Francy Powers Jr. - Spy Pilot - Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy

Powers: Yes. Now I thought that what I had heard about work camps—I thought that if I was transferred to one of those I would have ample opportunity to do this whenever I needed to say anything.

US Interrogator: Were you asked—?

Powers: Pardon?

US Interrogator: Were you asked something like this: “Are you trying to communicate in any code?” Or were you told—don’t try any codes?

Powers: No, they didn’t ask, was I trying to communicate, but they had asked me earlier if I knew any—any codes and I knew no codes. I told them, yes, I knew Morse code and that we used a little bit, but I probably couldn’t use it. International Morse Code. Well, they didn’t ask me code. They asked me cryptographic. Did I know any crypto—something, and I said, what is that, code? And he said, yes; and I said, I know only the Morse code and I never did know that too well so even though I’m sure they checked those letters very closely they seemed to believe that I didn’t have any way to communicate. 27

Unaware that officials back in Washington had worked with Barbara to evaluate evidence of brainwashing, the pilot dealt with the issue in his journal:

Most all the people I came into contact with were kind and considerate. I was forced to do nothing. They gave me books to read to occupy my time and they were not political books. They showed no desire what-so-ever to convert me to their beliefs…. All of the publicity about brain washing is pure nonsense, and I personally think a figment of someone’s imagination who cannot believe that it is normal for someone to have a belief that is different from his own. 28

Seven years after his release, once he was able to look back on the period, Dad displayed a more nuanced view on his tapes:

I didn’t have to read anything. Didn’t have to listen. If I had wanted to ask a question, they would have been more than happy. But they didn’t press things on me. They didn’t sit me down and lecture me about the Soviet Union or customs or how bad I was and how good they were. But I could see where when a person has only one source of information… 99 percent of any news I got was [from a] Russian source. Best source I had was the British Daily Worker …. These things, all major events there, slanted to the communist viewpoint…. Could see how you could start questioning things that you didn’t question before. After a year or so of reading nothing but one side you begin to lose track of the other side. I can see how a person if he was in prison, given nothing but communist literature for ten years, that he would probably be a communist when he got out. Unless he had something to compare it to. 29

Without access to Western news sources, the letters he regularly received from his family helped cut through the veil of propaganda.

After the KGB completed its interrogation and the date of his trial was set, Frank composed his third letter to his wife:

19 July 1960

My Dearest Barbara,

Apparently you wrote your last letter before you received mine. I suppose you have received it by this time. The only reason that my parents received a letter before you did is because I received theirs before I received yours and I answered them.

While speaking of letters, there is no need for you to send them other than by regular air mail, they will reach me just as fast.

Since I last wrote you I have received one letter from home and one from my sister Joan. I have answered both of them and also, as my father requested, sent him a cable gram telling him he could come to visit me when it was convenient to him. He said his bag was already packed and apparently he plans to come soon.

The only reason I requested you to wait until the trial before visiting me was because I didn’t know how long it would be. I know that you would be very lonely here if you had to wait a long time. More lonely than you would be there with your Mother. I was told that you would be allowed to see me after the trial but I don’t know how often.

The trial date has been set for the seventeenth of August. I sure didn’t expect a trial for my birthday. Now you can make plans for your trip. I don’t want you to have to stay here in Moscow alone for a long period of time. You know how it is to be alone in a strange city.

You know that I would like to see you more than I can tell. You are always in my thoughts and it is impossible to tell you how much I miss you.

Please tell all the people that have offered their help to me that I appreciate it very much. If I knew of any way they could be of assistance I would let you know, but I know of no way. If they know of any way and want to help me I could never thank them enough for I am charged with a very serious charge, one of the few that carry the death penalty.

I have a Russian defense counsel appointed to defend me. I have talked to him several times and feel sure he will do his best and that is all I can ask of anyone.

Darling, I hope you can forgive me for making a mess of our lives like I have. I wouldn’t feel too bad if only I were involved. When I think of the pain I have caused you and my parents, I realize that no individual has the right to do things that affect others so much without their consent.

I would give all that I possess to be there with you again. Just to have the chance to start all over again and make you happy is something that I pray for. You mean too much to me, and because you do it hurts me very much to know that all the pain you are having now and may have in the future was caused by me, who would do anything to keep you from suffering. The old saying to the effect that you always hurt the one you love is too true.

I am still taking walks every day and am getting a fairly good suntan. I would much rather be getting my suntan on a beach somewhere with you. It’s the same sun but it looks much better before all this happened.

In Joan’s letter she asked me if I had any objections to her naming her next baby, if it is a boy after me. Of course I told her no and I feel very honored that she should want to do so.

I am reading “Gone with the Wind” now and I like it very much. I don’t know why I never read it before. I am very thankful that I like to read and am given the opportunity to read. It makes the time pass faster and takes my mind off my troubles to a certain extent. I have also been given a Bible which I read every day.

I have just finished eating supper, “y ж и н” as it is spelled in Russian. I get more than enough to eat and always have tea to drink. In fact I am drinking tea and smoking as I write this letter.

The day is almost finished and after I finish this letter I will read a while and then go to sleep. I like to see night come for that means one more day less to wait. Always before I hated to see each day pass for that meant one day older.

Barbara, I would have written sooner but I kept thinking that each day I would get a letter from you so I kept waiting. I won’t wait so long next time.

Darling, you know that I love you more than anything else in the world. I cannot find words to tell you how much. I miss you more than I can say and hope and pray that you are getting along all right.

Tell your mother to take care of herself and also to take care of you for me.

I often wonder if Eck misses me or if he has forgotten me already. I do miss him. Has he been good?

Well Darling, I will stop for this time since I cannot think of anything else to write. Take care of yourself and remember that I love you with all of my heart and I am always sending you…

PS. I received a letter from Jean which I will answer soon. 30

In a subsequent letter to Barbara, Frank wrote:

Darling, you say that I sound very dejected in my letters. You must make for some allowances for my being in prison. It isn’t the best atmosphere in the world for writing gay letters. I don’t like being here and I guess it reflects in my letters. Also Darling, there is no doubt in my mind that I will be found guilty in the trial. It will be more of a trial for determining the degree of guilt and the degree of punishment. This also reflects in my letters I suppose. Mine isn’t a bright future no matter how you look at it. I only tell you this so you may be prepared for anything that might happen. Darling, I know you worry about me and I wish there was something I could do to set your mind at ease. But I won’t lie to you and try to make things appear better than they are. 31