SMOLENSK PARTISAN FORMATIONS ON THE TERRITORY OF VITEBSK REGION (1942 – 1944): ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMBAT ASPECT

Abstract

The article highlights the organizational and combat activities on the territory of the Vitebsk region of Smolensk partisans sent to the region to deploy an armed struggle against the German occupiers in 1942-1944. Examples of joint actions of Vitebsk and Smolensk partisans to create detachments and brigades and the participation in this of the Vitebsk regional committee of the КP(b)b and the command of the 4th shock army of the Kalinin front are given. It is shown that in 1942 the main place of partisan interaction was the enemy’s rear facilities on the Belarusian territory in the triangle of the Vitebsk – Orsha– Smolensk roads. The most significant combat operations carried out jointly by Vitebsk and Smolensk partisans in various regions of the Vitebsk region are mentioned. The conclusions state that the Smolensk partisan formations made a significant contribution to the deployment of the partisan movement in the Vitebsk region during the Great Patriotic War.