"Narkomovskie" 100 grams of vodka is one of the subjects of the Second World War, the significance of which was greatly exaggerated during the years of Perestroika and in every possible way distorted. For the most part, the attitude towards vodka among the Red Army was negative, although in the most difficult moments of the first stage of the Patriotic War, alcohol was indeed handed out. True, this was not done on the scale in which it is commonly believed today. Moreover, there were categories of Red Army soldiers who were not entitled to alcohol at all.
1. Why were 100 grams called "Narkomovskie" at the front?
In fact, the distribution of alcohol in the Russian army by order of the command was carried out even before the creation of the Soviet Union. In a difficult combat situation, it was allowed to give out to the lower ranks of the imperial army up to 160 grams of alcohol per week (three glasses). At the same time, the annual alcohol dispensing rate should not exceed 15 glasses. They included both "frontline" and holiday precedents for the dispensing of alcoholic beverages. This situation persisted until 1908, when prohibition was introduced in the army. The exception was the navy, where the sailors continued to receive wine rations.
"Narkomovskie" 100 grams of vodka appeared during the Soviet-Finnish war. In 1940, Kliment Voroshilov came to the Finnish front with an inspection and found the units there in extremely poor condition. Crappy planning and poor preparation for the offensive led to heavy casualties and the failure of the operation in the first stage of the war. In particular, the army suffered from poor preparation for war in winter conditions. It was then that Voroshilov ordered to strengthen the package of Red Army soldiers. Including it included 100 grams of vodka or brandy. In addition to alcohol, the soldiers were also given lard and fat. This measure was in effect only before the start of the offensive, until the troops were put in order by the new command.
Since Kliment Voroshilov at that time held the post of People's Commissar, this name was fixed in the army for 100 grams of vodka.
2. How and to whom was vodka given out during the Great Patriotic War?
The situation at the front in the first months of the war was extremely difficult. Already on August 22, 1941, GKO decree 562ss was issued, according to which from September 1, 1941 dispensing of 100 grams of vodka per person per day began for units operating in the first line defense. At the same time, on June 6, 1942, a new decree was issued, which again prohibited the distribution of alcohol at the front, with the exception of cases of offensive operations in the most difficult sectors. The issue rate was the same as before.
On November 12, 1942, amendments were made to the "vodka order". Now 50 grams of vodka a day was also allowed to be given out to soldiers of construction battalions and sappers, provided that they carry out work in conditions of contact with the enemy. And on April 30, 1943, new amendments were issued, which returned the current order to the state of June 6, 1942. All others could receive alcohol only on public and revolutionary holidays, if the situation allowed.
It was strictly forbidden to give out vodka to the soldiers of the NKVD units. The only exception to this rule was the Battle of the Kursk Bulge. Also, pilots, tankers and drivers did not receive vodka. The use of alcohol in the officer corps was prohibited and severely punished.
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3. The drunken army myth
And yet, from all this, one might get the impression that the entire first line of the Red Army was drunk for two-thirds of the war. This is actually a dangerous delusion. Despite the action of the order, in 1941, due to problems at the front and, in particular, problems with the provision of units, it was extremely difficult to establish the issue of alcohol. In addition, the use was mainly discouraged among the soldier-officer environment, as evidenced by the numerous memoirs of veterans, both soldiers and officers. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was extremely negative about the distribution of vodka and drunkenness in the army, who even gave orders to destroy the alcohol tanks abandoned by the Germans during the retreat.
In a soldier's environment, according to the veterans, vodka was also not treated very well before the battle. Especially veteran soldiers who have already fought in the Finnish and Far Eastern campaigns. It was believed that drinking alcohol before an attack was a sign of cowardice, and few wanted to appear a coward in front of their comrades. In addition, the experienced in every possible way did not advise young people to drink, pointing out that alcohol dulls the reaction and perception.
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The greatest fame to the "People's Commissars" came mainly due to the post-war works of artistic culture. Back in the years of the USSR, General Nikolai Grigorievich Lyashchenko was extremely outraged by many works of Soviet writers and poets who extolled vodka at the front, calling such an attitude blasphemy. In addition, the importance of distributing alcohol during the war years was exaggerated in every possible way during the years of Perestroika, when not too conscientious persons (unfortunately, in that number and from among the people asked for the war) began to write and publish numerous "revelations" in order to make money on the rising tide of anti-Soviet propaganda.
Continuing the topic, read about knife "Cherry": what is the phenomenon of Soviet intelligence weapons, that collectors want to get it.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/240820/55761/