Kudrenko, Ivan (Oral history)

Yugoslav officer served with XV SS Cossack Cavalry Corps in Yugoslavia and Austria, 1943-1945; internee in internee in Sirnitz and Weitenfeld Internment Camps, Austria, 5/1945-6/1945

REEL 1 Aspects of period as civilian and officer with XV SS Cossack Cavalry Corps in Yugoslavia and Austria, 1924-1945: family background in Russia, Imperial Russian Empire; parents move to Yugoslavia following Russian Revolution, 1917; enlistment in XV SS Cossack Cavalry Corps in Yugoslavia, 1943; attitude towards Communism and Josip Tito; relations between Cossacks and Draža Mihailović; attitude towards British treatment of Draža Mihailović and White Russians after First World War; importance of Cossack traditions; retreat of anti-Communist forces from Yugoslavia and surrender to British forces at Feldkirchen, Austria, 5/1945. Recollections of period as internee in Sirnitz and Weitenfeld Internment Camps, Austria, 5/1945-6/1945: reunion with girlfriend Tanya; attending conference of Cossack officers; moves to Sirnitz and Weitensfeld Internment Camps, 5/1945; opinion of treatment by British Army troops; story of White Russian officer protesting about treatment contravening Geneva Convention and reaction of British Army troops. REEL 2 Continues: search and loss of personal possessions; reaction to being marched to heavily guarded camp; story of playing patriotic record when Cossacks arrived; attitude to collusion between Soviet and British Governments; description of Cossacks and civilians arriving including girlfriend; Major Ostrovsky's complaint about missing watches; starting petition against repatriation of non-Soviet citizens; how Major Ostrovsky refused to board truck until destination confirmed by British Army officer; reaction to being sent to Judenburg for repatriation to Soviet Union; description of refugees refusing to board trucks and attempted suicides; medical and civilian personnel allowed to leave; question of Cossacks being put before firing squad. REEL 3 Continues: preparing for death in front of firing squad but not being shot; forcible removal of Cossacks by British Army troops; story of young girl swearing at British Army troops; description of being tied up and loaded onto trucks; incident of Cossack officer going mad; attitude to being repatriated; Major Ostrovsky protest about betrayal by British; how girlfriend retrieved passport to prove nationality. REEL 4 Continues: story of being saved from repatriation due to nationality; question of British Army officers wearing other ranks' uniforms during operation; description of Cossacks departure; moved to White Guard Camp; reaction to fate of those returned to Soviet Union; attitude to role of British Government and British Army in forced repatriations; question of Soviet People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD) influence. Aspects of post-war period in GB and Australia: opinion of Nikolai Tolstoy and reaction to outcome of Tolstoy/Aldington libel trial; problem of suffering nightmares about experiences; psychological effect on British Army troops who took parts in forced repatriations; story of emigration to Australia; further comments on Tolstoy/Aldington libel trial.