156

p Not later than August 15, 1943

p Hello there, Sonya. I’m sending you my battle greetings and wish you and your children a happy and carefree life.

p Sonya, my dear sister, there’s so much I would like to tell you about in these lines, so many thoughts I’d like to share with you.

p The war’s already been on for many months. Throughout these terrible days of fighting for our country, I have borne my name of Communist and Soviet patriot with honour. I’ve experienced the dangers and hardships of war but I’ve also tasted the sweet smell of victory. It’s just a pity that I haven’t killed enough Germans. But I’ve chalked up a few successes: four enemy planes shot down and 150 or so enemy soldiers have bit the dust from my bullets. If I live longer I’ll try to notch up a few more, really give the enemy something to think about. But if I die, my comrades-in-arms will make them pay for my death, they’ll give Fritz something to remember us by for the torments to my country, for the suffering of the Russian people, and for me.

p Sonya, I’ve been thinking about death-is it so awful or not? No, it isn’t so awful when you die for the future happy days, for the happiness of our children. But a life has to be given at the price of ten from the enemy. I am following in father’s footsteps. He was killed in 1919 and I have kept his tradition. He fought for my life. I am fighting for the lives of your children.

157

p Sonya, I’d give anything to be home, if only for one short day, just to see you. I know things are not so easy with you, but you have to get over them somehow, take them all in your stride come what may. And you will be over the hump.

p Give all the family my love, say hello to Kostya and Sasha for me. I hope they get on all right together. Kiss grannie and mother.

p Please don’t cry, I ask you one thing-remember I fought and died honourably, as befits a Russian and a Bolshevik. And to you, my childhood companion, Sophie my dear, I wish a long life and much happiness.

p Farewell to you all. We shall win! Death to the German invaders!

Leonid

Wireless-operator and air-gunner Junior Lieutenant Leonid Kurin was fatally wounded in an air battle over Leningrad. A letter was found in his field-case addressed to his sister in Teikovo not far from Ivanovo. The note attached read: "Please post it in the event of my death.” His fellow flyers sent a copy of the letter to the Leningrad newspaper Smena which published it on August 15, 1943.