TFR 36 Information related to the Cold War period: deserters, defectors
[TFR 36-1]
1. Information from the KGB dated 16 May 1955 regarding Cherne Rudol'fe, born 1910, a native of Staryj Tabor (Yugoslavia), who lived in the USA until 1939 and was confined in one of the MVD camps.
2. A letter to the US Embassy from American citizen Vil'fred Kumish, released from imprisonment by the Decree of 22 Aug 1955 and subject to transfer to US authorities in Berlin.
3. Information from the MVD Prison Bureau on the transfer of American citizens Fridrikh-Charl'z Gopkins, Vil'fred Kumish, and Merrej Filde, also known as Fajngersh, to American authorities in Berlin on 5 Sep 1955.
4. Information from the KGB dated 28 Oct 1955, that American citizen Baumajster - also known as Bomajster Uil'yam, Uilli, Dzhordzh - is not listed among those arrested and serving sentences on USSR territory.
5. A request for pardon written by American citizen Sidnej R. Sparks on 11 Sep 1953 to the USSR Supreme Court, a copy of the sentence, and a report on his transfer to US authorities in Berlin on 17 Feb 1956.
6. A MID USSR demarche containing information regarding the existence of US citizens Charl'z Dempler, Uirt Ehlizabet Tompson, Uil'yam Dzhordzh Baumejster, Serni (Gzherni, Cherni, Chenni), and Kushman (Koshman, Kochman) on USSR territories on 4 Feb 1956.
7. TsK KPSS decision regarding the transfer of American citizens V.T. Marchuk, U.EH. Verdin, and J. Nobl' to American authorities.
8. MO USSR report to the TsK KPSS regarding the recovery of an American non-comissioned officer, Majkl Dou, in the Pacific Ocean, and the willingness to transfer him to an American naval vessel.
9. Information from the KGB on Fabert Khasenzar - an American policeman, born 1927, a native of New York - who crossed into the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany.
10. Information from the KGB on Ehddi Dzhejms Braun - an American Sergeant, born 1923, a native of Birmingham - who crossed into the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany on 14 Jan 1951.
11. Memomorandum from the KGB to the MID dated 27 Mar 1951 on the inadvisability of releasing from custody the American citizens Uil'yam Verdin, Gommer-Garol'd Koks, and Vil'yam Dzhej Peterson, who crossed into the Soviet zone of
[TFR 36-2]
occupation in Germany and a recommendation to convict and send these citizens to the USSR to serve their sentences.
12. Marshal Vasilevskij's report to the Politburo TsK KPSS on 10 Jan 1951 regarding the confinement in the Soviet zones of occupation in Germany and Austria of 18 military deserters from US occupation forces.
13. Report from the Command Staff, Occupation Forces in Germany on Robert Gester Vil'son - an American citizen, born 1927, a native of San Francisco - who crossed into Soviet territory in Vienna.
14. KGB report on Stefan Veksler - an American airman, born 1923, a native of New York - who crossed over to the Soviet Military Commandant Staff territory on 17 Aug 1953.
15. Information from January 1954 on the confinement of American citizens: Fridrikh Charl'z Gopkins, Marrej Filds, Vasilij Timofeevich Marchuk, Uil'yam Ehndryu Verdin, Androsh Berkesh, Nikolaj Mikhajlovich Skorodinskij, and Rudol'f Cherne.
16. Information from the MVD regarding the discovery in February 1954 of information about the confinement of 6 US citizens on USSR territory and one freed citizen wishing to remain in the USSR (Skorodinskij).
17. Information on the detention of American citizen Lilend Lorch Tauehrz - born 1924, a native of San Francisco - when he crossed the Soviet-Finish border, his conviction to 3 years, and his transfer to US authorities in 1954.
18. Correspondence on the transfer of American citizens Marchuk, Noubl, and Verden, to US authorities.
19. Correspondence relating to American citizens, Russians, Ukrainians, Belorussians, and Lithuanians who ended up on the territory of the USSR as a result of post-war border changes.
20. Information on American citizens: Annabel Iren Bokar-Lapshinaya, Vil'yam Klejton Ternor, Berne Forgussen Metchel, Marii Vasil'evna Bilak, Sesil Avgustovich Stouner, and Mikhail Emel'yanovich Kopov (Kovdynskij), who either requested political asylum in the USSR or remained in the USSR for other reasons.
[TFR 36-3]
[handwritten "No. 1"]
[handwritten "139"]
azh-3
Copy
Top Secret
copy No. 2
16 May 55
[handwritten "2557/i"]
TO THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, USSR
Comrade V.A. ZORIN
In a memorandum presented by the US Ambassador in Moscow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs USSR on 2 November 1953, it was stated that American Army Colonel SERNI is confined in one of the MVD, USSR camps.
A check has established that there is no SERNI among those convicted American citizens in camps of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR. In one of the camps there is a CHERNE Rudol'f - born 1910, a native of Staryj Tabor (Yugoslavia) - who lived in the USA until 1939, but did not receive American citizenship.
While serving his sentence, CHERNE passed himself off as an American Colonel, an FBI employee, calculating this would secure him more favorable relations with prisoners.
This false information about CHERNE as a Colonel in the American Army, became known to the
[TFR 36-4]
[handwritten "140"]
2.
US Government from former German prisoners of war who served their sentences with him and returned to West Germany. This served as the basis for including him under the name of SERNI in the memorandum from the US Embassy in Moscow.
P. IVASHUTIN
[TFR 36-5] [handwritten "No. 2"]
[handwritten "91"]
Secret copy No. 1 [stamp "MID-USSR SECRET DEPARTMENT OF Countries of America Entry No. 2174 "29" Aug 1955"] [illeg] -2 USSR MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS Prison Bureau "27" August 1955 K-No. 28/3/4829 city of MOSCOW TO THE HEAD, COUNTRIES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT MID OF THE USSR
Comrade A.A. SOLDATOV
A letter from American citizen KUMISH Vil'fred, addressed to the US Embassy in Moscow with a request for material assistance, is being sent for your discretion.
KUMISH was released from imprisonment early by a Decree dated 22 Aug 1955 and on 5 September of this year is subject to transfer to representatives of US authorities in Berlin.
ATTACHMENT: as stated above, 1 page.
DEPUTY HEAD, PRISON BUREAU MVD OF THE USSR Colonel [signature] (GROMOV) Comrade Karav..v, [remainder of handwriting illegible] [dated 1 Sept, initialed by Soldatov] [along left edge "When replying, refer to our No. and the date"]
[TFR 36-6]
[handwritten "No. 2174 osa"]
[handwritten "65"] [handwritten "92"] [letter is typed in English] Wilfred Cumish ASN 14208431 M I S.
Dear Sir
Just a feu lines I would like to say and that is I would like the Ameriken Embassy to release a little money for may expense while traveling for the states for I've been released and am waiting for may dekartene please do nat fail me for a I ll be waiting to heare from you. Money in Rubels only.
Sinserly yo much respectfully
[signature of Wilfred Cumish]
26th of August,1955. .............................
[This is a verbatim copy to include the misspellings, lack of punctuation, and grammar errors.]
[TFR 36-7] [handwritten "No. 3"] [handwritten "96"] [several illeg. handwritten numbers] Secret copy No. 1
USSR MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS Prison Bureau "8" September 1955 No. 28/3/5111 city of MOSCOW TO THE HEAD, USA DEPARTMENT, MVD OF THE USSR Comrade BAZYKIN Copy to: Head, 1st Special Department, MVD of the USSR Comrade Colonel A.P. SKROTIN Reference: No. 40/5-34486 dated 24 Aug 1955
I am reporting that US citizens: GOPKINS Fridrikh Charl'z, born 1921; KUMISH Vil'fred, born 1915; and FILDE Merrej, also known as FAJNGERSH, born 1919; released from confinement early by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated 22 August 1955, were transferred on 5 September 1955 to Mr. DYUBUA, a U.S. representative.
No claims were lodged during the transfer. DEPUTY HEAD, PRISON BUREAU, MVD OF THE USSR [signature] (F. EVSENIN) [handwritten "It was reported to the US Embassy in Demarche No. 82/osa dated 14 Sep 55 that Kumish, Filde, and Gopkins were transferred to representatives of American Authorities in Berlin on 5 Sep 55 [signature] ZHINERIN"] [illegible handwriting along left margin] [printed along left margin "When replying, refer to our No. and the date"]
[TFR 36-8] [handwritten "No. 4"] [handwritten "137"]
USSR COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY TOP SECRET Copy No. 1 ATTACHED TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS 28 October 1955 No. 5214/L City of Moscow [several illeg. handwritten numbers above this stamp.]
[stamp "MID-USSR SECRET Countries of America Department Entry No. 03026 "29" Oct 1955"] [illeg. handwriting on left side with dates "19 Oct 55" and "4 Jan 56"]
TO THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, USSR Comrade V.A. ZORIN Reference: No. 959/osa dated 15 October 1955
BAUMEJSTER, also known as BOMISTER, BOMEJSTER Uil'yam, Uilli, Dzhordzh, is not among those arrested and serving sentences on USSR territory.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY ATTACHED TO THE USSR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS [signature] (K. LUNEV)
[illeg. handwriting dated 28 Oct]
[TFR 36-9] [handwritten "127"] [handwritten "169"]
SECRET Copy 2 [Remainder of header missing] of the Countries of America "20" December 1955 No. 1243/osa
TO THE HEAD, 2ND CHIEF DIRECTORATE, COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY ATTACHED TO THE USSR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Comrade P.V. FEDOTOV
Reference: your No. 5214/l dated 28 October 1955
The US Embassy in Moscow delivered to MID USSR a new demarche containing a request for information relating to US citizen Baumejster, who is supposedly imprisoned in the Soviet Union. The demarche claims that Baumejster worked in one of the foundries near Kujbyshev in 1949.
In connection with this new appeal by the US Embassy, I request that you issue instructions to conduct an additional inquiry regarding Baumejster. Please report the results of the inquiry to the MID of the USSR.
Attachment: US Embassy demarche dated 17 December 1955 on one page (unclassified).
DEPUTY DEPARTMENT HEAD, COUNTRIES OF AMERICA
Original Signed (V. BAZYKIN)
True Copy: [signature "Fonerishov"]
Typed -tb/LZh 1 - addressee 2 - case file No. .15\osa 20 Dec 55
[TFR 36-10] [handwritten "128"] [handwritten "168"]
Reference: No. 1243/OSA
TOP SECRET
Copy No. 1
[stamp "MID-USSR
SECRET
Countries of America
Department
Entry No. 03026
"31" Dec 1956"]
USSR
COMMITTEE
FOR STATE SECURITY
USSR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
-----
2nd CHIEF DIRECTORATE
"31" December 1955
No. 2/I-2772
city of Moscow
TO THE DEPUTY HEAD, COUNTRIES
OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT, USSR
Comrade V.I. BAZYKIN
As a result of the supplemental inquiry conducted, BAUMEJSTER Vil'yam was not found to be residing in the city of Kujbyshevskaya in Kujbyshevskaya Oblast.
The Committee for State Security attached to the USSR Council of Ministers has no information regarding his employment in establishments in Kujbyshev or his being confined in an ITL.
[handwritten "Deputy"] DEPARTMENT HEAD, 2ND CHIEF DIRECTORATE, COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY ATTACHED TO THE USSR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS [signature] (GORBATENKO)
[printed along left margin "When replying, refer to our No. and the date"]
[TFR 36-11]
[handwritten "30"] Secret Copy No. 1
[stamp "MID USSR ____Secret Entry No. 2521 "22" Feb 1956"]
[stamp "MID-USSR 3-og SECRET DEPARTMENT OF COUNTRIES OF AMERICA Entry No. 699/osa "23" Feb 1956"]
USSR MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS " 22 " February 1956 No. 79/d City of MOSCOW to the DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS USSR Comrade A.A. GROMYKO
Reference No. 168/osaThe MVD USSR reports that the American Sidnej Rehj SPARKS was transferred by decree to Lieutenant Colonel KHAMONDS, a representative of US authorities in Berlin, on 17 February of this year.
No claims were made during the transfer.
[signature] (DUDOROV) [handwritten on left side of page "to Zhinerin from 22 Feb 56
[illeg]
case [illeg] by Demarche No.21/osa dated 24 Feb 56 the MVD USSR reported to the US Embassy that Sidney Ray Sparks was transferred to a representative of American authorities in Berlin on 17 Feb 56. 27 Feb 56 [signed "Zhinerin"]"]
[TFR 36-12] [handwritten "N5"] [handwritten "4"] [The following document is handwritten.]
To the Supreme Court of the USSR
prisoner Sparks, Sidney Ray
German citizen
[stamp "[illeg.] 0299 4 January 54 Military Board USSR Supreme Court"]
I, Sidney R. Sparks, born 1932 in America, was sentenced on 14 April 1953 by the military tribunal in Berlin to 15 years in a correctional labor camp under Article 58-6.
In December of 1951 I deserted from the US Army and requested political asylum from the Soviet Control Commission. The Soviet Control Commission held me for three months under investigation. Afterwards, the commission gave me a job in the city of Bauttsen (Soviet occupation zone in Germany). I worked there until July 1952. At that time I went to West Berlin to visit my future wife and her son. I stayed there five days and on one occasion happened to meet an American soldier who was serving in the "Secret Service." I went to visit a friend, where I saw him again. I was there only 15 minutes. He asked me to work for American counterintelligence. I told him that I did not know anything about that work or how to do it.
I never saw that American agent again after I left there. I went back to Bauttsen and started working again.
I was arrested on 17 October 1952. I explained to the Soviet control commission investigator everything that happened, but he said that I was a spy. I was in prison for six months. On 14 April 1953 I was sentenced by the military tribunal to 15 years.
I feel that my sentence is too great for
[TFR 36-13]
someone who is not guilty and ask that you release me and give me work in Vorkuta as a free worker.
I also ask that the photographs taken from me in Berlin be returned.
I await your response.
November 11, 1953
City of Vorkuta, Komi ASSR
[signature of Sidney Ray Sparks
in Russian and English]
[TFR 36-14] [handwritten in English] [handwritten "5"]
11/XI 1953 Sparks, Sidney Ray Born - 1932 for 58-6 - 15 years Begin 1953 - end 1968 Camp No. 3
I Sidney Ray Sparks Born 1932 in America was sentenced to 15 years on April 14th 1953 on the following grounds.
In December 1951 I deserted the american army and came to the Soviet Control Commission and asked for political protiction. There I was held for 3 months for investigation, and after that I was put to work in the Russian zone of Germany in the state of Bautzen. There I worked until July 1952 and then went to West Berlin to visit my fiancee and my son, I stayed there five days and in the 5 days I met one time, accidently an American Soldier, who was from Secaret Service I went to a friend of mine's house and he was there. I stayed about 15 minutes and in that time he asked me if I wanted to work for the american Secaret Service, I told him I did not know anything about that kind of work, and then I left there and never met him again.
I went back to Bautzen and started to work again, I was arrested the 17 of October 1952, and I told the men from the Soviet Control Commission about it and then they told me that I was a spy. I sit for 6 months [under] investigation and on the 14 of April 1953 Sentenced to 15 years for spying, and I think that that Sentence is [too] large for a man who is not guilty, and ask you please to make it smaller, or to set me free in Vorkuta [as a] free worker, and again I ask you please to send to me if possible my photographs that were taken from me in Berlin
[I] wait impatiently for an answer.
[signature of Sidney Ray Sparks]
[This is a verbatim copy to include misspellings, punctuation and grammar errors.]
[TFR 36-15]
COPY
[stamp "Attachment to Entry No. 007930 TOP SECRET 27 February 1954 Military Board One Copy USSR Supreme Court"]
On 14 April 1953, the Military Tribunal of the Soviet Sector Garrison in the city of Berlin, consisting of:
Chairman: Guards Lieutenant Colonel (Legal) GUSEV
and members: Senior Lieutenants ZOTOV and ILYASHENKO, with Senior Lieutenant ZAGORODNOV acting as secretary,
in closed session considered the case charging stateless person
SPARKS Sidnej Rehj, born 1932, native of Rajtsvill
[Wrightsville] USA, not a party member, nationality American, 9th grade education, served in the US Army from March 1950 through December 1951, no previous convictions, unmarried,
with a criminal offense under Article 58-6, Part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code.
SPARKS, while serving as a US Army soldier in West Berlin, in December 1951 crossed over into GDR territory where he was granted asylum.
While residing in a city in the GDR, SPARKS in July 1952 travelled to West Berlin, where he met with a representative of American intelligence. That individual proposed that SPARKS engage in espionage activity in GDR territory.
Having received this offer, SPARKS stated that he would consider it and would return later with a response.
After returning from West Berlin and having decided to accept the offer from the representative of American intelligence, SPARKS at different times during 1952 recruited Americans Dori, Blejk and Skotti, who had crossed over to the GDR from the U.S. Army, to engage in espionage activity against the USSR and the GDR on behalf of American intelligence. [SPARKS] intended to travel to West Berlin to meet with the representative of American intelligence and to report information on the stationing of a Soviet troop unit in a GDR city and on the mood of the local population of the GDR.
[TFR 36-16] [handwritten "10"] 2.
SPARKS' guilt in establishing contact with a representative of American intelligence, in accepting [that person's] proposal to engage in espionage and the intent to travel to West Berlin to meet with him, was proven by [SPARKS'] own admission of guilt. SPARKS did not admit guilt in recruiting Dori, Blejk and Skotti to engage in espionage, but his guilt to this charge is proven by testimony of witnesses Dori, Blejk and Skotti, who confirmed the circumstances involving their recruitment for espionage activity.
On the basis of the aforementioned, the Military Tribunal found SPARKS guilty of establishing contact with a representative of American intelligence, of deciding to accept his proposal to engage in espionage, of recruiting other persons for espionage activity, of intending to travel to West Berlin to meet with a representative American intelligence, and of reporting to him information of an espionage nature, that is, a crime provided for under Article 58-6, Part 1, RSFSR Criminal Code.
Guided by Articles 319 and 320 of the UPK RSFSR,
SPARKS, Sidney Ray, under Article 58-6, Part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code, to incarceration in a correctional labor camp for a term of 15 (fifteen) years, with confiscation of the valuables taken from him.
Term of incarceration shall be counted from 31 January 1953.
Custody under guard is to be continued as preventive punishment until entry of the sentence into legal force.
The sentence may be appealed to the Military Tribunal of military unit 48240 through the Military Tribunal that handed down the sentence within 72 hours of the time the convicted person is informed of the sentence.
Original properly signed.
True Copy: Original Signed CASE CHAIRMAN, GUARDS LIEUTENANT COLONEL (LEGAL) - GUSEV True Copy: SECRETARY, MILITARY TRIBUNAL TROOP UNIT 48240 MAJOR (ADMIN SERVICE) [signature] (EVSEENKO) [stamp "Military Tribunal, Military Unit 48240"] [In the margin to the left of the three underlined names is the handwritten word "no".]
[TFR 36-17] [Corner whited out]
Chairman GUSEV
Entered 22 Apr 1953
MILITARY TRIBUNAL, TROOP UNIT 48240
Consisting of: Chairman: Colonel (Legal) KONDRATIEV Members: Colonel (Legal) ALEKSANDROV Lieutenant Colonel (Legal) DENISOV
reviewed in court on 25 April 1953 the appeal by convicted person SPARKS of a sentence delivered by the Military Tribunal of the Soviet sector garrison in Berlin on 14 April 1953, to wit
SPARKS Sidney Ray, under Article 58-6, Part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code, sentenced to FIFTEEN years confinement in an ITL, with confiscation of his valuables.
In his appeal, convicted SPARKS requests a reduction of punishment.
Having heard the report by Comrade KONDRAT'EV and the conclusion by Lieutenant Colonel (Legal) KOSTACHUK, assistant military prosecutor of troop unit 48240, who believed that the sentence should be left in force,
SPARKS was serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany in December 1951. He crossed the border into GDR territory, where he was granted asylum.
He was convicted of having voluntarily travelled to Berlin in July 1952 where he met with a representative of US intelligence from whom he received the mission to engage in espionage against the USSR and the GDR.
After returning from West Berlin, SPARKS at various times during the summer of 1952 attempted to persuade Dori, Blejk, and Skotti - who had also crossed over from the US Army - to engage in espionage.
SPARKS intended to travel to West Germany and to report to American intelligence on the stationing of a Soviet troop unit in a GDR city and about the mood of the local population.
SPARKS' guilt is upheld by his own admission of guilt and by testimony of witnesses: Dori, Blajk, and Skotti, who were questioned in court.
SPARKS' offense is correctly characterized, and the prescribed punishment corresponds to the seriousness of the crime. There are no grounds for changing the sentence as requested by the convicted person. Therefore, in accordance with
UPK RSFSR Articles 410 and 412, -
[The word "No" is handwritten in the margin next to the underlined names]
[TFR 36-18] [handwritten "12"] 2.-
The sentence given to SPARKS Sidney Ray shall remain in force and his appeal is denied.
Original properly signed. True Copy: CHAIRMAN FOR CASE COLONEL (Legal) (KONDRATIEV) True Copy: COURT SECRETARY, VT Troop unit 48240 MAJOR (Admin) [signature] EVSEENKO) [stamp "Military Tribunal, Military Unit 48240"]
[TFR 36-19] [handwritten "16"] COPY Form No. 5
Consisting of: Chairman Colonel (Legal) KONOV members: Lieutenant Colonels (Legal) SVIRIDENKO and ROMANOV examined in a meeting on 29 October 1955
of the sentence of the military tribunal of the Soviet sector of Berlin, 14 April 1953 and
the decision on the case by the military tribunal, Unit 48240, 25 April 1953
SPARKS Sidney Ray, b. 1932, native of Rajtsvill, USA,
sentenced under Article 58-6, Part 1 of the UK RSFSR to confinement in an ITL with confiscation of valuables upon his arrest.
By a decision of the military tribunal of unit 48240, SPARKS' sentence was allowed to stand.
Having heard Comrade KONOV's report and the conclusion of the Assistant Chief Military Prosecutor, Colonel (Legal) MOROZOV who proposed to reduce SPARKS' sentence to 5 years incarceration in a correctional labor camp,
SPARKS, while serving as a soldier in the US Army in West Berlin in December 1951, crossed into GDR territory, where he was granted asylum.
In July 1952, SPARKS travelled from the GDR to West Berlin, where he met with a representative of US intelligence who proposed that SPARKS engage in espionage in GDR territory for the Americans. SPARKS stated at the time that he would consider this proposal, after which he would come to West Berlin and report his decision.
[TFR 36-20] [handwritten "17"] 2.
After returning from West Berlin to the GDR, SPARKS decided to accept the US intelligence representative's offer. At various times during 1952 he attempted to persuade Blejk, Dori and Skotti, who crossed over from the American Army to the GDR, to conduct espionage against the USSR and the GDR. He intended to travel to West Berlin to meet a US intelligence representative and report information on the stationing of a Soviet unit in a GDR city and the sentiments of the local population.
The appeal requests a change in SPARKS' sentence on the following grounds:
The evidence shows that in July 1952 after arriving in West Berlin to visit his acquaintance, Ehlfride Koop, SPARKS happened to meet a serviceman from the unit SPARKS had fled in December 1951 to GDR territory. This serviceman, a corporal, suggested that SPARKS engage in espionage, promising that if he agreed, SPARKS would be introduced to an American intelligence officer.
SPARKS did not give his consent to engage in espionage, but he did state to the corporal that he would give it some thought and report his decision on his next visit to West Berlin. In late 1952 SPARKS, in the presence of US deserters Dori, Blejk and Skotti, expressed an intention to collect espionage information and establish contact with an American intelligence officer. SPARKS did not take any action to carry out his intentions.
Given these circumstances of the case, the appeal says the court ruled correctly on SPARKS' guilt since he intended to conduct espionage for US intelligence, but that the offense was incorrectly carried under Article 58-6, Part 1, of the UK RSFSR and that the sentence was excessively harsh. The appeal indicates that, in this instance, SPARKS' offense should be under Articles 19-58-6, Part 1, of the UK RSFSR.
In consideration of this and the degree of SPARKS' guilt, the Chief Military Prosecutor in the appeal requests a reduction of the sentence to five years in an ITL.
Having considered the evidence of the case and concurring with the appeal, the Military Board of the USSR Supreme Court
The sentence by the military tribunal of the Soviet sector garrison, Berlin, dated 14 April 1953, and the decision of the military tribunal, troop unit 48240, dated 25 April 1953, in the case of SPARKS Sidnej-Rehj will be changed to: reclassify his offense from Article 58-6, Part 1, to Articles 19-58-6, Part 1, of the UK RSFSR and the sentence is to be reduced to FIVE (5) years confinement in an ITL. The remainder of the sentence is to be unchanged.
In light of Articles 1 and 6 of the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet, dated 27 March 1953 "On Amnesty,"
SPARKS is to be released from confinement and conviction is to be expunged.
Original properly signed.
True Copy: Senior Officer, Military Board Major (Administrative Service) [signature] (SAVENKOV)
[TFR 36-21] [stamp "declassified"] SECRET copy No. 1 [handwritten "22"]
[stamp "Troop unit
Field post office
48240
17/19 March 1956
No. 0380"]
Attachment to entry no. 03303
To: Chairman, Military Board
USSR Supreme Court
Re: No. 1n-012244/55/028346
Copy to: Office of Chief Military
Prosecutor
Re: No. 5g-19975/55
City of Moscow
I am reporting that according to a message from the Chief of Special Department No. 14 of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, the convicted Sidnej Rehj SPARKS, a US citizen, was transferred to a representative of the United States of America in Berlin on 17 February 1956.
(V. Kondratiev) [illegible stamp] Typed in 3 copies [handwritten "6158"] originator Spasskaya typed by Aksyonova Copy No. 1-2 to addressee Copy No. 3 to file 17 Mar 1956 No. 558 [The above listed number "1n-012244/55" has been circled]
[TFR 36-22] [handwritten "No. 6"]
No. 14/osa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics presents its respects to the Ambassador of the United States of America and in regard to the Embassy's demarches No. 314 dated 9 November and No. 348 dated 23 November 1955, has the honor to report the following:
1. In the Embassy's demarche dated 9 November is a request to present information about a number of American citizens, supposedly imprisoned by Soviet authorities. In connection with this request the following information is presented.
As a result of a inquiry conducted by the responsible Soviet agencies, it has been established that American citizens Charl'z Demmler, Uirt Ehlizabet Tompson, and Uil'yam Dzhordzh Baumejster are not on Soviet territory.
As was already reported in the Ministry's demarche No. 75 dated 19 August 1955, it was also confirmed by this additional inquiry that American citizens Serni (or Gzherni, Charni, Cherni, Chenni) and Kushman (or Koshman, Kochman) are not on USSR territory, .
With regards to Uinter, a reply was given to the Embassy in the Ministry's demarche dated 22 November 1955, which reported that American citizen Richard S. Uinter was not imprisoned by Soviet authorities in Austria and did not apply to Soviet representatives with a request for political asylum.
The inquiry, which was conducted by responsible Soviet agencies, established that American citizen Sidnej Rej Sparks is serving a sentence in the Soviet Union for a crime against the USSR. At this time, measures are being taken to release Sparks and transfer him to American authorities.
TO THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA City of MOSCOW
[TFR 36-23]
As for the remaining American citizens listed in the Embassy's demarche from 9 November, inquiries are being made and the Embassy will be notified of the results.
2. In the Embassy's demarche dated 23 November, which is the response to the Ministry's demarche No. 75 dated 19 August 1955, there is some information on a number of Soviet citizens imprisoned by American authorities in West Germany.
The Ministry demarches that the American side did not present timely information to the Soviet side about the arrest and conviction of the Soviet citizens listed in the mentioned demarche, as required in accordance with the obligations [set forth] by the Litvinov-Roosevelt Agreement.
The Ministry expresses hope that the US Government will find it possible to transfer to Soviet authorities those Soviet citizens serving sentences by the verdict of the American courts and who are listed in the Embassy's demarche dated 23 November.
As for the Soviet citizens who as indicated in the Embassy's demarche have been released by American agencies from imprisonment, we request that Soviet authorities be presented the opportunity to meet with them.
We also request that an additional investigation be conducted with regard to Valetin Petrovskij, who, according to testimony the Ministry has, was seen in a prison in the city of Straubing, West Germany and information on whom was requested in the Ministry's demarche dated 19 August.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, USSR brings to the attention of the US Embassy that the Embassy's demarche dated 23 November deals only with Soviet citizens who are listed in the Ministry's demarche dated 19 August, and does not have a response to the request to present information on other Soviet citizens imprisoned by American agencies.
The Soviet Government expects, in accordance with the Litvinov-Roosevelt Agreement, the
[TFR 36-24]
US Government to take the necessary measures in presenting the Soviet Government with information regarding those Soviet citizens who are imprisoned by the American authorities or may be imprisoned by them in the future.
[TFR 36-25]
[handwritten "No. 7"]
SPECIAL FOLDER
Top Secret
[stamp "SUBJECT TO RETURN
3769
-5 Jun 1954
Taken from Inventory-BO
in group "SPECIAL FOLDERS"
of the GENERAL DEPARTMENT
TsK KPSS"]
[remainder is illegible xerox copy - probable duplicate of TFR 36-26 which follows, but has extraneous handwriting which is also illegible]
[TFR 36-26]
[stamp "SPECIAL FOLDER"]
[handwritten "35"]
[stamp "Removed from Special Folder"]
Top Secret
[stamp "SUBJECT TO RETURN
3769
-5 Jun 1954
Taken from Inventory-BO
in group "SPECIAL FOLDERS"
of the GENERAL DEPARTMENT
TsK KPSS"]
The US Embassy in Moscow has repeatedly applied to the MID USSR with a request to release from imprisonment and transfer to them the American citizens confined in an ITL:
V.T. MARCHUK, born 1917, former Russian translator of an American military intelligence agency in Berlin, arrested in Germany in 1949 and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment;
U. Eh. VERDIN, born 1926, former radio operator in a police squadron, arrested in Germany in 1949 and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment;
D. NOBL', born in 1923, arrested in 1950 in Germany on the grounds of the Control Council Directive No. 38 dated 12 October 1946 and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
On 8 April of this year, the TsK KPSS accepted the proposal of the Committee for State Security, attached to the USSR Council of Ministers, for the early release of the above-mentioned Americans with subsequent transfer to American authorities.
In accordance with this decision, the release of MARCHUK, VERDIN, and NOBL' is legalized by the Supreme Court of the USSR and in the near future they will be sent to Moscow from [their] places of confinement, from there [no pages follow]
[TFR 36-27] [handwritten "No. 8"]
Instruct the MID USSR to inform the USSR Ambassador in Kabul, Comrade Degtyar', that the persons mentioned in his telegrams have not crossed the Soviet border.
[TFR 36-28]
[stamp illegible] TsK Presidium Protocol No. 30 PXXXIII
Cipher Telegram Top Secret
Do not copy
_________________________________________________________________
Copy No. 1 [illeg] No. 11 Suslov No. 21 Fedorenko
" No. 2 Bulganin No. 12 Khrushchev No. 22 Zamchevskoj
" No. 3 Voroshilov No. 13 Khrushchev No. 23 Il'ichev
" No. 4 Kaganovich No. 14 Shepilov No. 24 Kozyrev
" No. 5 Kirichenko No. 15 Dudorov No. 25 Kostylov
" No. 6 Malenkov No. 16 Gromyko No. 26 Tsarapkin
" No. 7 Mikoyan No. 17 Kuznetsov No. 27 Copy
" No. 8 Molotov No. 18 Zakharov No. 28 10th Dept.
" No. 9 Pervukhin No. 19 Patolichev No. 29 Case file
" No. 10Saburov No. 20 Semenov No. 30
_________________________________________________________________
KABUL No. 29779 8 hrs 00 min 26 VII 1956 copy No. 12 29780
_________________________________________________________________
The other day during a conversation in the office of the advisor to the US Ambassador in Kabul, in connection with the impending arrival of American construction experts, Mejer expressed his opinion regarding the construction of an irrigation system in Gil'mend. He mentioned that construction was started in 1946 without well-laid plans, therefore a lot of money has been invested and the economic returns have been nil so far and there is no end in sight to this project. The experts will have to rework the proposal for implementation of the irrigation system and project the end of construction.
The American reiterated what he had said earlier, that the USA will not make it an objective to involve Afganistan in the Baghdad Pact, but is interested in the development of economic [illeg. handwriting on left side]
[TFR 36-29] 29779
cooperation. He then demarched that the Americans are interested in the establishment in Afghanistan of greater mutual understanding between countries.
We are noticing some lessening of the publicity directed against us by the Americans in their information bulletin.
Mejer asked me, stipulating that he was doing it in an unofficial capacity, if I could obtain information from our border troops about whether an American citizen Piter Vojnajt (about 32 years old) and a Swiss citizen Gunnell Gutmison [female] had crossed the border. These people arrived in Kabul from India, and at the end of May left Afganistan by bus for Ballak and Mazari-Sherif. There is no information about them to date.
Making no promises, I said that if the opportunity presents itself, I would examine this case.
We believe it is possible, if you deem it expedient, to address the issue broached by the Americans, after obtaining the information from the border troops.
25 Jul 56 DEGTYAR' 29-copies.es typed 26 Jul 23-10 Released Plotnikov True Copy: [initials]
[TFR 36-30]
[stamp illegible] CC Presidium Protocol No. [illegible]
Cipher Telegram Top Secret Do not copy
Copy No. 1 [illeg] No. 11 Suslov No. 21 Fedorenko " No. 2 Bulganin No. 12 Khrushchev No. 22 Zamchevskoj " No. 3 Voroshilov No. 13 Khrushchev No. 23 Il'ichev " No. 4 Kaganovich No. 14 Shepilov No. 24 Kozyrev " No. 5 Kirichenko No. 15 Dudorov No. 25 Kostylov " No. 6 Malenkov No. 16 Gromyko No. 26 Tsarapkin " No. 7 Mikoyan No. 17 Kuznetsov No. 27 Copy " No. 8 Molotov No. 18 Zakharov No. 28 10th Dept. " No. 9 Pervukhin No. 19 Patolichev No. 29 Case file " No. 10Saburov No. 20 Semenov No. 30 ________________________________________________________________ fm KABUL No. 0044 rcvd 18 hrs 05 min 27 VII 1956 copy No.________________________________________________________________ Ref our No. 468-469
Mejer also stated that the Undersecretary of the American government, traveling with a representative of the Afghan authorities, was on a trip to the northern provinces searching for Vajnajt and Gutmison, but was also unsuccessful in finding any traces of those who disappeared. It has been established that on 27 May these persons were headed for Mazari- Sherif Province, after which there is no other information about them.
Mejer asked for information from relatives, whether or not they knew if Vajnajt and Gutmison were in the Soviet Union. He added that they might also cross the border for political motives.
[printed along left side "18 hours from the moment of receipt, this telegram is subject to [illeg] to the 10th Department MID USSR]
[TFR 36-31] [handwritten "38"] 00044
The American stated that if we cannot talk about it unofficially, then the US Embassy can report it to Washington and the American Government would officially address the USSR with a request on the issue.
Mejer emphasized that given the growing establishment of mutual understanding between our countries and between the Embassies in Kabul, it would be preferable if the request was fulfilled.
Please advise on how to answer Mejer.
Information: No. 468-469 (Entry No. 29779) dated 25 Jul 58 Comrade Degtyar' reports that in a meeting with the US Embassy advisor in Kabul, Mejer requested information on whether or not American citizen Piter Vojnajt and Swiss citizen Gunnell Gutmison had crossed the border. 29-copy ab typed 28 Jul 19-00 Released Nikitin True Copy: [signature] [Handwritten on reverse "Arkhiv Prezidenta RF, f. 3, op. 66, d. 369, l. 34-38"]
[TFR 36-32] [handwritten cover sheet] [handwritten "73"] No. 103 op.(7 l.) ch 98 No. 33265 To Comrades N.B. Podgornol I.T. Mazurov 1 Oct 73 (to Griemko) Reference No.: 782-op. [TFR 36-33] [illeg handwriting dated 1 Oct 73] [stamp "TsK KPSS SECRET 28 Sep1973 33265 copy No. 1 SUBJECT TO RETURN TO THE GENERAL DEPARTMENT TsK KPSS"]
I am reporting:
On 28 September 1973, our military ship in the Pacific Ocean picked up NonCommissioned Officer Majkl Dou, who supposedly fell [overboard] from the American flagship "Blue Ridge" while refueling at sea.
The noncommissioned officer was in the water for 16 hours. He was given first aid on our ship.
I consider it possible to transfer the non-commissioned officer to the Americans after some time.
Instruct the MID, USSR to tell the State Department that the American sailor was given first aid and we are prepared to transfer him to the American side.
[handwritten "Accomplished 1 Oct 1973, I. Kurniz"]
[Demarche: underline is in pen/pencil]
The transfer can take place to an American vessel in the Pacific ocean.
[signature] A. GRECHKO
"28" September 1973
[handwritten "Entry No. 201/0105"] [handwritten demarche
"Agreement reported to Comrade V.A. Sidorov (MO USSR) 1 Oct 73 V. Palkin [signature "Comrade [Brezhnev?] [votes] for"] No.:782-op. (1 pg.) [handwritten on reverse "Arkhiv Prezidenta RF, f. 3, op. 89, d. 132, l. 98-99]
[TFR 36-34] 13 [handwritten "No. 9"] [handwritten "394"]
Top Secret copy No.-3 TO THE MINISTER FOR STATE SECURITY, USSR Comrade V.S. ABAKUMOV AND TO THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR STATE SECURITY, USSR Comrade N.N. SELIVANOVSKIJ
According to a report of the MGB Counter-Intelligence Directorate, Group of Soviet Forces, Germany, on 5 January of this year, two British Army soldiers and one US Army soldier who had crossed into the Soviet Zone of occupation Germany were handed over by the German police.
The soldier, FABERT Khasenzar, born 1927, a native of New York State, from American Police Unit No. 24, who had crossed into the Soviet Zone on 1 December 1950, stated that in the near future he was to be discharged, but afraid of being unemployed, decided to cross into the Soviet Zone.
The British soldiers of the 23rd Field-Engineers unit in Dortmund crossed into the Soviet Zone on 12 December 1950. TOFEN ALEN born 1929, native of Birmingham (England), by profession a mechanic; and DZHEN ROSROSEL, born 1926, a native of the Shetlands, revealed during questioning that they crossed into the Soviet Zone because of a disagreement with the politics practiced by England.
HEAD, CHIEF DIRECTORATE OF THE MGB, USSR "14" January 1951 No. 3/ 5064
[TFR 36-35] 36 [handwritten "No. 10"] [handwritten "370"] Top Secret
TO THE MINISTER FOR STATE SECURITY, USSR Comrade V.S. ABAKUMOV AND TO THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR STATE SECURITY, USSR Comrade N.N. SELIVANOVSKIJ
According to a report of the KGB Counter-Intelligence Directorate, Group of Soviet Forces, Germany, an American Army service member; Sergeant EDDI Dzhems BRAUN, 29th Independent Transport Battalion, born 1923, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, college educated, a member of the negro organization "Union of the Future", crossed from the American into the Soviet Zone of occupation in Germany on 14 January of this year, in the vicinity of the city of Plauen.
The reason for his crossing into the Soviet Zone, as revealed by BRAUN, was disagreement with the politics of US right-wing circles with regard to the Soviet Union, China, and Korea, and also racial discrimination. Assisting in crossing the line of demarcation was a German forester - German VAL'TE, a resident of the city of Gef in the American Zone.
After crossing the demarcation line BRAUN went to the border police of the German Democratic Republic, where he was taken to a Soviet military unit.
At this time BRAUN is at the Military Commandant's Office in the city of Potsdam; a representative of the Political Directorate is working with him.
[TFR 36-36]
[handwritten "528"] [handwritten "No. 11"] [handwritten "17"] Copy Top Secret Copy No. 2 [handwritten "5"] [handwritten "25 Apr 51"] [illeg. handwriting "3536"]
The MGB USSR agrees with the proposal of Comrades SEMICHASTNOV and IL'ICHEV on the inadvisability of releasing foreign army deserters from custody in Berlin: the Americans: VERDIN Uil'yam, KERIK Gaj, KOKS Gommer Garol'd, and PETERSON Vil'yam Dzhej; the Englishmen: PEDDINGTON Vil'yam Ehrnst, EJGEL'TON Denis, and BEJKER Al'bert; and Frenchmen: DITINGER Otto, GOMNTEN Andre, and RENARD Lyuis.
We believe it necessary to try the above mentioned deserters and send [them] to the Soviet Union to serve their sentences.
As for the Americans held by Soviet military authorities in Austria - ATERTESOV Desh and VIL'SON Robert Chester, we consider it advisable to grant them asylum in the Soviet Zone in Austria.
[TFR 36-37] [handwritten "No. 12"] Copy Top Secret Copy No. 2 [handwritten "7"]
In accordance with the instructions of the Politburo TsK VKP(b) dated 12 December 1951, we report:
As indicated, as of 10 January this year there are 46 military defectors in the Soviet Zone of occupation in Germany to include: from US occupational forces - 18, England - 14, France - 13 (including 5 Morrocans, 2 Negroes, 1 Dutchman). In addition, there is 1 defector from the Dutch army.
The following numbers of defectors crossed into the Soviet Zone: in 1947 - 1, in 1948 - 3, in 1949 - 8, in 1950 - 3, in 1951 - 30, in 1952 - 1.
It has also been established that in addition to the mentioned defectors are 28 people who had crossed into the Soviet Zone of occupation in Germany [ Unknown number of words missing, whited-out] and crossed back at another time into West Germany. [Remainder of page whited out]
[TFR 36-38]
As of this date, it has been determined that there are 22 defectors residing in the city of Bautzen, and that they have been given work in their various specialties. One deserter has been convicted, and an investigation has been started to bring criminal proceedings against 5 people. There are 18 people are undergoing screening.
[A portion of the text has been whited out]
S. IGNAT'EV A. VASILEVSKIJ " 17 " January 1952 [handwritten "No. 2076/i"] True Copy:
[TFR 36-39] [handwritten "No. 13"] [handwritten "106"] Copy Top Secret Copy No. 5 [handwritten "11"]
I am reporting that, according to the Directorate for Counter-Intelligence MGB, Central Group of Forces, an American citizen - VIL'SON Robert Gester, born 1927, a native of San Francisco, a ship's mechanic by profession, requested the Soviet Commandant's Office in Vienna to grant him political asylum in February 1951.
By order of the Commander-n Chief, Central Group of Forces Comrade Lieutenant General SVIRIDOV, VIL'SON was put in the garrison detention cell [Unknown number of words missing, whited-out].
The Directorate for Counter-Intelligence, Central Group of Forces, repeatly informed Comrade SVIRIDOV of the illegal confinement of VIL'SON in the detention cell; however, VIL'SON continues to be under guard at this time and his status as a deserter remains undecided.
The MGB USSR considers it advisable to question Comrade SVIRIDOV regarding the reasons for confining VIL'SON in a detention cell for 16 months and his opinion on the possibility of granting VIL'SON asylum in the Soviet Union.
S. IGNAT'EV
"21" July 1952 Ditributed to Comrades: Malenkov Beria Bulganin No. 5231/I[Underlined text appears to have been typed over white out]
[TFR 36-40] [handwritten "156"] Copy Top Secret Copy No. 5
We are reporting that according to the instructions of the Council of Ministers, USSR the matter of the case of the illegal detention in a garrison detention cell of the Directorate of the Soviet Military Commandant in Vienna since February 1951 of American citizen VIL'SON Robert Chester, born 1927, a native of San Francisco, has been reviewed by us.
According to VIL'SON, he is subject to draft in the American service, but in order to avoid being sent to Korea, he had left the USA for France and then to Vienna, where he requested Soviet authorities to grant him asylum.
As long as VIL'SON declines military service in the American Army it is advisable to do the same thing that the Soviet military authorities in Germany and Austria do in relation to military deserters, ie; transfer VIL'SON to the MGB USSR authorized agent in Germany for examination and further resolution of the matter in accordance with available guidance.
This proposal is agreeable to Comrade VYSHINSKIJ.
S. IGNAT'EV V. SOKOLOVSKIJ
"30" July 1952 Distributed to Comrades: Malenkov Beria Bulganin No. 5391/I Basis: No. S-22266 dated 24 Jul 52 from the Affairs Directorate of the Council of Ministers USSR.
[TFR 36-41] [handwritten No. 14] [handwritten "268"] Copy Top Secret Copy No. 5 [handwritten "11"]
We are reporting that, according to the Directorate of Counter-Intelligence, MGB Central Groups of Forces, on 17 August of this year, the Austrian police arrested and took to the Soviet Military Commandant Staff, an American Army private of the 169th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division, VEKSLER Stefan, born in 1923, a native of New York, and an American citizen.
During questioning, VEKSLER said that from 1945 up to 1949 he studied at Harvard College, where he joined the Communist Party. Upon graduation, by the order of the Communist Party, he carried out propaganda work at various institutions in the city of Buffalo.
In January 1951, he was drafted into the American Army, hid his party affiliation, served in Virginia and in October 1951 arrived in West Germany with the 49th Infantry Division. He was initially in Munich, then moved to Nurnberg.
VEKSLER handed over two copies of a letter of the Procurator, Military Department of the USA, in which he is accused that while a member of the US Communist Party he signed testimony [illeg], [illeg] information on his active work in the Communist Party and a request to give clarification of this matter.
VEKSLER went on to say that in order to escape the ramifications of membership in the Communist Party, he left the unit and went
[TFR 36-42] [handwritten "269"] 2.
by train to Lipets, then swam across the Dunaj into the Soviet Zone of Occupation in Austria with the intention of receiving asylum.
VEKSLER is being sent to a screening point run by the authorized agent of the MGB USSR in Germany for a check.
S. GOGLIDZE "22" August 1953
[TFR 36-43] Top Secret [handwritten "No. 15"] [handwritten "1 copy to the MID"] [handwritten "128"]
At this time, the following American citizens are serving sentences in the prisons and special camps of the MVD:
GOPKINS Fridrikh-Charl'z, born 1921, native of New Jersey, USA, American, US citizen, high school education, prior to arrest was an official employee of the British intelligence agency "Intelligence - Team 130/131" which operated in West Germany.
Arrested in 1947 by the SVA Operations Sector in the State of Meklenburg (Germany).
In the course of the preliminary and legal investigation, it was established that GOPKINS lived in the USA until 1935, after which, he left with his parents for Britain where he finished high school.
In 1938 GOPKINS entered service in the King's Guards, was immediately sent for training in the "Secret Service" school, and upon graduation worked about 6 months for the criminal police in Glasgow.
Showing his worth in police work, GOPKINS was sent to the intelligence school "Intelligence Service" in London. Upon graduation, he left for illegal intelligence work in Germany, where he managed to enter the German army and then German military aviation intelligence agencies.
After the end of the Second World War, from May 1945 up to the day of his arrest, GOPKINS served in British Intelligence in West Germany, carrying out active intelligence activities against the Soviet Union. [handwritten "747708"]
[TFR 36-44] 2. [handwritten "129"]
In July 1947, GOPKINS was detained by Soviet authorities while carrying out a routine mission for British intelligence. He had illegally crossed from the British into the Soviet Zone of Occupation in Germany with a group of subordinate agents.
At a session of the Military Tribunal SVA Meklenburg, GOPKINS pleaded guilty to conducting espionage for the British against the Soviet Union and was sentenced to 25 years confinement in an ITL. The sentence is being served in one of the MVD camps.
FILDS, also known as FAJNGERSH, Marrej, born 1919, native of Brooklyn USA, American, US citizen, high school education, prior to arrest was a Private First Class in the American Occupation Forces in Germany.
In June 1948, FILDS was detained on Czechoslovakian territory by security organs of the Czechoslovakian People's Republic. In September 1950, FILDS was transferred by these authorities to the command staff of military unit No. 32750. He was arrested in September 1950 by the counter-intelligence section of military unit No. 32750.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that FILDS lived in Brooklyn until 1945 under his father's name - FAJNGERSH. From September 1940 until September 1941, he served in the American Army. Fired from the army, he changed his last name from FAJNGERSH to FILDS and arranged to work as a sailor in the US Merchant Marine. In 1947 he was dropped from the crew in an Antwerpen port for a breach of discipline. Not wanting to return to the USA, he used a mooring line in one of the ports of West Germany, went ashore and requested the American military command to include him in the occupation forces.
[As a member] of the 5th Police Regiment (Augsburg), FILDS finished a three month course in an engineer school and was appointed a cartographer-drafter in the Operations Section, Headquarters 5th Police
[TFR 36-45] 3. [handwritten "130"]
Regiment, which was subsequently changed to the 2nd Police Regiment.
Working in this position, FILDS carried out the tasks of the regimental headquaters intelligence section and the Augsburg section of the 'SIS', creating location charts of military-industrial and other facilities located in the territory of the Soviet Zone of Occupation in Germany and in countries of the people's democracies on which information was received from agents.
FILDS pointed out that the idea of deserting from the American Army came to him when he was persuaded by a soldier in the same police regiment, RASSIPIOPOLO. RASSIPIOPOLO intended to flee to Italy; they accomplished this on 1 June 1948. RASSIPIOLO was allegedly afraid of crossing the border illegally and came back, however FILDS crossed into Czechoslovakian territory and was detained.
After giving testimony on the kind of work he carried out in the police regiment, FILDS denies that he was transported onto Czechoslovakian territory by American Intelligence.
In March 1951, by decision of the Special Session of the Minister of State Security USSR, FILDS was sentenced to 25 years prison confinement for espionage. The sentence is being served in one of the MVD prisons.
MARCHUK Vasilij Timofeevich, born 1917, a native of Mejnar (USA), Belorussian, a US citizen with a high-school education, and until his arrest was a Russian language translator in the Berlin section of the American Military Intelligence organ G-2.
Arrested in January 1950 by [members of] the Brandenburg State Operations Sector (Germany).
The case investigation established that in February 1949 MARCHUK was detained by the Soviet Commandant's Staff in Potsdam in the vicinity
[TFR 36-46] [handwritten "43"] 4.[handwritten "131"]
of a railroad station during an endeavor to become acquainted with Soviet service members.
MARCHUK pointed out that he lived in the USA with his parents until 1939, then volunteered to enter the American Army. He served until 1945 in aviation units as a mechanics assistant. After discharge from the Army, he lived with his parents and in 1948 again entered Army service and was sent to Germany. He initially served in Marburg, and then, in November 1948, as a Russian speaker, was sent to work as a Russian language translator in the Berlin Military Intelligence Section, cover name G-2.
As a translator, he took part in questioning Soviet citizens who had betrayed the Motherland and obtained during the course of this questioning espionage material about the Soviet Army.
After giving testimony on his service in American intelligence as a translator, MARCHUK denies the charge under Article 58-6 Section 1 of the UK RSFSR, since, in his opinion, he personally did not commit espionage and arrived in Potsdam in a drunken state.
In July 1950, by decision of the Special Session of the Minister of State Security USSR, V.T. MARCHUK was sentenced to 25 years confinement in an ITL for service in an American Intelligence agency. The sentence is being served in one of the MVD camps.
VERDIN Uil'yam Ehndr'yu, born 1926, a native of Stark (USA), Hindu, a US citizen, prior to arrest served as a radio operator in the American Army Headquarters Regiment, 6th Police Squadron in Koburg (Germany).
Arrested in February 1952 by organs of the authorized agent of the MGB in Germany.
[TFR 36-47] 5. [handwritten "132"]
Investigation into the case established that VERDIN was detained in February 1949 by German national police on the territory of the Soviet Zone of occupation in Germany without any identification. He was transferred to Soviet authorities.
During questioning, VERDIN revealed that he crossed into the Soviet Zone of occupation in Germany with the goal of being discharged from the Army, ie; he presumed that the Soviet Command Staff would transfer him to the American Command, who would then discharge him from the Army for unauthorized crossing into the Soviet Zone and send him [back] to the USA. He explained the destruction of his identification as a thoughtless action.
In confinement, VERDIN carried out anti-Soviet agitation among his foreign cell mates, broke regulations, threw demarches out of the cell window, made anti-Soviet remarks on the cell walls, and yelled.
As explained by VERDIN in court, these actions were a protest on his part against his illegal and lengthy confinement under guard and that he was so bitter, he told his cell mate, the Frenchman RANAR, of his intention to kill the first Russian he happened on as soon as he was released from prison.
On one occasion, VERDIN struck the duty overseer in the face when told to cease yelling from the cell by the prison administration. Afterwards, isolated in the bathroom, VERDIN broke off a piece of the plumbing and attempted to threaten the overseer. Later, when he was placed back in the cell, VERDIN again struck the overseer.
During the investigation, no information about the affiliation of VERDIN with American intelligence has been obtained.
On the basis of the above, VERDIN was accused of crimes covered by statutes 16-84, 58-8, and 58-10 Sect. II of the UK RSFSR and in April 1952 was sentenced under the above statutes to imprisonment for 25 years by Military Tribunal of the garrison of the Soviet Sector of Berlin. The sentence is being served in one of the MVD camps.
[TFR 36-48] 6. [handwritten "133"]
BERKESH Androsh, born 1914, a native of Budapest, Magyar, considers himself a US citizen, prior to arrest was an orchestra musician in the restaurant "Moulin Rouge" in Budapest.
Arrested in May 1945 in Budapest by the counter-intelligence section "SMERSH" of the 46th Army.
In the course of the investigation, it was established that BERKESH Androsh was born in Budapest to a family of musicians and is a Hungarian citizen. After graduating the 8th term [high school equivalent], he began working with his father as a musician in a cafe. In 1937, BERKESH Androsh worked as a musician on one of the steamships of a German steamship society, making the Europe-USA run.
On one of the trips, BERKESH became acquainted with a girl - Constance SALAI, in New York. She came with him to Hungary from the USA. They were married soon after in Budapest. In 1939, with permission of the Hungarian Government and the US Embassy in Hungary, BERKESH and his wife left for America where he lived until the summer of 1941. After which he returned to Budapest in connection with his father's failing health, apparently leaving his wife in the USA. The start of the war prevented him from returning to America.
While living in the USA from 1939 until 1941, BERKESH apparently received American citizenship.
Not subject to military service, BERKESH spent the entire war in Budapest. With the approach of Soviet Army units, BERKESH was recruited in December 1944 by German Intelligence into a saboteur-terrorist detachment "Kyuleg legesh chopor" whose mission was to conduct sabotage against the rear of Soviet held territory in Hungary.
BERKESH admitted that he had been recruited into that 'partisan' detachment and on that basis was sentenced to 15 years confinement in an ITL in July 1945 by the Military Tribunal of the 46th Army. The sentence is being served in one of the MVD camps.
[TFR 36-49] 7. [handwritten "134"]
SKORODINSKIJ Nikolaj Mikhajlovich, born 1923, a native of New York City, US citizen. Arrested in December 1945 by the Military Procuracy of the MVD Troops for Rear Security, Central Group of Soviet Forces. In January 1946, he was sentenced by the Military Tribunal of MVD Troops for Rear Security, CGF to 8 years confinement for crimes under Articles 77-59-3 of the UK RSFSR. The sentence is being served in one of the MVD camps.
[handwritten entry: On 7 Dec 53 Skorodinskij was freed from confinement and at this time lives in the city of Spilv, Rezanskaya Oblast working in a rock [quarry]. The matter of issuing him a visa from the USSR as a person without citizenship is not [illeg] USSR [illeg] (No. 18/10-10 6 Jan 54 UMVD Rezanskaya Oblast)]
KUMISH Vil'fred, born 1915, a native of New York City, Polish, US citizen, high school education, speaks Polish, prior to his arrest was an official employee of American Military Intelligence (MIS) in Vienna.
Arrested in September 1948 by the Directorate of Counter-Intelligence, military unit Border post 32750.
The investigation determined that from January 1947 as an official employee of the American Military Intelligence (MIS) KUMISH carried out duties as a Polish translator, a mailman, a manager of a clothing warehouse for an intelligence organ, a chief guard for prisoner security at the intelligence agency prison, and an employee of one of the intelligence agency sections ("Center of Documentation") which processed topographical maps obtained from German archival materials.
As KUMISH pointed out, the intelligence agency in which he worked conducted reconnaissance against the Soviet forces in Austria and against production facilities under control of the Soviet Command, by extracting interesting information from agents living in the Soviet Zone of Occupation in Austria and simultaneously practicing the sending of official intelligence employees to our side.
KUMISH by his own statement did not engage in espionage activity, however he was detained on Soviet territory
[TFR 36-50] 8. [handwritten "135"]
in Austria in the vicinity of oil factories wearing civilian clothing.
Explaining the reason for his appearance in the Soviet Zone, KUMISH said that he had deserted from the American army and had intended to go to Czechoslovakia, where he planned to settle.
On that basis, KUMISH was found guilty under Article 58-6 of the UK RSFSR and by decision of the Special Session attached to the Ministry of State Security USSR, was sentenced to 15 years confinement in prison. The sentence is being served in one of the MVD camps.
CHERNE Rudol'f, born 1910, a native of Staryj Tabor (Yugoslavia), a Yugoslav-German with no citizenship, high school education, by profession an auto mechanic, prior to his arrest was a resident agent of the American intelligence agency "CIC" in Vienna.
He was arrested in August 1948 by Soviet Military Counter-intelligence organs in Austria during an attempt to illegally return to the British Zone of Occupation in Austria after conducting an American reconnaissance mission on the territory of the Soviet Zone of Occupation in Austria.
Investigation of the case established the following:
CHERNE comes from a family of Yugoslavian landowners. His father left for the USA in 1910 and around a year later the entire family arrived. They lived in Chicago. In 1926, CHERNE graduated from high school, after which he worked as a mechanic in various local firms. In 1939, CHERNE Rudol'f returned to Yugoslavia and petitioned for restoration of Yugoslavian citizenship, since he intended to remain and live in Yugoslavia. Petition was necessary due to the fact that he had not lived in Yugoslavia for 28 years.
CHERNE said that he had not recieved American citizenship and had lived in the USA listed as a Yugoslavian citizen.
[TFR 36-51] 9. [handwritten "136"]
That same year, in 1939, CHERNE was drafted by the Yugoslavian Army as a soldier in the 19th Infantry Regiment. In 1941, the entire regiment surrendered to the Germans and CHERNE was taken to Vienna. Shortly after having escaped from prison, CHERNE crossed into Yugoslavia, where he was interned by Italian forces and sent to Rab Island where he stayed until September 1943.
With the capitulation of Italy, he was freed and returned to Yugoslavia, where he joined the Lyublyanskaya Partisan Brigade. In December 1944, he became a prisoner of the Germans a second time.
After the end of the war, he returned to Yugoslavia where he lived until August 1946 working as hired help on a farm. That same year he left Yugoslavia for Austria with the intention of settling in the USA.
In the British Zone of Occupation in Austria, CHERNE was placed in a camp for displaced persons, where he established a tie with a representative of British Intelligence, who quickly recommended him for use by American Intelligence in Vienna.
Arriving in Vienna for this purpose, CHERNE was greeted by an employee of the "CIC" - Captain EHRLAND, who made him his resident-agent and transferred almost 30 secret agents [to his control].
With the help these secret agents, CHERNE worked for almost two years on assembling espionage information concerning units of the Soviet Occupational Forces and Soviet administration in Austria.
Upon completing the latest mission of American intelligence on territory of the Soviet Zone of Occupation in Austria, CHERNE was arrested, gave a confession, and in February 1949 was sentenced by the Military Tribunal of Military Unit 28990 to
25 years confinement in an ITL.
In the ITL, CHERNE showed himself to be the sworn enemy of Soviet authorities. Among the population he said that he had been sentenced
[TFR 36-52] [handwritten "137"] 10.
by Soviet Court as an agent of American Intelligence, but in actuality was an official employee of [American] Intelligence. He said he had the rank of Colonel and that the documents he was captured with, in the name of Rudol'f CHERNE, were fictitious. They were issued by the "CIC" to hide his real name in the event that his cover was blown, since his real name would identify him as an official employee of American Intelligence.
HEAD, CHIEF DIRECTORATE OF THE MVD, USSR " " January 1954
[TFR 36-53] [handwritten "No. 16"] Copy Top Secret copy No. 3 [handwritten "50"] [handwritten "126"] MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, USSR 4 February 1954 to Comrade V.A. ZORIN [handwritten "No. 326/K"]
In addition to No. 8395/s dated 3 Dec 1953 we are sending information on the American citizens GOPKINS, FILDS, MARCHUK, VERDIN, KUMISH, and BERKESH, who are currently in confinement in special camps and prisons of the MVD USSR and on SKORODINSKIJ, who was released from confinement in December 1953.
Based on the existing cases of FILDS, MARCHUK, VERDIN, and KUMISH, the MVD USSR considers it necessary to bring before the Procuracy of the USSR a petition to review their cases and lower their sentences to time served, then to question these people as to where they want to go and not hinder them if they wish to be repatriated to the USA.
The MVD USSR considers it possible to satisfy the request of SKORODINSKIJ, who, after his release, declined departure from the Soviet Union and requested that he be issued documents as a person without citizenship. [handwritten 1 illeg.]
The American citizens KUSHMAN and SERNI, supposedly incarcerated on USSR territory, have not been located. As seen in the attached report, Rudol'f CHERNE is serving his sentence in [illeg. stamp]
[TFR 36-54] 2. [handwritten "127" and "51"]
one of the camps. He is a stateless Yugoslav-German, who passes himself off as a Colonel in the American Army. It cannot be ruled out that the American Embassy in Moscow, in asking the MID USSR about SERNI, is basing their inquiry on information they received concerning CHERNE. In connection with this, measures have been taken for a fuller and more exact identification of CHERNE.
The MVD USSR considers it inadvisable to review the cases of GOPKINS and BERKESH.
In the opinion of the MVD USSR it is useless to inform the American Embassy in Moscow regarding the designated persons until a decision and resolution of the above matters is reached. [handwritten "Attachment: A report on 10 pages."]
[TFR 36-55] [handwritten "No. 17"] Top Secret copy No. 2 Copy [handwritten "58"] Chief Directorate 13 March 54 TO THE DEPUTY HEAD OF THE MVD DIRECTORATE, I/I/-213 LENINGRAD OBLAST -Colonel city of Leningrad
On 13 October 1951, American citizen TAUEHRZ Lilend Lorch, born 1924, a native of the city of San Francisco, was arrested by the UMVD of the Leningrad Oblast for an illegal crossing of the State border from Finland into the USSR.
On 22 January 1952, the Leningrad Oblast Court sentenced TAUEHRZ to 3 years confinement under Article 84 UK RSFSR.
There is no archival investigative file or any other material in the 1st Special Section of the MVD, USSR on the TAUEHRZ's confinement.
In order that TAUEHRZ might be released early from confinement and transferred to the Americans, I request that you to issue an order to immediately find the American passport belonging to TAUEHRZ, which was taken from him during confinement, and send it to him.
[TFR 36-56] [handwritten "No. 18"]
Delivered to Comrade Zorin Translated from English by O'Shonessi during 5 February [handwritten "139"] 1954 meeting No. 660
The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and has the honor to refer to the aide-memoire, delivered by Ambassador Bolen Sobolev on 2 November regarding American citizens held in confinement in the USSR.
Although the American citizens Koks and Tauehrs were returned to American authorities in Berlin, the Soviet Government, as far as the Embassy is aware, has not taken any measures regarding the other American citizens that it holds. In addition to those persons who are mentioned in the aide-memoire, the Embassy is arranging at this time verification of the information that the Soviet Government is holding the following American citizens.
1. Vil'yam T. Marchuk (Marchenko) from Breckenridge, Pennsylvania, a soldier in the United States Armed Forces, identification number [English "R"] RA 6949875, who was arrested in the Soviet sector in Berlin on or about 1 February 1949 and has been in a correction camp for at least two years near Vorkuta, Komi ASSR. The name of this camp is given in various reports as "Camp Four" and "Citizens Correctional Camp of the MGB No. 222/R" [English"R"]. The last time Marchuk was seen at this location was in June of 1953 by several people.
2. Vil'yam A. Verdin from Starks, Louisiana, a soldier in the United States Armed Forces, identification number [English "R"] RA 88693686 was arrested in Germany on or about 3 February 1949
[TFR 36-57] [handwritten "53"] [handwritten "140"] 2.
and was confined in a prison near Weimar, Germany. In 1952, he was transferred to Lichtenberg Prison in Berlin and later in the same year was transferred to the USSR where he was in a corection camp near Vorkuta, Komi, ASSR. The last time he was seen in "Camp Four" near Vorkuta was in June 1953. His prisoner number is 1-2-667.
3. Dzhon Khellmut Noubl, about whom the Embassy reported in demarches No. 200 dated 29 August 1953, No. 446 dated 14 November 1953, and No. 567 dated 30 December 1953. At this time it has been established that he was confined by Soviet authorities in a correction camp near Vorkuta, Komi ASSR. His last address was reported in the Embassy's demarche No. 446.
The Government of the United States views the confinement in prison or detention of American citizens by the Soviet Government as an exceptionally serious matter.
The Embassy requests the Ministry undertake an immediate investigation into this situation and report in detail any related information to the Embassy.
AMERICAN EMBASSY Moscow, 5 February 1954
[TFR 36-58] Top Secret 11 February 54 [handwritten "121"] [handwritten 1/1s/831]
At the direction of the Minister of Internal Affairs, USSR Colonel General Comrade KRUGLOV, I request you to reveal all American citizens held in general and special camps and prisons of the MVD USSR, and report to us fundamental data on each American with an indication as to when, where, and by whom he was arrested, by which agency and to what term he was sentenced, where the sentence is being served, the condition of his health, and in what type of work he is employed.
[TFR 36-59] Top Secret
[handwritten "The minister agrees with these proposals. The first copy of this [handwritten "115"] document with the minister's concurrence was sent to the Department of Investigations, 1st Chief Directorate for implementation of the proposals with regards to VERDIN, FILDS, KUMISH, MARCHUK, and CHERNE."]
In connection with the demarche from the US Embassy in Moscow, the MID USSR requested that the MVD, USSR to report information on American citizens imprisoned in the Soviet Union.
Via the Prison Directorate of the MVD USSR, 6 American citizens who were arrested at various times on the territory of Germany and Austria have been identified, and are imprisoned in special camps and prisons of the MVD USSR. There is also one American, who was released in December 1953 and wished to remain in residence in the Soviet Union.
Given the information on these persons, it would be considered advisable:
1. To petition before the Procuracy USSR for a review of the cases on VERDIN, FILDS, MARCHUK, and KUMISH regarding reducing the sentences to actual time served with further repatriation to a place of residence of their choosing.
2. To satisfy SKORODINSKIJ's request and allow him to remain for permanent residence in the USSR.
[handwritten along left side of page "The first copy of the [illeg] with the minister's instructions and a ten-page report on the American citizen on 10 pages has been received." [signature]]
[TFR 36-60] 2. [handwritten "116"]
3. In view of the fact that CHERNE is passing himself off as a Colonel in American intelligence, transfer him under guard to Moscow to investigate him thoroughly, after which [we will] resolve the matter.
Instruct the Prison Bureau of the MVD, USSR to identify all American citizens held in camps and prisons of the MVD USSR, since there have been situations when the presence of American citizens in camps became known only when the US Embassy in Moscow posed questions about them to the MID, USSR.
Request your instructions.
Reference: No. 145/k dated 16 January 1954 and No. 326/k dated 4 February 1954.
On 5 February of this year, the interim US Charge D'Affaires handed Comrade V.A. Zorin an aide-memoire which contained a request to conduct an investigation regarding the imprisonment in the Soviet Union of American citizens Vasilij Marchuk, Uil'yam Verdin, and Dzhon Noubl.
Keeping in mind that the US Government published the text of the above mentioned aide-memoire, apparently striving to cause a sensation surrounding this matter, I request that the MVD USSR take measures in order to speed up the review of the cases of Marchuk and Verdin, and also to report what response, in the MVD USSR's opinion, should be given to the Americans' requests on the location of Noubl and status of his case.
Along with this, the MID of the USSR is taking into account that in accordance with the Roosevelt-Litvinov [Agreement] from 1933, the Soviet Government took upon itself the responsibility to keep the American Embassy abreast of all occurrences of arrests of American citizens and to not hinder meetings of an Embassy representative with American citizens imprisoned in the USSR.
Attachment: US Embassy aide-memoire dated 5 Feb 1954 on 2 pages (addressee only)
[TFR 36-62] [handwritten "142"] Top Secret
The letter from the MID, USSR No. 225/osa
from 18 February 1954 regarding the Americans MARCHUK, NOUBL, and
VERDIN imprisoned in the USSR is to be delivered to employees of
the [white-out] Department of [white-out] and of the [white-out]
Department of [white-out] of the Chief Directorate of the
Committee for State Security attached to the Council of
Ministers, USSR.
The archival investigative file on MARCHUK along with our conclusion of 8 March of this year for No. I/9/357 was delivered to the Main Military Procuracy, USSR through whom a petition was submitted before the Supreme Soviet, USSR on changing the decision of the Special Session of the MGB, USSR dated 29 July 1950 regarding Marchuk; in particular, reducing his sentence to time served and releasing him from custody.
A similar conclusion prepared for the case of NOUBL on 25 March of this year was transmitted to [white-out].
A letter is being prepared for the VERDIN case by the Main Military Procurator USSR Comrade RUDENKO, which was [white-out]
transmitted on 24 March of this year.
The prepared draft of the response to the MID USSR, according to a statement of Comrade SOKOLOV to the Directorate adminstration, did not report the completion by the 9th section of Comrade SHUBNYAKOV's instruction concerning the designated cases of Americans. [handwritten 1 illeg. and initials across text] "25" March 1954
[handwritten "Noubl Dzhon Khelmut, born 1923, arrested 11 Mar 39.
[illeg] lands [3 wds illeg]
Countrol Council in Germany No. 38 [illeg]
Sentenced to 18 yrs in an ITL. [remainder illeg]"] [TFR 36-63] [handwritten "31-7275 1okh. 22 Feb 54"] Secret Copy No. 1
Moscow, 200 Smolenskaya Sennaya Square Index/Date Index/Date House 32/34. Telephone G 4-24-69 "23" March 1954 Iss. No. 371 /osa
In connection with the new appeal from the US Embassy on the
Americans Verdin, Marchuk, and Noubl, who are imprisoned in the
USSR, I request that you speed up the reply to the letter from
the MID, USSR, No. 225/osa dated 18 February, on
this matter.
255
[TFR 36-64] Copy [handwritten "Reference No. 255/osa and No. 371/osa"] Top Secret copy No. 3 [handwritten "144"]
"30" March 1954 TO THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS USSR No. 479-s To: Comrade A.A. GROMYKO
As per your request, the investigative material in regards to the convicted American citizens VERDIN, MARCHUK, and NOUBL was reviewed by us.
A examination of the material shows that VERDIN, MARCHUK, and NOUBL were sentenced to long terms without sufficient basis. Therefore, we have presented appropriate sentences to the USSR Procuracy with a request to repeal the sentences.
The response to the US Embassy may be given after the decision by the Supreme Court USSR to repeal the sentences is carried out.
[TFR 36-65] USSR [handwritten "1st Dept."] MINISTRY OF Top Secret INTERNAL AFFAIRS copy No. 1 Prison Directorate [handwritten "125"] " 2 " April 1954 K-No. 28/1/10 DEPUTY HEAD, 2ND CHIEF DIRECTORATE OF THE MOSCOW COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY ATTACHED TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, USSR
Supplemental to our No. 34/1/2378 dated 27 Feb 1954, I am reporting the health conditions of the convicted American citizens:
1. GOPKINS Fridrikh Charl'z, born 1921, physically fit, may be employed for any heavy physical work. Currently used in assembling boxes. He is not satisfied with the work.
2. VERDIN Uil'yam Ehndr'yu, born 1926, ill with chronic bronchitis. First labor category. He works as a rock sampler in the enrichment section of Mine No. 4, "Vorkutugol'" combine.
3. KUMISH Vil'fred, born 1915, ill with ichthyosis (a chronic skin disease) and hypertension.
4. MARCHUK Vasilij Timofeevich, born 1917, ill with hypertension in the transitive stage. Second labor category. He works as a KEhCh brigade carpenter.
5. FILDS, also known as FAJNGERSH Marej, born 1919, in the second physical labor category. Confined in Aleksandrovskaya Prison.
[TFR 36-66] copy Top Secret copy No. 3 [handwritten "145"]
We are reporting that during the years 1949-1950, the American citizens MARCHUK, VERDIN, and NOBL' were arrested by Soviet organs in the German Democratic Republic.
In March 1954, the US Embassy in Moscow transmitted to the MID, USSR an aide-memoire with a request to conduct an investigation concerning the detention of these people in the Soviet Union.
Simultaneously, not waiting for a response, the US Government published the text of the mentioned memorandum in the press.
The USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed to the MVD, USSR a request to report their opinion regarding the cases of the mentioned people.
In connection with this, the Committee for State Security attached to the USSR Council of Ministers and the USSR Procuracy examined the cases of these Americans and established the following:
MARCHUK Vasilij Timofeevich, born 1917, native of Mejnar (USA), Belorussian, US citizen, Russian translator for a military intelligence organ in Berlin, was detained by the Soviet Commandant Staff in Potsdam in February 1949 during a drunken attempt to become acquainted with Soviet service members.
Until January 1950, MARCHUK was in the status of a detainee, after which his arrest was processed by the Brandenburg State Operations Sector. The investigation established that MARCHUK lived in the USA with his parents until 1939, then voluntarily entered
[stamp:
"Secretariat, 2nd Main Directorate
of the Committee for State Security
attached to the Council of Ministers, USSR
Entry No. 12-15007
16 October 1954"]
[TFR 36-67] 2. [handwritten "146"]
the American service until 1945 as an assistant mechanic in aviation units. After his discharge he lived with his parents, and then in 1948 again entered the service and was sent to Germany and served in Marburg. In November 1948, because he spoke Russian, he was sent to work as a translator in intelligence.
As a translator, he took part in the interrogations of Soviet citizens who had betrayed the Motherland, obtaining information about Soviet forces in Germany.
MARCHUK, giving testimony about his service in American intelligence as a translator, denied the charge of espionage since in his opinion he personally did not commit espionage and had arrived in Potsdam from Berlin in a drunken state.
In July 1950, by decision of the Special Session of the Ministry of State Security USSR, V.T. MARCHUK was sentenced to 25 years confinement for service in an American military intelligence organ. Serving his sentence in a camp, MARCHUK is currently working as a carpenter, ill with hypertension.
VERDIN Uil'yam Ehndr'yu, born 1926, native of Stark (USA), Hindu, US citizen, prior to arrest, a soldier in the American military serving as a radio operator for Headquarters Company, 6th Police Squadron in Koburg (Germany). Was detained in February 1949 by German national police on the territory of the Soviet Zone of occupation in Germany without any identification and was transferred to Soviet authorities.
Until February 1952, VERDIN was in the status of a detainee, after which his arrest was processed by the authorized representative of the MGB USSR in Germany. During confinement [TFR 36-68] 3. [handwritten "147"]
as well as during the investigation, VERDIN stated that he crossed into the Soviet Zone with the goal of getting discharged from the military, since he assumed that the Soviet Command Staff would transfer him to the American Command, who would then discharge him from the military for unauthorized crossing into the Soviet Zone and send him to the USA. VERDIN explained the destruction of his identification as a thoughtless action.
Being under guard for an extended period of time and considering his detention and arrest unlawful, VERDIN made terrorist threats among the foreign prisoners in relation to Soviet citizens and made slanderous insults against the KPSS.
In April 1952, VERDIN was sentenced by the Garrison Military Tribunal of the Soviet Sector of Berlin to 25 years confinement for terrorist utterances, anti-Soviet agitation, and unlawful crossing of the demarcation line.
Serving sentence in a camp, VERDIN works as a rock-sampler in Mine No. 4 of the "Vorkutugol'" combine. He is ill with chronic bronchitis.
NOUBL' Dzhon, born 1923, a native of Detroit (USA), German, US citizen, detained in July 1945 in Germany by the Dresden Operations Group of the NKVD, USSR. After interrogation he was sent to a special camp at Buchenwalde, where in March 1950, he was sentenced under Control Council Directive No. 38 dated 12 October 1946.
The investigation established that NOBL' was a US citizen who lived in Detroit until 1938 and then together with his father Charl'z NOUBL' (also known as SHPANKNOBL' Karl) and other close relatives moved to Germany, where his father founded a factory for producing cameras and a factory for treating leather.
[TFR 36-69] 4. [handwritten "148"]
While living in Germany during the war, NOBL's family was not interned because they were US citizens. The camera factory, ran by NOBL's father, produced precision instruments, searchlight apparatus, and filled German military production orders of various items for designated military vehicles in addition to producing cameras.
At the factory, Dzhon NOBL' carried out duties as a salesman of produced goods and ran other errands of a commercial nature for his father. His father was simultaneously arrested with Dzhon NOBL' and accused of criminal responsibility by the Control Council Directive. He was released from custody in June 1952.
Dzhon NOBL' did not plead guilty. In July 1950, by Special Session of the Ministry of State Security USSR, he was sentenced to 15 years confinement.
Based on existing factual material and keeping in mind -
that MARCHUK was in American intelligence for an short span of time and did not conduct active enemy activities against the USSR;
that Charl'z NOBL', as the owner of the camera factory, was producing military products for the fascist army and that Dzhon NOBL' only carried out his fathers instructions;
that there was no information regarding criminal activities against the USSR up to the moment of VERDIN's arrest and also considering that the measure of punishment does not correspond to the crime committed, we believe it is possible to approach the Supreme
TFR 36-70] 5. [handwritten "149" "5"]
Court of the USSR with a petition for review of their cases with the goal of reducing the terms to time served, and with subsequent expulsion of MARCHUK, NOBL', and VERDIN from the USSR.
Request your concurrence.
GENERAL PROCURACY CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY OF THE USSR ATTACHED TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, USSR (R. RUDENKO) (I. SEROV)
" 14 " April 1954 No. 681-s
[handwritten "TsK KPSS concurs with these suggestions, and in connection with this Comrade Rudenko sent the corresponding material to the Supreme Court on Marchuk, Verdin, and Nobl' [signature] [14 May 54"]
[TFR 36-71]
According to a report from the Military Board of the Supreme Court USSR, on 19 May of this year the [Board] decided to release from custody with subsequent expulsion from the USSR the American citizens Verdin, Marchuk, and Noubl.
It cannot be ruled out that upon leaving the USSR, these people may hand over information to the American authorities about other American citizens who are in prisons in the Soviet Union.
[handwritten "Comrade" name illeg. and initials]
As long as the Soviet Government takes upon itself the obligation not to hinder meetings of US Embassy representatives
with American citizens under the Soviet-American agreement of 1933, I ask that you report the current status of the cases pertaining to American citizens Filds and Kumish. In letter No. 326/k dated 4 February 1954, the MVD USSR reported to the MID its intention to petition before the USSR Procuracy for a reduction in their sentences to time served and subsequent repatriation to the USA.
[TFR 36-72] [1 illeg. ".2"] USSR MINISTRY OF Top Secret INTERNAL AFFAIRS copy No. 1 Prison Directorate [handwritten "150"] " 16 " June 1954 No. 28/3/4827 City of MOSCOW HEAD, 2ND CHIEF DIRECTORATE OF THE KGB ATTACHED TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, USSR [illeg. handwritten comments or instructions]
In accordance with the rulings of the Military Board of the Supreme Court, USSR dated 19 May 1954, the American citizens currently serving sentences: NOBLE Dzhon, MARCHUK Vasilij Timofeevich, and VERDIN Uil'yam Ehndr'yu, are subject to expulsion from the USSR.
At this time, the above mentioned American citizens have been delivered to Moscow and are temporarily located in the Butyrskaya Prison of the MVD, USSR. These rulings have not yet been revealed to them.
I request you immediately report when it will be possible to organize the transfer of the listed Americans to American representatives and when, in your opinion, it will be advisable to reveal to them the rulings of the Military Board of the Supreme Court, USSR.
I consider it expedient to accomplish the transfer of NOBLE, MARCHUK, and VERDIN to representatives of the American authorities through Comrade SEMENOV, the High Commissar of the Soviet Administration in Berlin.
[1 handwritten name illeg. in left hand margin]
[TFR 36-73] Reference: No. 28/1/862 dated 16/Jun-1954 Copy. Top Secret copy No. [handwritten "151"] To: HEAD, PRISON DIRECTORATE OF THE MVD, USSR 2nd Chief Directorate 28 June 54 2/1-1681
In accordance with the decision of this instance, the American citizens: NOBLE, MARCHUK, and VERDIN will not be transferred to American authorities before special instructions.
In connection with this, we consider it necessary to accommodate the mentioned Americans in the Mordovskaya ASSR at an assembly point for foreigners who are subject to repatriation.
[TFR 36-74] [handwritten "No. 18"] Workers of the World, Unite! TOP SECRET Communist Party of the Soviet Union, CENTRAL COMMITTEE No. P101/V To: Comrades Molotov (MID), Kruglov, Korobov. 31 Dec 1954 Extract of Protocol No. 101 Presidium TsK Session, 30 December 1954
On the transfer of three American citizens to American Authorities
1. Permit the MVD of the USSR (Comrade Kruglov):
a) to transfer the American citizens Marchuk and Noubl, who are serving sentences in the Soviet Union to the American authorities in Berlin;
b) to transfer American citizen Verdin 2-3 weeks after the transfer of Marchuk and Noubl.
2. Concur with the proposal of the MID USSR to put forth a request regarding the repatriation of eleven children of Soviet citizens detained by American authorities simultaneously with the report to the American Embassy regarding the release of the American citizens Marchuk and Noubl.
[TFR 36-75] [handwritten "37"] Top Secret Draft
Accept the proposal of the MID, USSR (Comrade ZORIN) and the Committee for State Security attached to the Council of Ministers, USSR (Comrade SEROV) regarding the call for clarification by the US Ambassador in Moscow to the MID, USSR concerning the case of Soviet diplomat RASTVOROV, who is being detained by US authorities.
Instruct the MID, USSR (Comrade ZORIN) to tell the US Ambassador during the talks that a positive response by the US Government to the request of the Soviet Government in relation to RASTVOROV, as presented in the Soviet demarche dated 15 February 1954, would result in the US Embassy in Moscow quickly receiving interesting information about the American citizens MARCHUK, VERDIN, and NOBL.
Until the position of the US Government on the matter of the transfer of RASTVOROV to Soviet authorities is clear, refrain from transferring the mentioned Americans to the US Government.
[TFR 36-76] [handwritten "198"] [partial stamp "No.112350(op) SPECIAL FOLDER TsK 7610"] Removed from "Special Folder" SECRET TsK Presidium Protocol No. 101 P.V [stamp "SUBJECT TO RETURN 7610 30 Dec 1954 Taken from Inventory-AK TsK KPSS in group "SPECIAL FOLDERS" of the GENERAL DEPARTMENT TsK KPSS"]
In a memorandum dated 23 October and in a demarche dated 29 December 1954, US Ambassador Bolen requests a quick decision on the matter of releasing the three American citizens Marchuk, Verdin, and Noubl, who are imprisoned in the USSR.
The indicated personnel were arrested by Soviet security organs on the territory of the GDR and sentenced to long imprisonment.
Marchuk was detained by the Soviet Commandant's Staff in Potsdam in February 1949. In July of 1950, he was sentenced to 25 years in an ITL for participation as a translator in interrogations of several Soviet citizens who had betrayed their homeland. At that time Marchuk was serving in the American Intelligence Services.
Verdin was detained in February 1949 by German national police. In April 1952, he was sentenced by Soviet organs to 25 years in an ITL for crossing into the Soviet Zone of Occupation in Berlin; prior to crossing into the Soviet Zone Verdin served in an American Police Squadron in West Germany.
Noubl was detained by Soviet organs in July 1945 and placed in a special camp in Buchenwald. In June 1950, he was sentenced to 15 years in an ITL for having his family camera shop in Germany produce several items for military vehicles along with cameras and for Noubl's apartment being used after the capitulation of Germany to hide his relatives over some time, who had earlier engaged in espionage activities for the benefit of fascist Germany.
Bearing in mind that Marchuk, Verdin, and Noubl were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment without sufficient grounds, the TsK KPSS on 8 May 1954 decided to reduce the term of imprisonment to time served and release them from custody with subsequent expulsion from the territory of the USSR.
However, in connection with the delay by the Americans in answering our request concerning Rastvorov, the MID was given instructions not to conduct the transfer of these [handwritten "Distribute to the members of the Presidium of the TsK KPSS. 30 Dec 54 V. Molotov"
[TFR 36-77] [handwritten "49"] 2.
three Americans at this time, and if the US Ambassador brings up the matter again, then to tie it in with the matter of Rastvorov.
It should be demarched that the US Embassy did not bring up
the matter of Marchuk, Verdin, and Noubl until after the State Department had notified our Embassy in Washington that Rastvorov had been granted 'political asylum' in the USA and that representatives of the Soviet Embassy can meet with him at any time.
Under difficult circumstances, the MID suggests as possible to not detain the three Americans further and in accordance with the earlier decision, to release and transfer them to American authorities.
However, it would be advisable at first to transfer only Marchuk and Noubl (sentenced by a Special Session) in order to show that the indicated people are being released in the individual order inwhich their cases are reviewed, and not as a result of an official request by the American side regarding the release of the entire group. As for Verdin (sentenced by a military tribunal), he may be transferred 2-3 weeks after the transfer of Marchuk and Noubl and until then, the US Embassy will not be given any information about him.
Taking into consideration that the Americans will continue to detain the eleven children in West Germany and the USA, the MID, USSR believes it would be advisable to raise the question regarding the repatriation of the Soviet children to the USSR in connection with the transfer of Marchuk and Noubl; and attempt to challenge the Americans to [take] reciprocal measures in satisfying our claims. Bt detaining Verdin, we are letting the Americans know that we expect reciprocal measures on their part to satisfy our claims regarding the repatriation of the children of Soviet citizens.
The draft of the resolution is attached. Request review. [signature] (V. MOLOTOV) " 30 " December 1954 No. 1027/M
[TFR 36-78] [handwritten "50"] Draft Secret
1. Allow the MVD USSR (Comrade Kruglov):
a) To transfer to American authorities in Berlin American citizens Marchuk and Noubl, who are serving sentences in the Soviet Union;
b) To transfer American citizen Verdin to American authorities 2-3 weeks after transfer of Marchuk and Noubl.
2. Concur with the MID USSR proposal to simultaneously present a request regarding the repatriation of eleven children of Soviet citizens detained by American authorities in the report to the American Embassy concerning the release of American citizens Marchuk and Noubl.
[TFR 36-79] Reference No. 566/osa Top Secret copy No. 2 [handwritten "154"] Chief Directorate 23 July 54 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, USSR 2/I-1929 Comrade SOBOLEV
The case concerning American citizen FILDS has been reviewed by the Investigations Directorate of the Committee for State Security attached to the Council of Ministers, USSR and on 30 June of this year was sent to the Main Military Procuracy with a proposal to reduce his sentence to time served.
We consider it possible to refrain at this time from reviewing American citizen KUMISH's case to reduce the sentence, since it is subject to review on general grounds in the order of review of investigated cases. These decisions were pronounced in due course by the Special Session attached to the Ministry of State Security.
HEAD, CHIEF DIRECTORATE OF THE COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY ATTACHED TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, USSR
[TFR 36-80] 73533 Top Secret [handwritten numbers "373 15-20002 20-401 20-50"] MEMORANDUM sent via "VCh" City of KIEV, CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY, Comrade NIKITCHENKO
In connection with the US Embassy's request and the review of the matter on the possibility of arranging a meeting for US Embassy representatives with several Soviet citizens, who in their opinion are American citizens, we request that you supply us with the following information on the people listed below within five days: their current place of residence, what type of socially beneficial work they do, what property (personal and real) they have, what other sources of income they have, the composition of their families with indication of their citizenship and brief, basic information on the family members, and types of identification documents they have on hand (when, where, in what capacity, numbers and reason for issue) on the following personnel.
BERKO Irina Mikhajlovna, born 1925, lived in Rodatychi, L'vovskaya Oblast; SEMKO Mikhail Ivanovich, born 1919, and SEMKO Ivan Ivanovich, born 1922, lived in Petrichi, L'vovskaya Oblast; KORETSSKAYA (KOLODIJ) Mariya Vasil'evna, born 1919, lived in Slovita, L'vovskaya Oblast; KAZANSKAYA Sofiya Vikent'evna, born 1913, in 1945 was arrested by the UMGB L'vovskaya Oblast, and in 1949 upon finishing her sentence was released from prison and according to available data lives in Ukraine; DOVGULEVICH Stepan Stepanovich, born 1927, in 1953 was arrested by the MVD USSR, was released in 1945 for inadequate [proof] and according to inexact information lives in Stalino; DRAGULA Vasilij (Charli) Fedorovich, born 1923, DRAGULA Stepan Fedorovich, born 1930, DRAGULA Fedor (Frehnk) Fedorovich, born 1930, DRAGULA
[TFR 36-81] [handwritten "357"] 2.
Mariya (Mehri) Fedorovna, born 1925, DRAGULA Margarita Fedorovna, born 1929, DRAGULA Ivan (Dzhon) Fedorovich, born 1928, lived in Mukachevo, Zarkarpatskaya Oblast; FEDAK Mariya Petrovna, born 1903, lived in Shishlovtsy, Zakarpatskaya Oblast; RUDYK Luetta Artunovna ,born 1890, lived in Mlynov, Rovenskaya Oblast, GITSKA Ivan Vasil'evich, born 1917, and GITSKA Mikhail Vasil'evich, born in 1920 lived in Vijsko Drogobychskaya Oblast; KRIVENKO Yurij (Georgij) Mikhajlovich, born 1924, lived in Beregovo, Zakarpatskaya Oblast; BLYAKH Genrikh Pavlovich, born 1932, lived in Strievka, Ternopol'skaya Oblast; MEGITS Vasilij (Bazil') Dmitrievich, born 1915, MEGITS Stepan Dmitrievich, born 1918, MEGITS Fedor Dmitrievich, born 1920, lived in Tarnava Drogobychskaya Oblast; YAREMA Dzhon Andreevich, born 1918, lived in Pyatnitsa Drogobychskaya Oblast.
It is also necessary to provide a socio-political profile of these people with a listing of the sources used as its basis. " 5 " November 1954 No. 2/I- 3021 [signature]
[TFR 36-82] USSR MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS [handwritten "339"] [illeg. handwriting] Prison Bureau " 19 " November 1954 No. 28/1/2710 city of MOSCOW Secret copy No. 1 HEAD, 2ND CHIEF DIRECTORATE OF THE KGB ATTACHED TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, USSR
The American citizens: NOBLE Dzhon, MARCHUK Vasilij Timofeevich, and VERDIN Uil'yam Ehndr'yu, who, in accordance with the judgement of the Military Board of the Supreme Court USSR dated 19 May 1954, are subject to expulsion from the USSR, are at an assembly point for foreigners in a camp section of the MVD Mordovskaya ASSR.
In connection with your letter No. 2/1-681 dated 28 June of this year, the ruling by the Military Board has not been revealed at this time to NOBLE, MARCHUK, or VERDIN.
Taking into consideration that the confinement of the above-mentioned Americans in the camp section without revealing the ruling to them is illegal, I request that you quickly resolve the matter regarding the possibility of transferring them to representatives of the US authorities.
[TFR 36-83] 73532 Top Secret [handwritten "409"?] [handwritten numbers "15-20002 20-121/3/XI 20-201"]
City of MINSK,
TO THE CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE FOR STATE SECURITY Comrade PEREPELITSIN
In connection with US Embassy's request and with the review of the matter concerning the possibility of an arranged meeting for US Embassy representatives with several Soviet citizens, who in their opinion are American citizens, we request that you supply us with the following information on the people listed below within three days: their current place of residence, what socially beneficial work do they do, what property (personal and real) do they have, what other sources of income do they have, what family do they have with indications of their citizenship and short list of basic information on the family members, what type of identification do they have in hand (when, where, for whom, number and basis for issue).
KAZUN Valentina Vasil'evna, born 1933, and KAZUN Vladimir Vasil'evich, born 1935, lived in Shepets, Ostrinskoj village, Vasilizhkovskoj Rajon, Grodnenskaya Oblast;
TSESLYAK Mechislav Vatslavovich, born 1910, in 1945 was arrested by the UMGB Grodnenskaya Oblast, sentenced to 5 years in an ITL, released in 1949 and according to available data lives in Belorussia.
It is also necessary to provide a socio-political profile of these people with a list of sources used as its basis. " 15 " November 1954 No. 2/I- 3020 [signature]
BYUKAR-LAPSHINA Annabel Iren, born 1915, a native of Trafford, Pennsylvania, USA, and a former employee of the US Embassy in Moscow.
On 27 February 1948, she left the Embassy and asked for political asylum in the USSR.
In July 1950, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, Byukar received Soviet citizenship.
Currently retired, living at: Moscow, Serafimovich St, house 2, apt. 463. Repeatedly went to the USA to [visit] relatives, the last time in 1990 to Trafford to [see] her sister.
There are no objections from A.I. Byukar-Lapshina on providing information on herself to the American side.
[TFR 36-85]
TERNER Vil'yam Klejton, born 1922, a native of Kofflvil, USA, and a former US Army service-member, sergeant.
On 15 October 1954, he deserted from his unit, crossed the FRG border, and arrived in East Germany, from where he emigrated to the USSR.
By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Terner received Soviet citizenship.
He currently lives in the village Srednij Burluk Shipovatskoj Sel'sovet Velliko-Burlukskoj Rajon, Kharkovskaya Oblast.
Relatives of Terner:
-father- Terner Zhan Vol'ter, born 1884, died 1934 -mother- Terner Salli Ehn, born 1886, lived in Bunevil, Mississippi, USA -sister- Ehmma Sarber, born 1919, lived in Chicago USA -sister- Lyusi Tru, born 1915, lived in Vaterval USA. Terner does not object to information on himself being provided to the American side.
[TFR 36-86]
MITCHELL Bernom Forguson, born 1929, previously an employee of the National Security Agency, USA. Arrived in the USSR in 1960, received Soviet citizenship.
Currently living at: St. Petersburg, Rimskij-Korsakov St., house 12/2, apt. 1.
He has no objections to information on himself being provided to the American side.
[TFR 36-87]
BILAK Mariya Vasil'evna, born in 1919, a native of Pitson, USA.
In 1920 Bilak arrived with her parents from the USA to reside in the Zarkarpatskaya Oblast, where in 1936 she got married. In 1939 she returned to the USA, leaving her husband and daughter in the Zakarpatskaya Oblast.
In November 1956, she again travelled to the USSR and sent a letter to the US Embassy in Moscow declining American citizenship.
Currently a pensioner living in the village Zarech'e, Irshavskoj Rajon, Zakarpatskaya Oblast, Lenin St, house 40.
She has no objections to information on herself being provided to the American side.
[TFR 36-88]
STOUNER Sesil Avgustovich, born 1912, a native of Springfield Missouri, USA.
Moved to the USSR in 1953 in the region of Bol'shoj Diomid Island (Far East). On 16 June 1953, a criminal case arose against Stouner for illegal crossing of the USSR border. It was dropped on 14 December 1953. Stouner was released from custody on 16 December 1953.
After receiving political asylum, Stouner lived in the Lenin Kolkhoz, Kirsanovskoj Rajon, Tambovskaya Oblast. However, in 1959 S.A. Stouner and his wife Ehmma Khristoforovna, born in 1915, left for residence in Estonia (Tartu).
According to information of the MVD RF, on 2 July 1964, Stouner was arrested by the KGB of the Lithuanian SSR SM and, on 15 September 1964, was sentenced by the Lithuanian SSR Supreme Court under Article 62, Section 1 of the Lithuanian SSR Criminal code (treason) to 6 years confinement. He died 9 May 1965 in a prison in the Mordovskaya ASSR.
[TFR 36-89]
KOPOV (KOVDYNSKIJ) Mikhail Emel'yanovich - also known as Majk, Michel - born 1895, a native of the small town of Matsiev, b. Volynskaya Guberniya.
Lived in the USA until 1930. In 1916, graduated from a technical training course in Detroit. In 1918, over a period of 6-8 months, he served in the field as an auto mechanic instructor in the US Army Reserves, with the rank of private. Until 1921, worked in the Ford factory in Detroit as a shop chief, from 1921 to 1923 at the Keglik firm, from 1923 to 1925 at the Fisher Firm in Detroit as Chief Expediter of the wood-working shop, and from 1926 to 1930 in the Moris Chejn firm as a mechanic. In 1930, under contract with 'SoyuzStroem' he arrived in the USSR for work at the Gor'kovskoj factory. He received Soviet citizenship in 1934.
His wife - Dunaeva (Dunaj) Ol'ga Ivanovna, born 1909, a native of Riga, a son Teodor born in 1932.
Father - Kovdynskij Andrej, a farmer. Mother - Kovdynskaya Elizabeta. Brother - Stefan, lived in Detroit, 7507 Vycher St. His sister - Yadkovskaya Ehn lived in Detroit 7222 Vajks St., Sister - Kovanskaya Nehl, lived in Detroit, 7224 Vehler. Sister - Kovdynskaya Roza.
M.E. Kopov, accused of 'damaging anti-Soviet activity', was sentenced by a Special Board of the Supreme Court, Tatarskaya ASSR on 2 August 1937 to 10 years in an ITL.
On 17 February 1943, for anti-Soviet agitation, he was sentenced to death by firing squad by the Military Tribunal NKVD forces. However, by decision of the Military Board of the Supreme Court USSR, the sentence was changed to 25 years in an ITL.
By resolution of the Military Board of the Supreme Court USSR on 27 June 1957, Kopov was rehabilitated.
In 1958, he lived in Ordzhonikidzhe, Nikopol'skoj Rajon, Dnepropetrovskaya Oblast, at Sportivnaya St., house 6, apt. 8. [handwritten "(died)"]
[TFR 36-90] [stamp mostly illeg [illegible handwriting] "201 2 Feb 1950 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, USSR 4 40 m."] Reference: your No. 44 MID/
1. American soldier KERIK GAJ, born 1920, was detained 8 February 1949 upon crossing the demarcation line into the Soviet Zone. Deserted from the American Army and requested asylum.
2. French soldier GOMPTEN ANDREH, born 1921, voluntarily crossed into the Soviet Zone on 15 Jun 49. He explained his reason for crossing as political.
3. French soldier RENARD LYUIS, born 1924, crossed over to Soviet authorities on 6 Apr 49. His reason for crossing was explained as an unwillingness to leave for a second tour in Vietnam for participation in military action.
MEL'NIKOV believes that KERIK GAJ, GOMPTEN ANDREH, and RENARD LYUIS should be transferred to the western occupational authorities since they present no interest for organs of the MGB.
[TFR 36-91]
On the night between 2 February and 3 February of this year, a private of the American Armed Forces - Dzhonson Karlos, born 1927, North Carolina, crossed the demarcation line and went to the Soviet Military Commandant's Staff building in the city of Urfar.
Dzhonson stated to the commandant staff that he did not want to return to his homeland and requested that the Soviet authorities in Austria grant him asylum. He put this in a written statement. Dzhonson stated that he has been in the service since 1946 with short breaks. He served with American forces in Korea and was twice wounded. He arrived in Austria at the end of June 1953. In July, he went through a month long course on military reconnaissance.
The Special Department for the Group of Forces is conducting the interrogation. No. 321/VK IL'ICHEV 3 Aug 53 [Archival citation on back "f. 5, op. 178677, d. 1899, l. 215"]
[TFR 36-92] [handwritten "46"] Workers of the World, Unite! TOP SECRET All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks). CENTRAL COMMITTEE No. P73/99 [handwritten "67"]
1. Acknowledge the presentation of the MID USSR draft in response to the US Embassy's demarche dated 4 October 1949 and the memorandum dated 12 December 1949 (attached).
2. Publish the contents indicated in para. 1 of the response.
[along left side of page "Subject to return no later than 7 days to Section 2 of the General Office of the VKP(b) (resolution [illeg] 5 V- [illeg] Draft No. 100, para. 5)"]
[TFR 36-93] [handwritten "68"] Reference: paragraph 99 protocol PB No. 73
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in response to the letter from United States Ambassador in Moscow A. Kehrk dated 4 October 1949 and to the US Embassy memorandum dated 12 December 1949, brings to the attention of the United States of America the following.
1. In connection with the US Embassy's requests to establish the location of a number of people who, according to the Embassy's opinion are American citizens, competent Soviet agencies have in each case ascertained the location and citizenship of those people and have notified the Embassy of the results. The results of the investigation indicate that those persons mentioned in the US Embassy's appeals, whose presence on USSR territory has been established, are, with individual exceptions, either USSR citizens or third party citizens.
In those situations, when American citizenship is established, the requests submitted by the Embassy for those to exit the USSR were satisfied and these persons received permission to leave the Soviet Union. For example, petitions to leave the USSR for the United States were satisfied for Teodor Lyuboki (left the USSR 27 September 1947), Dzhon Lyuboki (left the USSR 29 September 1947), Sali Vajtsner (left the USSR 4 February 1948), Zhanetti Stillman Braun (left the USSR 18 August 1948), and Gizella Kovtyuk (left the USSR 3 December 1948). Soviet authorities even gave permission to the young son of a Soviet citizen, Allan Karl Khalm, to leave due to the fact that s his mother, an American citizen - Alli Iren Khalm, wished to return to the United States after the death of her husband. Both did so on 1 December 1947.
2. As for those personnel listed in the letter from Mr. A. Kehrk and in the US Embassy memorandum, according to information of competent Soviet authorities: 23 are citizens of a third party country; 13 are Soviet citizens; 3 are not
[TFR 36-94] [handwritten "69"]
found on the territory of the USSR; one is a stateless person; and one is an American citizen (female).
a) the 23 third party citizens left the confines of the USSR and went to the following countries:
Rumania - 17 people, namely Bajer Maria Anna, Khaas Tereza, Khellman Katerina, Dukarm Dzhon (Gans), Ketch Anna Maria, Khuber Eva Tereza, Anton Anna, Vagner Khil'da Elizaveta, Vol'fart Luiza, Gross Ottiliya Gerbst, Kirshner Mehri Ioganna, Klejn Anna, Formittag Magdalena, Fisher Margaret, Zil'man Anna, Shuster Vil'gelmina, Zaltner Khelen Magdalena.
Germany - 4 people: Shuller Khermin, Bassler Keht, Miller Antoni (junior), Khenkel' Katerina.
Poland - one person: Mulava Zenon.
Hungary - 1 person: Benga Dzhon.
b) Determined to be Soviet citizens are: Genri Blakha, Valentina Katsun, Vladimir Katsun, Daniel' Nikitchik, Fedor Nikitchik, Iren Berko, Dzhon Yarema, Dzhozef Marshall, Paulina Marshall, Aldona Marshall, Anna Shpigel', Mechislav Tseslyak, and Sofiya Kazanska.
Competent Soviet authorities, however, are prepared to issue permission to exit the USSR for the USA to: Anne Shpigel' in consideration of her advanced age and that her husband permanently lives in the USA together with six children; for the underage children of citizen V.D. Katsun - Valentina and Vladimir, whose father is permanently living in the USA; Genri Blakha, 18 years old, in consideration that his parents permanently reside in the United States.
c) Regarding Vladislav Lazarska, Mikhail Latskievich, and Dzhosef Tierdzhung (Junior), the Embassy has been notified that they were not found on USSR territory.
d) As for Georgij Krivenko who was mentioned in the memorandum, although a Hungarian by nationality, he is a stateless person. He, as the Embassy well knows, does not want American citizenship. In his statement from 30 October 1949 in the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR, Georgij Krivenko petitioned for granting of Soviet citizenship. Simultaneously, Georgij Krivenko reported that he even wrote to the US Embassy in Moscow on 30 September 1949 regarding his
[TFR 36-95] [handwritten "70"]
decision to remain in the USSR and take Soviet citizenship.
e) Regarding Adel' Sagatas, in view of the additional information received about her American citizenship, competent Soviet authorities are ready to issue A. Sagatas an exit visa.
In this manner, the facts seem to indicate that the allegation contained in the Embassy memorandum, i.e. the unilateral actions of the Soviet authorities allegedly interfered with several American citizens' return to the USA, is completely groundless.
3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs demarches that the Embassy's allegation (that 32 American citizens were allegedly kept by Soviet authorities in confinement and used for "forced labor" in the Soviet Union) is but one of the malicious fabrications already referenced in a letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs A. Ya. Vyshinskij to the US Embassy dated 30 August 1949.
4. As regards the reference in the Embassy's memorandum, that the Embassy had registered certain individuals as if they were American citizens, and in view of the unsubstantiality of the claim of these people to American citizenship, the Ministry does not consider it possible to enter into a review of this matter. In addition, insofar as the Embassy indicating in the memorandum that among these people there may also be those who have Soviet citizenship, the Ministry considers it necessary to bring to the attention of the Embassy that a decision on the matter regarding Soviet citizenship is exclusively the prerogative of Soviet authorities.
5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers it necessary to bring to the attention of the US Government the numerous acts of tyranny carried out by American authorities with respect to Soviet citizens. American authorities are detaining the three young children of Soviet citizen Ambartsum Cholokyan in the USA: Dzhordzh, 12 years old; Al'bert, 10 years old; and Alisa, 5 years old. At the time of Cholokyan's departure from the USA to the Armyanskaya SSR in November 1947, the children were in a Catholic childrens' home and did not depart the US, despite the categorical demands of their parents.
[TFR 36-96]
Although the Ministry brought this matter to the attention of the US Embassy (the illegal detention of the Cholokyan children in the US), not only was nothing accomplished on the part of the American authorities to eliminate such tyranny, but on the contrary, a US Embassy demarche dated 27 May 1948 contained the primary defense of these illegal actions which were committed by the American authorities in this matter.
The tyranny carried out in the US by American authorities regarding Soviet citizens is also attested to by this fact: the 1949 arrest and imprisonment of Soviet citizen P. But'ko for a period of almost 7 months and in violation of the Soviet-American Agreement of 1933, the American authorities did not even inform the Soviet Embassy in the US about the arrest of citizen But'ko.
The American authorities systematically hinder the reunification of long separated family members of Soviet citizens numbered among the so-called displaced people, and do not allow the return of Soviet citizens to their families in the Soviet Union. The American authorities illegally and forcibly detain in the American Zone of Occupation in Germany and Austria tens of thousands of Soviet citizens, so-called displaced people, and at the same time have the audacity to speak of alleged obstacles raised by Soviet authorities preventing several people, who are allegedly American citizens but in actuality are Soviet citizens or citizens of third parties, from exiting the Soviet Union.
All of the above attests to the fact that the claim of the US Embassy is lacking any basis.
[TFR 36-97]
[Two photos, one full face and one right profile, of a Caucasian male approximately 40 years old. Right profile has the number "834" written at the bottom left corner.]
[TFR 36-98] [typed form with handwritten entries]
Given to: Comrade Captain I.S. Mamaev
For: The Search and Arrest of Braun-Klifford Charl'z
Address: Wherever he may be
[Seal "Minister of State Security of the USSR"] [Stamp "Minister of State Security of the USSR] Certificate 225 [Signature]
Arrest sanctioned (by the General Procurator of the USSR)
Assistant to the Chief Military Procurator, Soviet Army
Colonel (Legal Service) Comrade Varskij
[TFR 36-99] [handwritten "4"] [typed form with handwritten entries]
NKGB Agency It is forbidden to give the questionnaire to the arrested to complete. Complete the form using the words of the arrested and verify with documents.
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Last name Braun-Klifford
2. First name and Charl'z
patronymic
3. Year and place of Born in 1918, village/city Los Angeles
birth (America)
Oblast
Kraj
4. Permanent place of village/city Hamburg, area of Anderalster
residence before 27
arrest (full Oblast
address) Kraj
5. Profession and Engineer -
specialty - Draftsman
6. Last place of work a) Establishment German firm
or type of enterprise
business prior to "BLOM-FOOS"
arrest
b) job Draftsman
c) title _________________________
d) if not working -- when and from where dismissed ________________________
[TFR 36-100]
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
7. Nationality American
8. Citizenship (if a) citizenship (subj.) German
lacking passport, show
which document certi- b) passport serial _______ No________
fies citizenship or
describe in words) by whom and when issued __________
9. Party membership a) past no party affiliation
b) present _________________________
card No. ________________________
10. General and special higher, middle, lower 2 years
education (underline
and show what was special _____________________________
completed)
11. Social origin Peasant origin
(what were father and
mother)
12. Convictions (where,
when, for what prosecu-
ted and investigated,
sentence)
13. Detentions (by which
organization, when, on
suspicion of what crimes,
under what name)
Rela- Last name, first name Year Place Residence,
tionship and patronymic of of job and
birth birth position
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Father Braun-Klifford 56 yrs in America
Rutiart
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mother Braun-Klifford 54 yrs in America
Bar-para
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Wife Bachelor
(husband)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Children None
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Brothers, None
sisters
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Place for photo Print of the index finger
of the right hand
(if missing, use the next finger --
with a corresponding mark). Finger-
print must be clear and fully rolled
(from one edge of the nail to the other)
[stamp "Processed at Butyrskij prison MGB"
31 August 1951
Duty photographer [signature]"]
[fingerprint]
Personal signature
(of the arrestee) [signature]
[TFR 36-101]
15. WRITTEN DESCRIPTION (Underline as appropriate)
1. Height: tall (171-180 cm),
very tall (over 180 cm), short
(155-164 cm), very short (up to
154 cm), medium (165-170 cm).
2. Figure: fat, stout,
medium, lean, thin.
3. Shoulders: raised, fallen,
horizontal.
4. Neck: short, long,
noticeable goiter, projecting
Adam's apple.
5. Hair color: blond, very
light brown, light brown, dark
brown, black, red, graying,
gray.
6. Eye color: blue, gray,
greenish, light brown, brown,
black.
7. Face: round, oval,
rectangular, triangular,
pyramidal, diamond-shaped.
8. Forehead: high, low,
straight, receding, protruding.
9. Brows: straight, arched,
twisting - thick, thin,
connected.
10. Nose: small, large -
thick, thin, broad. Bridge of
the nose: concave, straight,
[illegible]. Base of the nose:
raised, horizontal, fallen.
11. Mouth: small, large.
Corners of the mouth: drawn
down, raised.
12. Lips: thin, thick,
pendulous lower lip, raised
upper lip.
13. Chin: receding, straight,
protruding, cleft, dimpled,
with a transverse cleft.
14. Ears: small, large -
oval, triangular, square,
round. Protrusion of the ears:
upper, lower, overall. Ear
lobes: attached, detached,
sloping, angular, oval.
15. Distinctive marks ____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
(physical deficiencies, mutilations, injuries, appendages: growths,
warts, extra digits,
_________________________________________________________________
stains, weals, scars, painful movement of the body, baldness,
asymmetry of the face, different color eyes, etc.)
tattoos (description)_____________________________________________
16. Other peculiarities and habits __________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(burr, stutter, bites nails, different finger manipulations,
gesticulates (show how),
_________________________________________________________________tics, clears throat, spits, etc., etc.)
16. When arrested "30" August 1951, order No. F-24.
17. Reason for arrest Decree (on selected methods of suppression)
(indicate document name)
(name of [1 illeg.] and date)
18. By whom enrolled 2nd Main Directorate of the MGB of the USSR
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Form filled out At Butyrskij prison of the MGB, USSR
(name of prison or KPZ)
City, village, railroad station Moscow
By whom Jr. Sergeant Mitrakov
(position, rank, last name)
Signature [signature]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration Materials:
Alphabetical card -- "________" copies
Fingerprint card -- "________" copies
Photograph -- "________" copies
Passed to Department "A" NKGB-UNKGB ____________________
Given ________________________ [signature]
(title)
Accepted _____________________ [signature]
(title)
"31" August 1951
[TFR 36-102]
[handwritten "Archive M-4527"]
ms-5 Extract from Protocol Number 57
[handwritten "224"]
_________________________________________________________________
7. Case No. 5142 of the 2nd Chief Directorate, MGB, USSR, on the charge -- BRAUN-KLIFFORD Charl'z, born in 1918, birthplace Los Angeles, American, citizen of Germany, with a secondary school education. Accused under Art. 58-4 UK RSFSR.
BRAUN-KLIFFORD Charl'z for participation in preparing an aggressive war against the Soviet government is sentenced to PRISON for a term of TWENTY FIVE years, counting the term from 28 August 1944.
[signature]
6006
[handwritten "5"]
[TFR 36-103]
Presiding - Major General (Legal Service) MATULEVICH members Major General (Legal Service) ZARYANOV and Major General (Legal Service) DMITRIYEV
We have reviewed the material on the early release of BRAUN-KLIFFORD Charl'z, born in 1918, American, citizen of Germany, in a court session on "25" May 1953. He was sentenced by a Special Session of the MGB, USSR on 17 November 1951 under Article 58-4 of the UK, RSFSR to 25 years imprisonment. Taking into account that further confinement in prison of the convicted BRAUN-KLIFFORD is not necessary -
BRAUN-KLIFFORD Charl'z is released early from further serving his sentence.
[TFR 36-104]
CERTIFICATE [seal] [of rehabilitation] PROCURACY GENERAL OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION CHIEF DIRECTORATE FOR SUPERVISING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS IN THE ARMED FORCES "24" July 1992 No. 2-25427-46 103160, Moscow, K-160
This is to certify, that US citizen Braun-Klifford Charl'z Artur,(born 16 November 1918 in Los Angeles, California, USA, received "German national citizenship" in 1939, former engineer of the firm "Blom and Foss" in Hamburg, Germany) was detained on 8 Aug 44 by Soviet state security in Rumania and was later confined in prison.
He was arrested with the approval of the procurator on 29 August 1951. He was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without grounds on 17 November of that year by a non-judicial decision of a Special Session of the Ministry for State Security, USSR, charged with participating in preparation of aggressive war against the Soviet Union under Article 58-4 of the UK, RSFSR,
In accordance with Article 3 of RSFSR Laws dated 18 October 1991, "On the rehabilitation of victims of political repression", Braun-Klifford Charl'z Artur is rehabilitated.
[Seal of the Main Military Procuracy] MILITARY PROCURATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR REHABILITATION [signature] S. V. Lebedev-Gorskij
[TFR 36-105]
[First photograph is a side and front view of a lean dark-haired man in his 40's dressed in a dark jacket and white shirt without a tie. Across the bottom of the photograph is written: "568. Ehgon-Ogens Khain-Sal Samoch."]
[Second photograph is a front view possibly of the same individual dressed similarly but with a tie. There is no writing on this photograph.]
Mr Oggins Isaj Sajmonovich died the thirteenth of January one-thousand nine hundred forty seven 13 Jan 1947 age 49 years
Cause of Death paralysis of the heart owing to acute sclerosis of the coronary artery with associated angiospasms and papillary carcinoma of the urinary bladder which is recorded in the Civil Registry Office Book of Deaths 19 47 year January month 30 date
Completed corresponding entry No. 25
Place of Death: city, village Penza region oblast', kraj republic
Place of registration Northern ZAGS Regional Bureau
Issue date " 20 " January 1948 [place for seal]
I am reporting to you on the following:
In April, 1942 the American Embassy in the USSR, by a demarche addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, reported that according to information possessed by the Embassy, the American citizen Oggins, Isaj is imprisoned in a camp in Noril'sk. On behalf of the State Department, the Embassy asked for a report on the reason of his arrest, the term to which Oggins was sentenced and the condition of his health.
In connection with the requests of the American Embassy, two meetings took place on 8 December 1942 and on 9 January 1943 on the orders of Comrade Molotov with Embassy representatives and the convict Oggins. During these meetings, Oggins [Unknown number of words missing, whited-out] told the representatives of the American Embassy that he was arrested as a Trotskyite illegally entering the Soviet Union on someone else's passport to contact the Trotskyite underground in the USSR.
In spite of such a declaration, the American Embassy in Moscow repeatedly raised the question before the MID, USSR on the review of the case and the early release of Oggins and forwarded Oggins' letters and telegrams to his wife, who lives in the USA. They also told the MID, USSR that they recognize Oggins as an American citizen and are ready to repatriate
[TFR 36-107]
[handwritten "285"]
2.
him to his homeland.
On 9 May 1943, the American Embassy was told that corresponding Soviet agencies do not consider it necessary to review Oggins' case.
On 20 February 1939, Oggins [section of text whited-out.] was in reality arrested on the charges of espionage and treachery. [A large section of text appears to have been censored/ whited-out.]
While investigating these suspicions, we did not find corroboration and Oggins pleaded not guilty. However, a Special Session for the NKVD, USSR sentenced Oggins to 8 years in the ITL, counting the term from 20 February 1939.
[A large section of text appears to have been censored/ whited-out.]
the appearance of Oggins in the USA might be used by persons hostile to the Soviet Union for active propaganda against the USSR.
[TFR 36-108]
[handwritten "286"]
[underlined text is handwritten entries]
Based on this, the MGB, USSR considers it necessary to execute Oggins, and then to report to the Americans, that after the meeting with Oggins and American Embassy representatives, in June 1943 he was returned to the place of confinement in Noril'sk where he died in 1946 in a hospital as a result of aggravated tuberculosis of the spine.
In the Noril'sk camp archives of the we will reflect the course of Oggins' illness and medical and other aid rendered to him. Oggins' death will be recorded officially in his medical records along with an autopsy and burial certificates.
Since Oggins' wife [large section of text appears to have been censored/ whited-out] is in New York, she has repeatedly asked our consulate for information about her husband, knowing that he was arrested, [large section of text appears to have been censored/ whited-out] - we consider it useful [appears to have been censored/ whited out] to summon her to the consulate and tell her of the death of her husband.
I request your instructions.
ABAKUMOV
[TFR 36-109]
[handwritten "4"]
Given to: Comrade VLASOV of State Security
For: The Search and Arrest of KHEJN, Ehgon, also known as OGGINS, Isaj (Saj) Sajmonovich
Address: Hotel "Moscow", room #1035
[Seal "Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR"]
[Stamp "Peoples' Commisar of Internal Affairs of the USSR"]
Certificate 35 [Signature] HEAD, 2ND DEPARTMENT OF THE 1ST DIRECTORATE OF THE NKVD, USSR
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[handwritten "162"]
[handwritten "145"]
Special Session of the Peoples Commissariat of Internal Affairs
am. dated 5 January 1940
HEARD DECREED
3. Case No. 85/Investigative OGGINS, Isaj Sajmonovich to
unit GUGB NKVD USSR versus be sentenced to a term of 8
OGGINS, Isaj Samojlovich, born years for espionage, starting
1898, native of the state of 20 February 1939. Case to be
Massachusetts (USA), Jew, passed to the archives.
American citizen.
[TFR 36-111] [typed document with handwritten entries]
[TFR 36-112] [Seal of Russian Federation] General Procuracy of the Russian Federation 103793 Moscow K-9 Pushkinskaya St. 15-a 28 July 1992 No. 13/3-3940-92
Citizen Oggins, - Khejn Isaj Sajmonovich
Year and birthplace 1898, Willimatik, USA
Place of residence before arrest Moscow, Hotel "Moskva"
Place of work and duties (kind of work) before arrest USA subject
When and by which agency was he sentenced (repressed) arrested on 20 February 1939 under Article 58-6 of the RSFSR Criminal Code under suspicion of espionage. A prison term of 8 years was given for espionage by a Special Session of the NKVD, USSR on 5 January 1940.
It is the determination of the USSR Procuracy on 20 June 1989 that Khejn Isaj Sajmonovich Oggins falls under the action of Article I of the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, USSR dated 16 January 1989 "On the supplementary measures towards restoring justice for the victims of repression from the 30's, 40's and the early 50's."
Citizen Oggins, Khejn Isaj Sajmonovich is rehabilitated. Assistant General Procurator of the Russian Federation