English Translation

- 5 - 45 Most Czech Slovaks were transported to Uchta Petschora in the municipality of Arkhangelsk to forest work. The living conditions were very poor. As a standard 5cbm wood had to be cut in dry forest, in the swamp area 4cb m. At an output of 125 and 150% there were food allowances. But very few were able to achieve this extra power in the general catering conditions. Working hours were 12-13 hours, in winter from sunrise to sunset. There were numerous deaths in the camps, which were occupied with 500 men each, due to malnutrition and cold. About the experiences of Czech officers who emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Russia until entry into the Czech troop units, it is only known to the crowd that they were housed in a camp closed. 70-80% of the crews of the Btl. came from Russian penal camps, i.e. By far the majority of the people who emigrated on their own in 1939 and were then taken up and detained by the Soviet authorities. People from the penal camps were ordered by the NKVD departments of the camp to go to Busuluk and report there to the Czechoslovak troops. They were able to travel freely to Busulak. The Czechs at large, etc., volunteered partly to join the troops, partly they were also prompted to do so by the order of the exile government, which was published in the daily press. Also the Czechs arrived until the end of January 1943 for the establishment of the II. Btl. etc. came from criminal camps. The troops, as far as the relatives of them had not previously sworn in Czechoslovakia, were sworn in on the Czechos-Slovak Republic and not on Stalih. The mood in Busuluk was good. However, one would not believe in a victory of Russia without strong support from England and the USA in the troupe. The Russian victory reports from November 1942 onward were considered to be highly exaggerated. The Russian success at Stalingrad had cost unhearing blood victims. The discipline was good in the troop. A fighting mood did not prevail, but an unconditional obedience to the Czech officers also in the fight.