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When I returned to my unit I face anti-Semitism. The son of secretary of regional Party committee was my fellow comrade. So I went to stand sentinel with my automatic gun once every 2-3 days, but he never did this duty.
He also laughed at me. Once, during a meal, he explained to me ‘You stand sentinel because you are a Jew. You must be grateful to be still alive’.
I couldn’t stand this and we began to fight. Since I was the initiator I had to stay in guardhouse for 10 days. I had a fight with another fellow comrade that asked why Jews were holding important positions in economics and medicine.
My response was throwing a kettle onto his head. I was in guardhouse again. I got along well with my commanding officer Zinoviev.
He also laughed at me. Once, during a meal, he explained to me ‘You stand sentinel because you are a Jew. You must be grateful to be still alive’.
I couldn’t stand this and we began to fight. Since I was the initiator I had to stay in guardhouse for 10 days. I had a fight with another fellow comrade that asked why Jews were holding important positions in economics and medicine.
My response was throwing a kettle onto his head. I was in guardhouse again. I got along well with my commanding officer Zinoviev.
Period
Location
Russia
Interview
Efim Shpielberg Biography