Skip to content

April 2, 1963

Report from General-Lieutenant of Aviation Lovkov to Marshal of the Soviet Union Cde. N.I. Krylov

This document was made possible with support from Blavatnik Family Foundation

TOP SECRET

Copy Nº only

 

TO MARSHAL OF THE SOVIET UNION

CDE. N. I. KRYLOV

 

[handwriting across the top left corner of the first page:

[[possibly Krylov’s initials: 1 – Familiarize yourself with the request for vehicles; 2 – summarize and report; 3 – Chief of the UK [possibly “Directorate of Personnel” – consider [then] when appointing. [Illegible signature, 4.4.63]

 

I report:

Much work was done by the personnel of a number of units and subunits of the Missile Troops, the generals and officers of the Main Staff, and the headquarters and services of the Commander-in-Chief when preparing for and carrying out Operation [inserted by hand: Anadyr’] to ensure a high quality of the execution of the tasks on time.

The measures conducted for Operation [Anadyr’] showed that in the very difficult conditions of the situation (lengthy movements, difficult climate conditions and terrain, etc.), the personnel successfully coped with the tasks assigned to them, and at all stages of the Operation (after testing for function) the missile armament was in good working order and ready for use.

In the preparatory period for Operation [Anadyr’] [inserted by hand: one] army headquarters, [one] division headquarters, and [the headquarters] of  [five] missile regiments and [27] independent units and subunits were brought up to strength with personnel, equipment, and armament, and [114] trains, [7124] rail cars,) and [42] cargo ships transported [12415] personnel, more than [4030] items of various equipment and vehicles, and more than [30000] tons of freight for the concentration of troops in the given area.

Great experience was accumulated in a short time by the officers of the units and subunits involved in this measure in the preparation and implementation of the rail and maritime transportation of the troops [as well as] skills in the deployment of units and subunits for operations in field conditions.

One can draw the conclusion from conversations with the participants of the measures conducted and their statements that many are dissatisfied by the fact that the work done by the personnel has still not yet been completely summarized, and those who distinguished themselves while this important event was being conducted were not rewarded by the command, not all officers have receive appointments to equal posts, etc.

Based on what [I] have reported, please:

1. Permit the Main Staff, on the basis of a study and summarization of the material submitted concerning the operations of the troops in Operation [Anadyr’] within a three or four month period:

a) to develop a draft Regulation concerning maritime shipments of Missile Troops, replacing the existing Instruction, and to submit it for approval;

b) to prepare a list of additions and changes to the existing Regulation concerning the transportation of troops by rail;

c) to develop an Instruction (Regulation) concerning the operations of troops and subunits of the Strategic Missile Forces armed with [R-12 and R-14 missiles] in field conditions when deployed for short periods, etc.

2. Hold the Directorate of Personnel of the Missile Forces responsible for more carefully considering the appointment of each officer who took part in Operation [Anadyr’] and when possible determine for a post corresponding to the one [he] occupied when the measure was carried out (of course, if there is a favorable evaluation).

3. Perhaps the preparation of a request to the Minister of Defense concerning an award to personnel  who especially distinguished themselves in Operation [Anadyr’].

 

General-Lieutenant of Aviation

[signature] LOVKOV

 

2 April 1963

 

[two notes handwritten below:

 

To Cde. A. [illegible, possibly Ye. Buzkiy]. Do it per the resolution of the Commander-in-Chief of the Missile Forces. 18 May 1963. Lovkov.

 

Regarding point 3. On 29 May the Commander-in-Chief has signed and submitted [this] to the Minister of Defense for approval. Regarding point 1[b]  coordinate with the General Staff; regarding points 1b and 1c, prepare the materials.

30 May [illegible signature].

General-Lieutenant of Aviation Lovkov reflects on Operation Anadyr’, including what lessons the Soviet military can draw from the episode and how the personnel involved in the shipment of missiles to Cuba should now be treated.



Document Information

Source

TsAMO, fond 1, opis 14041cc, delo 1, ll. 233-234. Contributed by Sergey Radchenko and Vladislav Zubok and translated by Gary Goldberg.

Rights

The History and Public Policy Program welcomes reuse of Digital Archive materials for research and educational purposes. Some documents may be subject to copyright, which is retained by the rights holders in accordance with US and international copyright laws. When possible, rights holders have been contacted for permission to reproduce their materials.

To enquire about this document's rights status or request permission for commercial use, please contact the History and Public Policy Program at [email protected].

Original Uploaded Date

2023-04-20

Type

Report

Language

Record ID

300467

Original Classification

Top Secret

Donors

Blavatnik Family Foundation