“We were trained as loaders and gun layers, etc. at the anti-aircraft and artillery squad. The training lasted from March 18 to May 1. On May 1st we were sent to the front. We arrived there on May 1st and stayed for about 5 months. There were special check points there. We would cross the river Mozer. There were saboteurs there. We watched for them sitting in camouflaged trenches. Occasionally we managed to catch deserters or collaborators. We brought them to our unit”.

Yakov fought in the Battle Of Warsaw. He was stationed in the city after the war, protecting Soviet interests against the Pre-War Polish Government, which was exiled in London.

“At that time the old government in exile in London… they had an intention to stage a kind of a coup. What they did? There were cemeteries with vaults there. They were fundamentally build and beautiful. It was a place where they used to bring small arms and ammunition. It was obvious they were preparing for something. We were assigned to guard it there. We used camouflage. There was an incident. They just brought coffins full of weapons. They were unloading it. We realized… we were given instructions “No shooting!” I was armed with a submachine gun. I rushed out shouting “Hände hoch!” I aimed my gun at them. They all scattered”.

Yakov had difficulties getting an education after the war despite a law guaranteeing veterans admission to university. He eventually earned a mechanical engineering degree and worked in The Soviet Union before emigrating to Canada with his wife in 2000.