11. Juli 1946
11 July 46. A few days ago, a 500-man transport left for another camp. Today another 150 men are leaving, among them me and 10 other officers. A few days before, we had already been selected. We were lined up for the usual meat inspection. It's like a slave market.
We stood stark naked in front of a beautiful young lady doctor. Step forward, a quick look at our bodies, a quick pinch in the buttocks (whether firm or flaccid) - ready, next. This procedure is called "commissioning" here. We are all written fit for work.
Before being taken away, I line up next to the camp gate for the usual frisking. As I have a bulging rucksack with many unauthorised items, I cheat my way at a favourable moment into the line that has already been cleared. Then we march off.
| GEO INFO | ||||
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| presumable position of Main Camp 277 in Riga[1] | 
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We first march to the main camp 277 in Riga. The way is not very far. Now we stand in front of the camp on a large, open square and wait to be admitted. A few residents peek out of the windows of the 3-storey houses on the other side of the square. One of the Russian guards suddenly stabs a prisoner with his bayonet.
A car speeds up and stops. An Ivan rushes out, followed by our previous camp leader. Within seconds, the Ivan has spotted my bulging rucksack, races up, tears open the rucksack and pulls out a woollen blanket and other things, snorting with rage. These things are all mine, but according to the clothing regulations I am not allowed to own so much. So somehow they did notice my cheating on the frisking. Fortunately, suddenly it' s "Pick up your things - march!". While still walking, the Ivan pulls more things out of my rucksack, but then he has to stay behind. He is not allowed to enter through the gate into the new camp.
Main camp 277. We are hardly through the gate when the local guards already raid our belongings. There's not much left to take from me. Comrade Ivan outside has already stolen almost everything. The guard is furious and rummages around angrily in my rucksack. Nevertheless, he overlooks a fixed knife that was lying at the bottom of the rucksack. - We learn that our transport is going east. Of course - where else!?
We are being loaded. The guards are spiteful. Butt blows, bayonet thrusts, punches in the face. The wagons - normal freight wagons - get locked. The small window hatches are barred with barbed wire. During the whole transport - 3 days and 3 nights - we didn't get out of the wagon, except for the evening change of wagons. Ivan fears that we loosened some planks on the way in order to jump off. No toilet for three days, except for a pee trough, and 3 men are having diarrhoea. Medical attention: pills. So no one can say there was no medical care! No sleep, because the old wagons rattle and clatter. 30 cooking utensils for 150 men. Food distribution stopped prematurely every time it was not fast enough for the Ivans, or because they gorged themselves on our food. If you're not in good health here, you will bite the dust.
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- ↑ Hint from Alexander Rshavin