TFR 3 USS Intrepid Transit Camps C-118A Shootdown

[TFR 3-1]

[handwritten] 1

Voted "for":

Comrades Suslov Shelepin Mazurov Voronov

Comrade Yu. V. Andropov has been informed

[signature]

TOP SECRET

[stamp] Must Be Returned 4387 [illegible number] Sector 1

[seal]

[letterhead]

USSR COMMITTEE ON STATE SECURITY OF THE USSR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS 10 NOVEMBER 1967 No 2751 - A CITY OF MOSCOW

Just the other day, Iusikawa Yuiti, the secretary of the Japanese pacifist organization "Bejhejren" ("Peace-to-Vietnam" Committee) consulted with the USSR embassy in Japan. He reported that the organization is harboring four American servicemen Richard D. Bailey (19 years old), Craig William Anderson (20 years old), John Michael Barrell (20 years old) and Michael Anthony Lindner (20 years old), who fled to the port of Yokosuka from the American aircraft carrier "Intrepid", which was stationed off the coast of the People's Republic of Vietnam. These servicemen said that they opposed the aggressive war in Vietnam and requested "Bejhejren" to assist them in reaching the European countries, where, according to them, there are organizations to help Americans who have run away from the Army.

"Bejhejren" thinks it is possible to ship these American servicemen out of Japan in order to send them on to Europe illegally on a Soviet steamer. After they have departed, "Bejhejren" plans to carry out an extensive antiwar campaign by using the materials which the organization has at its disposal, including the statements of the 4 American servicemen who fled.

The representative of "Bejhejren" announced that they plan to illegally transport the American servicemen on the Soviet steamer "Baikal," which leaves, Yokohama for Nakhodka on 2 November of this year. In order to do this "Bejhejren" will do what it can to provide the Americans with passes to board the ship and asks that the captain be given instructions to clear the way for them.

[TFR 3-3]

Since the flight of the four American servicemen can be used for far-reaching propaganda purposes against US aggression in Vietnam, the Committee on State Security advises that their delivery to the USSR should be facilitated. From there, they can be sent on to the countries of Europe, where they are planning to remain.

Please consider this.

CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON STATE SECURITY [signature] ANDROPOV

[TFR 3-4]

To the Members of the Politburo of the CPSU CC for a full-member vote [signature] [handwritten] 15 November 67

[TFR 3-5]

[stamp] Must Be Returned 4413 14 Nov 1967 Cn No 23 [illegible]

[seal]

[letterhead] USSR COMMITTEE ON STATE SECURITY OF THE USSR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS 14 November 1967 No 2771-A City of Moscow

The 4 American military seamen, Richard BAILEY, William ANDERSON, Michael BERRILL, and Anthony LINDNER, who deserted from the aircraft carrier "INTREPID," and about whom the Committee on State Security made its report on 10 November of this year (No 2751-a), arrived on the territory of the Soviet Union. On 15 November they will be sent to Moscow.

According to the preliminary information which we have, these seamen intend to go to one of the countries of Europe, where there are organized groups of Americans protesting the Vietnam war and the present political policies of the JOHNSON administration. It is possible that they will appeal to the government of the USSR with a request for political asylum in our country.

While R. Bailey and his comrades were in Japan, they wrote statements to the Japanese committee "Peace-to-Vietnam" (Bejhejren). These statements sharply criticized US aggression against the Vietnamese people and US government policy on small countries. These documents will be used by the supporters of peace in Japan in order to spread the antiwar movement and step-up the campaign to stop the war in Vietnam. They plan to hold a press conference for Japanese and foreign correspondents accredited in Tokyo. A joint announcement will be made by the four American military seamen. Copies of their statements will be passed out along with autobiographies, and a film shot by a representative of "Bejhejren" will be shown. In the film the seamen explain the reasons which prompted them to abandon the aircraft carrier, although they were fully aware of the fact that their actions

[TFR 3-6]

will be viewed by the American command as a military crime, for which they could be handed over for trial by a military tribunal.

The Committee on State Security feels it would be advisable to use the stay of the American seamen in the USSR and their political announcements condemning the aggressive US policy in Vietnam for propaganda purposes in support of the just battle of the Vietnamese people.

In order to do this, discussions will be held with the American seamen upon their arrival in Moscow. The discussions will be sponsored by the Soviet Committee on Peace. During the course of the discussions, the mood and intentions of the seamen will be established so that we can determine if they can be used for broad propaganda purposes, i.e., for press conferences, TV appearances, and speeches on the radio and in the press.

I am asking for your support.

CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON STATE SECURITY [signature] ANDROPOV

[handwritten] Yu. V. Andropov was informed 16 June 67 [signature]

[TFR 3-7]

[handwritten] 7 OP

STEPS AGAINST AMERICAN AGGRESSION IN VIETNAM

The issue was raised by Comrade Andropov

Voted:

Comrades Brezhnev for [handwritten] Voronov for Kirilenko for Kosygin for Mazurov for Pel'she for Podgorny for Polyansky vacation [handwritten] Suslov for Shelepin vacation [handwritten] Shelest

[illegible handwriting] 27 November 1967 Original copy t. 61-16 27 November 67 [handwritten] Checked by Bakurov and [?] 27 November 1967

[TFR 3-8]

[handwritten] urgent 61-16

To be sent to the members of the Politburo of the CPSU CC for a vote

[handwritten] 17 ___ 2 [?] 27 November 1967 [signature]

[TFR 3-9]

TOP SECRET

[stamp] [illegible] 4601 [?] NOVEMBER 1967 SECTOR 1 [illegible]

[seal] [letterhead] USSR COMMITTEE ON STATE SECURITY OF THE USSR COUNCIL OF MINISTERS 25 NOVEMBER 1967 No 2874-A CITY OF MOSCOW

The information being received from overseas shows the great impact the brave act of the four American seamen is having on public opinion in many countries.

In order to further develop the campaign against American aggression in Vietnam, it would be advisable to take the following steps:

1. Prepare a leaflet on behalf of the four American seamen with their photographs and signatures containing an appeal to American servicemen in Japan, both those who are permanently stationed there and those who go their on R & R, to protest against the aggressive war in Vietnam. Distribute this leaflet in Japan among American servicemen through the Japanese organization "Bejhejren" ("Peace-to-Vietnam" Committee).

2. Prepare a leaflet containing an appeal from the four seamen to be given to American servicemen located in South Vietnam. The leaflet should appeal to them to refuse to participate in the Pentagon's aggressive war and support the right of the Vietnam people to decide their own fate.

Suggest that our Vietnamese friends distribute the leaflet in South Vietnam using their assets.

3. Have the four seamen address the youth of the world and appeal to them to carry out a tenacious struggle for peace, for stopping US aggression in Vietnam, and for uniting the antiwar efforts of youth.

[TFR 3-10]

4. Have the four seamen address American youth by appealing to them to continue and strengthen their campaign to curtail the war in Vietnam and withdraw US armed forces. Disseminate this address by radio, press, leaflets, the sale of newsreels and so on, by timing this work to the antiwar week in the US. Antiwar week begins on 4 December of this year.

We ask for your agreement. CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON STATE SECURITY [signature] ANDROPOV

[TFR 3-11]

STRICTLY SECRET

No P73/47

To Comrades Brezhnev and Andropov

Excerpts from minutes No 73 of a CPSU CC Politburo meeting held 11 March 1968

Topic of the Committee on State Security:

1. Agree with the proposals of the Committee on State Security given in note No 438-A of 24 February 1968.

2. Instruct the Soviet Committee on Solidarity for the Asian and African Countries (comrade Zasokhov) to act on behalf of the Vietnam Support Committee and accept American military deserters arriving from Japan, provide for their stay in the USSR, carry out the appropriate political work with them, and assist their departure to countries which will agree to provide them with political asylum.

If Mr. ODA, the chairman of the Japanese Committee "Peace-to-Vietnam," should arrive in the USSR, he should be contacted in order to coordinate actions to use the fact of American military desertion for political purposes.

7-ak pe

A comrade receiving secret documents must not pass them to or acquaint anyone with them without special permission from the Central Committee.

Copying or making notes of these documents is categorically forbidden.

A note and the date an individual familiarized himself with the document should be made on each document personally by the comrade to whom the document is addressed and with his own signature.

[TFR 3-12]

To No. OP-1509-[19]68

Distribute to CC CPSU [Central Committee Communist Party of the Soviet Union] Politburo members.

29 Apr 68 20/2 [signed]

OSIA/DXL

[TFR 3-13]

TOP SECRET

USSR Committee on State Security at the Council of Ministers of the USSR 24 February 1968 # 438-A

According to available information, the Japanese "Peace to Vietnam" committee (Beherain) continues its work to provide active assistance to American military personnel - deserters, in their illegal departure from Japan to third countries to seek political asylum.

In early November, 1967, "Beherain" organized shipment of four American Marines, who deserted from the carrier "Intrepid", to the Soviet Union. In February 1968 the same committee illegally shipped an American serviceman of Korean ancestry to Hong Kong in order to eventually send him to KPDR [Korean Peoples Democratic Republic].

The indicated incidents were widely and effectively used by "Beherain" in propaganda and disclosure campaign against the American aggression in Vietnam, and also to increase anti-war sentiment among the US military personnel so that they refuse to participate in the war in Vietnam.

At the present time Japanese committee "Peace to Vietnam" is getting ready for illegal shipment from Japan of three American servicemen who deserted from their units: Corporal I.L. Knem[?], and privates E.S. Arnett and F.E. Collicot. They intend to send them through the Soviet Union to Europe.

The leaders of "Beherain" intend to accomplish the transport of the American servicemen from Japan to the territory of the Soviet Union on their own.

At one of the meetings with our representative, the secretary of the "Peace to Vietnam" committee, Mr Iosekava, requested financial help for the committee, particularly to realize the current undertaking, in the amount of 200 thousand yen

[TFR 3-14]

(500 foreign currency rubles). At the same time Mr Iosekava stated that at the end of February the chairman of the "Peace to Vietnam" committee, Mr Oda, is coming to the Soviet Union and some European countries through Cambodia, in order to establish closer contacts with European pacifist organizations who speak in defense of Vietnam.

[The individuals' names in the above text were inserted by hand]

Considering the above information, the Committee on Government Security [KGB] considers it prudent to:

1. Use the secret contact of the KGB with the leadership of the Japanese "Peace to Vietnam" committee, assist in the further activities of the committee, including financial assistance when necessary, to broaden propaganda work, and to provide the illegal transport of American deserters from Japan to third countries.

2. KGB should inform the secretary of the "Peace to Vietnam" committee that the Soviet Union can not at this time allow for illegal transport of American deserters in it's vessels. However, let them know that if the committee finds alternate means of transporting the Americans onto the USSR territory, (for example, from Hokkaido Island on Japanese fishing vessels) the Soviet side will not stand in the way.

3. Task the Soviet Solidarity of Asian and African Countries Committee on behalf of the Committee for Support of Vietnam to receive American military deserters arriving from Japan; conduct work with them in a manner advantageous to the Soviet Union and arrange their departure to countries which will offer them political asylum (this has been arranged with comrade Zasokhov).

The Committee for Support of Vietnam should establish close contacts with the Japanese "Peace to Vietnam" committee and use the upcoming visit of Mr Oda, the committee chairman, to the USSR for this purpose.

[TFR 3-15]

For its part the KGB is ready to provide assistance through unofficial channels in maintaining communication with the leadership of the Japanese "Peace to Vietnam" committee, and also to assist in influencing the committee in a manner advantageous to the Soviet Union.

Draft resolution is enclosed. Please examine. CHAIRMAN, GOVERNMENT SECURITY COMMITTEE [signed] ANDROPOV

[TFR 3-16]

OSIA/DXL

To No. 1699-OP-[19]68

P 866-op Distribute to the CC CPSU Politburo members 14 May 68 [signed, illegible] 25/2 [TFR 3-17]

[letterhead] USSR Top Secret COMMITTEE [stamp] To be Returned for State Security 1509, 28 Apr 68 at the USSR Council of Ministers sector 1 26 April 1968 No. 955-A Moscow

In accordance with the CC CPSU decision #1173/47 dated 11 Mar 68, the KGB, through it's unofficial capabilities assisted the Japanese public organization "Peace to Vietnam" (Beherain) in expanding it's activities on sheltering and subsequent transportation out of Japan the US military personnel who refused to take part in the Vietnam War. On the night of 22 to 23 April, the "Peace to Vietnam" committee accomplished the transport of a group of six Americans from the island of Hokkaido into Soviet territorial waters, and were subsequently handed over to the Soviet border authorities and delivered to the USSR territory. On 25 April 68 the American servicemen arrived in Moscow.

The leadership of the Japanese "Peace to Vietnam " committee proposes to organize a series of propaganda and disclosure activities in relation to the successful completion of the operation, and tie them in with 27 April, when a massive demonstration against the Vietnam and Johnson's policies is going to take place in the US. In particular, the "Peace to Vietnam" committee is planning to make public in Japan and New York prepared materials connected with the indicated group of American servicemen (their personal statements, comments in the press, photos, film clips and tape recordings) and organize a special press-conference in New York.

[signed by several people, illegible]

[TFR 3-18]

In accordance with the above CC CPSU decision, the Soviet Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee is arranging to welcome and host the six Americans in the Soviet Union.

The Committe for State Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR will present suggestions on how to utilize the American servicemen who arrived in the Soviet Union in a propaganda program.

CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNMENT SECURITY COMMITTEE [signed] ANDROPOV

[TFR 3-19]

Top Secret [stamp] To be returned 1699 13 May 1968 Sector 1

The six American servicemen who arrived on the territory of the USSR on 23 April 1968 have visited Leningrad and the Georgian SSR.

In accordance with the directive of the CC CPSU, political work in the direction of disclosure of anti-communist training to which the servicemen were subjected in the USA and South Vietnam is being conducted, as well as utilizing them in a propaganda program. Meetings of the Americans with the representatives of Soviet public were organized, as well as appearances on national television and corresponding articles in the "Pravda" newspaper. As a result of discussions with American servicemen, sharply critical expository articles have been published in the "Izvestia" and "Komsomolskaya Pravda" newspapers. The majority of the Americans expressed willingness to continue this work so that all materials disclosing the dirty, criminal character of an aggressive US war in Vietnam, could be collected in a brochure or a book. The publishing of these materials in the form of a brochure and their subsequent distribution abroad will be handled through the "Novosti" Press Agency.

It is proposed in the future to organize a meeting between the Americans and the Moscow accredited socialist countries newspaper representatives as well as "Humanity" newspaper.

At the same time the Soviet Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee along with the Soviet Committee for Support of Vietnam are handling the organization of the American servicemen's stay in the USSR as well as arrangements for their subsequent departure

[TFR 3-20]

to Western countries. Three of the Americans wish to settle in Finland, one in Sweden and one in Canada. A member of the group, Kenneth Griggs(Kim Gin Su), an American of Korean dissent asks to resolve a question concerning a possibility of receiving a higher education in the USSR or one of the European socialist countries. He established contact with the KPDR [Korean Peoples Democratic Republic] embassy in Moscow with the agreement of the Soviet Committee for Support of Vietnam.

The KGB, jointly with the Soviet Committee for Support of Vietnam (SCSV), began the practical realization of the plan to send the American group to France or Sweden. The SCSV will raise the issue, concerning the hosting of the Americans by civic groups and governments of indicated countries, through public organizations and Soviet embassies. In case there are difficulties concerning this issue, the unofficial capabilities of the KGB abroad will be utilized.

This has been coordinated with the SCSV (comrade Dzasokhov).

[signed] GROMYKO [signed] ANDROPOV "13" May 1968 "13" May 1968 No. 1082-A

[TFR 3-21]

USSR Top Secret COMMITTEE for State Security [stamp] To be returned at the Council of Ministers of the USSR 2157 11 June 68 11 June 1968 sector 1 No. 1374-A Moscow

[signature, illegible] 1968

In accordance with the CC CPSU decision #P73/47 dated 11 March 1968 made by the CC CPSU, the KGB, through it's unofficial capabilities, is continuing to assist the Japanese civic organization "Peace to Vietnam" ("Beherain") in their activities related to sheltering and subsequent transporting out of Japan those US military personnel who refuse to participate in the Vietnam War. At the present time "Peace to Vietnam" committee is ready to transfer to the territory of the Soviet Union a group of Americans consisting of three individuals. The transfer is proposed to take place aboard a Japanese schooner on the night of 14-15 June, 1968.

The organization of welcoming and hosting of the American servicemen in the Soviet Union is assigned to the SCSV in accordance with the above mentioned decision made by the CC CPSU.

The KGB and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR will present proposals on how to utilize the American servicemen arriving on the territory of the Soviet Union in a propaganda program.

CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNMENT SECURITY COMMITTEE

[signed] ANDROPOV

Archive Indicated [rest illegible]

[TFR 3-22]

Workers of the World, Unite! STRICTLY SECRET

COMMUNIST PART OF THE SOVIET UNION CENTRAL COMMITTEE No. P31/XXXVII

Excerpt from minutes No. 31 of a meeting of the CC Presidium on 9 August 1956

Draft of response note to the US Embassy on the issue of US servicemen allegedly being detained in the Soviet Union

Approve the draft of a response note to the US Embassy on the issue of American servicemen allegedly being detained in the Soviet Union (attached), as proposed by the USSR MFA. Text of the USSR MFA response note is to be published in the press.

Central Committee Secretary

4-ls [one word illeg.] 14 Aug 56

[TFR 3-23]

Per paragraph XXXVII of minutes #31

Secret

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics pays its respects to the Embassy of the United States of America, and in reference to the Embassy's note No. 4 of 16 July 1956, has the honor of conveying the following.

A thorough investigation conducted by the appropriate Soviet entities in connection with the United States Government's request set forth in that note, has confirmed that there are no American citizens from among personnel of the US Armed Forces or air units of the US Navy on the territory of the Soviet Union.

Results of the investigation leave no doubt that the supposition expressed in the Embassy's note regarding the detention of American servicemen in the Soviet Union has no basis in fact and is mistaken.

In connection with the above, the Soviet Government considers it necessary to note that the US Government has apparently been misinformed by individuals who are using false information to prevent the development of normal relations between the USSR and US.

[TFR 3-24]

[Translator's note: The following is a translation of TFR3, p. 24. It contains the heading and a key for unit abbreviations that apply to pages 24-34 of TFR3. In addition, the original document contains eight columns. Column one (No. of individual listed) and column eight (Remarks, which is empty in this document) have been omitted in the translation for space reasons.)

of US Air Force crew members participating in military activities in North Korea in 1950-53, and about whom information has been found in documents of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps.

 




[Key to abbreviations:

  FAG = Fighter Air Group

  BAS = Bomber Air Squadron

  BG  = Bomber Group

  FBS = Fighter-Bomber Squadron

  FBG = Fighter-Bomber Group

  AS  = Air Squadron

  BAC = Bomber Air Corps

  FPG = Unknown

  AA  = Air Army

  SRS = Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

  GAC = Group Air Corps [?]

  FAC = Figher Air Corps [?]

  BC  = Bomber Command [Corps?]

  AG  = Air Group

  FAS = Fighter Air Squadron

[TFR 3-25]

[TFR 3-26]

[TFR 3-27]

[TFR 3-28]

[TFR 3-29]

[TFR 3-30]

[TFR 3-30a]

[TFR 3-32]

[TFR 3-33]

[TFR 3-34]

[day illegible] June 1992

[TFR 3-35]

[letterhead] Supreme Court RSFSR Bldg. 3/7, Kuybyshev Square, Moscow 10389 [8?] June 1992 No.____ per No. 955

A further check of archival materials has established the following:

SIDNEY RAY SPARKS is No. 8 in a list of Americans rumored to have been seen in prisons of the USSR. The list, dated 6 October 1990, was addressed to Russian Federation Vice President A.V. Rutskoy.

From archival records it has been established that on 14 April 1953, Sparks, Sidney Ray, b. 1932 in Wrightsville, USA, was sentenced under article 58-6, part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code to 15 years imprisonment in a correctional labor camp. The sentence was handed down by a military tribunal of the Soviet sector garrison in the city of Berlin. Sparks was convicted for intent to engage in espionage for American intelligence while located in territory of the GDR, where he had been granted political asylum.

By decision of the Military Board of the USSR Supreme Court, dated 29 October 1955, Sparks' actions were requalified from article 58-6, part 1 to articles 19-58-6, part 1, RSFSR Criminal Code. Punishment was reduced to five years incarceration in a correctional labor camp, and in accordance with a Decree "On Amnesty" of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet dated 27 March 1953, Sparks was released from incarceration.

According to a message from the head of Special Department No. 14 of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sparks was transferred to a US representative in Berlin on 17 February 1956.

Copies of the court decisions and other documents, totaling 9 pages, are attached.

Other individuals mentioned in the list are not in the card file of the Military Board of the Russian Federation Supreme Court.

[TFR 3-36]

[Translator's note: The following document is handwritten in Russian, allegedly by the subject. It should be pointed out that numerous inconsistencies were observed in handwriting conventions, grammar and syntax. Although the handwriting appears to be that of a person educated in the Soviet Union, the text has frequent grammar and spelling errors that might be considered typical of a non-native Russian speaker. In many instances, the syntax and punctuation is purely Russian.]

[first word or two not reproduced] prisoner Sparks, Sidney Ray [German] citizen

I, Sidney R. Sparks, born 1932 in America, was sentenced on April 14th, 1953 by the military tribunal in Berlin to 15 years in a correctional labor camp under article 58-6.

In December of 1951 I deserted from the US Army and requested political asylum from the Soviet Control Commission. The Soviet Control Commission held me for three months during an investigation. After that the commission gave me a job in the city of Bautzen (Soviet occupation zone in Germany). I worked there until July, 1952. At that time I went to West Berlin to visit my future wife and her son. I stayed there five days and on one occasion happened to meet an American soldier who was serving in the "Secret Service." I went to visit a friend, where I saw him again. I was there only 15 minutes. He asked me to work for American counterintelligence. I told him that I didn't know anything about that kind of work or how to do it.

I never again saw that American agent after I left there. I returned to Bautzen and started working again.

I was arrested on October 17, 1952. I explained to the Soviet control commission investigator everything that happened, but he said that I was a spy. I was in prison for six months. On April 14, 1953 I was sentenced by the military tribunal to [number possibly cut off at left margin, 5 or 15] years.

I feel that my sentence is too long for [portion of text possibly missing/not reproduced]

[TFR 3-37]

...discharge me and give me work in Vorkuta as a free worker.

I also ask that the photographs taken from me in Berlin be returned to me.

I am awaiting your response.

November 11, 1953 City of Vorkuta, Komi NSSR [signature in Russian and English] Sidney Ray Sparks

[TFR 3-38]

[stamp] Attachment to doc. No. 007930 27 February 1954 Military Board of the USSR Supreme Court [upper right] Copy TOP SECRET ---------- Sole copy

On 14 April 1953, the Military Tribunal of the Soviet sector garrison in the City of Berlin, consisting of:

chairman: Guard Lieutenant Colonel, Legal Services GUSEV and members: First Lieutenants ZOTOV and ILYASHENKO, with First Lieutenant ZAGORODNOV acting as secretary, in closed session considered the case charging stateless person

SPARKS

Sidney Ray, born 1932, native of Wrightsville, USA, no political party affiliation, nationality American, 9th grade education, served in the U.S. Army from March 1950 through December 1951, no previous convictions, unmarried, with a criminal offense under article 58-6, part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code.

FINDINGS:

SPARKS, while serving as a U.S. Army soldier in West Berlin, in December, 1951 crossed over into territory of the GDR, where he was granted asylum.

While residing in a city in the GDR, SPARKS in July, 1952 travelled to West Berlin, where he met with a representative of American intelligence. That individual proposed that SPARKS engage in espionage activity in GDR territory.

Having received this offer, SPARKS stated that he would consider it and would return later with a response.

After returning from West Berlin and having decided to accept the offer from the representative of American intelligence, SPARKS

at different times during 1952 recruited Americans Dory, Blake and Scotty, who had crossed over to the GDR from the U.S. Army, to engage in espionage activity against the USSR and the GDR on behalf of American intelligence. SPARKS intended to travel to West Berlin to meet with the representative of American intelligence and to report information on the stationing of a Soviet troop unit in a GDR city and on the mood of the local population of the GDR.

[TFR 3-39]

SPARKS' guilt in establishing contact with a representative of American intelligence, in accepting [that person's] proposal to engage in espionage and the intent to travel to West Berlin to meet with him, was proven by [SPARKS'] own admission of guilt. SPARKS did not admit guilt in soliciting Dory, Blake and Scotty to engage in espionage, but his guilt to this charge is proven by testimony of witnesses Dory, Blake and Scotty, who confirmed the circumstances involving their attempted recruitment for espionage activity.

On the basis of the aforementioned, the Military Tribunal found SPARKS guilty of establishing contact with a representative of American intelligence, of soliciting other persons for espionage activity, of intending to travel to West Berlin to meet with a representative of American intelligence, and of reporting to him information of an espionage nature, that is, a crime provided for under article 58-6, part 1, RSFSR Criminal Code.

Guided by articles 319 and 320 of the RSFSR Criminal Code,

SPARKS, Sidney Ray, under article 58-6, part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code, to incarceration in a correctional labor camp for a term of 15 (fifteen) years, with confiscation of valuables.

Term of incarceration shall be counted from 31 January 1953.

Custody under guard is to be continued as preventive punishment until entry of the sentence into legal force.

The sentence may be appealed to the Military Tribunal of military unit 48240 through the Military Tribunal that handed down the sentence within 72 hours of the time the convicted person is informed of the sentence.

Original properly signed.

Verified: [p.p. = Original signed] CHAIRMAN FOR CASE,

LIEUTENANT COLONEL, Legal Services GUSEV

Copied verified: SECRETARY, MILITARY TRIBUNAL TROOP UNIT 48240 MAJOR, ADMIN. SERVICE [signed] /EVSEYENKO] [stamp of Military Tribunal, troop unit 48240]

[TFR 3-40]

[partially reproduced] Chairman GUSEV Received 22 April 1953

[stamps] [partially reproduced] to entry No. 007930 27 February 1954 Military Board USSR Supreme Court

Consisting of: chairman: Colonel, Legal Services KONDRATIEV members: Colonel, Legal Services ALEKSANDROV Lieutenant Colonel, Legal Services DENISOV

considered in a court session on 25 April 1953 the appeal of convicted person SPARKS of a sentence delivered by the Military Tribunal of the Soviet sector garrison in Berlin on 14 April 1953

SPARKS

Sidney Ray, under article 58-6, part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code, incarceration in a correctional labor camp for a term of FIFTEEN years, with confiscation of valuables taken from him. In his appeal, convicted SPARKS requests a reduction of punishment.

Having heard the report by comrade KONDRATIEV and the conclusion of Lieutenant Colonel KOSTACHUK of the Legal Services and assistant military prosecutor of troop unit 48240, who suggested that the sentence be left in force,

[the Tribunal] ESTABLISHED:

that SPARKS was serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany in December, 1951. He crossed the border into territory of the GDR, where he was granted asylum.

He was convicted of having voluntarily travel led to Berlin in July, 1952, where he met with a representative of U.S. intelligence, from whom he received the mission of engaging in espionage against the USSR and the GDR.

After returning from West Berlin, SPARKS, at various times during the summer of 1952 solicited Blake, Scotty and Dory -- who had also crossed over from the U.S. Army -- to engage in espionage.

SPARKS intended to travel to West Germany and report to American intelligence on the stationing of a Soviet troop unit in GDR city and about the mood of the local population.

SPARKS' guilt is upheld: by his own admission of guilt and by testimony of witnesses: Dory, Blake and Scotty, who were questioned in court.

SPARKS' offense was correctly qualified, and the punishment as determined corresponds to the seriousness of the crime. There are no grounds for changing the sentence as requested by the convicted person. Therefore, in accordance with articles 410 and 412 of the RSFSR Code of Criminal Procedure,

[TFR 3-41]

The sentence given to SPARKS Sidney Ray is upheld, and his appeal is denied.

Original Properly signed.

Verified: CHAIRMAN FOR CASE COLONEL, Legal Services /KONDRATIEV/

COPY OF A COPY [VERIFIED?] [One word illegible] SECRETARY [two letters obscured by signature} Troop unit 48240 [illegible] A/SL. [signature] /YEVSEYENKO/

[TFR 3-42]

Form No. 5 COPY

[letterhead]

Consisting of: Chairman Colonel, Legal Services KONOV members: Lieutenant Colonels, Legal Services SVIRIDENKO and ROMANOV considered, in a meeting on 29 October 1955

AN APPEAL BY THE CHIEF MILITARY PROSECUTOR to a sentence of the Military tribunal of the Soviet sector of Berlin, 14 April 1953 and to a decision made by the military tribunal in unit 48240. 25 April 1953 on the case of SPARKS Sidney Ray, b. 1932, native of Wrightsville, US sentenced under article 58-6, part 1 of the RSFSR Criminal Code to incarceration in a correctional labor camp, with confiscation of valuables taken upon his arrest.

By a decision of the military tribunal of unit 48240, SPARKS' sentence was allowed to stand.

Having heard Comrade KONOV's report and

the conclusion of Assistant Chief Military Prosecutor, Colonel, Legal Services MOROZOV, proposing to reduce SPARKS' sentence to 5 years incarceration in a correctional labor

camp, --

has established that:

SPARKS, while serving as a soldier in the US Army in West Berlin in December, 1951, crossed into GDR territory, where he was granted asylum.

July, 1952, SPARKS travelled from the GDR to West Berlin, where he met with a representative of US intelligence who proposed that SPARKS engage in espionage in GDR territory for the Americans. SPARKS stated at the time that he would consider this proposal, after which he would come to West Berlin and report his decision.

[TFR 3-43]

After returning from West Berlin to the GDR, SPARKS decided to accept the US intelligence representative's offer and at various times in 1952 solicited Blake, Dory and Scotty to engage in espionage against the USSR and the GDR, and intended to travel to West Berlin to meet the representative of US intelligence and report information on the stationing of a Soviet troop unit in a city of the GDR and on the sentiments of the local population.

The appeal requests a change in the SPARKS' sentence on the following grounds:

The evidence of the case shows that in July, 1952, SPARKS, after arriving in West Berlin to visit his acquaintance, Elfriede Koop, happened to meet servicemen from the unit from which SPARKS had fled to GDR territory in December of 1951. This serviceman, in the rank of corporal, suggested that SPARKS engage in espionage, promising that if he agreed, SPARKS would be introduced to an American intelligence officer.

SPARKS did not give his consent to engage in espionage, but at the time he did state to the corporal that he would give it some thought and report his decision during his next visit to West Berlin. In late 1952 SPARKS, in the presence of US deserters Dory, Blake and Scotty, expressed the intention to collect espionage information and to establish contact with an American intelligence officer. SPARKS did not take any action to carry out his intentions.

The appeal states that, given the circumstances of the use, the court ruled correctly on SPARKS' guilt to the effect that he intended to engage in espionage for US intelligence, but that the offense was incorrectly qualified under article 58-6, part 1, of the RSFSR Criminal Code and the sentence given him was excessively harsh. The appeal indicates that, in this instance, SPARKS' offense should be qualified under articles 19-58-6, part 1, of the RSFSR Criminal Code.

Accordingly, and taking into account the degree of SPARKS' guilt, the Chief Military Prosecutor in the appeal requests a reduction of the sentence to five years incarceration in a correctional labor camp.

Having considered the evidence of the case and concurring with the appeal, the Military Board of the USSR Supreme Court

has determined that:

The sentence of the military tribunal of the Soviet sector garrison, Berlin, dated 14 April 1953, and the decision of the military tribunal in troop unit 48240, dated 25 April 1953, are to be changed: his offense is to be re-qualified from article 58-5, part 1, to articles 19-58-6, part 1, of the RSFSR Criminal Code, and the sentence is to be reduced to FIVE (5) years of incarceration in a correctional labor camp. The remaining part of the sentence is to be unchanged.

In light of articles 1 and 6 of the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet, dated 27 March 1953 "On Amnesty," SPARKS is to be released from incarceration and conviction is to be expunged.

Original properly signed.

Verified copy of original: Senior Officer, Military Board Major, Administrative Service [signature] /SAVENKOV/

[TFR 3-44]

[stamp] Troop unit Field Post 48240 17/19 March 195[6?] No. 0380

To: Chairman, Military Board USSR supreme court Re: No. 1st[?]-012244/55/028346 Copy to: Office of Chief Military Prosecutor Re: No. 5g-19975/55 City of Moscow

I hereby report that according to a message from the chief of special department No. 14 of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, convict SPARKS, Sidney Ray, a U.S. citizen, was transferred to a representative of the United States of America in Berlin on 17 February 1956.

Deputy Chief, Troop Unit Field Post 48240-A Guards Colonel [signature] /V. Kondratiev/

Typed in 3 copies taken by Spasskaya typed by Aksyonova Copy 1-2 to addressee Copy 3 to file 17 March 1956 No. 558 [illegible stamp, lower right]

[TFR 3-45]

INTERNED AMERICAN PILOTS IN THE USSR

Interned March-April 1942

[TFR 3-46]

[TFR 3-47]

[TFR 3-49]

[TFR 3-50]

[TFR 3-51]

[TFR 3-52]

[TFR 3-53]

[TFR 3-54]

[TFR 3-55]

[handwritten] Attachment No. 12

On 27 June 1958, at 18:30, the national borders of the USSR were violated by a U.S. military aircraft coming from the direction of Turkey.

The aircraft intruded into USSR territory to a distance of up to 170 kilometers at an altitude of 5,500 meters and at a speed of 500 km/hr.

The intruder aircraft was intercepted at 18:44, 20 kilometers east of Lake SEVAN, by fighters of the 976th Fighter Air Regiment of the 259th Fighter Air Division, Baku Air Defense District /piloted by Captain-SVETLISHNIKOV and Senior Lieutenant ZAKHAROV/. The fighters signaled the aircraft to perform a forced landing. The intruder aircraft did not comply and continued on a course toward BAKU. The national Air Defense Central Command Point issued an order to force the airplane to land. Accordingly, the fighters opened warning fire, after which the intruder attempted to escape toward Iran. Seeing that the intruder was not complying with the fighters' demand, the latter, by order of the command point, opened fire and damaged the aircraft.

Five persons parachuted from the aircraft, and four landed with the burning aircraft at the GINDARKH airfield (105 km southeast of KORDAMIR).

The undamaged portions of the wings and tail unit belonged to a C-118 four-engine military transport, and bore identifying markings of the USAF and the number 13822. The remnants of the burned aircraft are being studied.

Two of the nine servicemen aboard received minor burns.

Aboard the intruder aircraft were: Colonel BRENNER, Majors LAILS [LYLES?], ALDAN and [illegible, PRAMS or PRANS ?], Captain KEIM, Lieutenant [illegible], a sergeant and two U.S. Army enlisted men.

TFR 3-56

[Translator's note: This document bears a page number 2 at the top, with the number "55" handwritten in the upper right corner.]

Based on information from preliminary questioning and radio surveillance it has been established that: a four-engine Douglas C-118A aircraft of the 7405th Squadron of the 710th Military Air Transport Group of the US Air Force /Weisbaden AFB, West Germany/, commanded by one Major LYLES [?], departed from NICOSIA (CYPRUS) via ADANA, DIARBENIR, Lake VAN, Lake REZAYE on a direct flight to Teheran.

The airplane, after passing SIIRD (80 kilometers south of Lake VAN), turned toward YEREVAN and BAKU, instead of taking a course toward Teheran. The weather in the area south of Lake VAN at the time was: cloud cover 6-9 at 600-1000 meters, visibility of 10 kilometers.

The detained U.S. Army servicemen have been taken to KIROVOBAD, where they are being questioned.

SOKOLOVSKY YAKOVLEV

[no day] June 1958

TFR 3-57

[Handwritten] 98

On 27 June 1958 at 18:30 the national border of the USSR was violated by a Douglas C-118A American military transport airplane in an area 30 miles south of YEREVAN. It penetrated up to 170 kilometers into USSR territory.

Fighters scrambled from the Baku Air Defense District intercepted the intruder aircraft and signaled it to "follow in for landing" at the nearest airfield.

After refusing to comply with this requirement, the intruder aircraft was fired upon and damaged by the fighters, and landed in flames at an airfield in the area of GINDARKH.

On 7 July 1958, the intruder aircraft's crew of nine individuals was transferred by representatives of the USSR border troops to representatives of the U.S. military command in Iran.

The remnants of the downed aircraft remain to the present time under guard, provided by troops of the Baku Air Defense District.

Considering that the American side has thus far not raised the issue of returning the remnants of the downed aircraft, and that it is inadvisable continue guarding those remnants, the USSR Ministry of Defense deems it possible to:

1. Destroy the remnants of the downed aircraft and prepare an appropriate written statement of such destruction.

2. Provide the written statement to the Americans if they so request.

A draft decision of the CPSU Central Committee is attached.

Please review.

M. KONEV

" " August 1958

TFR 3-58

according to documents of the collecting facilities and transit camps directorate from 1945 to 1953 about the presence of POW and interned US citizens.

As a result of work on documents of above mentioned facilities an alphabetical list was compiled on US citizens. According to the data contained in the lists we have information on 2,901 US citizens including 60 individuals who either died, went to their homeland on their own, departed for other installations and also 25 individuals whose fate is unclear.

TFR 3-59

TFR 3-60

TFR 3-61

TFR 3-62

TFR 3-63

TFR 3-64

TFR 3-65

TFR 3-66

TFR 3-67

Based on :op 725510, d13, ll.59-61. 63, 94, 96, III(ob) op 725508, d2, ll. 5,6,7,12(ob) op 725 508, d11, ll.9, 156, 163, 234; [expansion unknown, see page 2 for possible meanings]

TFR 3-68

4. INDIVIDUALS SENT TO OTHER FACILITIES

 




#  Last name, name,    Date of Destination Place of





 social and demographic  departure     departure





 data.

 




1  Marchanu, Rene    11 Mar 45 Mission 138th

  born 1917, french,        (what kind  transit

  Sgt.            of mission  camp,

  Listed as departed for      is not    city of

  homeland 11 Mar 45,     indicated)  Odessa.

  but marked"left behind

  by mission"

 




2  Schtorch, Werner    03 Aug 45 city of - " -

  Alfred born 1898,       Pilsen

  Vienna, Austria.

  Interned in Hamburg,

  Germany from 12 Jul 42

  to 10 Mar 43. From 43

  worked in Eastern

  Prussia. Arrived

  commandant's office

  (CO) 149 from CO 151.

  From CO 149 sent to

  transit camp 138.

  There is a stamped

  document which

  confirms his arrival

  to transit camp 138 on

  2 May 45. There is

  contradictory

  information on his

  departure from camp.

 




3  Schtorch, Elli, Ukhan 03 Aug 45 city of - " -

  born 1903 in Pernov       Pilsen

  Estonia (female). From

  1917 to 21 Jan 45

  lived and worked in

  Shtablak, Germany,

  Eastern Prussia.

  Arrived to CO 149 on

  11 Apr 45 from CO 151.

  Sent to transit camp

  138 from CO 149 which

  is documented with

  stamp dated 2 May 45.

  [the rest illegible]

 
 




TFR 3-69

 




1  2     3   4   5





4  Carpenten, Boren  03 Aug 45 city of 138th

  born 1926       Pilsen    transit

                camp,

                city of

                Odessa

 




5    Gursthiemer, [possibly  01 Jul 47 Camp #304 186th

  Gerstheimer] Iohann     city of transit

  Philipp, born 1926      Syget   camp,

  german [ethnically],          village

  place of birth St.          of

  Louis, America.         Lusterdor

  Arrived to 186th          ?

  transit camp on 04          Odessa

  May 47 from Ministry        region.

  of Internal Affairs

  camp 159, city of 

  Odessa.

 




   8ased on: op.177030, d.1, 1.475;

     op. 616238s, d.1,l.286;

     op. 725510, d.14, l.104, 239;

     op. 192400s, d.5,ll.73,79;

     op. 725510, d.13,l.85(ob).

[op=inventory; d=file, case; l=sheet(s);ob=back of sheet, other side]

TFR 3-70

TFR 3-71

TFR 3-72

TFR 3-73

TFR 3-74

Based on TsAVS[expansion unknown, possibly Central Archives of Armed Forces],

  op. 725510 d.13,ll.77,111;

  op. 725508 d.11,ll.160,231,233,234,241; 242,250, 287;

  op. 192400s, d.5, ll.74,75,76,7B,79;

  op. 79951s, d.3, ll.105,107;

  op. 79950s, d.8, serial number 1356;

  op. 725510, d.14, l.169;

  op 464810, d4, ll.79,80;

  op. 177030, d.1, l.40; op 464810, d.2, l.389

  op. 764207, d.2, ll. 34,35,71,119,120,142-145 304,306,
433-436;op 616238s d.1, l.78

  op. 764207, d.11, l. 64; op 764207, d.9,ll.122-127;

  op. 764207, d17, l. 15(ob);

  op. 177030, d.2, ll.151,152; op 764207, d.3, l. 378;

[Translators note: possible expansion, op=inventory; d=file or case; l.l=sheets; ob=back of sheet, other side.

5th DEPARTMENT CHIEF Lt. Colonel [signature] /GONCHAROV/

TFR 3-75

Enclosure NO. 1

Regarding our communication NO. 293789 on December 7, 1946

With this I am sending you a list of American airplane crew members, who perished or [illegible] missing in the Far East, about whom the American Military Mission asked the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR at various times.

At the same time, I am informing you that:

a) Sergeant Thomas Ring (Reins), from the interned crew of B-24 NO> 240309, who had broken both bones of the lower left leg and had a dislocated right hip joint, was delivered by crew members, while in a state of shock, to the infirmary of the Kamchatka border detachment, where he died. He was buried in the Petropavlovsk cemetery.

b) Sergeant Pavel Udochek (Utchek) from the interned crew of B-25 NO. 336158 was DOA on May 11, 1945. He is buried 5 kilometers north of Petropavlovsk in Kamchatka.

c) Corporal Matthew M. Gladek from the interned crew of B-25 NO. 43-36160 was DOA on June 10, 1945. He is buried in Kamchatka.

tp.2.ehk. 8.1.47 ((date)) 8 January 1947 2.g.sh-23 ((g.sh. possibly abv for General Staff))

TFR 3-76

All three crews of the indicated aircraft, with the exception of those who were buried, were handed over to the Americans through the Tashkent internment camp.

The remaining service personnel of the American Air Force

who are buried in Kamchatka are:

 




  1. Captain Edward Irving (Edward J. Irving)

   2. Captain Nathan Anzer (J. Nathan Ejzer)

   3. Lieutenant Nerd' (Orville H. Lord)

   4. Sergeant Fred Vene (Frederick A. Lang)

   5. Corporal Roland (Roland R. Ernger)

   6. Corporal Les Nake-Denton (Leslie K. Denton, Jr.)

who belonged to the crew of B-25 NO. 44-29148 which crashed June 10, 1945 north of the Cape of Lopatka.

According to the Far East Military District Command, no more American military personnel graves were found in Kamchatka.

Enclosure: A list consisting of 4 sheets.

Chief of the Directorate of External Affairs of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR General Lieutenant N. Slavin [Signature]

TFR 3-77

((First two pages of next document are duplicates of pages 1 and 2 of previous document. Translation of subsequent pages follows.))

099S 59 28 20 [Exec. entry?] Isp.Vkh. NO. 01507 2322 28 Oct 1947

The Chief of Staff Far East Military District 2 October 1947 NO. 0659

With this I am forwarding copies of the records of the exhumation of American airmen and a copy of the affidavit of their transfer to the captain of the steamer"Zyryanin."

Attachment: Copies of records and the affidavit in 4 sheets, only to the addressee Acting Chief of Staff of the Far East Military District General-Lieutenant Khromov/Gromov

sent in 2 copies Copy NO. 1 - to the addressee Copy NO. 2 - File Executor Romashev sent EA. 27 Sept. 1947

TFR 3-78

K9099S [Handwritten] 60

6 July 1947