Royal Navy serviceman recalls the condition of Russian troops during the second world war

[link to www.edp24.co.uk]
The state of the Russian forces based in the Arctic circle was the stand out memory for former able seaman Michael Mullarkey, 90, who served on board HMS Kent when the allies were delivering supplies to forces fighting the German advance.

Mr Mullarkey, who lives in The Cedars, Norwich, recalled arriving at Kola Inlet near Murmansk to find the forces living in huts surrounded by human faeces and in a malnourished state.

He said the Soviet troops were treated extremely harshly by their Soviet commanders and on one occasion when some rum had been reported stolen from one of the visiting ships, the two soldiers deemed responsible for the theft were executed by firing squad.

During his service between 1942 and 1946, Mr Mullarkey, who received the Arctic Star a couple of months ago, had to endure freezing temperatures and became a member of the Ancient Order of the Blue Nose, for sailors who had crossed the Arctic circle.



More at link