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[WORLD WAR II] Sovetskaya molodezh’ v otechestvennoy voyne [i.e. Soviet Youth in Patriotic War]

Item #1655

Moscow: Molodaya gvardiya, 1945. 240 pp.: ill. 25,5x19 cm. In original full cloth with colored lettering and blind debossed image of the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin. Spine and covers slightly bumped, small stains occasionally. Otherwise very good.
Designed by the Soviet artist G. Manuilov.
A photo book about ‘the Soviet youth army’ and its participation in the war effort. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the main characters of this edition were under age 24 and were ready to embrace the Soviet cult of ‘fighting heroes’.
The 1930s Soviet policy was dominated by the anticipation of war with the West, particularly Germany. This predisposition found its expression in launching general military courses at Osoaviakhim [i.e. The Society for the Assistance of Defense, Aircraft, and Chemical Construction] and establishing special school clubs to train Soviet citizens. ‘The entire working and peasant population of our country, all honest and Soviet-minded figures in science, technology, and culture, should be involved in the activities of our organization. The enemies are arming themselves. The enemies are preparing new military ventures…’, - wrote A. Nikonov, the chief military analyst of Osoviakhim, in 1929. Being constantly heated by anti-Fascist caricatures and articles in various periodicals, Soviet patriotism reached extraordinary heights in the 1930s and equally enveloped youth and adults.
This book contains photographs and drawings depicting young Soviet fighters who took up arms as part of the Red Army troops or partisan detachments. Young pioneers and Komsomol members were also engaged in intensive factory labor, replacing their parents in the rear. Following the war’s end, Soviet youth actively participated in reconstructing destroyed Soviet cities. The rebuilding process is documented in this photobook through pictures and reproductions of a number of posters, including ‘You Promised to Shorten Time for Reconstruction of Donbas!’ addressed to Soviet youth. After being demobilized, young Soviet fighters returned to study and work, mastering new skills and engaging in Socialist competition.
Worldcat doesn’t track this edition in USA.

Price: $750.00