Voroshilov.

Copy. Kaganovich.

The question of aircraft quality must not be glossed over; it must be presented prominently alongside the question of the internal deficiencies of aviation itself. We must hurry with the creation of the position of deputy commander or assistant commander for aviation -- this will raise the weight of aviation in the military district and strengthen control over it. The institution of special aviation inspectors is absolutely necessary. Your draft is good, but it should be issued in the name of the Council of People's Commissars and the CC, not the CC alone. If you decide to come to Sochi, bring a relief ten-verst map of the Far East and the plan for creating bases on the coast for our navy.

Stalin.

Source: Stalin i Kaganovich. Perepiska. 1931-1936 gg. [Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936], p. 203.

RGASPI, f. 558, op. 11, d. 77, l. 120.

NOTE

On June 21, 1932, Voroshilov reported in a letter to Stalin: "I am now literally beside myself because of accidents in the Air Fleet. Not a day passes without reports being received of accidents and even the gravest catastrophes with human victims, now in one district, now in another.

It is enough to point out that from 5/VI to 20/VI alone, 11 airplanes were wrecked ... and 30(!!) people perished... The cadres of flight and technical personnel have grown, they are being staffed with our own, politically reliable, personnel, but extremely young, inexperienced (which is natural), and, most important, not truly disciplined.

Dashing habits, boasting of one's flying exploits... meeting with no harsh struggle from the authorities; the low authority of the young commanding personnel, poor work by the political organs and Party organizations -- these are the main sources from which our misfortunes arise... I have already asked the Politburo to hear my report and help me in tightening up the Party organizations and political apparatus.

I am thinking of throwing out several 'merited' but completely undisciplined air chiefs, who consciously and often violate all orders and regulations of the Red Army."

Having received Stalin's reply (see: Letter to K.E. Voroshilov, June 24, 1932), Voroshilov sent Stalin a cipher telegram: "Sochi. To Stalin. I received the letter. I fully agree with the assessment of aviation personnel, whose training and education I have always considered the most difficult matter.

In the accident rate, what torments me most of all is precisely this absurd, reckless destruction of the best people. Yesterday I sent you my draft CC resolution on accidents. In it, the establishment of the strictest discipline in aviation is put very sharply, which is necessary above all for preserving living people.

In order not to gloss over the internal shortcomings of aviation, I deliberately omitted the shortcomings of industry -- the quality of production, the absence of communications on airplanes, the absence of parachutes, brake wheels, special devices for stability of the airplane in the air, etc. After your letter the thought came -- would it not be worth writing this down just as strongly, though briefly, as discipline.

Regarding assistant commanders of troops for aviation -- I consider your idea correct, especially taking into account the forthcoming organization of air corps and armies. At present we have the chief of the district air forces with his staff -- he could be renamed assistant commander of troops for aviation.

I think that the creation of special inspectors directly in air brigades and the reinforcement of the aviation inspectorate with people will considerably ease the task of directing aviation. I await an answer on the substance of the draft. 28.VI.32. K. Voroshilov." On July 3, 1932, the Politburo approved the draft resolution of the CC and the Council of People's Commissars "On Accidents in the Units of the Air Forces of the Red Army" proposed by Voroshilov; the final version was formalized on July 5.

Among other measures, it implemented Stalin's proposal to introduce the position of assistant district commanders for the Air Forces.

See also: Inscription on S.M. Kirov's Telegram, September 11, 1931.