Akulov Valentin Konstantinovich

Memoirs of an engineer, awarded in 1987 the title of Laureate of the Prize of the Council of Ministers of the USSR in the field of science and technology, about his stay in the Leningrad “sharashka” from January 1952 to April 1953. In the preface “From the author”, a polemic with those who experience nostalgia for a “steady hand.” A fictionalized beginning in which the author romantically describes the silent contact of young people working in a “sharashka” going out for a walk with girls from the GOMZ dormitory watching them from the window.
Very brief information about life in a provincial town in the Lipetsk region, studying at the Leningrad Institute of Water Transport. The main role in the prank was one of the students, who was convinced that he was listening to the then banned Voice of America (this was done with the help of a loudspeaker and receiver amplifier). Arrest. The first interrogation, during which he learns that student Bespalov has been arrested in the same case. Demands from the witness to name the one who “pushed them into this case.” Confrontation with Bespalov, who was difficult to recognize. A humiliating search procedure. Description of a prison solitary. The warden threatens him with a punishment cell because the prisoner covers his face from bright electric light in his sleep. Night interrogation. Same questions. Supervision of the warden to ensure that the arrested person does not doze off during the day. Sophisticated bullying of an investigator against a smoker. A pack of cigarettes is on his table, although he himself did not smoke. The promise of a pack as a reward for admitting guilt. "Decoy" in the cell. During the interrogation, the investigator reads the conclusion of the head of the radio station of the Baltic Shipping Company about the possibility of transmitting a voice from one room to another, coinciding with the testimony of the accused, which will play a positive role in his future fate - work in the “sharashka”. The exhausted author's confession of his guilt. The trial of the author and his accomplice, student Bespalov. The author's sentence was 10 years with disqualification for 5 years. A shared cell in the internal prison of the Big House. Meeting the prisoners, most of whom were brought from the camps as witnesses. The resourcefulness of the prisoners: talking using the toilet with women from the next cell, making fire by friction using rolls of cotton wool, etc. Translation into "Crosses". Reading “Klim Samgin” by Gorky, surprised by the lenient sentence Samgin received for his activities - deportation to his parents’ estate. The investigator's proposal to work and study while in custody (the result of the investigator's characteristics, which indicated the convict's knowledge of radio engineering). A detailed description of the life of the Leningrad “sharashka”. Offer to become an informant. Author's disclaimer. A brief story by the author about the history of the creation of the “sharashka” in “Kresty” and about the direction of work at OKB-172. With all the positive aspects of serving time in the OKB, a huge disadvantage compared to the camp is the lack of a credit system. Death of Stalin. Anxious reaction to the news from prisoners. Their silence regarding this death. Meeting with Bespalov, who works in a “sharashka” near Moscow, near Krasnogorsk.
The decision to disband all special facilities and use qualified specialists is still in custody (in the STB - special technical bureau). Camp near Leningrad "Metallostroy". A brief description of life in the barracks. Work in the design department. Written complaints from the author about unfair conviction. There is only one answer - “Convicted correctly.” Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the parole of prisoners who have served two-thirds of their sentence and have proven themselves to be positive. The author organizes a wind instrument orchestra in the camp. The presence at the rehearsal of the deputy head of the camp, an NKVD major, showing “political vigilance.”
In the summer of 1955, the author's case was reviewed, a decision was made that the sentence was too long, a 5-year sentence was imposed instead of a 10-year sentence and immediate release, since the 5-year term had already expired.
Visit to the Institute of Water Transport, expression of sympathy for the author at the meeting by the dean of the Faculty of Marine Engineering and the director of the institute. When presenting diplomas at the banquet, the dean toasted engineer V.K. Akulov, who received “the diploma he had suffered through.” Worked for 33 years at the Leningrad branch of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute Asbestos Cement. Only in 1964 was there rehabilitation. Retirement. Periodically, I have dreams that the author is back in prison.

The abstract was compiled by T.G. Zhidkova.

Akulov Valentin Konstantinovich, Bespalov, Bespalov Vitaly A., Vorobiev, Golubin, Gromyko, Ivanov, Kagan Viktor Kusielevich, cadson, Korolev Sergei Pavlovich, Kuzmin, Lebedinsky, Lesnov Nikolay Mikhailovich, Lodkin Sergey Ivanovich, Lukyanov Nikolay Grigorievich, Monastic, Petrov Konstantin Pavlovich, Petropavlovsky Vladimir Makarovich, Ramzin Leonid Konstantinovich, Sizov, Strakhov Vladimir, Tupolev Andrey Nikolaevich, Chervinsky Genrikh Antonovich