World Battlefronts: On the March

In Bulgaria, TIME Correspondent Percy Knauth saw a sight rarely witnessed by U.S. newsmen (see PRESS) in World War II—a Russian division moving up to battle. He cabled this description:

Along a dirt road through the bare Bulgarian hills, their columns wound for endless miles. The troops traveled in horse or ox-drawn carts or on foot, shuffling through the powder-fine white dust which rose in a cloud beneath the hot September sun and settled like snow when they had passed.

The soldiers on carts were mostly sleeping where they lay, even the drivers. Girl telegraphists, telephonists and mechanics —about one to every 15 men—moved with the army. Troops on foot walked with heads bent, scarcely lifting their feet until they entered a town or village. Then, with a visible effort, they straightened up and marched through in good order. Their uniforms were patched and faded, their faces dirty and whisker-stubbled, their eyes weary, but their arms were shining clean.

When speed is necessary the Russians have plenty of motor transport, predominantly American. The equipment hasn’t even been repainted and “USA” plus the serial number is visible on the hoods of nearly every Russian truck or jeep.