Newspaper of the Soviet Navy "For Stalin" dated August 5, 1941

For Stalin
Daily newspaper of the Political Department of the 8th Army
No. 42 — August 6, 1941, Wednesday

Death to the German invaders!

This is a newspaper from the first days of the Great Patriotic War, preserved in a single surviving copy. It remained intact only because it was kept in the Museum of the Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet in Tallinn until its disbandment.

Death to the German invaders!

Order of the People’s Commissar of Defense of the USSR

Soldiers of the Red Army, commanders, and political workers!

On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War we are delivering heavy blows to the enemy. Our fighters battle for every inch of land, showing courage and steadfastness. The German invaders are suffering great losses in manpower and equipment. But the enemy is still strong, cunning, and treacherous. He pushes forward to enslave the Soviet people.

Your task is to strike the invaders with doubled force, destroy their equipment, and sweep the fascist filth from our land.

Forward, to the complete destruction of the German invaders!

People’s Commissar of Defense of the USSR
I. Stalin

Soviet Information Bureau

During August 4, our troops engaged in fierce battles along the entire front. On one sector, the enemy launched an offensive with up to three infantry divisions supported by tanks. After a stubborn fight, our units repelled the enemy, destroying up to 2,000 soldiers and officers and knocking out and burning 28 tanks.

On another sector, the Germans tried to cross a river but were driven back with heavy losses. Our fighters showed endurance and courage.

Our troops continue to defend the Leningrad direction with valor.

We will avenge the death of comrades

Fascist bandits once again shelled a settlement. Several civilians were killed. The fighters swear to take ruthless revenge on the enemy for the death of their comrades.

Red Army soldier Ivanov said: “We will spare no fascist. Each of us will give everything to defeat the enemy.”

This is the thought and action of every Red Army fighter.

Our Heroes

— Red Army soldier Petrov knocked out two German tanks in battle.
— Platoon commander Lieutenant Sidorov, though wounded, continued to lead the fight and ensured the mission’s success.
— Nurse Smirnova carried 15 wounded fighters from the battlefield.

Heroic soldiers and officers become an example for all warriors.

Enemy tanks burn

Our artillerymen burned several German tanks. The enemy’s attack collapsed. German soldiers retreated in panic. Dozens of burned-out machines remained on the battlefield.

The artillerymen continue to strike the enemy with precision, strengthening the fighters’ faith in victory.

We will defeat the enemy!

The fascist troops continue to rush toward our towns and villages. But each meter of land costs them thousands of lives. The people and the army are united.

The German soldier goes to slaughter, while the Soviet soldier goes to perform a feat.

Everything for the front, everything for victory!

A Red Army soldier must know the terrain

Every fighter must know the terrain he fights on. This helps to orient quickly in battle, choose good positions, and find cover.

Good knowledge of the terrain helps the commander conduct battle wisely, and the fighter – to carry out orders confidently.

The brave go on reconnaissance

Scouts are the eyes and ears of the army. Their task is to obtain information about the enemy. The bravest, most skillful, and most experienced go on reconnaissance.

At night they sneak into the enemy’s positions, capture prisoners, seize documents. The success of the entire battle depends on the work of reconnaissance.

A scout must be observant, enduring, and resolute.

Heroism of sappers

Sappers, under enemy fire, neutralized dozens of mines, ensuring the advance of our infantry and tanks. Their work saved the lives of hundreds of fighters.

Kill the German scum!

The German soldier is the enemy who came to our land to kill women and children. Red Army soldier – kill the Germans without pity! Every dead enemy brings our victory closer.

We faithfully fulfill the oath

The military oath obliges every soldier and commander to bravely and fearlessly, without sparing their life, defend their Motherland. To fulfill the duty of a soldier of the Fatherland means to show examples of courage and fearlessness.

Recently, a group of our fighter pilots patrolled one sector of the front. Suddenly, they noticed a group of German submachine gunners who had penetrated the rear of our troops. Without hesitation, the pilots descended and rained fire on the enemy. The Germans were destroyed.

Thus, the Soviet falcons faithfully fulfilled their oath, guarding the rear of their army.

Politruk Shinkevich

Letter to a son-soldier

My dear son, Volodya!

I tell you: all my sons, your dear brothers, have gone to the front. There were four sons, and now only I remain, an old woman.

I am used to this. When you were still small, your father fought. For a long time he battled the enemies of the people. And then he fell in battle for the Motherland on the Black Sea. At the place of his death, Vasily Ivanovich – a hero of young Soviet power – said: “Know that in this family new fighters will still grow up.” These words we always remember.

And now you too have gone to fight the enemy. But remember, son, that the Motherland is dearest of all. Do not forget that the enemy is treacherous and cruel. Be vigilant! Remember that the honor of our family rests on you.

We mothers and wives of the fighters do not sit idle. We work for the front. We give everything to the needs of war. Do not worry about us.

I kiss you,
Your mother,
Klokova
July 13, 1941, Prokopyevsk

Know how to recognize gas — it is our best defense

If you sense gas – there is no time to guess;
Beware of chlorine and mustard gas.

Chemical air bombs

We are dealing with the most greedy, most treacherous enemy of humanity – German fascism. In its malice and hatred, this filth may resort to the vilest crimes, including the use of chemical weapons.

The Soviet people know how to fight this. But every fighter must know how to act when a chemical bomb appears.

Chemical aerial bombs with persistent agents (mustard gas, lewisite).

Impact bombs (direct hit) weighing 15, 30, and 50 kilograms. The explosion is accompanied by a weak, barely audible sound. They lack strong high-explosive effect. But a large quantity of poison is released. The cloud spreads 12–20 meters in weak wind.

Chemical aerial bombs with non-persistent agents (phosgene, diphosgene, etc.)

These bombs are dangerous mainly when gases are inhaled directly. The explosion produces a cloud which spreads quickly in the wind and may linger for 3–10 minutes.

General instructions

Every Red Army soldier must firmly know:

— At the first sign of chemical attack, immediately put on the gas mask.
— When skin is contaminated, treat exposed areas with decontamination solutions.
— Protect ammunition and weapons securely if necessary.

Only strict observance of these rules will save the fighter from poisoning.

Major Bondarenko

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