Skip to main content
Service phase: Beta

This is a new way to search our records, which we’re still working on. Alternatively you can search our existing catalogue, Discovery.

File

Caption: [RUSSIAN]; THE FORMER ERSATZ LANDOWNER

Catalogue reference: MS 281/1/48

What’s it about?

This record is a file about the Caption: [RUSSIAN]; THE FORMER ERSATZ LANDOWNER dating from 3 July 1944.

Is it available online?

Maybe, but not on The National Archives website. This record is held at Nottingham University Library, Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections. How to view it.

Can I see it in person?

Not at The National Archives, but you may be able to view it in person at Nottingham University Library, Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections. How to view it.

Full description and record details

Reference
MS 281/1/48
Title
Caption: [RUSSIAN]; THE FORMER ERSATZ LANDOWNER
Date
3 July 1944
Description

Text: Along the Berlin streets

Wandering about all day long

Is the Ukrainian landowner

With outstretched hand.

From former grandeur

He was left only

A feather in his hat

And nothing more!

By his side in a sorry state

Trudges his wife.

'Mein gott! What's happening to us!'

She gloomily repeats over and over again.

'Hitler gave us an estate

Near Poltava

With a shady oak-grove

And lions by the gate.

We used to ride out

In a carriage like princes

And we owned the souls

Of two hundred peasants.

We were very happy to have

Our own peasants.

But they all went off to join

The ranks of the Soviet partisans.

Everything's ended up terribly!

On one dark night we

Had to flee from

The Red Army.

We set off running through puddles.

Sometimes at a trot, sometimes at a gallop.

And my husband and I

Lost our last wardrobe!

All that we have left from the estate

Is a bicycle...

Have pity!

Give us dinner'.

Author: S. Ya. Marshak

Picture: Landowner, with wife, stand by bicycle: placard reads: Help the former Ukrainian landowner.

Artist: S. N. Kostin

Reference: TASS No 1007: 1200 copies

Dimensions: 200 x 82 cms

Condition: Fair

Held by
Nottingham University Library, Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections
Language
English
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/818c5dbe-558c-4dfc-9499-0ce24706ea36/

Series information

MS 281/1/1-129

Soviet Posters of the Second World War. Part One; the 'TASS Windows'

See the series level description for more information about this record.

View series description

Catalogue hierarchy

168 records

Within the fonds: MS 281

A Collection of War Posters from the Telegraphic Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS),...

130 records

Within the series: MS 281/1/1-129

Soviet Posters of the Second World War. Part One; the 'TASS Windows'

You are currently looking at the file: MS 281/1/48

Caption: [RUSSIAN]; THE FORMER ERSATZ LANDOWNER