Well brother a hundred grams of People's Commissars souvenir. An original gift for men - nalivayka

75 years ago - August 22, 1941 - the State Defense Committee of the USSR adopted a resolution "On the introduction of vodka for supply in the active Red Army." This is how the famous "People's Commissar's hundred grams" went down in history, about which both rank-and-file front-line soldiers and generals left fond memories.

"Vodka is not a luxury, but hygiene!"

There are no absolute teetotalers in war. “I didn’t try this potion until the winter of 1942,” writes N. Nikulin, who served in the Red Army since November 1941, “until the need forced me. The foreman saved me. He gave me dry linen (my tunic, greatcoat and quilted jacket somehow dried by the fire), rubbed me with vodka and gave me a glass of vodka inside, saying: "Vodka is not a luxury, but hygiene! "". In the abundance of such stories, alcohol appears precisely as "salvation", because the storytellers know that not for every freezing soldier there was at a critical moment "a fire, dry linen or a foreman with vodka" 1.

The front-line soldiers agree that "vodka in battle, with physical and emotional stress, is like a cure for severe stress." A.V. Pyltsyn, who went through the war as the commander of a rifle platoon and a company as part of the officer's penal battalion of the 1st Belorussian Front, noted that when dispensing alcohol, the combat situation and the physical condition of servicemen were taken into account. Recalling the participation of his battalion in Operation Bagration, he wrote that due to severe fatigue and three sleepless nights that had passed since the beginning of the offensive, the commander was given the order of the battalion commander to explain to the fighters why the People's Commissar's "weaving" of vodka was not issued before dinner. "The fact is that even these 100 grams of alcohol could aggravate the physical condition if taken on a completely empty stomach and with such a degree of fatigue. Therefore, we were given vodka to all of us only before the command" forward "came again." They drank from mugs, which were filled from standard half-liters, issued at the rate of one for 5 people 2.

To whom and how much - the order decided

The introduction of alcohol into the daily supply of personnel on the front line occurred shortly after the start of the war. Decree of the State Defense Committee (GKO) of the USSR N 562 "On the introduction of vodka for supply in the active Red Army" dated August 22, 1941 established, starting from September 1, 1941, the issuance of 40-degree vodka in an amount of 100 grams per day per person to the Red Army and the commanding staff of the first line of the active army (Order of the People's Commissariat of Defense (NKO) of the USSR N 0320 of August 25, 1941). The criteria for dispensing vodka changed throughout the war. In 1942-1943. Several resolutions of the State Defense Committee of the USSR and orders of the NKO of the USSR were adopted, regulating a stricter procedure for issuing vodka in the army and directed against abuse in its distribution.

So, on May 11, 1942, the State Defense Committee ordered to suspend the daily mass dispensing of vodka from May 15 (order of the NKO USSR No. 0373 of May 12, 1942). The daily issue was retained only for the military personnel of the front line units who were successful in the hostilities, moreover, their rate increased to 200 grams of vodka per person per day. All other front line soldiers were entitled to 100 grams on revolutionary and national holidays. On November 12, 1942, by GKO decree N 2507, 100 grams of vodka per person per day were supposed to be given to units conducting direct hostilities (order of the NKO USSR N 0883 of November 13, 1942). 50 grams each was supposed to be assigned to parts of the reserve, support, performing important tasks, and the wounded (as directed by doctors). The distribution of 100 grams of vodka to all servicemen on holidays was continued. On the Transcaucasian front, instead of vodka, it was ordered to issue 200 grams of fortified wine or 300 grams of table wine. Order of the NKO of the USSR N 0323 of May 2, 1943 determined a vodka ration of 100 grams per day per person for servicemen only in those parts of the front line that conduct offensive operations. All other servicemen of the active army were given vodka in the amount of 100 grams only on the days of revolutionary and public holidays 3.

"There are no nondrinkers here, but there are no drunkards either ..."

In their correspondence with domestic soldiers, they quite often spoke out on the topic of alcohol consumption, usually reporting that they were not abusing. Senior Lieutenant A.V. Pershtein, born in 1923, specially emphasized in a letter to his parents that on the 7 November holiday "I drank no more than 50 grams for appetite (in general, I don't think to get used to drinking vodka)" 4. Private V.N. Tsoglin, born in 1925, wrote to his mother that he does not smoke, "and 200 grams is another matter." "Although I often give the guys, but sometimes you need a drink to raise your spirits. After that, something hot runs through your veins. After that, you do more and think less. This is necessary here."

And yet, wives and mothers seriously feared that, due to the regular use of alcohol, an addiction might develop. The soldiers tried to dissuade them. Political instructor D.A. Abaev reprimanded his wife: "With regard to drunkenness, your reminders turn into something bad and offensive ... If you repeat yourself in future letters, I will not write a word. , then they will be demoted, imprisoned, tried and shot mercilessly "6.

They wrote home quite freely about "Voroshilov's 100 grams" for the New Year, February 23, May 1 and November 7. In addition, they highlighted those special holidays that came with the war. Participant of the Battle of Stalingrad, guard petty officer V.V. Syrtsylin wrote to his wife in 1945: "Dear Zinok! Today is the second of February - the day of the defeat of the Germans in Stalingrad - this is our holiday - therefore today I am a little drunk and in this you will forgive me."

"I don't like drunks even from afar"

Not all servicemen were drinkers and not all were loyal to the drinking of alcohol by their colleagues. The junior lieutenant, political instructor of the company M. Lvovich, born in 1917, who adhered to pre-war habits, explained in a letter to a friend: "Maybe I am so inclined that the army has not taught me how to smoke, drink, or go on unauthorized absence in search of them." friends of the heart. "But if I have some kind of immanent aversion to this, then I will die with such views, but I will not give up." From the context of Lvovich's letter, it is clear that categoricality was born from rejection of certain situations involving colleagues, who "give them 50 grams of alcohol to drink, they, as a rule, will make a brawl" 9. Probably based on a similar experience, military translator V. Raskin, born in 1920, complained in a letter to a friend: “There are troubles. For example, the prospect of meeting May 1 with vodka. a tent with some full livestock (or several) is just painful for me "10.

Especially many claims about drunkenness and the accompanying licentiousness are addressed to the rear services. Major General P.L. Pecheritsa, who in November 1942 was appointed a member of the Military Council of the 44th Army, emphasized in his memoirs that drunkenness was eating away at the rear service apparatus, making it unfit for work. He confirms this with a specific example: “On my way to the army headquarters, I had to personally face major disturbances. indifference of workers to their duties. In the village of Kalinovka, in the hospital for the lightly wounded, there was one nurse on duty, and the rest of the staff drank on the birthday of the head of the hospital "11.

Alcohol in the army environment was bought or "extracted". You could buy it, for example, in the Voentorg stores. A.Z. Lebedintsev reported that the next birthday of the Red Army (February 23, 1943) was remembered by the arrival of champagne from the former warehouses of Abrau-Dyurso to the Voentorg dining room, and at pre-war prices. The officers took advantage of the opportunity to "cut", as they were selling two bottles for each. Many drank this "noble drink" for the first time in their lives 12. As for the extraction of alcohol, then remarkable ingenuity could be manifested here. According to N. Nikulin, during his stay in the Estonian city of Tartu, when the stocks of alcohol dried up, "craftsmen began to extract alcohol from university preparations, alcohol-treated rats, reptiles, tapeworms" 13.

"For good and responsible work"

Alcohol was often featured as a reward or gift that the military received. The commander of the fire platoon V.G. Kulnev recalled how one day in the middle of the night he was summoned to the dugout of the regiment's headquarters, where he received his first order - "Red Star". "Screwing" the order, regiment commander, Hero of the Soviet Union, guard Colonel I.M. Bogushevich brought each recipient a glass of vodka. Kulnev, who had not tasted alcohol until that time and divided his 100-gram allowance between distinguished soldiers and sergeants "as a reward", was at first confused, but then drank vodka "out of the blue."

DI. Malyshev, who went through the entire war as a driver, reported in his diary that he was once awarded in a similar way for the disassembly and evacuation of a Pe-2 aircraft, which was carried out under enemy fire in the Grodno region. “It was a big job, for which we all received gratitude from the company commander. In the evening, the captain called me and the senior of the group and brought us a glass of vodka, saying:“ For a good and responsible job ”15.

Military personnel could be presented with alcohol by acquaintances of women from the civilian population, with whom a close relationship arose. Malyshev's diary mentions "a friend of Marusya, a moonshiner," for a month of communication with whom he "drank moonshine, probably a whole sea." “When Klava came,” he writes about “friendship” with another woman, a storekeeper of a medical warehouse, “she always brought me a present: a bottle of wine or a bottle of alcohol, or good cigarettes” 16.

"Cognac three beets"

Most often, alcohol was obtained through exchange transactions with the local population or expropriation. Lebedintsev recalled as a real "master of expropriation" of an ordinary former prisoner, who had taken root in the kitchen and had become especially adept at producing moonshine. "Usually he offered a trophy blanket or uniform in exchange for a" vodka ", chicken or a jug of milk. The old women, as always, denied the presence of moonshine in the house, then he took a compass out of his pocket and stood in such a position so that the arrow pointed to a bag of grain or under the bed, or in the attic, and showed an arrow, saying that "the device will show the truth." In the front-line environment, moonshine appeared under the name "cognac three beers" 17.

"Guys, here's a fortress!"

At the final stage of the war, the use of alcohol in the army increased, which is confirmed by both official documents 18 and personal testimonies of the participants in the events.

The centuries-old history of military battles testifies to the fact that the cities taken by "great blood" on the territory of the enemy were often surrendered by the commanders to "the mercy of the victors", served as a kind of compensation for the human casualties suffered. This kind of reward included permission to drink alcohol to relieve stress and relieve fear. The fact that the soldiers of the Red Army, in a particularly difficult combat situation, expected similar compensation from their commanders, is evidenced by a fragment of N. Nikulin's memoirs, where he appropriately interprets the text of the leaflets "from Rokossovsky," distributed in the early spring of 1945 near the walls of Danzig: " Yet the resistance of the Germans was strong, our losses, as always, were great and the siege of the city was dragging on. One fine morning leaflets fell from the sky on our heads, as well as on Danzig. They said something like the following: “I, Marshal Rokossovsky, I order the garrison of Danzig to lay down their arms within twenty-four hours. Otherwise, the city will be stormed, and all responsibility for civilian casualties and destruction will fall on the heads of the German command ... "The text of the leaflets was in Russian and German. It was clearly intended for both warring parties. Rokossovsky acted in the best Suvorov traditions. : "Guys, here's a fortress! There is wine and women in it! Take it - walk for three days! And the Turks will answer! "" 19.

"We sang" Katyusha ", in Russian and in Magyar"

The joint use of alcohol facilitated the establishment of mutual understanding with the local population. The famous writer Sergei Baruzdin recalled that there was a wary attitude towards Hungary, "which fought against us," but later it softened. "In the evening we were present in the same house for a drink. We sang" Katyusha ", in Russian and in Magyar, and the owners danced."

The countries were remembered, including by national drinks: Hungary - fruit vodka "palinka", Czech Republic - "wonderful" beer, Poland - "bimber". In the memoirs of A.V. Pyltsyn's "bimber" was described as a Polish moonshine infused with calcium carbide with its scalding effect ("first-class rubbish"). Pyltsyn also told how in one Polish city at a dinner with a "living priest" he and his comrades had a chance to learn the taste of real branded Polish vodka "Vyborova" (selected). In the memories of the "officers' banquets" at the end of the war, champagne often appeared. Describing a banquet at the army headquarters, A.Z. Lebedintsev emphasized that "only French champagne was poured."

Alcohol helped to "survive" the joy of the long-awaited Victory Day. "There was not a single sober soldier," reads an entry from the front diary of Captain E.I. Genkin, made on May 9, 1945 in the city of Lobau 22. Remembering the afternoon of this festive day, when a gala dinner began for the entire battalion at a local stadium in the suburbs of Berlin, A.V. Pyltsyn especially noted that the table was "not glasses and mugs, but peacefully - glasses (and where did they just get them?)". "And each speech ended with a toast, and it was considered a good sign to accompany each toast with a full glass" 23.

The war ended, people began to return to a peaceful life with its daily problems, worries and little joys. And miraculously obtained pre-war glasses have forever remained a symbol of the long-awaited Victory.

Notes (edit)
1. Nikulin N.N. Memories of the war. SPb., 2008.S. 177.
2. Pyltsyn A.V. Penalty Kick, or How the Officer Penal Battalion Reached Berlin. SPb., 2003.S. 94, 88, 129.
3. Russian archive. The Great Patriotic War. Orders of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR on June 22, 1941-1942. T. 13 (2-2). C 73, 228, 252-253, 365-366; Orders of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR 1943-1945. T. 13 (2-3). P. 145.
4. Save my letters ...: Collection of letters and diaries of Jews during the Great Patriotic War. Issue 2.Moscow, 2010.S. 251.
5. Archives of the Scientific and Educational Center "Holocaust". F. 9. Op. 2.D. 160.L. 10.
6. RGASPI. F. M-33. Op. 1.D. 1454.L. 28-28ob.
7. Heroes of patience. The Great Patriotic War in sources of personal origin. Sat. doc. Krasnodar, 2010.S. 117.
8. Archive of the SPC "Holocaust". F. 9. Op. 2.D. 118.L. 7.
9. Ibid.
10. RGASPI. F. M-33. Op. 1.D. 1400.L. 102.
11. Heroes of patience. P. 228.
12. Lebedintsev A.Z., Mukhin Yu.I. Fathers-commanders. M., 2006.S. 142.
13. Nikulin N.N. Decree. Op. P. 143.
14. From soldier to general. Memories of the war. T. 9.M., 2008.S. 207.
15. Memory of the Great Patriotic War in the socio-cultural space of modern Russia: materials and research. SPb., 2008.S. 206-207.
16. Ibid. S. 195, 198, 200.
17. Lebedintsev A.Z. Mukhin Yu.I. Decree. Op. S. 162, 180.
18. Senyavskaya E.S. 1941-1945: Frontline generation. Historical and psychological research. M., 1995.S. 199-201, 210-211.
19. Nikulin N.N. Decree. Op. P. 176.
20. RGALI. F. 2855. Op. 1.D. 38.L. 37ob.
21. Lebedintsev A.Z., Mukhin Yu.I. Decree. Op. P. 242.
22. Save my letters ... Vol. 1.Moscow, 2007.S. 283.
23. Pyltsyn A.V. Decree. Op. P. 243.

You can find many references to the use of alcoholic beverages by soldiers to achieve one or another effect in battle. But where did this habit come from in the Russian army, who approved it, and how did alcohol affect the fighting efficiency of soldiers? And what is the "People's Commissar's 100 grams"? It is worthwhile to figure it out, because the fact that vodka was in the Red Army from the very beginning is a fact that cannot be doubted.

The history of the emergence of the alcohol norm

It is known that the emperor ordered the first soldiers in Russia to give alcohol to the soldiers. Then it was called. The bottom line was that during the campaign the soldiers periodically drank wine, while the officers, if desired, could replace it with brandy. Depending on the severity of the campaign, this rate could be increased or decreased. With this, everything was pretty strict. So, the intendant, who did not take care of the supply of alcohol in a timely manner, could even be deprived of his head. This was believed to undermine the morale of the troops.

The tradition was taken up by many Russian tsars and emperors, while it was changed and supplemented many times. For example, wine was given to guard units in fortresses and cities. At the same time, combatant ranks received three servings a week, non-combatant - two. On the hikes, they drank vodka, which was previously diluted with water and seized with breadcrumbs. It was customary for officers to give out tea with rum. In winter, sbiten and wine were more relevant.

It was a little different in the navy - here the sailor was necessarily given a glass, that is, 125 grams of vodka per day, but for misdemeanors the sailor was deprived of this opportunity. For merit, on the contrary, they gave out a double or triple dose.

How did the "People's Commissars Grams" appear?

The history of the emergence of the alcohol norm in the Soviet Army, which was called "People's Commissar 100 grams", originates from the People's Commissar (People's Commissar) of military and naval affairs of the USSR - During the Finnish War, he asked Stalin to allow alcohol to be dispensed to the troops in order to warm personnel in severe frosts. Indeed, then temperatures on the Karelian Isthmus reached 40 degrees below zero. The People's Commissar also argued that this could raise the morale of the army. And Stalin agreed. Since 1940, alcohol began to flow into the troops. Before the battle, the soldier drank 100 grams of vodka and seized it with 50 grams of bacon. Then the tankers were supposed to double the rate, and the pilots were generally given cognac. Since this aroused approval among the soldiers, the norm was called "Voroshilov's". From the time of the introduction (January 10) to March 1940, the soldiers drank about 10 tons of vodka and about 8 tons of brandy.

In the great Patriotic war

The official "birthday" of the People's Commissars is June 22, 1941. Then a terrible war of 1941-1945 came to our land - the Great Patriotic War. It was on its first day that Stalin signed order number 562, which authorized the issuance of alcohol to soldiers before the battle - half a glass of vodka per person (fortress - 40 degrees). This concerned those who were directly on the front line. The same was true for the pilots performing combat missions, as well as for the airfield maintenance personnel and engineers and technicians. People's Commissar of the Food Industry A.I.Mikoyan was responsible for the execution of the order of the Supreme Commander. It was then that the name "People's Commissar's 100 grams" was first heard. Among the prerequisites was the distribution of the drink by the front commanders. The regulation provided for the supply of alcohol in tanks, after which the vodka was poured into cans or barrels and transported to the troops. There was, of course, a limitation: it was allowed to transport no more than 46 tanks per month. Naturally, in the summer such a need disappeared, and in the winter, spring and autumn, the norm was relevant.

It is possible that the idea of ​​issuing vodka to the retreating units was prompted by the psychological attacks of the Germans: drunk soldiers went to machine guns in full growth, not hiding. This had a profound effect on the already disadvantaged Soviet troops.

Further application of the norm in the troops

In connection with the defeat of the Red Army near Kharkov, adjustments were made to the order. Now it was decided to differentiate the issue of vodka. From June 1942, it was planned to issue alcohol only to those units that achieved success in battles with the Nazi invaders. At the same time, the "People's Commissar" norm was to be increased to 200 grams. But Stalin decided that vodka could only be dispensed to offensive units. The rest could see her only on holidays.

In connection with the battles at Stalingrad, the State Defense Committee decided to restore the old norm - from now on, 100 grams were issued to everyone who went on the attack on the front line. But there were also innovations: the dose was also received by the artillerymen with mortarmen, who provided support for the infantry during the offensive. A little less - 50 grams - was poured into the rear services, namely reservists, construction troops and the wounded. The Transcaucasian Front, for example, used, due to its location, wine or port (200 and 300 grams, respectively). During the last month of fighting in 1942, a lot was drunk. The Western Front, for example, "destroyed" about a million liters of vodka, the Transcaucasian Front 1.2 million liters of wine, and the Stalingrad Front 407,000 liters.

Since 1943

Already in 1943 (April), the norms for dispensing alcohol were changed again. GKO decree No. 3272 stated that the mass distribution of vodka in units would be stopped, and the norm would be imposed only on those units that conduct offensive operations on the front line. All the rest received "People's Commissar's gram" only on holidays. Dispensing alcohol was now on the conscience of the councils of the fronts or armies. By the way, such troops as the NKVD and the railway were under the limit, since their consumption of alcohol was very high.

Many veterans, indulging in memories, said that this norm did not exist everywhere. In some parts, for example, it was issued only on paper, but in reality there was no distribution of alcohol. Others, on the contrary, testify that this was practiced, and on a massive scale. So the true state of affairs is not known for certain.

Finally, the issuance of the norm was abolished in connection with the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. However, the Soviet troops loved this kind of norms so much that the tradition survived until the collapse of the USSR. In particular, this was done by the military personnel of the Afghan contingent. Of course, such things were done covertly, since the command would not pat the soldiers on the head for drinking alcohol during the fighting.

Referring to a similar alcohol norm in the Red Army, it should also be said that the Wehrmacht, against which she fought, was also not particularly sober. Among the soldiers, schnapps was the most popular alcoholic drink, and the officers drank champagne, which was supplied from France. And, if you do not take into account alcohol, they did not disdain other substances either. So, in order to maintain vigor during the hostilities, the soldiers took medications - Pervitin, for example, or Isofan. The first was called "Penzshokolade" - "tank chocolate". It was sold openly, while the soldiers often asked their parents to send them "Pervitin".

Results and consequences of application

Why was alcohol given in the war? On close examination, there are dozens of different answers to this question. Which of them will be the closest to the truth?

As stated in the decree, alcohol was dispensed in the winter in order to warm the frozen soldiers. However, any physician will confirm that alcohol only creates the appearance of warming, in fact, the situation does not change in any way.

Also, knowing what effect alcohol has on the human brain, it can be argued that it was taken to raise morale. Indeed, in many situations, when the initiative or recklessness of the soldiers was necessary, they were extinguished by the instinct of self-preservation. People's Commissar's vodka effectively suppressed along with basic fears. But she also dulls reflexes, perception, and being drunk in combat is not a good idea. That is why many experienced fighters deliberately refused to drink before the fight. And, as it turned out later, they did the right thing.

The effect of alcohol on the psyche and physical condition

Among other things, vodka had an effective effect if the human psyche was subjected to severe stress, as is often the case in war. Alcohol saved many fighters from severe nervous shocks or even insanity. However, it is impossible to say with confidence whether alcohol has a positive or negative effect on the army in the war.

Yes, vodka, even though it possesses all the above-described positive qualities, was still harmful. One can only imagine the scale of the losses of the army, because alcoholic intoxication in battle almost always meant certain death. In addition, one must not lose sight of the very fact of constant use of alcohol, which can cause alcoholism, and in some cases, death. also shouldn't be written off. So the "People's Commissar's 100 grams" have both positive and negative sides.

Drunkenness was never supported in the USSR. It is all the more surprising that it, albeit in a limited form, was practiced in the troops. Indeed, since 1938, several times there have been large campaigns against drunkenness in the army. Many of the highest command or party ranks underwent investigative cases precisely on the fact of excessive drinking. Accordingly, both the issue and the consumption of booze were kept under strict control. For drunkenness at the wrong time, they could easily be sent to the penal battalion, or even be shot without trial or investigation, especially at such a time as the war of 1941-1945.

Post-war use in the army

In addition to illegal cases, there was still an official alcohol norm - in the Navy. The combat crews of nuclear submarines were entitled to a daily norm of dry wine (also 100 grams). But, like under Stalin, they gave him away only during a military campaign.

Reflection of the term in art

For some reason, the "People's Commissar's 100 grams" are very firmly entrenched in art. Already at that time it was possible to hear songs with a mention of the alcohol norm. Yes, and the cinema has not spared this phenomenon - in many films you can see how the soldiers before the battle overturn the glass and shouting "For the Motherland! For Stalin!" go on the offensive.

In conversations about the Great Patriotic War, along with the T-34 tank and the Il-2 attack aircraft, the so-called "People's Commissars 100 grams" regularly surface.

Some call the alcoholic contentment of the soldiers of the Red Army one of the attributes of the Great Victory, others believe that it became the cause of the destructive addiction of not even one, but several generations of Soviet men.

But what was the reality? Where did the notorious "People's Commissar's 100 grams" come from and what role did they play in the war?

Charka from Peter the Great

The history of supplying soldiers with alcohol began long before the Bolsheviks. Even with Peter I the issuance of portions of "bread wine" to soldiers was introduced.

The tradition turned out to be very stable: from the end of the 18th century and up to 1908, the combatant lower ranks of the Russian army in wartime were entitled to 3 cups of "bread wine" per week, non-combatants - 2 cups. The volume of one cup was 160 grams. In peacetime, soldiers were given vodka on holidays, but no less than 15 glasses a year. Plus, each commander had the right to "pour" his subordinates "to maintain health": as a rule, this meant conducting classes and parades in the cold season or in bad weather.

A similar situation was in the Russian fleet. The only difference is that they drank more there. The naval charter of Peter I prescribed 4 glasses of vodka a week to the sailor, and starting from 1761 the dose was increased to one glass daily.

Prohibition time

In the last quarter of the 19th century, a riot was raised by Russian doctors. In the context of a change in recruitment to the army from recruiting to general military service, they found that young people from peasant families who did not drink alcohol in civilian life were returning home with an acquired bad habit.

The doctors' recommendation was unequivocal: to stop dispensing vodka in the army. But the Russian generals did not agree with this, believing that the dispensed dose of vodka was insignificant and could not lead to serious consequences.

But in 1908, summing up the results of the defeat in the Russian-Japanese war, one of the reasons for which was the abuse of alcohol among soldiers and officers, the Russian military department decided to stop issuing alcohol to the army. In addition, the sale of strong alcoholic drinks in the soldiers' canteens was prohibited.

People's Commissar asked for "sugreva"

The pause in the relationship between alcohol and the army stretched for 32 years. They remembered about vodka at the height of the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939/1940. The Red Army suffered heavy losses not only from the actions of Finnish saboteurs, but also from colds, hypothermia and frostbite. People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR Clement Voroshilov, puzzling over how to solve the problem, I remembered the tradition of “drinking for sugreva”.

In January 1940, Voroshilov turned to Stalin a request to give the soldiers and commanders of the Red Army 100 grams of vodka and 50 grams of lard per day due to difficult weather conditions. The leader approved the proposal, and the dispensing of alcohol began. At the same time, the norm for tankers was doubled, and the pilots were allowed to issue 100 grams of cognac.

It was then that the issued bacon received the name "Voroshilov ration", and vodka - "People's Commissar's 100 grams." The distribution of alcohol to the Red Army was stopped along with the end of hostilities.

Frontal grams

It was decided to repeat the experience of the Finnish campaign in the summer of 1941. Now, instead of frost, there was a very difficult situation on the fronts, when the soldiers had to withstand the most powerful onslaught of the German military machine.

On August 22, 1941, Joseph Stalin signs a secret resolution of the State Defense Committee (GKO):

"No. GKO-562s" On the introduction of vodka for supply in the current Red Army. "

To establish, starting from September 1, 1941, the issuance of 40 ° vodka in the amount of 100 grams per day per person to the Red Army soldier and the commanding staff of the first line of the active army.

Chairman of the State Defense Committee I. Stalin ".

August 25, 1941 Deputy People's Commissar of Defense, Lieutenant General Andrey Khrulev signs order No. 0320 "On the issuance of 100 grams of vodka a day to the front line servicemen of the active army." Along with the soldiers fighting on the front line, the vodka should be received by the pilots performing combat missions, as well as the engineering and technical staff of the airfields of the active army.

The issuance of 100 grams was resumed for everyone who was on the front line and fought. Photo: RIA Novosti / Alexander Kapustyansky

Rules of use: to whom and how much was allowed

Nobody was going to solder the army. The Soviet leadership followed the situation closely and returned to this topic several times during the war.

On June 6, 1942, by a new decree of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the mass distribution of vodka in the Red Army was stopped. Stalin himself made changes to the draft resolution, prepared on May 11. Now only those servicemen who participated in offensive operations received vodka. The rest of them were entitled to vodka only on holidays. These included revolutionary and public solemn days: the anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution (November 7 and 8), Constitution Day (December 5), New Year's Day (January 1), Red Army Day (February 23), days of the International Labor Day ( May 1 and 2), All-Union Day of the Athlete (July 19), All-Union Aviation Day (August 16), the day of the regimental holiday (formation of the unit).

On November 12, 1942, the conditions for issuing alcohol were changed again. The issuance of 100 grams was resumed for everyone who was on the front line and fought. Those who served in the rear - divisional and regimental reserves, a construction battalion working under enemy fire, as well as the wounded (with the permission of doctors) - were entitled to 50 grams of vodka a day. On the Transcaucasian front, it was decided to give out 200 grams of port or 300 grams of dry wine instead of 100 grams of vodka.

On April 30, 1943, GKO decree No. 3272 "On the procedure for issuing vodka to the troops of the active army" was issued:

"1. To cease from May 3, 1943, the mass daily distribution of vodka to the personnel of the troops of the army in the field.

2. Issuance of vodka at 100 grams per day per person should be made to servicemen of only those parts of the front line that conduct offensive operations, and it is the responsibility of the military councils of fronts and individual armies to determine which armies and formations to issue vodka to.

3. All other servicemen of the active army should receive vodka in the amount of 100 grams per person per day on the days of revolutionary and public holidays. "

This rule lasted until 1945. After the victory over Germany and militaristic Japan, the distribution of alcohol in the Soviet army was stopped.

Only the crews of nuclear submarines remained in a "privileged" position, to whom, during military campaigns, alcohol was given in the form of dry wine in an amount of 100 grams per day.

For good or for harm - there is no clarity

Among the veterans who went through the war, the attitude to the "People's Commissar's 100 grams" is different. Some believed that such a dose really helped relieve stress and dull feelings of fear, others believed that vodka did not bring anything good. By the way, no one forced me to drink. The number of those who, during the war, did not become addicted to either tobacco or vodka, is very significant.

Strict control and repeated changes in the rules for dispensing alcohol in the direction of tightening show that the Kremlin did not believe in the success of the "drunken army".

Like the tsarist generals, the Soviet commanders believed that the main problem was not in the "People's Commissar's 100 grams", but in the attempts of some soldiers and officers to achieve "the continuation of the banquet."

At the beginning of the war, during the period of heavy losses of the Red Army, servicemen received alcohol on the payroll of the unit, dividing among the living portions of alcohol intended for the dead. And in the final phase of the war, the headache for the command was the large volumes of "trophy" alcohol seized from the Germans, as well as the gift alcohol that grateful residents of the liberated cities and villages presented to Soviet soldiers.

Alcohol abuse was punished mercilessly: an officer convicted of drunkenness risked a demotion or even the end of his career. Another question is that even such strict measures did not stop everyone. Doctors still cannot agree on whether the "People's Commissar's 100 grams" saved from stress and overload, or formed alcohol addiction.

But it can be said with all certainty that the stories about "100 grams" as a factor in Victory are no more true than the claims that the Wehrmacht was not defeated. Zhukov with Rokossovsky, and "General Moroz".

In a man's life, there are always at least three holidays that belong only to him. First of all, it is February 23rd, when it is celebrated.

This holiday appeared almost a hundred years ago, as the anniversary of the creation of the Red Army. On this day, men are thanked for serving in the army. And it doesn't matter at all whether a person served, or he has yet to repay his debt to the Motherland.

The second such holiday is Victory Day - May 9. Although this holiday is considered nationwide, special honors go to war veterans and just those who served in the army - and these are, as a rule, men.

And finally, this is a birthday - one of the most personal holidays for every person. In this article, we will tell you how to choose and present one of the most original gifts for men - a liqueur.

What it is?

For most people, the word "nalivayka" evokes associations only with cheap illegal drinking establishments.

However, in fact, this is a special device designed to make the process of pouring alcoholic drinks fun and interactive.

Who should you give it to?

Such a gift can be safely presented to almost any person. However, since the cost of such a presentation can hurt the budget, buying this thing is better for really significant people - husband, brother, best friend, etc.

Such an exclusive surprise will surely cause a storm of emotions and become one of the main sources of entertainment during the holiday. And of course, you can buy such a thing for yourself - if you are a lover of spirits.

How to choose?

The simplest models of liqueurs are ordinary machines with a control panel that pour the required amount of drink automatically after pressing a button on the remote control.

Such models are not particularly interactive, but their presence will greatly simplify the process of pouring drinks. Such liqueurs are not too expensive, so you can easily afford them - especially if the gift is bought together.

However, there are more interesting options for liqueurs - thematic.

1. An excellent gift for Victory Day is a liqueur in the form of a barrel with "alcohol", which is poured into special buckets by soldiers of the Red Army. The soldier's doll is activated with one press of the remote control - it unscrews the tap on its own, while commenting on its actions with funny soldiers' jokes. The set is complemented by small bucket-style glasses - especially for those who drink in buckets!
2. Another, no less original option - for those who have always dreamed of a career as a secret agent. This model also contains a doll that pours alcohol from an old radio. All the attributes of a real secret agent are in place - a cloak, a hat, gloves and a mysterious suitcase. When the receiver is pressed, the doll turns on the lever on the remote control and pours a stack. At the same time, victorious music sounds from the receiver. Instead of music, you can record your own track or even a congratulatory toast - there is a USB connector for a flash drive on the side of the receiver.
3. And finally, you can order a cool liqueur in the form of a director - in this case, you will be served by a doll with a mouthpiece and a teapot. This machine also plays music and can congratulate the owner.

August 22, 1941 went down in history as the birthday of the famous people's commissar's hundred grams. On this day, the Chairman of the State Defense Committee (GKO) of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, signed Decree No. 562 on the daily issuance of half a glass of "fuel" to soldiers. We will tell you about 5 alcoholic traditions of the Russian army.

NARKOMOVSKIE 100 GRAMS

The idea to supply the army not only with shells and footcloths, but also strong drinks came to the mind of the People's Commissar Kliment Voroshilov in January 1940. The reason was simple: the Red Army got bogged down in the snows of Finland and froze over. Voroshilov decided to raise the morale of the soldiers and commanders by giving out 100 grams of vodka a day (to the pilots - brandy). This is how the People's Commissars, or Voroshilov's, 100 grams appeared.
By July 1941, the position of the Soviet troops was disastrous. In such conditions, they decided to use a potent remedy again. On July 20, the chief supplier of the USSR, Anastas Mikoyan, sent a letter to Stalin. In it, he said that work on the delivery of vodka to the troops had already begun. Stalin well understood the importance of this issue. He personally revised Mikoyan's project. For example, after the words "composition" I wrote in "troops of the first line." This meant that the Supreme Commanders ordered not to pour.
The front commanders were personally responsible for bottling vodka. Their duties were to ensure "the strictest order in the issue of vodka so that it really was issued to the operating units, and strictly observe the norm, avoiding abuse."
On November 12, 1942, the T-bills established a liberal order for the release of alcoholic drinks. Everyone who was on the front line and led the fighting was now drinking 100 grams. In addition, the norm extended to artillery and mortar units supporting infantry with fire. This time the rear officials were not spared either. Regimental and divisional reserves, a construction battalion that worked "under enemy fire", and the wounded (with the permission of doctors) were allowed to pour 50 grams per day. The Transcaucasian Front was allowed to issue 200 grams of fortified wine or 300 table wine instead of 100 grams of vodka. On November 23, 1943, he added NKVD troops and railway troops to the limit list.

FLEET CHARKA

Since the time of the sailing fleet in Russia, there has been a tradition - to give out to the lower ranks while sailing, a daily glass of vodka (1/100 of a bucket, 0.123 liters, i.e. 120 grams). At a time when emergency work was especially difficult on sailing ships, especially in storms, alcohol was an aphrodisiac. During the idle time of ships, in the chilly winter Baltic, alcohol saved sailors from pneumonia and severe colds.
The usual glass was given in two doses - two thirds before lunch, one third before dinner. The very process of issuing a cup was arranged on the ships with a certain solemnity. The boatswain gave a signal with a pipe - "to wine." Bathaler carried out a container of vodka and called out the names of the lower ranks from the list. It was not supposed to eat a glass of something. Non-drinkers received money under the article (for not drunk wine) in the amount of 2 rubles. 40 kopecks. per month.
This tradition had opponents and adherents. The latter considered it an established maritime custom that could not be canceled. Opponents pointed out the negative aspects of this phenomenon. In this "glass" lies the root of that incorrigible drunkenness, which the sailors suffer, getting after sailing in the port cities. On the eve of the First World War, when sailing or steam-sailing ships in the fleet finally fell into the realm of legends, there was an active discussion in the newspapers of the leading naval doctors on the topic of abolishing the charka. It was proposed to cancel it, preserving the salary, but hand it over only at the end of the service, so that the sailor, upon returning to the village, would have 140-150 rubles in his hands. (a lot of money for the conditions of the village at the beginning of the 20th century).

TSARSKAYA CHARKA

Before the revolution in the tsarist army, "bread wine" (that is, vodka) was issued not only in wartime, but also in peacetime. There was even a charter team “To the cup”. In wartime, he was supposed to be released to the combatant lower ranks one glass (160 g) three times a week, to non-combatants - two glasses a week. In peacetime - only on holidays (15 glasses a year) and "at the discretion of the commander to maintain health, in bad weather, after long marches, exercises and parades." And for special merits it was possible to get a double dosage, and the ceremony of "presentation to the glass" was held officially, solemnly, in front of the formation.
Until 1900, there was even a clause "On the benefits of moderate consumption of vodka" in the army articles. It is not surprising that some of the soldiers in the army were drawn into drinking, especially since vodka was often used as a reward for something. True, one could refuse a glass and receive compensation - 6 kopecks.

DRINK GUSAR

In Russian literature, with the light hand of the poet Denis Davydov (hussar lieutenant colonel), the frivolous image of the hussars as drunkards, breeders and womanizers was established. In the Russian army, hussar units belonged to light cavalry, they were armed not with shields and pikes, but with sabers and pistols (carbines) and were used for flanking, actions behind enemy lines and various raids.
Hussars - especially officers - supported and consolidated the literary myth by their own actions, enchanting drinking bouts, astronomical losses and sophisticated duels. "Drinking like a hussar" means opening champagne, cutting off the neck of the bottle with a saber, and then pouring the entire effervescent mixture down your throat (or pour it into glasses, wine glasses).
However, famous hussars in their memoirs do not write about this way of spending alcohol. Moreover, the hussars could drink champagne only at a standstill in cities, or during maneuvers in Tsarskoe Selo. In battles and campaigns, they preferred vodka. So much so that they soaked hay in it for their horses - a drunken and mindless animal resignedly went into the attack on infantrymen's pikes or machine-gun points, which a normal horse, even a well-trained one, would not do.

STRENGTH

Drinking a "stirrup" glass is perhaps the oldest custom of the Russian army. Ancient Russian warriors, going on a campaign, put on chain mail and other means of protection, climbed on a horse. At the same time, the stirrup was supported by the stirrup for the warrior. At the last minute of parting, a stirrup (bowl, goblet) with wine is brought up. As a rule, the beloved spouse brings the glass. And after the wine is drunk, the warrior gives it (the glass) to the stirrup.