Chapter 4

In 1922, or thereabouts, the NKVD, or 'Internal Affairs Directorate, ' was organised to assume control of the activities of the Bolshevik secret police, the CHEKA. But the NKVD, at that time, also assumed considerable responsibilities for maintaining the internal infrastructure of the fledgling state, including the fire service, the 'Militsya, ' or Civilian Police, and the regulation of the Railway network. It was far too much for one department of Government and over the next couple of years it metamorphised into smaller units.

The NKVD split up to become the MVD, or 'Interior Ministry, ' which handled most civilian activities such as transport, policing, and passport control. The NKVD, itself, took on the role of 'oversight and regulation of counter-revolutionary activities, ' 'Newspeak' for keeping the people in line. CHEKA evolved into the GPU, or 'State Political Directorate, ' and later OGPU, 'Joint State Political Directorate.' However, in the USSR it was still known unofficially as just 'GPU, ' until its official disappearance in the 1934.

The GPU became a byword for political assassinations of internal and overseas opponents of the Soviet Government throughout the 20s and 30s. It became imeshed in the political dispute between Leon Trotsky and Josef Stalin, which underlined much of the controversy during this period. Felix Dzerzhinsky, creator of CHEKA, was a 'Trotskyist, ' as was one Vladimir Antonov-Ovseenko. That the NKVD and GPU later took on the role of weeding out Stalin's political enemies demonstrates just how convoluted Soviet politics became in the pre-war years.

It is difficult to discover what relationship Antonov-Ovseenko had with the GPU. It was known that, as Soviet Consul in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, Ovseenko masterminded military and political assistance to the beleagured Spanish Government. He was Comintern's (Communist International's) contact person on the ground who supported the formation of the International Brigades. And he also oversaw the approximately 17,000 Soviet NKVD troops who involved themselves in the Spanish Republican cause.

However, it is probable that Ovseenko, as an old comrade of Dzerzhinsky's, was a senior man in the GPU, at least until the early thirties. Then, the NKVD turned in on itself and began arresting Trotsky's old friends within both the intelligence services, the military and the party. Fourteen of the 'old Bolsheviks, ' who'd steered the Soviet Communist Party to victory between 1917 and 1923, were found guilty of a host of capital crimes and executed. Kamenev, Zinoviev and Antonov-Ovseenko, Trotsky loyalists all, were eliminated and Stalin sychophant Beria placed as head of the NKVD. Tukhachevky and many of Trotsky's hand-picked Generals in the Red Army were slain by NKVD squads, over 400 Generals all told, and three out of five Marshals. Trotsky's Cavalry man Budennyy went and Stalin's men Voroshilov and Timoshenko took control.

By today's standards the old Bolsheviks were violent men who all had blood on their hands. But then, the consequence of failure in Russia during the first half of the 20th Century was often an ignominious death, whether one hitched one's wagon to the Bolsheviks or the opposition. Most had spent long years in Tsarist prisons in unspeakable conditions. Very few died peacefully in their beds. Dzerzhinsky, who died of a heart attack in 1926, and Stalin, himself, who passed away at the end of a long life in 1953, were the exceptions. Lenin died from the after effects of an assassin's bullet in 1924 and his old co-ideologue, Leon Trotsky, was hacked to death in Mexico by Juan Mercator, an NKVD hired assassin, in 1940.

In 1922, in the absence of awards or citations, considered too 'elitist, ' the Bolshevik Government issued 'writs of gratitute for service to the working class, ' to those who'd performed some important deeds on their behalf. Rhykov received his by post to his hideout in Perm, in the Urals. It was better than a modern day Mastercard in Russia at that time, and insured he would want for nothing. Ovseenko kept in touch, in ways that Rhykov was unclear about. Try, as he might, he could never find a way of staying completely out of sight.

Olga Berezkovkaya returned to the, now, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, a distinguished war hero and pregnant with Rhykov's daughter. She, too, received the covetted 'writ, ' in recognition, with Rhykov, of her command of the Ukrainian Guards' Corps. The baby's Father was kept informed, via Ovseenko, of her progress, however, Rhykov, himself, had little to do with the child. Olga accepted the situation, although it wasn't to her liking. Nevertheless, it didn't stop her having a second child to Rhykov in the spring of 1928.

That had been a longer affair and, for Rhykov, was the longest live-in relationship he ever was to have with a woman. It was slightly less than a year and a half.

Olga was the one true 'might have been' in his life. They remained friends throughout their lives, even after she went on to marry a Red Air Force Officer.

In 1941, Olga Berezkokova, together with folk heroine, well-known aviatrix and personality in the USSR, Maria Razkova, formed the all-female fighter air regiment, the 586th IAP. Pilots included Lilya Litvak, top female ace of all time, and her close second and friend, Katya Budanova. They were based, initially, on the Stalingrad Front during World War Two and moved on to participate in the Battle of Kursk. Litvak acquired the nickname, 'the White Rose of Stalingrad.'

Both Litvak and Budanova were killed in 1943 less than two weeks apart. Litvak, reportedly, slugged it out with eight German Bf-109s before succumbing, at the age of 22. (Her body was only recovered in 1979. She was buried under the wing of her fighter aircraft after a State funeral, where she was posthumously awarded the Gold Star of a Hero of the Soviet Union.) Her tally of victories is thought to be about 20.

Olga Berezkokova was promoted Colonel of the 586th in 1943. She wasn't a pilot but was responsible for the Administration of the personnel of the unit. Postwar, she became 'Special Adminstrator of Women, ' in the Soviet Air Force.

But it was in Perm, in the Summer of 1922, that Rhykov first met Gregory Retvizan.

It is unlikely 'Gregory Retvizan' was the man's real name. 'Retvizan' is a transliteration into Russian of the Swedish word 'Ratvisa, '(Realm). Although such transliterations of Nordic and Germanic words are not uncommon in Russian, 'Retvizan' is rarely seen as a surname. It is probable 'Retvizan' came from the name of a Tsarist, Pre-Dreadnought ironclad based in the Far East in 1904. As Gregory was thought to have come from Vladivostok, originally, this is a reasonable assumption. The Battleship, itself, was called after a Swedish two-decker, captured at the Battle of Sveaborg in 1790.

In 1922 Gregory Retvizan was a committed Bolshevik and member of the CHEKA. He had arrived in Perm as part of a contingent of Siberian troops bound for the West as reinforcements.

The bar was Rhykov's local and normally it was peaceful and quiet. He would go there for his midday meal and stay for a couple of hours drinking before returning to his small room above a cobbler's. However, this day, a group of drunken Siberians crashed in, rolling and stumbling.

They'd already had a skinful, but these Siberians drank as if the practice was due to be declared illegal the next day. Soon they became rowdy and abusive so Rhykov decided to call it a day and go home early. He rose, and made for the door.

"What's the matter, tovaritch?" one of the Siberians said, blocking his path, "are we not good enough for you? Stay and have a drink to the Revolution? I'm sure we have some Mother's milk somewhere!" His appreciation of his own humour sent gales of stale, stinking, vodka-smelling breath into Rhykov's face. He gently made to push the man out of the way, but the drunk swung a haymaker at him.

Rhykov blocked the man's punch and sent him sprawling by kicking out his legs. Soon, the man's comrades were upon him, and Rhykov had a good, honest to goodness, bar room brawl on his hands. Rhykov had felled three by the time his passage out, and, indeed, the sunlight, was blocked by a Siberian of impressive physique.

The man already had a long beard, although he was probably the same age as Rhykov. His tall fur hat made him look nearly 7 feet in height and his Winter greatcoat made him appear as wide as a freight locomotive. He took stance in front of Rhykov and urged him to strike the first blow.

They carefully circled, sizing each other up and probing for weaknesses. Rhykov kept alert for signs of movement behind him, in case one of the man's friends intervened. Clearly, however, this man was of sufficient stature that no-one dare join in without his permission.

Rhykov knew the man was a formidable opponent, but he'd some tricks of his own. He flicked his eyes left, as if someone was coming up beside the big man. Momentarily, the man lost his concentration as he followed Rhykov's eyes. He knew it would work, the brain can't help itself. In a flash, Rhykov launched a jab at the man's chin, through his beard, and knocked his head back on his shoulders.

The man's reaction was swifter than Rhykov expected. He staggered back as a blow hit him in the midriff, expelling most of the air from his lungs. He still had the presence of mind to duck, though, as the air whistled above his head. That punch, if it had connected, would have brained him.

The man's Siberian comrades roared out encouragement and, again, the big man was put off. Rhykov seized his chance and kicked out, catching him on the thigh not more than an inch from his wedding tackle. To gasps of surprise from the Siberians, the man walked off the blow's pain, circling and grinning at Rhykov.

"You fight well!" he boomed, "who do I have the honour of crushing?"

"You have conceit, my friend," Rhykov replied, "but I've no interest in fighting, only returning home. So if you'd kindly take yourself and your oxen out of my way..."

"It is you who have the conceit, comrade, for I've been only toying with you. If I'd have been serious, you'd have no need of a home, only a pine box."

"Then back your words or fuck off. Either way, I couldn't care less."

"You should be grateful that I let you live. No man has laid a hand on me before. Show me some respect and I might allow you to walk out. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

"Who wants to know?"

"You would be well advised to cool your temper, comrade. I'm Gregory Retvizan of the CHEKA. Why is a man such as you not fighting for the people?"

Rhykov had enough survival extinct not to let his pride get in the way of his well-being. He explained to Retvizan his service in the Ukrainian Guard's Corps and showed him the 'writ' he'd received from Sovnarkom. Retvizan's attitude changed completely and he invited him to sit down with his comrades for a drink. Rhykov felt he couldn't refuse, it wasn't healthy to fuck with the CHEKA.

By the time Retvizan left the next day, he'd promised Rhykov that he'd keep quiet about his whereabouts. They'd talked long into the night, at the tavern and later, in Rhykov's small lodgings. Much of the conversation revolved around the subjects of conspiracy, espionage and sabotage.

They shared their thoughts and ideas about guerilla warfare. Retvizan had been a member of the RKKA in the early days of the Revolution when Siberia was controlled by anti-Bolsheviks, such as Kolchak and the Czech Legion. Retvizan had become something of a specialist at moving about in enemy territory, in small groups or alone, attacking targets of opportunity.

Gregory even explained some of what he knew about the most stunning, secret and successful overseas operation carried out by CHEKA/GPU at that time. It was known as The Trust. The fact that Retvizan knew of the operation at all showed how well-connected the man was to the top leadership of the CHEKA.

The Trust was a front organisation set up by CHEKA in the USA. It claimed to be collecting funds from Russian exiles in America towards an armed coup against the top Bolshevik leadership. The Trust's membership became a who's who of leading anti-Bolshevik conspirators in America. These endowed The Trust with considerable wealth, which was all shipped back to Moscow and straight into the coffers of CHEKA. Through The Trust, CHEKA was able to compile dossiers on many of the USSR's enemies. Some were even enticed to return to the Soviet Union, where they were promptly arrested and later executed.

Retvizan planted the idea in Rhykov's head of working for CHEKA in one of their overseas operations. Gregory promised to put in a good word with CHEKA chief Felix Dzerzhinsky on his behalf. He told him they were always looking for good intelligence agents.

Unlike Gregory Retvizan, Rhykov didn't consider himself either a Bolshevik, a Capitalist or a Reactionary as the terms were understood in those days. Political dogma and pedagoguery went in one ear and out the other. Born into an autocratic system, he considered that politics had little relevance for him. Like many Russians of his generation, he was cynical towards those with political ambitions and the 'system'. To him, it scarcely mattered who was giving the orders and why. At the end of the day, it was necessary that he do his duty and follow orders or bad things will happen. The rest he could leave to the politicians, who, he would maintain, had one way of pleasuring themselves. He, on the other hand, had other ways.