Transcript of talk of the Supreme Commander and his deputy with the Commander of the South West Front.

28.12.1942

Fyodorov.:Colonel General Fyodorov at the device.

Vasiliev, Konstantinov.:Vasiliev and Konstantinov at the device: we have some questions for you.
1) If Romanenko works poorly, could we replace him with lieutenant general Popov, your deputy. He could command the 5th tank army and also remain your deputy.
2) Tomorrow or at worst the day after tomorrow Mikhailov wants to send one mech. corps and one or two divisions to the Verhne-Kurmoyarskaya ferry, for them to be used to strike Tormosin. Caould you give some force in the direction of Tormosin to meet up with that mech. corps?
3) Romanenko reports that the 2nd and 23rd tank corps are without fuel. Is that true? I checked with GABTU and they said that it is impossible, because both of those corps took two fuel issues each before they were sent to you. By the way, Mikhailov said that there is all the fuel you want in the region of Kachalinskaya.
4) What’s the situation with Badanov? Over.

Fyodorov.: Reporting:
1) Romanenko during the both operations was frequently misunderstanding the overall situation and acted counter to the general idea [of the operation], trying to achieve some minor goals sacrificing the main goals. Also Romanenko does a poor job in organizing the battle and on top of that is not disciplined. He reports obviously exaggerated data about the enemy thus confusing others as it seems to get one or another reinforcement. I consider that it is dangerous to have such a commander and ask to replace him. It is possible of course to assign command of the 5th tank Army to Popov.
2) To support Mikhailov at Tormosin I decided to move the 8th cavalry corps reinforced with artillery, tanks and RS. This group is a bit weak, but I wanted to throw the 5th mech. corps to Morozovsky from the rear, from South that is, after it takes Chernishevsky so its operation direction is to the West. This way only the 8th. cav. corps with reinforcement units is available to be sent to Tormosin. Cvetaev has the 3rd cav. corps which is intended to flank the Nizhny Chir group from the East and to cross the Don near Suvorovskoe. This will reinforce Mikhailov’s flanking group. I decided to use this corps to strike on the front between Tormosin and Verhne Aksenovsky to meet with the 8th cavalry corps. Together with the 3rd cav. Corps, the 4th guards rifle division will ferried. As soon as they fully cross the river, Cvetaev and Romanenko’s left flank will also start their operations from the front.
3) I received two reports from Romanenko and his staff. The first one states that the 2nd T.C. {Tank Corps} is supplied with fuel while the 23rd is not. The second report I received after I have ordered to immediately move the 2nd T.C. to the region of Milyutinsky. Romanenko reported that it does not have fuel. I sent him a telegram with a warning that he will be brought to trial immediately if he doesn’t fulfill the order. I ordered Popov to precisely enforce the order. Romanenko has fuel at his base and I told both him and Popov how much fuel he has there. I think that the 2nd T.C. has fuel, but the 23rd T.C. has none, but can be quickly supplied with it. I have already ordered to supply it with fuel. I expect it to be finished in the morning of 28th of December when I will move it to the region South of Milyutinskaya to make a deeper strike against the enemy.
4) Badanov has sent 8 telegrams for me today. I responded with 10. Right now he is in a fight at Tatsinskaya. He is in an all-round defense and his Control Post is on the North West outskirts of Tatsinskaya. The corps has 39 T-34 tanks and 15 T-70 tanks. He is opposed by the enemy's 98th infantry division supported by tanks, operating from Marinovskaya direction. Another group is operating from the Bobovnya, Kovylkin. Those are retreating units which try to break through.
To the North of Tacinskaya, the enemy is at region between Skosyrskaya, Kryukov, Novo-Maryevka, Verkhne-Oblivskiy. I regard them as retreating enemy forces who broke out of the danger of being surrounded and have retreated to this area. Badanov reports that enemy is around 10-15km to the North of Tatsinskaya, however he says that there are separate groups around Tatsinskaya itself.
Today Badanov’s communication officer arrived [by car] at the 1st guards army Staff. He departed [from Badanov] on 26.12. He reported that there is not enough ammo, gasoil {diesel} and oils while there are 300 tons of first and second grade petrol (captured). He has confirmed that the captured planes have been destroyed, I also have like 2 reports about this from Badanov. In his last report Badanov asked for permission to leave Tacinskaya. For the entire day he, according to his report, was under strong bombing.
To eliminate the enemy at Tetsinskaya, Skosyrskaya region and to cut off their retreat routes, I have adopted the following measures:
a) Pavlov and Russiyanov must move to Tatsinskaya via the shortest way as fast as they can. I have issued the instructions to do so by various communication channels. I consider those instructions to be received but I don’t have reports on them beginning the movement;
b) at 12:00AM 27.12.1942 the 266 rifle division {R.D.} of the 3rd guards army was passing by Kachalin and had orders to destroy the enemy at Skosyrskaya, occupy it and move on to Kryukov, Mikhailov. 203 R.D. is following the 266th R.D. I have a report that the 266 R.D. has begun to fulfill its task. The 14th rifle corps was moved by me to the front that was occupied by Rossiyanov and Pavlov. It has a task to reach the railroad and to cut off the enemies path to retreat. However this part of the front appears to be weak and the enemy can try to break out here. However I expect success from Romanenko’s right flank as well as taking Skosyrskaya and holding the Tatsynskaya region. If my assigned forces will successfully reach Tatsynskaya and destroy the enemy there, I plan to reach the river Seversky Donets and establish a front between Usty-Belokalitvenskaya, Konstantinovskaya;
c) I ordered to urgently replace the 18th tank corps in Millerovo with infantry. From 8:00AM 28.12 it will be moving through Bolshanku to Skosyrskaya, where it may reach at the end of 28th of december and take part in the battle. According to the situation I will use it between river Kalitva and river Bistraya along the flank and rear of the enemy, while of course covering myself from the West. For two days Lelyshenko’s 197th and 278th divisions were operating along river Kalitva between Nikolskaya and Ilyinka. They organized a defence here, perform reconnaissance missions to the west and south west and eliminate or capture separate enemy groups which they encounter along roads or in villages. Sometimes those groups have up to 4000 men, artillery and tanks and those have to be dealt with;
d) around Tatsinskaya our night aviation is operating. But starting in the morning of 28.12 all the aviation of the front will attack the enemy in the region of Tatsinskaya, Skosyrskaya.
e) 14 “Douglas” aircraft are now dropping the following supplies to Tatsinskaya: gasoil {diesel} 3.2 tons, oil - 1.2 tons, 76mm shells - 535, 45mm shells - 750, rifle cartridges - 18 000, hand grenades - 560. I consider these measures sufficient to defeat the enemy at Tatsinskaya, Skosyrskaya and to hold that region. The task is to quickly and consistently perform all these tasks. Me, the staff of the front as well staff of armies are working on that task right now. I requested Badanov to hold Tatsinskaya, but just in case said that in an extreme condition he may make another decision. I may be wrong about this, but I believe Badanov and will support him constantly.
Allow me to say some words about the adversary which is against our front.
Everything that was there earlier in front of us, that is around 17 divisions could be counted as totally destroyed with all the weapons and supplies captured by us. We captured more than 60 000 people and killed no less than that. This way the pitiful remnants of these former troops with rare exceptions do not form any meaningful resistance. In front of our forces, the enemy stubbornly resists on the front between Oblivskaya, Verkhne-Chirinsky. In the region of Morozovsky today some prisoners have already been captured from the 11th tank division and the 8th field aviation division who were in front of Romanenko earlier. Which means that forces against him now are weaker. Our mobile units and Lelyushenko’s forces experience the most resistance from the enemy that has crossed the Don from the Kotelnikovo region and through Tormosin moved to the Chernishkovsky, Morozovsky, Skosyrskaya front and were retreating to Tatsinskaya. These adversary forces aim to occupy the region and dig in there to stop future rapid advance of our mobile forces and thus allow their own forces to retreat. Perhaps the enemy in favorable conditions could even try to hold the entire bulge in his hands to try to support his surrounded group through it.
However if they fail, then all [our] forces will be routed to form a powerful mobile group and cut off the entire bulge while building up forces for the “Big Saturn”.
Along the remaining front, the biggest and relatively fresh group of forces is located in front of Haritonov, especially in the region of Staraya Kalitva, Motrofanovka, Rossosh. As much as 5 infantry divisions and one tank division are here. One of them is Italian infantry division.
Up to a division is in the region of Millerovo. Air reconnaissance every day reports forces, unloading at regions of: Rossosh, Starobelysk, Voroshilovgrad, Chebotovka, Kamensk, Lihaya, Zverevo. On 27th of December large numbers of trains were discovered in the following regions: Valuyki, Kupyansk and especially Bataysk. From Bataisk the trains seem to mostly move to Novocherkassk.
It is hard to judge the final intentions of the adversary. However it seems that the main operation region is prepared to be along the river Seversky Donec, river Dyorkul. The enemy of course has to close the huge 350 km wide gap created by our breakthrough. But without a doubt he will concentrate forces and organize counterattacks. It would be very good if we could continue our actions and without pausing keep hitting our adversary while he is not ready, but to do that we urgently need reinforcements here because all existing forces are occupied in finishing the “Small Saturn” while “Large Saturn” needs additional forces. I have reported that before.
Speaking about the enemy aviation, then it is severely weakened, because during the November operation we have destroyed at least 250 planes. During the preparations for the “Small Saturn” as a result of actions against the enemy airfields, around 150 planes were destroyed. During the execution of “Small Saturn”, more than 400 enemy planes were destroyed. Now, the enemy aviation is based in Rostov, Novocherkassk, Voroshilovgrad, Valuyki, Urazovo, Rossoshi, Stary Oskol.
Aviation of the front with part of its forces performs daily and nightly attacks on the enemy airfields. I ask for Golovanov’s aviation to destroy distant railway centers and aviation [of the enemy] on distant airfields. Over.

Vasiliev, Konstantinov.: 1) your primary task is not to prevent Badanov’s defeat and send him Pavlov and Russiyanov for help as fast as possible. You were right when allowing Badanov to retreat from Tatsinskaya in the worst case scenario.
2) Your counter strike on Tormosin with the forces of only the 8th cavalry corps, needs reinforcing with some infantry units. Regarding the 3rd cavalry corps and guards infantry division which are being sent to Tormosin, we think it is a very good idea.
3) We have already sent you 2nd and 23rd tank corps to turn the “Small Saturn”into “Large Saturn”. In a week you will get another two tank corps and three or four rifle divisions for your right flank. We will help with aviation.
4) Please accept an order from Stavka.

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To the commander of South West Front Vatutin, deputy commander of South West Front Popov, lieutenant general Romanenko.
Supreme Commander Stavka order number 00495
28 december 1942
1 - Relieve lieutenant general Romanenko P.L. from his duty of commander of the 5th tank army and send him to the People's Commissariat of Defence.
2 - Assign Popov M.M. as the commander of the 5th tank army with him retaining his position as the deputy commander of the forces of the South West Front.
Supreme Commander Stavka I.Stalin, G.Zhukov.

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We have doubts about the 18th tank corps that you want to send to the Skosyrskaya region. We think that it would be better to leave that in Millerovo, Verkhne-Tarasovka together with the 17th tank corps. Altogether you must keep in mind that it is better to send tank corps to run long distances in pairs not alone, to avoid getting into Badanovs situation. Mechanized corps is another story. Those have both tanks and infantry allowing them to operate alone without significant risk. What do you say about this?

F.: Reporting. When deciding about sending the 18th tank corps I intended to reliably fulfill a mission of destroying the enemy in the region of Skosyrskaya, Tatsinskaya and to relieve Badanov. Wherein the 18th tank corps is moving out to Skosyrskaya within our controlled area and there it interacts with two rifle divisions and then with Pavlov, Russiyanov and Badanov.

V.,K.: Where is the 18th tank corps now?

F.: Reporting. 18th tank corps is to the east of Millerovo near Loktev, Novo Spasovka, Olenevka, Shtakor-Orekhovka.

V.,K.: We advise to leave the 18th tank corps near Millerovo to operate together with the 17th tank corps. Otherways you will weaken the Millerovo, Tarasovka region thus making the “Large Saturn'' impossible. Over.

F.: Acknowledged. Will do that. The 18th tank corps will be left in the Millerovo region and I will find something else for the Skosyrskaya region. Over.

V.,K.: Good, so additionally to 2nd tank corps and 23rd tank corps you have already received, you will get two more: 3rd and 10th tank corps. You have something more to say?

F.: I have no further questions. Will begin fulfilling your orders immediately. Wish you good.

V.,K.: Remember about Badanov, do not forget about him and help him out by all means.

Vasiliev, Konstantinov. Good luck.

F.: I comply. Will take any possible measures and help Badanov. Good luck. Fyodorov, Ivanov.

ЦАМО. Ф. 96а. Оп. 2011. Д. 26. Л. 206—216.

Transcript of talk of the Supreme Commander to Stavka Representative and commander of the South-West front

27.11.1942

Mikhailov and Fyodorov at the device.

Stalin at the device.

Stalin.: Comrade Mikhailov, report what you have done there in the region of Filippov.

M.: Reporting. All day yesterday together with Voronin and Filippov and the division commanders we were in the operative regions. We made clarifications to the decision and issued all the necessary orders for the division commanders to start their work today, together with specialists and regiment commanders. Some unresolved questions remain with the RS - we have three, but need five M-13. The question about returning the second air army from Fyodorov before the start of operation. Filippov could be ready to begin relocation 1-2 [December] if Moscow will accelerate the delivery of fuel and ammunition. In three days I will be at him to check the preparation progress on the spot and to help. Tomorrow I, together with com. Voronov plan to go to Lelyushenko’s right flank to start full scale preparations there, because factually nothing is done there yet. Both me and Fyodorov have big doubts that Lelyushenko will handle the preparations and commanding the operations on his left and right flanks simultaneously, especially given the events on his left flank.
We decided to ask your permission to handle the operative command to Kuznetsov, who will immediately go there and make all preparations through him. Lelyushenko could be given direct command of the left flank group. We have just spoken to Lelyushenko about this, he not only shares this point of view, but also asks us to do so. In this case Lelyushenko will have 8 I.D. one mechanized corps and reinforcement units, because we think to reinforce him additionally with three I.D. from Romanenko. Lelyushenko’s preparation is lagging overall, because of slow arriving of forces, for instance the rifle corps have unloaded up to 50-70%, while tank corps and tank regiments as well as artillery and AA divisions have not yet arrived. We ask to accelerate this. Beginning on 29th we will start field training with the arriving commanding staff for what as I reported already, I will be leaving together with comrade Voronov to the right flank.

S.: But who will unify the actions of Dontsov and Ivanov? This is a very responsible task.

M.: It would be very hard for me to command them, being on the right flank of Lelyushenko’s forces, from where communication with Dontsov and Ivanov is possible only through Moscow. On the other hand, to accelerate preparations, our presence there is is absolutely necessary for at least three days. I ask for your directions.

S.: It is unreasonable to underdo one thing and rush to another. Enemy forces near Stalingrad are surrounded and they must be eliminated to free up our three armies. But there is no one to lead this task and no one to align the actions of Ivanov and Dontsov. Mikhailov needs a small operation point of around 10-15 people somewhere around or to the West of Lyapichev and lead the elimination of the enemy Stalingrad group from there, gradually squeezing the encirclement more and more. This is a very important task, more important than operation “Saturn”. Mikhailov must concentrate solely on this task. Concerning the operation “Saturn”, let Vatutin and Kuznetsov deal with it. Moscow will help.
I cannot understand from where did Lyashkov get 8 divisions and what kind of phrase is this “left Lelushenko’s flank” and “right Lelyushenko’s flank” when Lelyushenko has to have one army - the First Guards Army. If we follow Your proposals, what will be left on Lelyushenko’s right flank, what forces?

M.: I perfectly understand that the elimination of the enemy group surrounded in Stalingrad is a primary task at this time. I was following your directions when I took the lead of preparing the operation “Saturn”. Starting from tomorrow with great satisfaction I will take over aligning and leading actions of Dontsov and Ivanov, which I stopped doing since 24th because of my departure to Filippov and Lelyushenko’s right flank.
Secondly. Saying “Lelyushenko’s right flank” I meant his strike group positioned on the right flank which consists of two guards corps, one tank corps and other reinforcement units. Saying “Lelyushenko’s left flank” I meant his left flank group which consists of eight rifle divisions, five of which are already there and three are planned to be transferred over to him from Romanenko. All from me regarding these questions.

S.: What other questions do you have? Where do you plan to organize your operative point to lead actions of Dontsov and Ivanov? Will Voronov stay with you or leave for the “Saturn” region? Over.

M.: I need to report the situation for the current moment. The situation is as follows: against Lelyusheno’s left flank from the region of Bokovskaya and to the North the German divisions are attacking for three days now: 62nd infantry and 22nd tank division as well as 1st Romanian motorized division. Today we discovered also the German 294 I.D. Lelyshenko’s units were forced back by this offence, to the region of river Krivaya. On the direction Astakhov - Pronin, the Germans have crossed to the Eastern bank of the river. To the North of this region, on the direction to Yagodniy the attempts of Romanian 7th, 11th and the remnants of 9th infantry divisions were repelled by our forces. To stop the attacks of German divisions and eliminate them the 47th guards rifle division and two tank brigades are on the way from the Pronin area as well as one motorcycle regiment from the region of Lipovskaya which is to the South West of Perelazovskoye. These units are heading North East to strike against the enemy’s flank.
To meet them from the north along the river Krivaya Lelyshenko’s 226th rifle division will strike, supported by tanks. We consider it necessary to move Lelyshenko’s 1st mechanized corps to river Don to the region of Elanskiy, to…

S.: You can move that mechanized corps and use it as situationally needed according to Vatutin’s view. Please continue.

M.: While preparing “Saturn” have it ready, especially because there is a possibility to commit heavy attacks against the flanks and rear of the attacking enemy group and eliminate it. The situation may require a mechinized corps to perform strikes on beneficial directions.
Second. Regarding the question of leading Dontsov and Ivanov. I am ready to go to Lyagichev region right now, but I think that it will be too difficult to organize control of everything from there. Only Kalach forces could be controlled from there to stop the enemy breakthrough from within the Stalingrad circle to the direction of Tormosin. Immediate control of both fronts could be organized from the Dontsov control point region, where there are communications and where I could be as soon as tomorrow. I ask for your final instructions, so I can start fulfilling them immediately. Over.

S.: Speak about Voronov.

M.: Comrade Voronov is here with me now. Comrade Vatutin asks to allow Voronov to go to him for two days and then together to go to Lelyushenko to help him organize “Saturn” quickly.

S.: And where is Dontsov’s control point?

M.: Answering - in the area of the 24th army.

S.: Good. Then go now to Dontsov’s control point, take needed staff and organize coordination of Dontsov and Ivanov’s actions. Let Voronov go with Vatutin to prepare “Saturn”. You can put Lelyushenko with face to the West, so he can repel actions of the Germans with his 8 divisions and other reinforcement units. It is not clear to me who will command the 1st guards considering two rifle corps and a tank corps.

M.: Good, I proceed to execution immediately. Please allow to take with me...

S.: I’m asking who will command the 1st guards army, situated on the right flank of Lelyushenko - Kuznetsov or someone else?

M.,F.: Answering. We ask to allow all the preparations for two guards and tank corps to lay down on Kuznetsov under the direct supervision of Vatutin. Lelyushenko will be very busy fighting off the German attack on his left flank and will not be able to handle both tasks simultaneously. These forces within these conditions must be controlled by Kuznetsov or send Lelyushenko to command that group, but make Kuznetsov command the left flank group consisting of 8 divisions.

S.: And where the 1st guards Staff will be - at Lelyushenko or at Kuznetsov?

M.,F.: The Staff of group of troops is already organized at Krasnoselovsk South West of Kalach (Voronezhsky), control point of the left group - 7km South of Elanskaya is also organized and functional. I ask to take Novikov with me. Falalayev when he arrives to command the aviation of “Saturn”. I ask Bokov immediately, that is tomorrow by plane to send me eight men for operative works with a good signalman {radio operator maybe?} and a logistician. Over.

S.: So who will command the right group Lellyushenko or Kuznetsov? Please answer.

M., F.: If you will not object, then allow us to do like this: we will immediately put Kuznetsov on Lelyushenko’s left flank to command the defence against German attacks and also he will prepare the operation “Saturn” for this group. Staff crew will be given to him from the Staff of the front. We will send Lelyushenko to the right flank no later than tomorrow evening, he will essentially command the 1st guards army, consisting of two guards corps and a tank corps.

S.: Lelyushenko already commands the front against the Germans, perhaps better to leave him in the area of the left group, but to assign Kuznetsov to the right group. In this case Kuznetsov could do preparations for “Saturn”. Do you agree?

M., F.: Good, will do like that.

S.: Now to comrade Mikhailov. Take these instructions:
1) In the current situation Your objective is to align the actions of Dontsov and Ivanov to eliminate the surrounded enemy group. I ask you to do this task only and not to bother with anything else.
2) All the aviation of Don and Stalingrad fronts together with Novikov as well as Pe-2 bomber corps which is arriving now to the Don front, will be at your disposal. The objective of aviation is to smash the surrounded enemy group without giving it a break.
3) It is possible to send one tank corps to Your reserve, which you can use to reinforce Dontsov or Ivanov. If you will need more reserve forces, report tomorrow.
4) You must have a direct connection to Stavka and regularly inform it about all the events happening in the region of Dontsov and Ivanov.
5) Tomorrow report whether it is necessary to incorporate the 62nd army to the Don front, tomorrow report about where to send the tank corps. Do you have any questions, is everything clear?

M.: All is clear and will be fulfilled.
1) Tank corps I ask to route from unloading spot in the region of Ilovlinskaya, Log.
2) I will report to you daily about the progress of my work and the overall situation. About the 62nd I will report immediately after arriving at the new control point. I will depart immediately and will report when arrived.

S.: It seems to me that it would be good for you to have that tank corps somewhere in the junction area of the Stalingrad and Don fronts. I mean the region of Kalach or Krivaya Muzga.

M.: That is correct, but here it will be easier for it to get from Ilovlinskaya, because if it arrived at Stalingrad we will have to ship it across Volga which takes a lot of time.

S.: Good, the tank corps will be sent to Ilovlinskaya, Log region. Please, Fedorov to the device.

Fedorov:Fedorov at the device.

S.: Comrade Fedorov, please accept the following instructions.
1) You have a dual task now, one is to direct the actions of Romanenko and Lelyushenko from the region of Nizne-Chirskaya to Nizne-Krivskaya; second is to make preparations for operation “Saturn”.
2) Leave comrade Voronov at Fedorov to prepare “Saturn” and also to help Lelyushenko.
3) Additionally to the first mixed aviation corps which remains at Fedorov’s disposal, you will get one more mixed aviation corps with a division of fighters and division of attack aircraft. Entire Fedorov’s group will be under control of Falaleyev who will be arriving to you in the following days.
4) If 5th mech. corps is being transferred to Romanenko, is that so?

F.: Reporting, In the current situation it is better to plan it for Romanenko. In case the situation changes and we will need to reinforce Lelyushenko, then it can be done seamlessly a bit later, but now better plan it for Romanenko.

S.: Under whose disposal does the guards mech. corps arrive?

F.: Guards mech. corps remains at Lelyushenko at his left flank, where it must be kept even now. 1 Krivomuzginskaya.

S.: I repeat:
4) Both mech. corps and 5th guards could be used if needed in the region of Lelyushenko’s left group or in Romanenko’s region, depending on the situation. For operation “Saturn” on additional mech. corps and one tank corps will be sent to you. This would be Fedorov’s reserve.
5) Immediately put Kuznetsov to the region of Lelyshenko’s right group, that is into the 1st guards army and make him do preparations for “Saturn”.
6) Filippov’s and Fyodorov’s divisions for “Saturn” operation will be commanded by Moscow. You must regularly inform Moscow about the progress of preparation of “Saturn”. Over. All is clear, are there any questions?

F.: all the instructions are clear and their execution will begin immediately with all the energy. One question - I have not yet received an artillery division RGK and AA division and it is not known whether they are dispatched. I ask for the 9th division.

S.: RGK division and AA division are already loaded and soon will be at you.

F.: Understood, please tell me their numbers. I have only three RS regiments left, M-13 and M-8. All the others were transferred to together with the 21st army. I ask to dispatch 4 regiments immediately.

S.: I inform that guards motorcycle regiment cannot be taken from Western front and be sent to Lelyushenko. Instead the 1st guards army will receive 3 motorcycle battalions. Please send your requests about the RS and other things to Stavka. I can send you two RS M-13 regiments and will dispatch them tomorrow. Over.

F.: All clear about the motorcycle battalions. Good luck.

S.: Thank you, good bye.

ЦАМО. Ф. 96а. Оп. 2011. Д. 26. Л. 195—205.