This is one of the most well thought out and argued pieces on power and how it is used and protected that I have read in 50 years. I always saw the use of the NKVD by Stalin in controlling the population. The murdering of millions in the Ukraine in the 1930s was the culmination of this. The policy of collective farms was enforced this way.
What I didn’t understand before, but do now, is that the destruction of the officer corps in 1937-1938 by Stalin was to destroy those potential Bonaparte’s that may have existed in the Red Army officer corps. Again the NKVD was used to control things. After the invasion of Russia by Germany in June, 1941 the Wehrmacht was under orders to shoot any and all NKVD officers that were installed in all units of the Red Army. The Nazis understood their danger in keeping control over the prisoners.
Thank you again. I look forward to reading your research going forward. I will be moving to paid.
The KGB Third Chief Directorate responsible for military counterintelligence had the same bureaucratic status at the First Chief Directorate (foreign intelligence) and the Second CD (counterintelligence).
This is one of the most well thought out and argued pieces on power and how it is used and protected that I have read in 50 years. I always saw the use of the NKVD by Stalin in controlling the population. The murdering of millions in the Ukraine in the 1930s was the culmination of this. The policy of collective farms was enforced this way.
What I didn’t understand before, but do now, is that the destruction of the officer corps in 1937-1938 by Stalin was to destroy those potential Bonaparte’s that may have existed in the Red Army officer corps. Again the NKVD was used to control things. After the invasion of Russia by Germany in June, 1941 the Wehrmacht was under orders to shoot any and all NKVD officers that were installed in all units of the Red Army. The Nazis understood their danger in keeping control over the prisoners.
Thank you again. I look forward to reading your research going forward. I will be moving to paid.
so glad you enjoyed Paul!
Fascinating, thanks.
The KGB Third Chief Directorate responsible for military counterintelligence had the same bureaucratic status at the First Chief Directorate (foreign intelligence) and the Second CD (counterintelligence).