Medical Fighting Men of The U.S.S.R.

by Fried

KOUIBISHEV, (SIB). Soviet Doctors have learned a good deal from bitter experience of the war against Fascist gangsters. For one thing, they have learned that the Red Cross offers no guarantee against Nazi attacks. The duties of the Army Surgeon are no longer limited to healing. He must be able to save himself from enemy bombs and when necessary to defend his own life with gun in hand. Army surgeon Martynenko and a group of wounded men found themselves encircled by the enemy. "Bet- ter death than Fascist bondage?, he decided, and assuming command, he organized the defense. The armed men, whose wounds were less of a serious nature and under cover of fire evacuated the severly wounded. Finally the entire group was able to slip through safety. During this engagement Martynenko was twice wounded. True Heroism More than once have Soviet medical men displayed true heroism in action. After several battles at Smolensk, Doctor Sorkins battalion found itself behind enemy lines. The battalion then resorted to partisan warfare and for almost two years this elderly Doctor fought behind enemy lines side by side with guerrillas. Frequently he made reconnaisssance trips forty and fifty kilo- meters behind enemy lines. Running short of medical supplies, Doctor Sorokin struck upon a bold idea. Accompanied by two of his men one dark night, he slipped through enemy hospital. Silently eliminating guard, the Doctor helped himself three big bags of medical supplies and returned his unit unscathed. Rifle and Lancet Doctor Sorokin who had spent most of his life in hospitals and medical offices turned out to be a splendid fighter, much to his own surprise. How could this man, accustomed to wield nothing more dangerous than a stethoscope or lancet have found such courage an daring, query letter from young Doctor at front? His student friends may furnish ,the answer. ?Locusts, he wrote, must be destroyed or else they will destroy everything?most essential life. The wild beasts, savages and sadists at liberty among mankind must be killed or else they will kill you.? Younger generation of Soviet Doc- tors have come to regard this as an accepted fact. At all Army Medical Academies, in addition to their regular studies, students are learning to handle all arms and will be well prepared to meet the enemy under any conditions. The surgeon must be able to handle rifle as well as lancet. These students make many strenous marches, train arduously and study all phases of military science. Honorable Fighting Men When they graduate, they will be well trained, hardened fighters. Anyone of them are ready to do work as parachutist, sniper or motor driver. Following is an example. Doc- tor Shamil Argancheyev from Kazakh noticing Soviet tank which stopped, hurried to see what had happened to its crew. He found each tanks crew of four severely wounded. Doctor Argancheyev rendered such immediate service as he could, then took drivers seat and drove tank to safety. Such are the medical men of the Soviet Union. They combine the best traits of the most humane profession of mankind with those of the honorable fighting men. Such are the Red Armys Medical Services!

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