DELIVERY OF ITALIAN SHIPS TO SOVIET UNION

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02658621
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 22
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: May 3, 2022
• Case Number: F-2021-02351
• Publication Date: March 28, 1949

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CLASSIFICATION SI' IAIONTROL - U. S. OITIGIALS ONLY
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO.
INFORMAkiriC)11 REP nir CD NO.
COUNTRY Italy/USSR
SUBJECT Delivery of Italian Ships to Soviet Union
PLACE
ACQUIRED
CATE OF INFO.
- A:Ant
VHS OCCUR ENT CONTAIES IUFORIIATION AFFECTING WHI NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN TNN issautao or THE ESPIONAGE ACT SO
0.11. C., 31 AND Al. Al AMENDED. ITS TRADISTIISSION OR TAW REVELATION
OF ITS CON7ENTS II ANT MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIEED PERSON le FRO.
,111BITED UT LAW. REPRODUCTION OF THIN PORN IS PROHIBITED.
tOURCE
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DATE DISTR.
No.'0FPAGES
NO. OFENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
28 March 1949
22
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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A- The following information was obtained on the Russian Naval Mission
which arrived at La Spezia for the transfer of the "Z-12" (formerly(W)
"Artigliere"), to the Soviet Navy. The Mission was composed of the(b)(3)
following:
a) Ivan MINCCHENICO (M1ROSOHIOHENKO), Chief of the Mission,
Lt. Comdr., in the Russian
Navy.
b) Nikolai ANOPRIYEVa(ANOPRIEV)� Chief Engineer, a civilian.
c) Aleksei (Alekei) BARANOV, let Officer, Lieutenant of the
Navy.
d) Ivan KACHIRIN (KACHIRINE) Officer chatge of the
Artillery, Lieutenant in
the Navy.
e) Vladimir KASAKOV, Engineer, Lieutenant.
t) Peter SOBOL, NCO, In charge of the torpedo installations.
g) Peter SURKHAREV (SCURKHAREV), NCO, Civilian engineer.
h) Ivan GOTOKHOVTSEV, NCO Civilian engineer.
i) Pave). KULI-(KULII),NCO, Mechanic (former worker in a
Moscow factory).
Gennadi (Guennadi) MAIAKHOV, Interpreter, civilian.
Document No. 0 1.
Pavel SCRIM (SOURINE), Major of the Naval Engineer NO CHANGE in Class.
Corps, Engineer, arrived on 0 DECLASSIFIED
5 January 1949 to take the Class. CHANGED TO:
place of Nicolai ANOPRIEV, TS s
DDA Memo, 4 Apr 7 7
who returned to the Russian Auth: DDA REG. 77 1763
Embassy in Rome to replace Dates
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2. The above named arrived in Rome from Moscow by air. At Is
Spei;i:.- they took lodgings at the Concordia Hotel. MIRCS/'
CHIGHENKO� ANOPRIEV and the interpreter presented themselves
to the Chief of the Italian Naval General Staff, who introduced
them to Commander POLACCHINI, President of the civilian company
which temporarily had charge of the ship. On the day following
their arrival, the members of the Russian mission began the
inspection of the ship and the control of the various machinery
on board. During their stay at La Spezia, none of the Russians
had any contact with the local elements of the Italian
Communist Party. Nor did the local Communists make any
attempt to contact the Russians.
3. The civilian and military personnel of the crew of the "2-12"
who had for business reasons occasion of dealing with the
Russians, and the personnel of the hotel where the Russians
were staying, got an unfavorable Impression of the Russians,
both on account of the poor quality of their clotive and the
hard expression of their faces.
The first contacts between the Italian naval officers and
the Russians soon revealed the diffidence which the Russians
showed on all discussions dealing with technical matters, and
in particular on qdestions concerning the amount of materials
which were due to the Russians according to previous
agreements. This diffidence, however, gradually gave
way to a feeling of trust, thus creating an atmosphere
quite favorable to the mutual exchange of information.
On the other hand, the diffidence prevailing among the
Russians themselves soon became evident. The following
episode will illustrate the feeling which existed among
them: The Italian in charge of one of the sections of
the "Z-12" offered a glass of wine to two Russians who
were inspecting that part of the ship. Both refused.
However, as soon as one of the two left the section MI
some errand, the other took the glass of wine and winking
at the Italian, drank the wine. The same thing happened
whenever the Italians offered a cigarette to some Russian;
they refused if they were in the company of some of their
colleagues, but readily accepted if they were alone.
5. The most loquacious among the Russians was one Pavel KULII,
who, after becoming quite friendly with an Italian sailor,
told him that he was employed in a factory in Moscow as a
special worker, with a monthly salary of 900 rubles, adding
that with that money he could keep his wife and son, but
could not possibly buy any commodities such as clothes,
shoes, etc., beceuse of their very high cost. This same
Russian, in an outburst of sincerity, whIspered to his .
Italian friend: "Italy is like America." A few days
after their arrival, the members of the mission began
visiting the city, showing particular interest in the
goods displayed in the shops. A woman who knows Russian,
once heard one of the mission members say: "If on our
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return to Russia we told our friends of all of these
commodities which can be bought freely and without
ration cards, nobody would believe us." One of the
personnel of the Concordia Hotel reported that the
first purchases made by some of the Russians were
the cause of tremendous excitement among them. They
had bought watches, material for ladies� dresses,
overcoats for men, suitcases, hats, perfumes in
large quantities, woolen blankets, rabbit furs for
collars for children's coats, several radios, an
accordion for which was paid 100,000 lire, besides
socks and stockings.
6. The chief of the Mission had on several occasions invited
some Italian officers to dine on board the "Z-12", but the
invitations were not accepted. When he invited the civilian
commander of the "Z-12" and was again met with a refusal, he
asked whether this was done to the aversion on the part of
the Italians to share a meal with a Russian. With the
eXception of Major SOURINE, the members og the Mission
shored scant knowledge of the technical aspects of the
apparatus on board the ship and it was evident that they
were afraid of returning to their country without a working
knowledge of the functioning of the machinery. Most of
these Russians had never been in Italy before and there
is no doebt that the abundance of goods displayed in the
shops, the possibility of going about perfectly undisturbed
by police agents and buying all the commodities they wanted
must have made a greet impression on them, because at the
moment of departure, several of the Russians expressed
their regret at leaving Italy.
7. During their stay at La Spezia the Russians behaved well and
they did not give any cause of complaints: they stayed constantly
by themselves and did not make any friends with the local population.
B. Transfer of the "Z-12" at Odessa and Repatriation of Crew,2lJanu3ryl
8. The Black Sea: About 70 miles from Odessa, as was expected, the
Aussian destroyer OGHNEVOI met the "Z-12" and led it towards
Odessa at a speed of 20 miles per hour. During the voyage'
the Soviet destroyer emitted a large quantity of smoke and
stopped its engines. It is believed that one of its boilers
burned out. The OGHNEVOI stopped for about an hour during
which time it was possible to observe the ship at close distance.
a) Estimated tonnage: 19600 to 19800 tons.
b) Estimated caliber of armament: Two 120 mm twin
turrets; one 90
cal. gun in turret
ebove the No. turret;
two single machine
guns with very long
barrele; two double
torpedo tubes.
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eriGee: Of a prismatic shape with complete naked walls, without
brinee wings aria with the only opening e on the
bride level.
"ContropL.ncia": It is presumed that it otiets around the forward
tele ,etric turret. (Lo person ha G been observed
on the "controplancid0.
e) Telemetric turrets: Two turrets equipped with parabolic mirror radar
with central "dipol". The fore telemetric turret
is equipped with two telemeters,
f) :iaetet Only one foremast situated to the rear of the bridge. No
guys were noted, From the :eft mast arm descended
a tubular aereal. This was the only antenna that
could be seen. On the top of the mast there were
two bars about 70 ems long lined up uith the keel
and laying parallel to each other.. They were held
in place by a small fork fastened to the maste
Depth Charges: Emplacements for the discharging of depth bombs eere
noted e These were similar to those normally used,
h) eine layer: The emplacement for the laying of mines was noted but
the guides were not seen in place.
i) The hull: The centrl part was about 1.�50 motors above the sea levele
the ;lull had no openings. The bow seems ye:7 short
for the forward locations of go. 1 tueret.
j)
General external appearances: The eestroyer seemed to be freshly
painted and in eooe order,
Communications The Soviet authorities communicated the internatioeal. call
letters "IIPU" as the rime of the unit which was to meet the"Z-12"0 eccord-
ine to the list of names published by the International Office of Communica-
tions in its publication "Idicatifs 04^Ippel"� edition of January 1947, pub-
lished in 3ern, these call letters correspond to the Soviet ship "De:Lame-
jnik" and not to the destroyer "Ughnevoi".
l(L Only the international procedure was used between the "Z-12", the destroyer,
and the land station. From the beginning to the end of its mission, the
destroyer always communicated with the radio station which answered to the
call of "UKe2"e It is believed that this station belonged to the Kertch
radio group which serves only for radio communications with war vessels
_hen the radio station of the "Z-12" was turned over at Odessa, about 12
persons were present. The Soviet technicians stated that the wiring die-
grams of the Italian radio eeuipment were excellent, but that the trans-
mittine equipment was rather dated and that the Russians had nore modern
eeuipment
11.
not observed any variations in
the tone anu range of the _ooviet transmissions which z;leht indicate they
use irelrovedeuipmeate
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Soviet radio oeacons: No information regarding radio beacons in lussia
is reported in the publication, "Nomenclature des Stations des Services
4eciaux" published in 3ern in 1946 and revised to date 30 ]:40vember 1948.
In the 21 ck .ea, however, emissions from radio beacons were noted. It
was observed that all the old radio beacons which were known to exist up
to 1939 are now functioning. The following were actually heard:
a) oupatoria Point: Lat. 45� 091 00" M. Long. 33� 161 00" E.
b) Tarrhankut Cape: Lat. 45� 201 52" NI Long. 32� 291 36" E.
In the Black Sea the reception of Italian military stations of a noma
poser is favorable, Radio Rome, Taranto, and Venice were heard on a
600 meter wave with a power of three.
Ja.rival at Odessa: The "Z-12" stopped at the entrhe of the port at 1900
hours on 21 January 1949, A large motor boat fastened itself to the "Z-I2"
:;:t carried customs officers, sanitation officers, and a dozen sailors and
petty officers accompanied by a liaison officer, Lt. Cori.d.DZVICNKO, and
signal officers and signal men who went on the bridge .to indicate the route
to enter the port. Actually the "Z-12" followed a motor boat which gave
'oriel' signals in nussian to the signal men at about 2000 hours, the
,as riLik; at unc or in the roLostod, The boriet liaison officer
�oocoo the Italian officers to observe the follooik; regulations
lk)t to uoe the radio station;
b) :ot to take photographs;
Lot to z,ake sketches of any kind;
d) Not to take soundings
e) Not to throw out garbage;
f) To hoop t_e fires banked..
The lioison offieor was asked about the manner of giving the lien shore
J.eave He replica that it woulo be better to -;lait for the neat day
pending the final disposition of the Port Command; Commander iJIU
ono the civilian commander, Capt. ELoo�CCIIIIJI were told by the liaison
officer .that the Port Commander, Vice cJmiral 110VIK0FF, woulo receive
them at 2200 hours.
154Vist to the odmiral: The large motor boat brought the two Italian
officers ashore with the Soviet liaison officer, the interpreter,
Guennodi LKiIQV, and the head of the joviet nission, :IROSHIOILNKO,
,TJa group was picked up at the pier by two automobiles in boot condition
which drove them to the Odessa Naval Command. They were announced in a
lout voice by the sentinel. The Italian and Russian officers were then
received by odmirai NOVIKOFF and his staff (Chief of Staff, Captain
KO3C,1`,oVol?.0, the Assistant Chief of Staff 'otiose name is not known, and
the zdjutont, Lt. CoMdr. PoSK0). Ater the conventional formalities
the Admiral invited those present to be seated.
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16. Through the interpreter, the Admiral requested that Comdr. FABRIZIO
that a sea test with mixed crew be carried out. The Italian officer
refused because his orders at the time of departure specified that
he was only to transfer the ship at the port of Odessa. Admiral
NOVIKOFF did net insist. He offered each one a glass of cognac and
some apples. He toasted the health of those present and then ate
an apple placing the left avers in an ashtray. All the other Russian
officers followed his example immediately. Before they left, the
Admiral informed them that the following morning he w ould send some
specialists to take over the equipment. The officers returned aboard
their ship with the same motor boat previously-lamed.
17. Transfer of the "Z-12"s The following morning, 22 January, some
smalloraft brought aboard 200 sailors and petty officers. The per-
sonnel dilided itself into groups according to its rank and specialty,
silently and with discipline and waited for orders. They were led
to their various stations and ordered to "break ranks". The plan
which was carried out had obviously been prepared in advance. Every
corner of the "Z-12" was occupied. In any place where a man could
enter, a Soviet sailor was tote found. The Russians literally took
over the ship from. the top mast to the keel. Actually there was a
diver examining the keel of the ship, while a seamen perched on the
top of the foremast and started to turn wheels and valves and to
operate levers and reostate with irresponsible curiosity. Such a
procedure could have caused. serious accidents, especially, in regard
to the electrical equipment since the power was on. Lt. Condr.
DEVICENKO was notified of this, but he rarely replied that the men
knew what they were to de.
18. The ammunition and torpedoes were unloaded in the neantine. Almost
immediately-the mirror of the signal projector was cracked by the
sailors who had lit it and then opened it without waiting for it to
cool off. A torpedo fell into one of the crafts below from a height
of 50 ems damaging its direction fins.
190 The diver brought up ariece of cable which he had found twisted
around one of the propeller blades. The Soviet officer asked for
an explanation thinking that it was an act of sabotage and it was
necessary to explain that it was of no consequence at all.
20. During the early part of the afternoon the "Z-12" was taken to its
pier with the aid of two large American built tugs, the "Jupiter" and
the "Iran". Although the fore tug was advised that one anchor had
net yet been raised, it moved off with a great force, causing the
chain to break. After this incident the Russians examined the other
chain, link by link. The movement of the ship from the harbor to the
pier took five hours.
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On 23 January the work of turning over the rest of the ecuipment continued.
The last thing to be cone was the signing over of ownership, This took
place that evening in the quarters of the Commander. 3hort1y after the
Italian crew went ashore on the tug "Jupiter� ,hich took it to pier.
There two cars picked up the officers, two busses picked up the crew,
and a truck picked up the baggage, Everyone was driven to the Hotel
London where dinner had been prepared.
The Port of Odessa: ..'hen seen from the sea, the eort of Odessa seems
to be in good order and all the mechanical equipment seems to be efficient.
Durine the two ea,s qfisthe port, no cranes were seen
functioning and none of the numerous ships anchored in the port loaded or
unloaded anything The reason was that the 21st and 22nd of January were
not woeking days because it was the anniversary of the death of Lenin0
All mercl:ant ships flew their flags at half elast No one worked on the
23rd because it as Sunday,
23. -hen the docks and oiers were observed 'wee carefully and at close range,
it could be seen that they were seriously damaged during the war and
have sinue been repaired just enouLh to permit their being usedo
The piers and the enLire port area are serviced by railroad tracks but
the railroad network of the port is sufficient oilr for normal embarking
and eebarkitv traffic. 2,1moet all the trackage/Mbedded in the pave-
ment so that the free movement of other vehicles is possible,
25. The piers are equipped with mobile cranes, about four to a pier. Their
estimated capacity is about ten tons. The piers of the new port and
of the transit port have two cranes with a double jointed erm about
twice the tonnage of the first mentioned, A total of about 20 cranes
mere ceunted.
26, The port lacks warehouses, sheds and roofed platforms to receive goods.
It was observed that all the incoming and outgoing freight was piled up
in the open along the roads at the mercy of the weather. There are a
few small sheds -which can enly accomodate smell lots of goods. The roads
of the port area are paved with granite blocks similar to those used for
the city streets. The merchandise seen piled on the piers seemato be
intended for the armed forces. It consisted mostly of unfinished wooden
cases 3 xl 1 meters. Large spools about one meter in diameter of the
kind used for electric cables were observed packed in wooden cases.
_bout fifty new trucks were seen, These were grouped in lots of six
or seven and bore no plates or letterinc, of any kind.
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In the the port were anchored about ten ships varying from 5,000 to 10,000
tons and about 30 smaller craft of about 1,000 tons each Only one ship
over 12,000 tons was seen, passenger ship 115 Sr Ukraine", The vessel
was white and appeared well kept. All the ships in thu port were flying
the eoviet flag. Almost all, especially the large ohes, seemed veil
kept and newly painted,
26L No eeuipment indicating the presence of ships under construction as
seen in the shipyard area. However, flaatim docks which could accomodate
ships over 10,000 tons were noted,. No work is in prcy_Tess in the port
on new structures or in the repair of those parts of the pier which still
show the effects of destruction caused by the war
29. The entrance to the port is controlled by armed truards .ithin the port
area there are several sentry boxes which are linked by telephone\with
_larger buildings in which are unarmed guard personnel.
30.
32.
Late at ni,ht many women were noted in the interior of the port.. To-
gether with some men they were unloading a freight car. Other women
carrying the laterno were doing railroad work.
Besides the deetroye4 "Oghnevoi", an eulTiliary ship of the Italian "Dal-
mazia" type was also seen in the port, It had two 100 mm guns located on
the forecaetel and on the stern, - German motor boat (motozattera) was
clocked at the landing pier. It seemed stripped and practically abandoned.
Nearby was a small tanker. No other military craft were observed.
The port lights and beacons function regularly, On the route to the
approach to the roadsted, about 14 miles from Fontana Cape is a light
buoy with two vertical li.L7hts0 The upper light is *white and is fie.ed;
the lewer one is divided into two sections; it shines green towards
port and red seaward.
- 33. Stay at the Hotel London: The Italian personnel stayed at the Hotel
London from the evening of the 23rd to the evening, of the 24th then the
left Odessa. Only three officers were assigned rooms with one bed; the
others were assigned to roams with two, three, four, five and six beds.
The meals served were of fair quality; wholewheat bread was served. The
evening they arrived, the Italians were invited to the theater to see a
performance of the opera, "Itk;oletto", The following day they were in-
vit ed to visit the Luseum of the befense of Odessa. the House o the
Pioneers, and the Officers Club to attend a vocal and instrumental con-
cert. ort7Inized for the occasion, The main course of the luncheon offered
by the iussians on 24 January was mutton.
The City of Odessa The general impression which the city of Odessa
gives is that, of a city without life and without movement. The houses
daed by the .war have not been repaired. The side streets are neglected,
The stores are not well kept. The store windows show little merchandi_o
and what there is, is of inferior quality. For exam:ae, only one watch
store was seen; the window was completely empty and only repairs were
made. The few private stores which exist deal in hunting ecuipment,
antiques, cronuery and china, and furs, All other merchandise is fur-
nished exclusively by the large state owned ste--es which are the only
ones which have a flourishing look and which have large supplies of.
goods. These stores are few and are therefore alwys crolac,ed
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35. The prices even in the state-owned stores are very high at the Italian
exchanc'e of 1 ruble to 115 lire, The followinL are some of the prices
�ioiqens shoes of a very poor .,race of leather �� 452 rubles
"0,Aents cloth shoes aaa 6.66444666006by� 40 rubles
tcWio receivin_ 1,et, very olu model 1,100 rubles
,ult material, very coarse, per meter �.. 160 rubles
anall woocen box Ath very simAe workmanship ,� 268 rubles
lens linen pajama ,�.. ..... .�..,..��.� 268 rubles
60 rubles
- Lemon soda, two f:lass bottle, of inferior Lrade- 2 rubles
Beer, a liter bottle, of inferior ,:rade 3 rubles
Chocolate, a5 x 10 ember 27 rubles
, roll of c.b,)ut 100 crams vdth thin slices
One pack of 25 itussian cigarettes �,.�..�,....��
One class of tea
066565,6 � ,
5,20 rubles
9 rubles
0,75 rubles
36, Small businesses are tolerated. In the streets push-carts which sold
sweets, cookies, and cinsrettes were encountered..
-37e The buildins of the upper part of the city are fairly attractive and in
L;ood condition, No nodern style buildinLs were seen,, This indicates that
for many years no new buildincs have cone up and no old ones have been
remodeled, The main streets are fairly well kept, but electricity is
scarce and street lijlts are not sufficient for normal traffic, that
little traffic there is disappears completely as soon as it rots dark
Livinc the city a sad and deserted look, To have an idea of the picture
of solitude and sadness which the .city of OdesSmEives at niLht, it
must be realized that there is not one coffee shop toellve the streets
with its lif;hts and its customers.
38. Thnse are few trolley car and busses, These conveyances are very old
and always crowded and have women ticket collectors, People IK.m lonE;
queues at the windows of the .central post office, "Viail to foreiu,n countries
cannot be placed in an ordinary letter box, but must be handed ih at a
special window,
39. It was noted with amazement that durin6 the whole time
was in Oeessa he saw only one bicycle,
hardly arr,automobiles,
40.
one old horse-drawn
carriaL;e, and
Some Orthodox Churches were noted to be open to the public. The only two
C,,Aolic Churches, the French Church of at. Peter and the Italian Chttecn
were closed, :3ome members of the Italian crew on their way back -visited
the larce Ca,. olio Church in Iasi, the first iumanian city after crossirk
the a=sian border. The local Bishop asked them if they could civo him
infommr.vtion regarditv the Italian priest of the church in Odessa, He was
giv a neL:etive reply: He bea;ed members of the crew to ;ask the next
fOanSfer 1...oup to inHuire into this matter because he had not received
aw news from. the Italian priest of the Odessa Chruch in three years.
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41. ,,ith the exception of the families of officers and of government employees
the people of Odessa dress very shabbily. Ilany persons of all ages anu
of both sexes were seen literally in rags and looking undernourished� The
total external impression is that most of the people lead very dnab mono-
tonous lives. The Italians wore soon noted and became the sects of
lively curiosity and interest.
42. Buildipwp yisited: The following buildings were visited:
- The Odessa General Command - The :luseum of the Defense of Odessa
- The Building of the Pinocer - The Officers, Club
- The Hotel London (Inturist) - The Opera House,
The Odessa General Command is located in a building near the port. It
is in line with the nmbrosovski pier. The builoinL is low, ancient,
looks turreted like a castle, it has pointed arches in a Gothic-like
style. It has only one upper storeY. The office of the Comatkier,
Vice no.miral arliKOFF is on this floor, It is reached by a wide stair-
way; then one noes through a large hall with parquet floors. The walls
are whitewashed Opposite the windows there is a niche with a bust of
ntalin. The wide entnance to the hall is nucorated by two pairs of
short spiralled columns of dark stone. Their capitols suwort the
pointed arches of the ceiling giving the roam the characteristic look
of the interior of old Aussia. It as eviaent that evorythin, was kept
(b)(1) meticulously clean. Near the door to the ndmirals office was a desk
(b)(3) used by the officer or. duty Facing him was the sentinel who always
kept a dignified bearing. The office of the admiral was furnished
normally. On the wait behind his desk was a hue painting of aalin,
The rooms on the lower storey were used by the sentinels and for
various offices,
43,, The Odessa -uneum0 could not state there the museum is
located. The museum comprises of two rooms on the lower floor and
six or seven on the upper floor. It is well kept, n11 the rooms have
soft red carpets. In it has been collected material on the defense
of Odessa; extracts from newspapers, illustrative maps, photo,;naphs
of men and of .enerals� letters written by those nho (lied, notes,
personal memos, arms and uniforms taken from the unmans and �nlmanians,
captured enemy equipment, large pastel paintings showing incidents of
the battle which plain) the Russians in a heroic liEht" monels of armored
trains, and so-forth. ..,:vorythinn in the museum alms to show the infal-
libility of ntalin; the superior ability of the nussian generals; the
heroism, courage, and spirit of sacrifice of the aussians; and the criminal
spirit of the Germans. - director of the museum accompanied the visitors.
A youth of 17 acted as interpreter. The interpreter translated the fol-
lawinL initial explanation or the director: "The war was unleashed by
the Germans, but those who permitted the fulfillment of the program were
the capitalist nations i.e., nnLlann, irance and -merical which furnished
3-ermtiny the money necessary to reconstruct Germanys -heavy incustry."
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�he director explained the fall of .sessa as a prime strategic
evont lie stated, "France fell in only 35 aye, whereas to take just
Odessa it took the Germans 68 days. It can be safely stated thatthus
German lightning war became a myth," zany photographs were shown which
illustsated her: many plants were transformed from peace nroduction to
war production at the booirininn of the seine, These changes permitted
the construction of armored.railway cars and locomotives. The director
dwelt long on this subject to praise the spirit of sacrifice and the
ability of the Soviet workers of Odessa,
(b)(3)
45. The Building of the Pioneers. Here boys from 7 to 14 years of ace ars
educatea, st present 1,100 children are enrolled in the school. Only
about 20 were present when the school was visited, The principal tho
accompanied the Italians on a tour of the school explained that all the
children yore taking out-of-aJors physical training in a place far from
the school because the school aid not yet have a nymnasium. The principai
stated through the interpreter, "The school of the Pioneers was founded
by those who nave the best of their energies to achieve the Soviet isles's.
Now they gather hero two or three times a week and decide on the pro,2ans
for instructive trips which the children must take, They thus visit the
port, the various plants, and so-forth� The main purpose of the school
of the pioneers is to guide the very young on the paths of science in
accordance with the teachings of the leaders Lenin and Stalin", it the
entrance of the building is a large hall uses as a cloak-roon. All the
halls are spacious and tastefully decorated, There are the following
hal]s,
- Hall
- ;ecreation Hell
- Homework and Aeadi.i.g aoom
- sviation :odel Hall
- Pioneer (Boy ;.)cout) Hall
- irts and e. ic hnll
- Lecture Hall
- Lleerotechnical 'La11
- Lancing School Hall
- Hall for the Ocaltation of the Leaders
JIlL the halls have many flags and many busts and very large paintings of Lenin
anu ,talin� In the "Hall for the 'ixaltation of the Leaders" there were
series of nhototraphs illustrating the li.e of Stalin and Lenin, On the well
was a quotation attributed to Lenin thich translated states, "On4y throurl,
specialization can the roads of science be taken, this being the definite nne
0114.- scope of th. Soviet State, and for this it is necessary to study, study
and study", Various exhibits of artistic work and craftsmanship, all dome by
the students, were shown, These included water colors, drawings, eibroes
oudels of sail ships, war ships and merchant ships, radio sets, am so on
ihe f w children present -wore long trousers of differ.;nt co1os, white
ana a red kerchief Lround the nocka
46. The Officersv Club (Offizier Don) was very unpretentious� The cloak roor
is built in the space under a st,:aircase- The tables were of ;the 1;3.i.s ei,ht-
eenth certa,Tr_t.yle� The club has a small bar which secmedle:anov ,:rr'Ince-
mento The club has a room used to show movies� It nos a stae
Stalin at the sides and ELd. flar:s� On the vans are nnmerous prop gmda
inscriptions� The program prepared for the Italians consisted of P. thour;:s
and fZussian balluLs The projcari opened with a "Song to Stalin4'., fter ;Jt4k:
program a technicolor film entitled "The Life of atcsiurin3 was shorn
film praised the patriotic lovo !,%f the distinguished botanist who turned
1,he lafe offers made by ,,merlla capitalists who wanted bin tc; -o to .merica,
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.47. The Hotel London (Inturist) is a large building on one of the most
beautiful streets in Odessa. It is one of the old hotels of the city
formerly patronized by wealthy touristsandetravellers. It is e first
class hotel which can be compared tethose of the major European cities.
Clients mast be very rare because no civilians mere noticed aroacrene
hotel. It was observed that when the Italians arrived three or four
different civilians were seen going up and down with the same suitcase
which vas evidently being passed on from one person to the other to
give the appearance of a movement of clients which actually did not
exist. Lithe lobby of the hotel there was a policeman permanently
on duty. There were also other persons in civilian clohtes who tried
to appear indifferent to the presence of the Italians, but who in-
variably followed them whenever anyone of them seemed about to go out
to visit the city. Many members of the Italian crew noted that during
their absence their baggage was searched.
48. The Opera House. This is an old, famous theater. It has not been
damaged by the war, and its luxurious interior has remained intact.
The audience which attended the showing of "Rigoletto" seen by the
Italians0 was eetelurerous. It consisted mostly of officers and their
families. Thel.adies Hwore afternoon dresses. None of them wore gold
or jewelry. The. orchestra was small, but the singers wore excellent.
The people were crowded in the gallery. During the intermissions the
Italian officers were approached by a Russian officer who spoke fair
Italian. When he was asked how he happened to knew Italian, he replied
that he was of Albanian origin and that he was in Odessa together with
other Albanian and Polish officers who were frequenting ho Military
Academy.
49. Marks and lettering on vehiclee. As previously stated, very few auto-
ilea and iRicks were observed circulating on the streets of Odessa.
Almost all vehicles were American made. This canbe stated with certainty
because the blue color of the hood and the letters "U.S.A." above the serial
number were noted. Some vehicles were of German make. This was ascertained
by the presence of the two mines with the letter "K" on the radiator. Two
Italian cars, an Aprilia and a Topolino, were noted. All Russian trucks
have painted in white on, the sides and on the rear two sets of two numbers
each preceded by the letters shown in the diagram attached. For trucks
the first two numbers are usually between 20 and 40, for automobiles between
00 and 05. One truck was seen w ith 01 for the first two pairs of numbers.
Navy vehltles generally have give numbers preceeded by the letter "M "
(initial letter of flot?). This is followed by a number and then two pairs
of nuMbers for example:
� M 9 - 47 . 90 (sseen on an automobile of the Naval Command)
e M 2 . 38 - 69 (license plate of a jeep with military personnel).
Only one automobile of a completely unknown model and trade mark was seen.
This automobile was believed to be Russian. In Bucharest ,very many Ameri-
can automobiles were seen, all belonging to the top Soviet authorities.
The oars were all very new and included Lincelns, De Sotos, Oldsmobiles and
Fords.
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50. Departure from Odessa: Late on the evening of 24 January the Italian prow
boarded two busses which took it to the railroad station whence it started
its return trip. The Odessa station vas practically deserted. At the entrance -
eas a gate where customs officials, si.,en and women, in uniform were on duty,
The Odessa station has no roof. There were few passengers on the train, It
seams that in order to travel in aussia one needs nat only a ticket, but also
a permit from the authorities of the city of residence. The train consisted
of 15 care, each of which has about half of the capacity of an Italian pas- �
senger car, The trains are old, but are equipped for long trips in cold
climates. They have double windoes and bunks for everyone� There are three
differentetlasses. Third class passengers sleep on wood. Second class-pas-
sengers sleep on a horsehair mattress and are provided bedding and towels.
Those in the first class sleep on a wool mattress and are provided with
bedding and a towel. There is a worker who hands out the bedding and takes
care of the cleaning. The Italian car was the last on the train. In the
rear of the car there was a policeman armed -with a gun who left the train
at the Rumanian frontier, During one stop at early dawn three policemen armed
with submachine guns were seen on the train. They took a peasant woman off
the train and accompanied her to the guard post. Along the route some villages
were seen, These consisted of about a hundred huts with thatched roofs, None
of them had electric power. Houpes are few and the country is deserted. The
roads which could be seen were little more than paths. On the way to the hu-
manian frontier no motorized vehicles were seen from the train, but only a few
horse or oxen drawn carts,
(b)(3)
510 Uncheni: At the frontier the Soviet police examined the travel documents
hastily because Lt. Comdr. PeSKO and the interpreter flsLaKOV were present.
The Italians were informed that they had to spend all the rubles they had in
their possession because they could not take them across the border. The
buffet at the station sold tea, chocolate, sweets, cheese, re2ls and other
things, but at absolutely prohibitive prices.
52. Jasi: At the Jasi station the representative3of the Italian diplomatic dele3ation
to Rumania were waiting for the crew. Ir0 FOAG-NINI, Italian Vice Consul at
Jasi offered lunch at a restaurant. Present were theausaian Consul at Jasi;
Lt. Comdr. SUVZOV, Attache of the Soviet nmbassy in Rumania, who accompanied
the Italians to Bucharest; and Constantin SUCeCIU, Inspector of the Rumanian
Railways, who indicated that he had much sympathy for the Italian people,
53.
Vice Consul FORGdNIN1 has been living in Rumania for many years. He stressed
the present squallor of the country in comparison to its we.lth of former
days, He poined out that all the old and beeutiful sObres have been famed
to shut down leaving the city looking very drab, After the wealthier classes
were deprived of all their possessions. the level of living began to fall off
and�the people loet their gaiety and serenity� eages today are lower th. n
whereas the cost of living has risen sharply. A worker earns 220
lei a day (a lei is worth two lire), but the prices in the stores are about
double thoee of Italy.
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54. dle Italian personnel met two old Italian workers who have been living in
'hAetnia for any years, They stated that the prison of Jasi is crowded with
professors, students, and people who try to oppose the present regime, The
etete-otnership of ineustry is almost complete� Only tobacco vendors and
barbers are still eermitted to exercise their business freely. The Italians
were told that larno number of partisans are hidine in the mountains and
that all hope for an external intervention in order to hold on the country,
550 Bucharest There is plenty of movement in this city, but it is still inferior
to what it normally was, This city, as Jasi, is decorated with large red
streamers praising the Rumanian Peoples Government0 eherever possible large
pictures of Lenin and Stalin have been placed, The few stores which are still
open are bare. The owners find themselves in the grave dilemma of finding
money to pay the taxes which are far above their reach, or to ; o to jail,:
560 The personnel of the Italian Legation reported'that one of the most luxurious
villas in.3echarest� located in the Giano Park, belongs to hon. Giuliano
ParTTA, the Italian Communist Deputy, Both he and his brother frequently
visit Bucharest where they both are in contact with the Cominform.
(b)(3)
57. The workers of the Bucharest city are obliged to report to work half an hour
before their -work day begins to lieten to the reading and comments of pol-
itical articles which appear on the Communist press. Occasionally at the
end of the explanation they are questioned. Early members of the Italian crew
received in Bucharest confirmation of what they had beea told at Jasi record-
ing Rumanian conditions, Baron SCAAWCA, Italian Minister to Rumania,
accompanied the crew to the station� The Russian Naval Attache, Oapt, PEBEKOFF,
and the Russian Assistant Naval Attache, SnaZ0V, were at the station to see
the Italians off.
580 The Brazi and Ploesti nil Refineries Beeond Brazi it was noted that the oil
rafineries are _11 full operation, horkers were seen workine, along the eailroad
tnacks guarded by swo armed men. Lau tank cars were standing along the tracks,
In the Ploceti zone the derricks are in full operation.
59. The train personnel of the humanian railroad had at first mistaken the Italians
for Russians and had acted with ho indifference. ehen it learned that
the passengers were Italians, the train personnel tried to show its s,mpathy
in every possible way0 A member of the Italian craw asked a Rumanian trainman
why he showed so nuch lieine for the Italians when he was a member of the Com-
munist Party. The it,nanian replied that he had to have a Party card to work
and to live, but that he eeepised the Communist Party. To make certain that
his meaning was understood he took out his membership card and with elcseuent
gestures coepared it to a piece of toilet paper, finally he imitated the gesture
of spitting on it a couple of times,
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(b)(3)
ISQ, Budapest: The stop in Buunpest was very brief. The Italians got a bare glimpse
of the city on their way to a.restaurant where iiinister DEI!e'OnI offered lunch
to the officers� Lespite the new form of government, the city still retains the
appearance of a estern city. Slogans, red flags, and pictures and busts of
Stalin and Lenin were observed in the windows, but in smaller quantities than
tn Rumania. During the journey from Bucharest to Budapest the Soviet authorities
lid not fail to provide the Italians with an escort of two soleiers. These two
however, menaced to disappear for the duration of the tri_ and to reappear
at the arrival in Budapest,
61, Vienna In Vienna the Soviet authorities gave the Italians one hour and a
half to give them a chance to eat at th2restaurant at the station, et 2300
hours the crew boarded the train again and vas transferred to the South
Station where it spent the night in the train. The following morning the
final control by the Soviet authorities took place on leaving the noviet
,one of eustria, It was followed by a very rapid ezaidination by the eustrians
who replaced the British in this function.
62 Kleehenfurtt The Italian Consul was at the station. He had been sent by the
Italian Legation in Vienna� He had ordered a hot lunch for the entire crew,
This was served on the train by waiters since the train was stopping only for
a seort time.
Oa TarViSiOg nt about 2000 hours on 28 January, the Italian crew arrived in
Italy and entrained for La Spezia.
���
The ermed Forces t It was observed that the mombors of the Soviet ermed Forces
are very well dressed end equipped. It is evident that military personnel,
especially officers, belong to a privileged class. Formal uiscipline is very
remarkable. It is probably maintained by severe regulations. The general
impression was that eereonal ability and training are not outstanuing.
65. :Liscellaneous incidents: The day following the arrival of the "Z-12u in
Odessa, the Italian commander of the ship had to send a telee,am to the
Italian delegation in Bucharest. Therefore permission was requested from
the Soviet authorities to send ashore the second deck officer, 11/0
Permission was granted� esTAEIT.4 was accompanied ashore by four officers0
after a brief stop at a sentinel box he was picked ep by a jeep with six
armed soloiers. Ho was driven to the General Headquarters rather than to
the telegraph office. At the Naval Headquarters he was informed that the
telegram would be translated into Russian and sent free of charge to its
destination� ASTAaln was re-accompanied to the pier in the sago jeep and
taken back on board the ship.
Soviet 2nd Lt0 raiRODIN boarded the ship together with the customs officials
and san'epation officers before the 'Z-l2" entered port. POnODIN had lived
many years in Paris and spoke French fluently. He dieted sympathy for the
Italians when he was alone with them. He spoke frankly on political sebjects0
et the invitation of the cook, he told a Communist member of the crew that he
was Russian, but not Communist and that Russia has 200 million people of
w em only five edllion are CoAmunists. He also stated that in Russia there
is no unemployment because the work ia divided into work shifts, but l5e.: of
the workers attend their work shifts without workinnn, After that PWODIN was
not seen areain.
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SOURER-e3V Peter, eussian specialist who boarded the "Z-12" was assigned to
load water and kerosine on beerd. He eemenstrated to his s.perviaor,
engine eirector 00eeINe, that he did not. ;nmi where the tank openings were
located. For this he was punished with two months imprisonment.
68. During the showing of the film, The Life of isitciurine at the Soviet Officers
nub of Odessa, Comdr. FhBaLao asked a young lady who was teanelatine for him
the eussian dialogue into enelieh, why the woman shown on the screen did such
heavy work as transplanting trees, The young ledy replied in a whisper with
ill concealed bitterness and veiled irony, "Do not forget that here we are in
Russia".
69., iany officers and soldiers were noted in Odessa, but it was not possible to
btain any approximate figures on their total number.
70. Lt, Comdr. SC7e1T40V told Comdr. FA3RIZIO that a new recently established.
train oakes it possible to eo from Uescow to Vladivostok on the Trans-
eiberien railroad in only 12 days,
710 SaeVZOV also stated that the Russian Vaval Academy is in Leningrad. The
students frecuent the school for four years to achieve the rank of
leasigno
720 The treatment of the Italians by the Soviet authorities as shown in this
report, indicates that they did everything to leave every Italian member
of the crew with a good impression.
73� Almost the entire Italian crew was very much amazed by the vision of
Communism in Russia as it really is. Each member of the crew spontaneously
st*,-ed to compare the theories preached by Communist propaganda in Italy
with what they saw of Communist achievements after 30 years of absolute
power. The visit to a Russian city, and not ,a minor city either, did not
substantiate in the least the preachines of Italian Communist propaganda,
the impression was such that each one felt a sense of relief at re-enterin
Italy. The vision of Aumania which only a few years ago was so rich and
flourishing, and which has entered recently within the Communist orbit,
showed very clear evidence that the arrival of Communist domination marks
a crude regression in the spirit-al and material spheres,
Repert on the Transfer at the Port of Valona of the "1-11" (Former "Giulio
Cesare") to the ILS.S. Rop 3 February 1949.,
74. The "Z.11" left Augusta at 1000 hours on 2 February and by 1100 hours she
was out of the port. At 9115 aem" on 3 February, when the ship was 8
miles from Point A., the Russian auxiliary "Fielent" was sighted: The
"Z-11e followed the source of the tanker at Ptint A, at 1000 hours and by
1230 hours she lay anchored at a point marked by a patrol vessel of the
Albanian Navy, a little more towards the land than it had been arranged,
at e point where the depth of the sea was 30 meters. Contacts by radio
uith the pilot-boat were effected after the eechanee of optical signals
(the various attempts at establishing contacts during the night and the
first hours of the morning In order to communicate the hour of arrival
had been fruitless), The signals between the two ships, for the trans-
mission of information on the speed, depth of the sea. etc., were elbcted
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us means of projectors actioned by Russian signalmen. The "Fiolent" is
an auxiliary ship of the Soviet merehant marine (blue pennon with a white
square on the upper left corner, with the hemmer and sickle in red))
Gross tonnage: about 1000 tons, equipped with Diesel motors; speed kept
during the safety course: 11 knots; military crew.
75. A .bout 1300 hours by means of A tueboat, a scout vessel and several
elbanian fishing motor-vessels, the Russian crew, consisting of about
600 men, including officers and UCOs� boarded the "Z-11", These Russians
belonged to the Black Sea fleeteCiornomorski Flot"), and were under the
command of Capt. Boris Baera. Soon after their arrival the Russians
took over the ship. They seemed particularly concerned at making sure that
no acts of sabotage had been committed, rather than getting acquainted with
the various parts of the ship and relative services. Since no authorization
had been reelested for the embarkation of the Russian crew, the Italian
cemeander did not find suitable accommodation for thee, so that during the
first night they slept as best as they could on the bridges and decks. The
Officers slept in the cabin: occupied by their colleagues who had taken
possession of the ship at sugusta. On the same evening of their arrival
on hoard the ship, the Russians inspected minutely the chains of the anchors
and as many parts of the ship as tine would allow.
76. The handing over of the materials on board the ship was effected without
great (ifficulty, The inspection of the materials was on the whole carried
out superficially, evidently because of the assurances given by the Russian
personnel embarked at sugusta who guaranteed the complete efficiency of all
the installations. The thelaees caused by the sea were duly registered,
Items were found missing, suCh as mattresses, blankets, sheets, etc., and
a list of them was made and signed by Commander DOSelt0, for the Italian
government, and Commander BELsILIT for Ur Russian authorities�
77, The Russians were very reserved, even when they talked among themselves,
and their attitude gave no cause for complaint. .hen they spoke of their
country or of the Russian Navy, they never entered into any detail; they
also avoided any discussion on political affairs. They often mentioned,
however, the desire of all the Russians for peace, often adding that they
hoped that relations between Russia and Italy, and also between Russia
and all the outside world, will be cordial0 according to the statements
of some Russian technicians, as soon as the Italian ships will reach their
destination in Russia, they would undergo repairs and adjustment, for which
it 13 hoped that the Russian technicians will have the collaboration of
Italian experts.
.78. The Russian technicians embarked at Augusta were 01 officers and NCOs
destined to become part of the crew, with the exception of the interpreter
who was an engineer in the railways and a certain DJURIN, who was believed
to be on board to keep the technicians under surveillance, and who, in any
ease, was a representative of some political organization rather than a
member of the Armed Ferces.
(b)(3)
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(b)(3)
79. This group got on very well eith the Italian personnels for whom they showed
great sympathy. In seite of tee fact that they knew that relUions between
the Italian commander and the Russian commander, BE,LnIEV who had succeeded
Coanander ZILOVInV after the latteres death at Augusta, were very strained�
on their arrival at Valona the Russian crew embaSe,,eiat Augusta continued to
chow their friendly feelings towards n11 the Italians and to the Italian
Commander in particular, and sometimes clearly indicated that they did not
approve the attitude of their superior officers. In particular the inter-
preter, speaking to the Italian Commander after an interview between the
latter and Commander BELALOV, said that he perfectly understood the Itelianrs
point of view, and the unpleasant situation would not have occurea if Juni
KOSZ.LTIDOVICH (i.e., Commander LIflOVIEV) had been alive0 naking sure
that nobody could hear him, the interpreter ended by uay_ng Commander
aanieV had sheen little tact and diplomatic sense. After uttering these
words, the interpreter again looked around to be 'sure that nobody over-
heard his words, and left hurriedly with a frightened expression on hie
face.
SO, The Russians embarked at Augusta and adapted themselves perfectly to the
living conditions of the Italians, and shoved their pleasure at mining
with them, They gave the impression somehow that they were not terribly
keen at the idea of having to return to live according to the Soviet
system. They looked rather depressed, as people for ehom a pleasant
period of their lives tdefinitely closed, in spite of their assertions
that they were anxious to return home and be with their families again.
(It is worth noting that of the 46 Itussians embarked at Augusta, there
was not one bachelor, From the time they had left Russia, they had no
chance of correepondine with their own people at home.)
81. The Russians seemed to appreciate the quality of the Italian food served
on boardship. On the day followinE, the arrival of the ship at Valona, they
ate at the Italian messroom. and partook of the Italian food with the
exception of the wine, the serving of which is forbidden on ,iussian shiee,
82.
Ale Russian crew which was embarked at Valona, had arrived from Russia
on board e. ship probably the flUkrainet11, and had remained ashore at
the Albanian capital, pending the arrival of the "Zeal". The Italian
Commander to,ether with other Italians, was very badly impressed with
the confusion reigning among them, and defective organization of the
unit. The unirprma of the sailors were well kept, although the material
employed, including that for the officers o uniforms, was of poor euality,
The uniforns worn during working hours are mostly dirty and torn, and are
of various shapes and color,
83. The food served at the Russian mess, although it nust have been euite
nourishing, juagine, by the healthy, strong appearance of the eallors,
was certainly not appetiecing, It consisted of black bread (maee of
_heat, rye and other cereals and ingredients which .ere difficult to
identify) a thick soup of legumes, tasting horribly, and some canned
meata For breakfast they were given some black bread with e ther a
little sugar or a little butter, In the -ay of drinks only tea and
eater were served, The Italian crew noticed that among the foodstuffs
loaded on board the ship, there was a considerable euantity of canned
'ood of emerican wake,
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84,0 Several elements among the Aussian crew showed considerable technical
knowleeee, so much so that in a short time they were able to carry out
all the duties on board the ship. Some ds!icient aspects of their
preparedness was noticed by the irrational manner in which they carried
out the inspection of the various services. On more than one occasion
the Italians had to call the interpreter in order to tell the sailors
not to open certain valves, or else not to MINV3 near the fuel tanks.
As already stated in this report, the various inspections carried out
by the Aussian technicians seemed to be done more with a view of ascertains
lag whether there had been any attempt to sabotage the vessel, than to
becoming aceuainted with the machinery and materials. During one of
theee visits on board an Italian submarine, the Russians reeuested that
th safe in the cabin of the commander should be opened. Since there
was no key, both the Italians and the eussians tried to force the lock,
but without success, Then the aussians decided to detach the safe from
its niche, and only when after a great deal of trouble they succeeded
in their work, and by shaking the safe they became convinced that there
was notnins in it, did they seem satiefieds
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86. As soon as the ship was taeen over by the 2ussians, several watertight
compartments were closed by them, and the passage through certain parts
of the ship interdicted, Thus, in order to co from one point of the ship
to another, one was compelled to waste a lenr time, also because of sen�
tries posted on duty practically everywhere, The discipline in the euseian
lkyy seems based exclusively on the fear of his superior, but evieently it
is not spontaneous or felt by the sailors, All the Rusalans on board, in�
eluding officers of all ranks, vent about as if they moved in an atmos,eere
charged with mistrust and fear, They spoke to the Italians only if there
were no other Russians about, and stopped once as soon as they saw one
approaching, They were afreTS of accepting anything from the ,italians
if they were in company, but would eladAy share with the Italians the
Italians ration of wine, white bread, oiearettes, if they were alone, It
was noted that those Russians who at Augusta had gradually adopted a normal
attitude, as soon as they mixed with their countrymen at Valon , looked
asain worried and took that abstracted attitude,
Very few of the Jeussian personnel exchange any conversation with
the Italians because of the difficulty of =kin, each other under
�
steeds A sailor Who knew French, being a student, spoke a little
with one of the Italian officers. He complained that he had been
forced to interrupt his studios because of his military service,
which in the Aussian Navy has a duration of six years, Another
auesian who spoke a little .6nslieh once entered
cabin, and upon seeinr SOMP illuotrated magazines, asked permission
to look at them. Imade him a preLent of several of
them, and was rather shocked when he saw the Ruesianeteekins up
the periodicals under hie shirt, 00MQ
sailors who had been discovered by their officers while looking at
some Italian illustrated magazines had the neespapers taken away
from theme
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The Italian Commander could not say when the ships would leave the
port of Valona for their ueatinatihn Aucsia, Coummnder 1.11.1,J4
had tole hira that he expected to leave in a weeks time at the most.
Other Russian officers instead, including the interpreter, said
that they believed that they would not reach Russia before the end
of harch.
0. Trencfer of the "Z-121! 4nd ":1-.14" (submarines) to the U.S.S.R. at Valona,
.-41.ruP,12Y 19490
89, , The departuhle from Augusta, which had been fixed for 3 February 1949
had to be postponed to the 5th because of the bad weather. Contact
with the Russian thanker was effected according to schedule, and by
1800 hours the two ships were moored alongside the new wharf in the
port of Valona.
90.
helations with the Russian personnel: Relations between the Italian
and Russian crews during the voyage were excellent. Apart from the
ugliness of their appearance, due to the badly-cut civilian clothes
they yore, the Russians behaved very well, showing punctuality in their
arrangements, and always asking the superior officers for whatever
they needed or explanations on the functioning of the machines and
installations on board the submarines. As it is known, both the
officers and petty officers had been chosen among those who could be-
have correctly towards the Italian crew. From a phofessional viehpoint,
they seemed well acquainted hith the submarine equipment, but showed to
be rather slow in learning what was told them by the Italians, and
seemed to forget quickly what they had just learned. Gradually, they
bechme more friendly towards the Italian crew� often expressing their
appreciation for the manner they were being treated; they also showed
aemiration for the ability of the Italians, saying that they would
have been glad if some Italian NCOs could have gone to Russia for a
fixed period, They said that the Itussian Itlnistry of Defense had given
its approval to the enlistment of Italian military personnel, but, after
making some enquiries with the proper authorities, this proved not to
be true. Nevertheless the Aussian officers insisted until the last day
with the request of engaging Italian personnel, adding that .all dif-
ficulties with the Russian authorities could be overcome.
91, From the attitude of theRussians, all the Italians, either officers or
the enlisted personnel, hot the impression that they were good people,
rather naive in their way of talking and acting, incapable of thinking
with their own brains, perhaps more suitable to be peasants than good
sailors, but on the whole behaYlrg very well. However these favorable
ivressions were destroyed as soon as the ships arrived at Valonal
leaving the Italians astonished and indignant.
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92. The hannin over of the ships as effected in too much haste, about
four hours in all. Apart from difficulties made abou't, thins of
ntn.xautely negligible importance, the Russians took over all the
material without bothering to make accurate inspections, and no
alterations ware made in the inventory, Ile Russians authorities
seemed solely anxious to see to it that no sabotage acts had been
committed�
93. All the Italians got the impression that the Russians were ready to
obey even the most exacting order without any effort on their part
to interpret the orders with the minimum of intelligence, The equip-
ment of the sailoes and the kind of foodstuffs distributed to the
crew, seemed inferior,
940 Valona awing to the brief duration of their stay in the port of
Valona, the late arrival, the route followed, which skirted Cape
Linguetta, the fog which hid completely the moorings of PasciaT-Lima
and Porto .tagusa, very little information could be added regarding
the conditions of the port of Valona under the Russians, There is
no doubt that thCy are absolu.6e masters in Albania and can do what-
ever they like in the port of Valona at least, The few crafts moored
in the harbor (two tugboats, and a few motor-boats and motor-launches),
raised the Albanian flag and were manned with Albanian crews, but they
were obviously kept at the disposal of theaussian6 In the cabin of
one of the motor-launches two enormous portraits of Stalin and Lenin
were aoted, The piers were guarded by Russian sentries, Attempts
to secure information from two Albanian petty officers and one officer
wbo stood on the pier, produced only evasive replies. One of then,
however, did say that they were better off when the Italians ruled
the country.
� 95, The impression received by the Italian Commander was that the port of
Valona has not yet been equipped properly, and that no works of
appreciable importance have been carried out. If one credits the
information gathered from some hlbanians, the first Russian sailors
arrived at Valona only in Novenber 1948. It is possible that the
port even lacks a storage warehouse because some goods (including
barre)% of nasoline, a field kitchen, etc.) were seen amassed
on the pier unco vere4,
96. Russian sailors wearing diving suits, evidently for inspecting the
hulls of the two submarines were noted. None of them were able to
affect submersion probably bac, u e they were not trained for this
kind of work, The diving suit consisted of a one-piece rubber dress
wnich completely covered the diver, head included, The breathing
apparatus consisted of a lung sack with two cylinders of about 5
liters, set vertically, connected by , tube located at the hi-ht of
the eiverls mouth, The upper part of the suit had only one central
lens to unable the diver to see, Four sacks containing load, applied
at the shoulners and sides of the diver, act as ballast,
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Saseno and most of the coast because of the conditions above indicated
could not be observed., The Italian Commander noticed, however, that no
,orks of any kind had been carried out around Punta San Giovanni� In
the port there was only the unit which had piloted the two submarines
into the harbor; a small tanker of modern construction forming part of
the aussian ilercantile flavy; it hoisted a blue pennon with a white s_uare
on its upper left corner t decorated with the hammer and sickle, The
"Z-11" hoisted the flag used for the larger ships, a white pemon with
a star, and the hammer and sickle; and on the lower part, a blue stripe,
coveri; about one-fifth of the flag � Accordia to the inforlaatian
received froo usin .f)ffiner, all the armed chips of the .Lussian
Navy raise the flag of the soviet Union; a red flag with a laurel
wreath with the hammer and bicklo in the center�
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