Over Fields of Fire

23

Translator’s note — another diminutive for Anna.

24

Translator’s note — ‘Labour’.

25

Translator’s note — abbreviation of ‘rabochiy correspondent’ or working correspondent — a correspondent who worked at industrial operations.

26

Translator’s note — Russian abbreviation for the Air Force of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army.

27

Translator’s note — a five day period — in the 1930s in the USSR the normal seven-day week was replaced by a five-day week.

28

Translator’s note — a national group in the Northern Caucasus.

29

Editor’s note — The Society of Assistance to Defence, Aviation and Chemical Construction. It was established in 1927 by the merging of the Voluntary Society of Friends of the Air Fleet, Chemical Defense and Industry of the USSR and the Society of the Assistance to Defence. In 1948 it was divided into three Societies — the Voluntary Society of Assistance to the Army, the Voluntary Society of Assistance to the Air Force, and the Voluntary Society of Assistance to the Navy.

30

Translator’s note — Sergeant-Major.

31

Translator’s note — a province in Southern Russia.

32

Translator’s note — a common Russian name for the Baltic countries.

33

Editor’s note — with 31 or 32 personal and 16 shared victories.

34

Editor’s note — a diminutive form of Victor.

35

Translator’s note — diminutive for Louka.

36

Translator’s note — literally, ‘little hawk’ — a common nickname for Soviet fighters.

37

Editor’s note — a pro-Communist organisation for 9-14 year old children in the USSR, similar to the Scout movement.