PROTOCOL No. 1 Meeting of Personnel of the 181st Rifle Regiment, 291st Division October 22, 1943 Present: Member of the Military Council of the 55th Army, Major General Romanov, discussing and signing a letter addressed to the best friend and teacher of Soviet Youth, Comrade Stalin. Meeting Participants: Total attendees: 1043 people Members and candidates of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks): 279 people Members of Komsomol (Young Communist League): 217 people Opening Remarks: The meeting was opened by Deputy Commander of the 181st Rifle Regiment for Political Affairs, Major Kobzary. After opening remarks, Lieutenant Sidorenko read aloud the text of the letter addressed to Comrade Stalin. Following the reading, participants were invited to speak. Speaker List: Senior Sergeant Kogrin: We celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Young Communist League amid victories over German invaders. Our young patriots proudly fulfill their duty before the Motherland, armed and ready. The motto of Krasnodon heroes—"Blood for blood, death for death"—guides our actions. Approving the letter signed by Komsomol members and Soviet youth, I pledge on behalf of the 3rd rifle battalion to prepare excellently for offensive battles. Signing the letter is my order, which I urge all personnel to follow. Corporal Sofoklov: Hearing the letter reminded us once more of Komsomol's significance. During the Civil War and peaceful construction, Komsomol demonstrated heroism, as well as now. As soldiers of the 2nd battalion, we approve the letter and swear never to disgrace the honor of our weapons in future battles. With full force, we will crush the enemy. I sign the letter and call on all personnel to follow my example. Junior Lieutenant Dovyidov: Lenin-Stalin Komsomol has always been the foremost assistant to our Bolshevik party. When the enemy attacked our homeland, following the call of our party and personally Comrade Stalin, Komsomol took the lead in defending sacred soil. Having heard the letter addressed to our friend and mentor, Comrade Stalin, I declare on behalf of the Komsomol organization of the 3rd rifle battalion that we will honorably execute any command during upcoming battles. By signing the letter, we commit ourselves to maximizing our efforts in learning combat tactics within the remaining short period. Representative of Primorsky District, Komsomol member Gogotova: Allow me to convey warm greetings from workers of the Primorsky district of Lenin's city. Despite constant artillery bombardment, workers of Lenin's city produce arms, ammunition, and equip our Red Army with modern military technology. Comrades soldiers, sergeants, and officers, workers place great hope in you and believe firmly that soon you will completely lift the siege of Leningrad. Discussing and signing the letter to our friend and mentor, Comrade Stalin, I am confident that Komsomol and non-Komsomol youth of your unit will honorably fulfill their oath. Regiment Commander, Lt. Col. Voitulevich: Comrades! Taking an oath to Great Stalin demands even greater preparation for battles. I call on every single soldier to sign the letter addressed to Comrade Stalin. Member of the Military Council of the 55th Army, Maj. Gen. Romanov: Throughout history, youth steadfastly fought side-by-side with the party and our nation. Under the leadership of Comrade Stalin, nations achieve victory after victory. The Red Army liberated hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, towns, cities. Ukrainian Front troops actively engage in offensive operations; Germans cannot hold the deep Dnipro River, which failed to stop the Red Army. However, Germans still tread on Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia. The enemy remains near Leningrad. Our mission lies in achieving total victory by crushing and annihilating Germans under Leningrad.