The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-05-03
WITH THE AEF
Hour With The Russians

guns and mortar Salutes in honor
of the impending junction.
Debunkers naturally will point
out that these salutes kept us pin
ned down for some time due to
the unfortunate fact that they were
aimed, in our direction. However,
that didn't surprise doughboy vet
Grams who have learned long since
that even in the American Army
any maneuver involving more than
two soldiers is bound to get fouled
up somewhere.
But let US continue. On the 9TH
er hand the Russian soldier is
phlegmatic, stolid and unhurried.
On our arrival we said. "Hiya To-
| varich. Glad to make your &C
quaintance. How long have you
been here?"
-Four days, Tovarich,' replied
a sergeant from Kiev calmly.
Naturally, all this was conduct
ed through an interpreter.)
"Four ay s.' we exploded.
Why didn't you come to meet
u.s."
1--WE knew you'd get here, To-
varich," said the Soviet sergeant
simply, thus demonstrating a rea-
listic appreciation of American
fighting ability-or else subtle
sense Of humor.
The Russian soldier is extreme
ly cocky in quiet sort of way
which makes it obvious he believes
there is only one army in the
world-his own. This was plainly
exhibited in confident attitude,
subdued surprise over t lie
achievements of this particular
unit of American soldiers. Over
their faces was written as plain
as if they had said it, these guys
are almost as good as U.s."
However, the Soviet Doughboys
showed an utter lack of bragga-
doccio in their admiring curiosity
about mechanical equipment. Al
though the Russian unit had a few
articles of lend-lease American
equipment, most of the gear sport
ed by the Yank cavalry outfit was
news to the Russians and. they
plainly showed they thought it was
the best they had ever seen.
AS to appearance some Reds |
are extremely neat dressers, |
wearing snappy uniforms, b u
many others look even more rag
tag than a tank or rifle company
after three months in the combat |
line.
Now we come to the human quail |
tiles of the average Russian. He
lis stern, even hardhearted, when
it comes to dealing with the con-
quered Germans. If this were not
apparent any other way there
would be no doubt of it after one
look at towns taken by the Rus
slams. Two we passed through in
their territory today were com
pletely empty. Every German had
fled, bag and baggage. Had those
towns been taken by Americans
hundreds of the civilian population
would have been hanging around
hoping for handouts. =. III
Still there was an American ser
geant who swore that Russian SOL
diers were giving part of their
food to dispossessed personnel-es-
capped political prisoners and the
like and otherwise fraternizing
with them in way forbidden to
U. S. Doughboys. II
As matter of fact the sergeant Il
was pretty sore about it on ac-
count of there was a couple OF
those babes / wouldn't have mind
ed fraternizing with myself" How
ever, that's all beside the point
which is that the whole incident OBJ
viously proves the Russians have
those human qualities common to
ordinary folks.
Probably it proves lot Of 9th
er things too, but even during
whole hour with the Russians you
can't cover everything. II
But at least you know now what
the Russian soldier really is like
unless like some of us you think
he is made Up Of too many types
of people and like the American
CT is too much of an individual to
fit any foolish generalities.
BUY WAR BONDS AND STAMPS