Translator’s note — during the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 many Soviet pilots fought on the Republican side.
71
Translator’s note — ‘cropduster’ — a somewhat contemptuous nickname for the U-2 biplane, that was used in agricultural operations.
72
Translator’s note — a most typical truck in the USSR back then — a variety of Ford trucks were built under licence.
73
Translator’s note — apparently from the coal shafts numerous in that part of the country.
74
Translator’s note — a small town near Moscow.
75
Translator’s note — volunteers, home guard.
76
Translator’s note — Ivan Konev — one of the top Soviet commanders later in the war.
77
Editor’s note — the most common nickname for German soldiers in Russian military slang.
78
Translator’s note — Party organizer.
79
Translator’s note —
80
Translator’s note — a military rank for political officers.
81
Translator’s note — a common Russian nickname for artillery.
82
Translator’s note — popular Russian nickname for Messerschmitt Me/Bf 109 fighters.
83
Translator’s note — a steppe wind.
84
Editor’s note — here, a nickname for M-13 truck-mounted rocket missile launch systems.
85
Translator’s note — a Soviet Republic in Central Asia, now Turkmenistan.
86
