[James Langham]

Soviet Political Officers

The Zampolit was barely understood in the west at the start of the Twilight War. The stereotype of an officer who would execute the commander if he disobeyed orders was completely incorrect. This early World War Two stereotype was out of date even by the middle of the war. The role had becoming increasingly what in the west would have been called welfare or morale officer.

The popularity of a Zampolit in a unit varied considerably depending on the approach of the individual officer. Some took their turn on watches, helped with staff tasks and made an effort to champion the men. These were very popular within their units (there are a number of recorded cases of troops risking their lives to recover the body of their political officer). On the other hand there were political officers who were loathed by their men (these were often casualties early in combat!).

As the war progressed the power of the Zampolit expanded, they were given the authority to run courts martial in place of the unit commanders. The power to countermand the commander's decisions was never reintroduced but the power to relieve the commander was reintroduced (although any Zampolit who used it was automatically subject to investigation). If this occurred the Zampolit did not take charge but did nominate the new commander.

After the war it emerged that a Zampolit actually stopped the war going nuclear earlier! K-284 an Akula class submarine was under attack from the USS Texas in the Sea of Japan in December 1995 (the Texas was following the rules of engagement that allowed the attacking of unidentified submarines that were in a position to attack convoys). The captain ordered the firing of a nuclear armed SS-N-16 at the nearby carrier USS Constellation stating that he would take some Yankees with him. The Zampolit refused permission stating that it was better they die for the Soviet Union rather than making the Rodina die with them. K284 escaped and was destroyed in late 1996.