"In 1941 order #0433 signed by then Deputy People's Commissar of Defense comrade Fedorenko ordered the assignment of Lieutenants and Junior Lieutenants as the commanders of medium and light gun tanks.
Based on this order, commanders of T-26 and BT tanks also have to be officers.
Considering the shortage of officers and less demanding training for commanders of T-26 and BT tanks compared to modern vehicles, I consider it possible and reasonable to appoint well prepared troops with the rank of Starshina who have a lot of experience in these tanks.
I ask for your decision.
Attached: order of the People's Commissar of Defense.
Deputy Commander of Armoured and Motorized Forces of the Red Army, Colonel-General of the Tank Forces, B. Korobkov
Member of the Military Council of the Armoured and Motorized Forces of the Red Army, Colonel-General of the Tank Forces, N. Biryukov"
CAMD RF F.38 Op.11355 D.1518 L.35
Printed in Glavnoye Bronetankovoye Upravleniye Lyudi, Sobytiya, Fakty v dokumentakh, 1944-1945 p.421