English Translation

- 5 - 57 Most Czech Slovaks were transported to Uchta Petschora in the area 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. With an output of 125 and 150% there were food allowances. But very few were able to achieve this extra benefit 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 the Czech officers who emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Russia until entry into the Czech troop units, it is only known to the heard that they have been housed in a camp closed. The crews of the Btl. were 70-80% from Russian criminal camps, i.e. for the most part people who had emigrated on their own in 1939 and were then taken up and imprisoned by the Soviet authorities. People from the prison camps received orders from the NKVD departments of the camp to go to Busuluk and report there to the Czecho-Slovak troops. They were able to travel freely to Busulak. The Czechs at large, etc. Some of them volunteered to join the force, some of them were also prompted 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 were sworn in to the Czechoslovak Republic and not to Stalin, as far as the relatives of the latter had not done the flag oath in the Czecho-Slovakia before. The mood in Busuluk was good. Russia's victory without strong support from England and the USA was allegedly not believed in the troops. The Russian victory reports from November 1942 were considered to be highly exaggerated. Russian success at Stalingrad had cost unusual blood sacrifices. Discipline was good in the troupe. A voice of struggle did not prevail, but an absolute obedience to the Czech officers also in the fight.