Letter to K.E. Voroshilov, June 24, 1932

Source: Tom 17

Hello, Klim!

I received the letter.

1) As for tanks and aviation, evidently industry has not yet managed to properly retool itself in line with the new (our) assignments. Never mind! We will keep pressing and helping it -- it will adapt. The whole point is to keep certain branches of industry (mainly military) under constant supervision. They will adapt and will fulfill the program, if not to the full 100%, then to 80-90%. Is that not enough?

2) The most alarming thing is the crashes and the loss of our pilots. The loss of aircraft is not so terrible (the devil with them!), but the loss of living people, of pilots, is. Living people are the most precious and most important thing in all our work, especially in aviation. Should there not be created -- among other things -- at the headquarters of each military district commander a special position of deputy commander for aviation, placing on these deputies the direct responsibility for the state of aviation affairs in the district? This should in no way, of course -- not in the slightest degree! -- relieve the district commander of responsibility for aviation in the district. I think this should be done.

3) How do things stand with Makhanov's gun? A very important matter, and it is being delayed for some reason.

4) For God's sake, pay attention to Comrade Agranov's memorandum about Kurchevsky. The matter is very important.

5) Shcheko is managing in Mongolia not badly. Well, God willing.

6) I would be very glad if your time allows you to drop in at Sochi.

Greetings! Yours, I. Stalin.

June 24, 1932

Source: Sovetskoye rukovodstvo. Perepiska. 1928-1941 [Soviet Leadership. Correspondence. 1928-1941], pp. 180-181.

RGASPI, f. 74, op. 2, d. 38, ll. 68-71.