Translated from the Finnish language.
The author of this small diary fell in front of the Finnish base “Kreml” in the Ohta sector on April 1, 1942 at around 10:00pm. The diary was found in his pocket and translated at the command post of the 7th Infantry Regiment in Termola in April 1942. According to the papers found on him he was a teacher, had studied 10 classes of school, and “been through studies” in the sports academy and electrical institute.
Kasarev’s Diary 27.1. - 1.4. 1942
27.-30.1.42. On guard duty. Away from the front line! My feeling of responsibility is fading. I am gaining weight and getting in better shape. The dugout is cleaner here.
31.1.-4.2.42. In the 3rd Company. Colonel Filijonov is wealthy at the expense of Red Army soldiers.
5.2.-15.2.42. At rest. Walking, the weather is warm. From February 11 onwards we are getting 600 g of bread. I made an official complaint to the Commissar.
16.2.42. I was taken to the Regiment’s command post. They took a deposition. The room of the Chief of Staff. Behind the wall they are discussing my complaint. The Chief of Staff: “throw him out”.
17.2.42. At the Commissar’s. A good man: “oh how it’s cold, come in”. I am relieved. Going back to the 1st Battalion. The Commissar shook my hand.
21.2.42. On guard duty.
22.2.42. Chopping wood.
23.2.42. Porridge, cabbage soup. The Commissar came to the radio hut. Shook hands. I am to leave, to go where? 14 kilometers. I am told to give away my fur coat. I resist. 2 kilometers, and 2 more… to the 272nd.
24.2.42. At the Signals Battalion. Club. The weather is cold. Breakfast: water and 200 g of bread. Rest. Forward – I refuse. Give me food. I stay. 10 kilometers at night? 5 hours in freezing weather? No. To the 4th Section. Ski Battalion. Back to the 4th Section. Back to the Ski Battalion. Night. Hunger. 600 g of dry food, no more hunger. Satisfied.
25.2.42. My first night with enough food. In the field kitchen. I played a little trick. I ate so much my stomach hurts. Assigned to kitchen squad. Senior Politruk: “plenty of work here”. 3 days of rest in the medic section. 100 g of vodka.
26.2.42. I have eaten too much. Fat, 800 g bread, 235 g potatoes, 43 g meat, 35 g sugar, 20 g macaroni, 150 g butter.
27.2.42. I am sent to the 255th Infantry Regiment. Too bad not to the Ski Battalion. They received me well. Fat, meat, bread. Sugar – for tobacco? The front line – danger. To the rear? Should I try to get away? I’ve seen the men from the front line. I am scared by the frost, forced by hunger.
28.2.42. I have eaten too much. During supper two porridges, 2 cabbage soup, 600 g of bread. I have obtained 2 kg of bread.
1.3.42. I’ve had enough bread. But I am weak like before.
2.3.42. February was warm. Sun, silence. Chopping wood.
3.3.42. The doctor doesn’t know anything. Will not send me to the hospital.
4.3.42. The supply units – what a rotten place. The kitchen squad gets fat while soldiers get water. Going back to the Battalion.
5.3.42. In the 6th Company. Both the Senior and the younger Commissar are brutal people.
6.3.42. Saturday service. Too many bullets (200 pcs.). One battle ration? Combat alert.
7.3.42. Cleaning up the trenches. Cold. Quiet. The Finns are 2 km away.
8.3.42. Clearing trenches. Sauna. Diarrhea.
9.3.42. On guard duty. 2 men at a time. Diarrhea.
10.3.42. I am ill. No letters. No opportunity to write letters. Platoon leader, Staff Sergeant, sits at the table – no food. They took my fur coat away. It is cold and I am hungry.
11.3.42. Discussion with the squad (half-platoon) leader Leshenko.
12.3.42. Very cold. I’ve been assigned to lead the second half-platoon.
13.3.42. Clearing the anti-tank obstacles. I cannot raise my arms, they are too high. Very cold.
14.3.42. On-call for the platoon. 15.2. also on-call. At the Battalion command post to the First Lieutenant: there is excess bread. They are given 40 g more butter. Those going on patrols, vodka.
16.3.42. On patrol. The purpose: take a prisoner. 200 meters away from the Finns. I am tired like I was before at the 164th. 200 – 400 g of bread is not enough. Meat is like rubber. I feel bad, I am in a bad condition.
17.3.42. Seeing the doctor. He is suspicious. Nevertheless he gave me 2 days of rest (exempt from service). There’s a boil in my face.
18.3.42. Second Lieutenant Zverev ordered me to work. I have refused.
19.3.42. Complaint to the Politruk. Politruk ordered me to work. I have asked for a transfer to another platoon.
20.3.42. Second Lieutenant Zverev condoned to allow me 2 days of rest. Same topics of discussion here. Food, hunger.
21.3.42. Rest.
23.3.42. On-call for the Company. The Battalion Commander ordered us to keep the place more tidy. I had a discussion about getting a more suitable placement.
24.3.42. I spoke to the Battalion’s Chief of Supplies about my illness. The Battalion Commander is inspecting the kitchen tomorrow. The snow is melting. Water.
25.3.42. Tactical drill. Cold.
26.3.42. On-call for the Company.
27.3.42. I haven’t done anything. Threw away breakfast. I can’t eat. The food is bad.
28.3.42. Bad food. [the rest is unclear, talking about food]
29.3.42. Clearing trenches. The Finns have noticed us. Fired at us with mortars. One grenade exploded some meters away. My gas mask was wrecked. My ears locked up. We were moved to work in another place. I am running out of strength.
30.3.42. On-call for the Company. The Company Chief Ogorodnikov has forbidden me from going to the medics.
31.3.42. Alarm at night. I’ve been waiting for a change. I did not want to go to the trenches. I was sent away. The Company Chief took my ration of tobacco. I am ill and weak. I have difficulty walking. The Battalion Commander [unclear]. New guard post. The Finns are active. They’ve blown up a bunker.
1.4.42. On guard
duty. Going
to clear trenches at night. I’ve been ordered to a patrol mission.
Mission: take a prisoner. Give me food. I am too tired to walk.