Bookvica

[WARTIME] Archive of the military propaganda and entertainment ensemble “Krasnoarmeiskaia zariadka” [The Red Army’s Charge-Up]

Item #2771

1941–1942, 1945.

4 typewritten and 10 handwritten official letters, 1 large-format sewed notebook of 36 pages, 1 notebook with 9 pages filled by handwritten notes, 1 clipping of the wartime newspaper, 1 photograph.

Good condition, pale water stains, some soiling, creases and minor tears of edges, front leaf of a large-format notebook detached.

The archive represents the military propaganda and entertainment ensemble that was founded within the 43rd Army of the USSR. It was a part of the Red Army that served on the Eastern Front of World War II. In 1941–1942, the 43rd Army fought in the Battle of Smolensk, the Battle of Moscow and the Rzhev-Vyazma Offensive. The ensemble performed for frontline soldiers and military command, as well as military hospitals. As reported in a 1942 newspaper clipping (included to the archive), the ensemble’s performances featured songs, lively ditties, acrobatic stunts, and live music. The actors didn't just entertain; they also taught military songs to the troops to boost morale and promote patriotic propaganda.
In all, 62 people were registered in the ensemble. The smaller notebook contains a table with the following columns: the participant’s full name, their military rank, their role in the ensemble, their weapon and musical instrument. Adolf Vitkin was defined as the leader while the ensemble also included members responsible for music, artistic solutions, ideological conformity, etc.

The archive contains handwritten requests and reviews: invitations for the ensemble to perform for specific units and at the Red Army's 24th-anniversary celebration, thank-you letters from units and a hospital, a request to perform at a hospital, feedback from a divisional club head, and official reports about enlarging the ensemble. These papers documented performances for specific military units and hospital staff. Furthermore, some of them recorded the number of spectators.

Another interesting item is a handwritten scenario for the 1942 anti-fascist performance “Oni i My” [Them and Us]. The title page was added with a couple of commentaries. One of them reads: “I find the text of the presentation perfectly acceptable. However, the “Them” section needs to be supplemented with material (or perhaps have some parts replaced?) that would emphasize the cannibalism of the fascist army. The goal is to evoke in the audience not only disgust, but also contempt and hatred toward the Germ[ans]”, the note is signed by a Battalion Commissar.

The photograph features a mobile stage with the ensemble performing.

Price: $1,500.00