Tag: Soviet

What’s in the name of a house? – YEGORYEVSK, Longhurst Lane, Mellor

July 30, 2022

Mellor, a small village established during the cotton revolution, sitting in the foothills of the Pennines is arguably the remotest village in Greater Manchester. Historically it was in Derbyshire, incorporated into Cheshire in 1936, and finally gobbled up by Greater Manchester in 1974. Though it is an ancient village, the main road through it, Longhurst … More What’s in the name of a house? – YEGORYEVSK, Longhurst Lane, Mellor

Lancaster bombers operated by the Soviet Air Force in WW2

December 5, 2019

Although no Lancasters were supplied to the Russian military under the lend lease scheme in WW2 two examples were in fact used in Soviet Air Force markings. In preparation for Operation Paravane, the attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was anchored in a fjord in the far north of Norway, thirty-eight 617 Squadron and … More Lancaster bombers operated by the Soviet Air Force in WW2

First-hand account of when eastern Poland became western Belarus. October 1939

January 13, 2019

On 1 September 1939 Germany invaded the western half of Poland. Just over two weeks later the Soviet Union invaded the eastern half and immediately began incorporating it in to the Soviet Union. Below is an extract of my book ‘Two Years in a Gulag’ describing the event using a Pleszak family first-hand, hand-written account … More First-hand account of when eastern Poland became western Belarus. October 1939

Architectural marvel or hideous eyesore: Sluice Leśniewo Górne?

November 18, 2018

The Masurian Lakeland (Pojezierze Mazurskie) is Poland’s equivalent to the English Lake District. Situated in the northeast of Poland it has over 200 lakes surrounded by farmland, forest, and meadows. It is spectacularly beautiful and not surprisingly a popular tourist destination. Historically though, it was part of the German Empire as East Prussia when it … More Architectural marvel or hideous eyesore: Sluice Leśniewo Górne?

The changing name of the Russian State Security service: An evolution of terror!

April 10, 2018

ЧК – ГПУ – ОГПУ – НКВД – МГб – КГБ – ФСБ Cheka – GPU – OGPU – NKVD – MGB – KGB – FSB Russia and the Soviet Union have always employed a State Security Service. We have all heard of and are familiar with at least one of the many acronyms that … More The changing name of the Russian State Security service: An evolution of terror!