samu's avatar
samu

March 3, 2022

1
The USSR invades Czechoslovakia - 14

Summary no. 14.

This is a real story.

Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteur the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”. The KGB had thought out a propaganda campaign to give the false impression that the country was on the brink of a massive, bloody uprising fuelled** by the West. The KGB never applied any ethical restraint on itself, and so it ruthlessly exploited any break to the full. The constrast between the two brothers was plain, yet concealed, for they always kept their feelings from one another. While Vasili was at the very forefront of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was adamant, in reality hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarly. He should’ve known better. On the night of 20 August 1968, the USSR successfully invaded the country, meeting no resistance at all. Oleg was appalled. It wasn’t the first time that his commitment to the KGB had faltered. In fact, the grim sight of the construction of the Berlin Wall had haunted him ever*** since. Yet he had never come to harbour negative feelings towards the KGB, unlike for the Soviet Union. But now his alienation from the KGb turned to absolute loathing. Anyway, not long after hearing of the invasion, he called his wife to share his outrage. He knew the Danes had bugged his phone. In fact, it was a veiled attempt from him to hint he was not an unquestioning Soviet and was up for “discussions”.

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend in a target country posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

** "Fuelled" is British spelling. By “fuelled” I meant that the West was behind it. That the West backed the rebellions against Communism, issuing guns and money as well as spreading anti-communist propaganda.

***Can I remove "ever"?

Corrections

The USSR invades Czechoslovakia - 14

Summary no.

14.

This is a real story.

Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteurage the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”.

"saboteur" is a noun (a person), not a verb

The KGB had thought outdevised a propaganda campaign to give the false impression that the country was on the brink of a massive, bloody uprising fuelled** by the West.

What you wrote is correct, but "devised" sounds more precise since it requires careful planning.

The KGB never applied any ethical self-restraint on itself, and so it, and ruthlessly exploited any brweak to the fullness.

"to the full" is redundant, since "ruthlessly exploited" already conveys this. I feel "break" is the wrong word.

The constrast between the two brothers was plain, yet concealed, for they always kept their feelings from one another.

While Vasili was at the very forefront of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was outwardly adamant, but in reality only hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarily.

He should’ve known better.

On the night of 20 August 1968, the USSR successfully invaded the country, meeting no resistance at all.

Oleg was appalled.

It wasn’t the first time that his commitment to the KGB had faltered.

In fact, the grim sight of the construction of the Berlin Wall had haunted him ever*** since.

Here, it's note clear what "since" is referring to. Since when? Since its construction? Since the invasion of Czechoslovakia?

Yet he had never come to harbour negative feelings towards the KGB, unlike for the Soviet Union.

But now hie feels alienation from the KGb turneded, and starts to absolutely loathinge the KGB.

First, the "turned to" should be "turned into". But it would still be incorrect since "alienation" is *from* the KGB ("the KGB alienated Oleg"), whereas "loathing" is *towards* the KGB ("Oleg loathes the KGB"): the directions are different. Moreover, the story is yet to establish that Oleg was alienated from the KGB, but you're using it like a premise, as if the reader already knows this.

Anyway, nNot long after hearing of the invasion, he called his wife to share his outrage.

"Anyway" sets a light-hearted tone, and isn't well-suited to the context. You might use this when talking on the phone and want move onto another topic. Moreover, the use of "Anyway" makes it sound like you're changing topic, but you're not: it's still about his outrage.

He knewwas aware that the Danes had bugged his phone.

Correct, but it's disconnected from the rest of the story.

In fact, itSo calling his wife was a veiled attempt from him to hint he was not an unquestioning Soviet and was up forwilling to engage in “discussions”.

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend into a target country posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

** "Fuelled" is British spelling.

By “fuelled” I meant that the West was behind it.

Yes, you used it appropriately.

That the West backed the rebellions against Communism, issuing guns and money as well as spreading anti-communist propaganda.

This is not a sentence in itself, and should be merged into the previous sentence. Consider using "resistance" instead of "rebellions".

***Can I remove "ever"?

In both cases ("ever since" and "since"), it's not clear "since [when]". If you add "ever" it emphasizes how it's a long period of time. From a grammar perspective "ever" can be deleted, but it may be an important detail.

samu's avatar
samu

March 4, 2022

1

In fact, the grim sight of the construction of the Berlin Wall had haunted him ever*** since.

Since the first day of construction. He was posted in Berlin at that time, and saw the whole thing at first-hand.

samu's avatar
samu

March 4, 2022

1

Yet he had never come to harbour negative feelings towards the KGB, unlike for the Soviet Union.

By for, I meant that he had negative feelings towards the Soviet Union.

samu's avatar
samu

March 4, 2022

1

Many thanks

The USSR invades Czechoslovakia - 14

Summary noum.

14.

Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteurage the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”.

The KGB had thought out a propaganda campaign to give the false impression that the country was on the brink of a massive, bloody uprising fuelled** by the West.

The KGB never applied any ethical restraint on itself, and so it ruthlessly exploited any brweak to theness fully.

The constrast between the two brothers was plain, yet concealed, for they always kept their feelings from one another.

While Vasili was at the very forefronthead of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was adamant, in realityor maybe just hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarily.

He should’ve known better.

On the night of 20 August 1968, the USSR successfully invaded the country, meeting no resistance at all.

Oleg was appalled.

It wasn’t the first time that his commitment to the KGB had faltered.

In fact, the grim sight of the construction of the Berlin Wall had haunted him ever*** since.

Yet he had never come to harbour negative feelings towards the KGB, unlike for the Soviet Union.

But now, his alienation from the KGbB turned to absolute loathing.

Anyway, not long after hearing of the invasion, he called his wife to share his outrage.

He knew the Danes had bugged his phone.

In fact, it was a veiled attempt from him to hint he was not an unquestioning Soviet and was up for “discussions”.

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend into a target country by posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

** "Fuelled" is British spelling.

By “fuelled”, I meant that the West was behind it.

That the West backed the rebellions against Communism, issuing guns and money as well as spreading anti-communist propaganda.

***Can I remove "ever"?

Maybe in some spoken dialects but it feels right to me here.

Feedback

Great Job! Just a few corrections!

samu's avatar
samu

March 4, 2022

1

Many thanks

The USSR invades Czechoslovakia - 14

This is a real story.

Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteurage the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”.

"saboteur" is a noun only. Saboteurs engage in sabotage, saboteurs sabotage things.

The KGB had thought out a propaganda campaign to give the false impression that the country was on the brink of a massive, bloody uprising fuelled** by the West.

The KGB never applied any ethical restraint on itself, and so it ruthlessly exploited any break to the full.

Unclear what "break" means here. Weakness? Opportunity?

The constrast between the two brothers was plain, yet concealed, for they always kept their feelings from one another.

While Vasili was at the very forefront of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was adamant, in realitor at least desperately hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarily.

"in reality" didn't quite seem to fit.

He should’ve known better.

On the night of 20 August 1968, the USSR successfully invaded the country, meeting no resistance at all.

Oleg was appalled.

It wasn’t the first time that his commitment to the KGB had faltered.

In fact, the grim sight of the construction of the Berlin Wall had haunted him ever*** since.

Yet he had never come to harbour negative feelings towards the KGB, unlike for the Soviet Union.

But now his alienation from the KGbB turned to absolute loathing.

Anyway, not long after hearing of the invasion, he called his wife to share his outrage.

He knew the Danes had bugged his phone.

In fact, it was a veiled attempt from him to hint he was not an unquestioning Soviet and was up for “discussions”.

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend into a target country posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

Or something like "blend in among", or "who go to a target country and blend in".

** "Fuelled" is British spelling.

By “fuelled” I meant that the West was behind it.

A natural expression and it was very clear what you meant :)

That the West backed the rebellions against Communism, issuing guns and money as well as spreading anti-communist propaganda.

***Can I remove "ever"?

You can, but it's not as natural, I think it would be a kind of writerly, poetic style. Conversationally "ever since" is super natural here and very few would omit "ever".

Feedback

Topical :(

samu's avatar
samu

March 3, 2022

1

The KGB never applied any ethical restraint on itself, and so it ruthlessly exploited any break to the full.

A bit of both of them. In reality more about opportunity. I just meant that they would do whatever it took to get what they wanted

samu's avatar
samu

March 3, 2022

1

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend into a target country posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

Would it be fine like this, "who go to a target country and blend in posing as ordinary citizens"?

samu's avatar
samu

March 3, 2022

1

As Niccolò Machiavelli said, "history always repeats itself". Unfortunately for us, if someone pressed the "nuclear button", I don't think there would be any history after that.

secretpostman's avatar
secretpostman

March 4, 2022

0

"who go to a target country and blend in posing as ordinary citizens" - yes! I think to be 100% correct it would need a comma, "and blend in, posing as", they're really two seperate verbs.

The best way I can think of to express that ruthless exploitation is "the KGB would stop at nothing", which isn't quite the same but is a nice expression :)

samu's avatar
samu

March 4, 2022

1

Thanks

The USSR invades Czechoslovakia - 14


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Summary no.


Summary noum.

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

14.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This is a real story.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteur the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”.


Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteurage the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”.

"saboteur" is a noun only. Saboteurs engage in sabotage, saboteurs sabotage things.

Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteurage the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”.

Vasili, Oleg’s older brother, arrived in Czechoslovakia and joined the local KGB network of illegals*, whose mission was to saboteurage the Czechoslovakian “counter-revolution”.

"saboteur" is a noun (a person), not a verb

The KGB had thought out a propaganda campaign to give the false impression that the country was on the brink of a massive, bloody uprising fuelled** by the West.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

The KGB had thought outdevised a propaganda campaign to give the false impression that the country was on the brink of a massive, bloody uprising fuelled** by the West.

What you wrote is correct, but "devised" sounds more precise since it requires careful planning.

The KGB never applied any ethical restraint on itself, and so it ruthlessly exploited any break to the full.


The KGB never applied any ethical restraint on itself, and so it ruthlessly exploited any break to the full.

Unclear what "break" means here. Weakness? Opportunity?

The KGB never applied any ethical restraint on itself, and so it ruthlessly exploited any brweak to theness fully.

The KGB never applied any ethical self-restraint on itself, and so it, and ruthlessly exploited any brweak to the fullness.

"to the full" is redundant, since "ruthlessly exploited" already conveys this. I feel "break" is the wrong word.

The constrast between the two brothers was plain, yet concealed, for they always kept their feelings from one another.


The constrast between the two brothers was plain, yet concealed, for they always kept their feelings from one another.

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

The constrast between the two brothers was plain, yet concealed, for they always kept their feelings from one another.

While Vasili was at the very forefront of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was adamant, in reality hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarly.


While Vasili was at the very forefront of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was adamant, in realitor at least desperately hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarily.

"in reality" didn't quite seem to fit.

While Vasili was at the very forefronthead of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was adamant, in realityor maybe just hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarily.

While Vasili was at the very forefront of the KGB counter-operation, Oleg was outwardly adamant, but in reality only hoped, that the USSR wouldn’t dare to intervene militarily.

He should’ve known better.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

On the night of 20 August 1968, the USSR successfully invaded the country, meeting no resistance at all.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

Oleg was appalled.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

It wasn’t the first time that his commitment to the KGB had faltered.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

In fact, the grim sight of the construction of the Berlin Wall had haunted him ever*** since.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

In fact, the grim sight of the construction of the Berlin Wall had haunted him ever*** since.

Here, it's note clear what "since" is referring to. Since when? Since its construction? Since the invasion of Czechoslovakia?

Yet he had never come to harbour negative feelings towards the KGB, unlike for the Soviet Union.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

Yet he had never come to harbour negative feelings towards the KGB, unlike for the Soviet Union.

But now his alienation from the KGb turned to absolute loathing.


But now his alienation from the KGbB turned to absolute loathing.

But now, his alienation from the KGbB turned to absolute loathing.

But now hie feels alienation from the KGb turneded, and starts to absolutely loathinge the KGB.

First, the "turned to" should be "turned into". But it would still be incorrect since "alienation" is *from* the KGB ("the KGB alienated Oleg"), whereas "loathing" is *towards* the KGB ("Oleg loathes the KGB"): the directions are different. Moreover, the story is yet to establish that Oleg was alienated from the KGB, but you're using it like a premise, as if the reader already knows this.

Anyway, not long after hearing of the invasion, he called his wife to share his outrage.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

Anyway, nNot long after hearing of the invasion, he called his wife to share his outrage.

"Anyway" sets a light-hearted tone, and isn't well-suited to the context. You might use this when talking on the phone and want move onto another topic. Moreover, the use of "Anyway" makes it sound like you're changing topic, but you're not: it's still about his outrage.

He knew the Danes had bugged his phone.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

He knewwas aware that the Danes had bugged his phone.

Correct, but it's disconnected from the rest of the story.

In fact, it was a veiled attempt from him to hint he was not an unquestioning Soviet and was up for “discussions”.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

In fact, itSo calling his wife was a veiled attempt from him to hint he was not an unquestioning Soviet and was up forwilling to engage in “discussions”.

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend in a target country posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.


*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend into a target country posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

Or something like "blend in among", or "who go to a target country and blend in".

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend into a target country by posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

*Illegals are, in intelligence parlance, spies who blend into a target country posing as ordinary citizens, unlike those who work under diplomatic covers.

** "Fuelled" is British spelling.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

By “fuelled” I meant that the West was behind it.


By “fuelled” I meant that the West was behind it.

A natural expression and it was very clear what you meant :)

By “fuelled”, I meant that the West was behind it.

By “fuelled” I meant that the West was behind it.

Yes, you used it appropriately.

That the West backed the rebellions against Communism, issuing guns and money as well as spreading anti-communist propaganda.


This sentence has been marked as perfect!

This sentence has been marked as perfect!

That the West backed the rebellions against Communism, issuing guns and money as well as spreading anti-communist propaganda.

This is not a sentence in itself, and should be merged into the previous sentence. Consider using "resistance" instead of "rebellions".

***Can I remove "ever"?


***Can I remove "ever"?

You can, but it's not as natural, I think it would be a kind of writerly, poetic style. Conversationally "ever since" is super natural here and very few would omit "ever".

***Can I remove "ever"?

Maybe in some spoken dialects but it feels right to me here.

***Can I remove "ever"?

In both cases ("ever since" and "since"), it's not clear "since [when]". If you add "ever" it emphasizes how it's a long period of time. From a grammar perspective "ever" can be deleted, but it may be an important detail.

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