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p I am glad to do my duty to liberate our country as quickly as possible from the German scourge. If I die, then I die a devoted patriot of my country, if I live I shall do all I can to defeat the enemy.

p I love my country and am ready to shed my last drop of blood for her. One thing I know: the fascist beasts will soon be destroyed, and Soviet people will live even more happily than before.

Please consider me a Communist.

Sergeant Yakov Bondar, a Y.C.L. member, fought on the Leningrad Front. He was fatally wounded. In his pocket was this letter written on the eve of a battle.