ABSTRACT
In 1985 General Dudnik was on the staff of Marshal Nikolai V.Ogarkov, who commanded one of the Red Army’s five fronts, in southwest Poland. One day, Ogarkov held a combat-readiness inspection in one of the more sensitive sectors of his front. Dudnik learned that the sector commander had been informed six months in advance of the “surprise visit.” Because of the grave implications of such irresponsibility, Dudnik set aside the usual loyalty to colleagues and reported to Ogarkov. “Bring me proof,” said the marshal, and Dudnik had no difficulty doing so, since the practice was common.
