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BY: Dave Sutherland
OVERVIEW: While writing the SKS Chronology, I stumbled across a trend in the proximity of production startup dates which I found quite interesting. This prompted me look a little closer at exactly which countries were producing SKS's and why. To a SKS enthusiast such as myself, the results I unearthed are incredibly fascinating. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy researching it!
It's commonly regarded as a mystery as to why the Soviet Union produced so many SKS's when a more advanced battle rifle design, the AK-47, was approved only two years later. Why then wasn't the SKS dropped like a ton of bricks? Why were so many resources poured into this design? The gun community has always regarded this mystery as a fluke or a eccentricity on the behalf of Stalin, but my research is starting to suggest otherwise.
So where do we start? Well, I started with what I knew: SKS origins and production dates.
COUNTRIES OF SKS MANUFACTURE
* See Chinese Code Chart for known listing
Do you see the pattern forming? The same year Izhevsk stops production, East Germany begins. The very year after Russia ends production of the SKS in Tula, China starts manufacturing them. A year later, Romania. Two years later Yugoslavia. It's almost as if Izhevsk operations never really ceased, but migrated closer to where the weapons were needed in Europe. Then every other year a new country started Simonov production. As if it were on a schedule... And it completely makes sense that Tula, the biggest producer of Russian SKS's, gets moved to China. The only deviation from the pattern I see is the Eastern Communists. I sincerely believe that Russia had nothing directly to do with arming Korea and Vietnam. I believe their factories are the result of China's involvement.
Ok, the dates are interesting and they're the hook, so how about the countries themselves? Why these particular countries? Why did Romania produce SKS's while Hungary and Poland, which were under the heel of the Soviets, didn't? These questions and more prompted more than one rigorous research sessions at the Houston Public Library and other repositories of public knowledge.
SOVIET RELATIONS WITH WESTERN NATIONS
POLAND: The Soviets had no intention of ever losing control of Poland once they drove out the Germans. The Polish government was a puppet state of the Soviet Union until it's break in the late 80's.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Another Soviet puppet government. The Czech's more or less bowed to the will of Mother Russia unquestioningly.
HUNGARY: The year is 1956. Stalin is dead and his successor, Khrushchev, starts a campaign of reforms and de-Stalinization. Yugoslavia has successfully pulled away from the Soviet Union not even 10 years earlier. Hungary, who chafes at the bit of Soviet repression, sees no better time than the present to earn their own independence. Khrushchev senses the world will perceive the USSR as weak and losing it's grip on it's holdings if he lets this happen, so he orders the military to retake the country. The revolt is not just put down, but absolutely crushed. This is the only Soviet satellite where a Soviet garrison resided after 1958. During the Cold Way, this country can be considered "owned" by the USSR. The Russian military arrived in 1956 and didn't leave until 1991, 35 years later.
ROMANIA: Romania handled the Russians in a unique way. They bowed and scraped to every desire and whim of the Kremlin, but behind the scenes they consistently worked to preserve their sovereignty and isolate their economy. The classic corporate "yes-man" scenario. They started teaching Russian in the schools, revised textbooks to reflect a pro-Soviet position, and started eliminating Roman and Latin sounding words from their vocabulary. All the while they were fervently protecting their national interests and building the political and physical infrastructure to one day break with the Soviet Union. In 1956 the last joint Russian-Romanian enterprise closed, and by 1957 other socialist states were complaining about Romanian protectionism. Western loans and contracts helped neutralize Russian influence to the point Romania was self sufficient Communist country.
YUGOSLAVIA: In the year 1948, the first Communist state to break with Russia was Yugoslavia. This country fought the Germans and the Italians more or less on their own. Only once in 1944 did the Soviets enter their country and that was only passing through. Their leader, Tito, had an ego about the size of Stalin's and felt they were of equal standing so he expected to be treated as a partner, not a puppet. After surviving the Germans, he had no intention of subordinating his country to the Russians. Although both countries were communist, each had it's own vision of where Communism should lead them. Although he probably wanted to, Stalin's hands were tied and he could not post a garrison to retake this country. Since Yugoslavia's split was merely three years after WWII and the establishment of the "neutral buffer zone", Stalin's long term expansionist plans would have been blatantly obvious if he militarily tore down Tito's regime and replaced it with his own.
BULGARIA: Bulgaria never really saw much of a Soviet presence during WWII, but Bulgaria did perceive Turkey as a serious threat. The Bulgarians joined the Soviet Bloc as willing subordinates to Soviet dictates in exchange for protection from it's enemies.
From the (much over-simplified) synopsis of Soviet relations with their allied "people's democracies" we can shade the above map to visualize who directly reported to the Kremlin (Warsaw Pact) and who the independent Communist countries were. Now we see another pattern form! Apart from Russia itself, it was only the independent Communist regimes that manufactured SKS's, not Soviet satellites!
So what does that mean? Well, we have to look back at WWII to truly understand the significance of this observation. Let's begin our look with a quote from General Douglas MacArthur. He said three things won the war for the US: the B-17 bomber, the jeep, and the M-1 Garand. Since this is a study in firearms, we'll leave the vehicles out of the picture and concentrate on the M-1. Entering WWII, Stalin's troops carried a revamped 1891 design bolt action rifle called the Mosin Nagant. This was comparable to the Nazi's Mauser, but neither rifle could compare to the modern clip fed, semiautomatic M-1 Garand carried by American troops. If Stalin expected to be a world power, he needed (amongst other things) a rifle design equal to or surpassing the M-1. In 1945, the SKS was Russia's answer as it was also a clip fed, semiautomatic, accurate design. Two years later, the AK-47 was approved for production, which surpassed the Garand in many ways as a battlefield rifle. It had select fire, a detachable magazine, was cheap and easy to make, and was even easier to maintain. Lucky for the SKS, Stalin saw a place in his empire for both weapons.
WWII drew to a close and Russia was ruined. Only one if it's major cities remain untouched by the ravages of war. Stalin needed to rebuild in a major way. He demanded a "buffer zone" of countries between it and the western world to protect it's smashed western front. The other allied countries, also eager to rebuild, gave him what he wanted so everyone could just get on with life. The allies primarily looked inward by rebuilding Brittian and France, and by rebuilding Italy and Germany in their own image. This left only one place for the formerly occupied countries to the east of Germany to turn. To the loving arms of Mother Russia.
The previous governments of the Baltic states were strewn into the wind after the war, so Russia was more than happy to send "advisors" and engineers to these countries to help them re-establish themselves. Since all opposition was gone and the allied nations attention were occupied with their own affairs, the Communist parties (who were meeting in secret and gaining momentum during the war) just needed to step up and seize the reigns of power.
After many of these governments regained their footing, dissatisfaction and resentment of their benefactor grew. Over the years, several nations, such as Yugoslavia, were actually strong enough to pull away from direct Soviet influence. Others weren't so lucky.
SOVIET RELATIONS WITH EASTERN COMMUNISTS
Before we go on, let's look to the eastern nations of China, Korea, and Vietnam. They precisely follow the western pattern of independent Communist nations producing Soviet SKS's. The second biggest Communist country in the world is China, but China is 100% it's own country. Over and over again, China requests assistance from Russia to build infrastructure and industrialize it's country, but China will only accept aid with no strings attached. If Russia is going to help build up a country with the vast resources China has at it's disposal, there's going to be a few stipulations and conditions that go along with it. China finally changes it's approach and asks for a $300 million dollar loan. Stalin agrees, but the deal is bitter. Russia's loan made China look like a beggar. China's leader, Mao, knows China has the potential to be a world power, but in reality the country was little more than third world. Russia is keenly aware of this fact.
The year is 1950. Both China and Korea are ready to invade other countries. They ask their big Communist brother, The Soviet Union, for it's blessing and for assistance. The Soviet Union gives Korea it's blessing to invade the south, but ONLY on the condition that it gets all it's aid from China. Stalin has NO interest in provoking a confrontation with The United States, but will help any way he can. The war begins, China and Korea gain a LOT of ground, but the US steps in and pushes them north again. China again goes to Russia asking for help, but the Russians are hesitant to assist. The Chinese scream about racism and that the Soviets value their western allies more so the Russians reluctantly agree to offer air support and conventional aid via China. Since Korea is on the other side of China, so they need an airbase in China. The Chinese see this as the Russians yet again trying to get their foot in the door of power and are SO protective of their sovereignty, they ALMOST turn the Russians away! They reluctantly offer a base in Manchuria, but the base is guarded and watched by the Chinese night and day.
The US finally pulls out of Korea in 1953. This is a GIGANTIC ego boost for Mao for he believes he has single handed fought the mighty US army to a stand still. If Stalin thought Mao was hard to deal with before the ego boost... ...Well, Stalin didn't have much to worry about because he died that very year. Stalin's advisors run the country for the next two years, but eventually Khrushchev takes control of the USSR in 1956. Khrushchev immediately starts a policy of de-Stalinization which winds up deeply insulting the demanding Chinese. If Khrushchev can go around saying Stalin was wrong and denounces his method of governing, and China was built using Stalin-esque techniques, then obviously Khrushchev is saying China's system of government is lacking.
Another interesting aspect relating to the Simonov carbine is what happened with production during the period immediately after Stalin's death, 1953 to 1956, when CCCP leadership transfers to Khrushchev. It goes from steady production in Tula before 1953, to doubling production by bringing Izhvesk online in 1954, to killing all production in Russia by the end of 1955. What could this possibly mean? Well, I'll tell you my theory. It's generally known that any given country is very vulnerable during those times in which there is a transition in leadership. Just look what happens when a new American president takes office in the U.S. Every troublemaking, anti-American country in the world starts pushing their luck. It's almost obligatory. They need to know if policy has changed and they're not going to wait until the Secretary of State flies into town to give them orders. Well, the same thing happens in the Communist Bloc. Romania and Hungary seize the opportunity to pull away; one is more successful than the other, as you've seen. Overconfident China's demands and dissatisfaction grow and grow daily. And who knows what the Russian people are going to do. All of this uncertainty and we're still discussing the Soviet Union and its ALLIES, never mind the opportunistic scrutiny from the West! In 1953, the powers that be perceive this threat and weapon production doubles across the board.
A year later all is quiet in the homeland, but the "people's democracies" are still unstable, so SKS production in Izhvesk gets relocated to the focal point of Western attention: East Germany. And as I've stated earlier, I believe this is the first step in a larger plan to fortify Communist Europe. Even the order of production makes sense! East Germany is a thorn in the side of the sworn enemy of Communism, the West. Strengthening of Soviet influence is needed urgently in this area. The next biggest concern is Romania where control is steadily slipping. Lastly, Yugoslavia who is not really a threat, but too far gone to consider an asset. Yet this country is still faithful to the Communist ideal, therefore they're worth fortifying in the long run.
An alternative theory I have relates to Korea. Russia needs a large stockpile of conventional arms that can be shipped to hot spots in a moment's notice. Perhaps Korea would have turned out differently if the Soviets could have supplied a large number of modern firearms earlier in the game? Perhaps Stalin sees this fact and doesn't want to be caught off guard a second time? Stalin may have ordered increased production of the SKS as "military aid" in 1953 and died shortly thereafter. Perhaps the truth is a combination or blend of these two theories. Whichever theory seems most logical to you, I still believe the manufacturing equipment from Izhvesk was moved to East Germany in late 1954.
BRINGING IT ALL HOME
During the changeover in Soviet leaders, Tula's production is abruptly halted. Then we see it handed over to the Chinese. One thing all these Communist leaders agree on is the fact that they need more weapons to keep up with the West. The Chinese are pressing hard for nuclear weapon technology, but there's no WAY the Soviets are going to hand over the nuke to China. There was such a rift in eastern and western Communism at this time that it is commonly believed nowadays that if either China or Russia thought it was possible, one would have invaded the other and tried taking over out of sheer paranoia. This was also the case with the United States. In 1949, the Joint Chiefs of Staff saw Russia's massive land grab and thought they were going to have another Hitler on their hands. Their solution to this potential threat was to devise the "Trojan" plan of 1949.
This plan was a method in which the US could invade Russia in one fell swoop. 70 industrial cities (I just BET Tula and Izhevsk were on this list...) were slated to be destroyed by nuclear bombs and US forces were to swarm out of US bases in Europe. Reinforcements from across the Atlantic would leave out at the same time this "American Blitzkrieg" was to occur. Five months later, the Chiefs of Staff scrap the plan. Russia had built up it's conventional arsenal to the point that even if we were to kill the estimated 2.7 million Russian industrial workers with nukes, the Soviet army had the capability to swarm from their own borders, overtake our limited European military presence, and take the rest of Europe. This Russian buildup of conventional arms saved them from certain doom and the SKS was part of it all.
To keep the peace and bide time, the Russians send military aid to China and the other independent Communist regimes. This is when the Soviet technicians move into China and teach them how to make guns, and the SKS was where it all begins.
Ok, you're Russia and although the rest of the world perceives an IRON CURTAIN, you can see it's structurally weak from the inside. You and your cohorts need to build a world class army and you have two rifle designs to offer. Do you offer your shaky allies the superior battle rifle (AK), which will possibly use against you in the future, or do you keep your edge and offer them the next best thing (SKS)? To me, this clearly explains why the Soviets offered SKS's as military aid to some countries while others were offered AK-47's. This also explains the criteria and motivations involved in making these decisions.
...more to come...
THE MORAL OF THE STORY, AN EDITORIAL COMMENT BY DAVE: [The above history is a sterling example of why gun control is a danger to freedom. In this situation, the Soviet government knew the only way to keep control over, and force their will, on the people was to restrict private gun ownership and proliferate weapons amongst government agencies. The SKS you hold in your hand is a direct byproduct of Soviet tyranny. History is trying to tell us something. Wouldn't it be ironic if someday a weapon made to oppress the Soviet people and defend against America were to be used by the people of America to throw off the tyrannical shackles of their own American government?!?!?! Let's pray things in America turn around and this supreme irony in SKS history never comes to pass.] Please feel free to write with any comments, corrections, or polite criticisms. |
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Simonov.net is written
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All contents are © Copyright 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. |
EAST
GERMANY: After WWII, control of Germany was portioned off amongst
the big boys of the Allied forces. All the countries involved BUT the
Soviet Union worked to rebuild Germany as an independent, unified country.
Stalin and his successors never had any intention of freeing East Germany, which
is evidenced by the Berlin Wall. A very imposing, permanent
structure. East Germany was strategically significant to the USSR
because of it's geographic position: directly in the center of Europe. It
wasn't until the fall of the Soviet Union did East Germany escape Soviet
oppression and did complete reunification finally begin.