Group of Soviet troops in Germany, Western Group of Forces - an outpost for the defense of the gains of socialism in Europe. Over almost half a century of existence of the most powerful military group in the world, about 7 million Soviet military personnel underwent military training in its ranks, of which 540 thousand officers and generals, 180 thousand warrant officers and more than 5 million soldiers and sergeants. Over the years, more than 400 thousand workers and employees worked here. Family members of military personnel were the reliable “rear” of the group. In total, almost 8.5 million of our compatriots lived and worked in the GDR. All of them honorably fulfilled their duty to the Motherland... There were about six hundred of them. They betrayed their military oath. They did not return home, they remained in the West. They were called traitors, traitors to the Motherland, deserters. Prison awaited them at home. Among former class enemies, they sought simple human happiness. This book is dedicated to one of those who, of their own free will, found themselves in a foreign land.