The experience of great ancestors

Historian Alexander Fokin recalls:

“Due to large losses on the fronts suffered by the Red Army in the first months of the war, the contingent of security authorities almost ceased to be allocated. In this regard, Murmansk counterintelligence began to equip intelligence and sabotage detachments and groups (RDO and RDG) from patriotic prisoners of camps located on the Kola Peninsula.

In accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR of the USSR of November 24, 1941, some categories of prisoners, for example, former military personnel convicted of insignificant official, economic and military crimes, were exempted with the transfer of the acting army.

First of all, candidates with good physical training were considered, resilient, knowledgeable radio departure, who could go skiing, etc. At the same time, the decision to free or not a specific prisoner was made by the state security officers, but the military command. ”