant. Our patrols in these stones was not paying attention and get a stone on the back were commonplace. But now it sees German, Russian soldiers have already catch up with. And the one who threw, didn’t see the German for a solid fence. The reaction of the soldier of the GDR instant — tears in the machine and releases the bushes all the horn from his belt like a fan.
Volodya says we stand with Sergeant dumbfounded. German recharges the gun and going to shoot again. Volodya said that they are not saying a word with the Sergeant, jumped to the German and took his gun. He meekly gave up, but hotly they said something and pointed to the bushes from which came the stone. He clearly did not understand why the Russian did not shoot and acting so weird.
Behind the bushes some summer buildings, gazebo type of plywood or something.
There are audible cry. German shows with the excitement of the hunter, that’s supposedly where the game sits, and it should now be punished. And our soldiers being dragged ally away. Something is trying to explain, but its gone away now. Only when the Germans calmed down and retreated far enough, that our gave the German machine. For us, it was crazy, told Vladimir Anikin, to fire fighting in the village. And besides, giving two horn live ammunition, we were strictly warned that you can not shoot under any circumstances. Die, but do not shoot. Why give ammunition, why would you want to send? And the Germans for the bullets apparently did not report and therefore did not spare them.
And some more observations Vladimir Anikin:
“The Germans eat in restaurants, we turn to the lunch in the soldiers’ canteens. The Czechs brought them fresh vegetables, fruits, fresh meat, greens, etc .. Our patrols is well seen. Paying the Germans for it, we didn’t know, but they ate a lot better against us. We mostly porridge and stew.
Soup soup – stew too. Diversity and pickles was not. But we prilovchilis here’s what to do. There they have over fields and forests roamed quite a lot of deer and ROE deer, which a little afraid of people. Once saw a German truck stopped and the officer sitting in the cockpit, taking the soldier’s gun, shot a deer, which the German soldiers dragged into the truck and left. An example was filed.
We asked the German soldiers ammo and shot the deer. Quickly undressed, took away the meat. The machine from which the shot was quickly cleaned. If asked who did, said that the Germans. That the Germans take? Do what I want. Of course, many of the officers knew, and perhaps knew that we were shooting, but such victuals and such explanations, all arranged. So we ate venison.
Why with the Germans was beneficial to be friends is that they come in all’ll, where they always were provided a separate table, even if the pub was full. I ordered a beer, and the beer there was very good and drunk, left without paying. We have money to Czech was not, and the Germans may have been, but they did not pay. And why — before them, the Czechs and so bent.
About the German. Again, our patrols, which were in the city center, I saw that every morning, a local mayor having waited for the senior German officer in front of his house. In the morning he went to his headquarters. Sometimes gave instructions that the Governor, sometimes led him and someone to his staff. Ie was a clear vertical of power, and everyone knew what he should do. First, all that is necessary to the Germans, and then do their business. So, in Prague, of course, had the Germans let the first. First,
the Czechs would not have much against them to act and to provoke. And if someone moved, the Germans would have gladly explained that to do, a worse.
Police mission for the Germans is perfect. Know how to occupy and what to do with occupied. Our army is ready to this little. To fight — Yes. To win – Yes. And occupy and bending occupied is not for us. So if the Germans first in Prague were allowed, it would only strengthen the friendship of peoples. All would be well. The Czechs would have gladly recalled now the Germans in Prague and their “European Ordnung”.
In nojabryov tents were very cold. Colds soldiers. Came senior with her German officer, fluent in Russian,
and talking with our commander, said that it is impossible to live in tents. If he wants all lived together and were always at hand, it is necessary to take a local school. When our commanding officer began to speak, where children will learn, the German said the problem of teaching local children may do local authorities, that’s their business, and it needs to take care of their soldiers. It was our signalman, who was present, told. But we still continued to live in tents, many hurt”.
In late November, Volodya was transferred to the Union and, in speed, dismissed to the reserve. And so he Pereslegin a few months, but understood that the situation is very difficult, pulled the strap meekly.
Vladimir has told me what brought “soldiers” radio. But I give only what he saw personally with my own eyes. But what brought “soldier” radio, largely coincided with seen them in person. To our soldiers the Czechs are bad, a lot of provocations, sometimes with dire consequences for our soldiers, injuries and even death. And the nobility of our soldiers have only caused laughter. And the Germans, the Czechs feared and respected. Although the Germans they are second class.
German occupation familiar, friendly etc And as if they who are not bent and not raped, the blame is still all “Russian”.
In 1970 I graduated high school and left studies. Since then, I haven’t seen Vladimir do not know where he is. Almost half a century passed, and much has changed in our lives. If he is in good he health, but if already gone — rest in peace. Surely you can find other participants of these events. Their memories would help to complete the picture of what is happening then in Czechoslovakia. The film would be good and true to remove this. Now after all, few people remember about these events.
Author: Victor Dmitrievich Bychkov – https://nstarikov.ru/blog/71218
