World War II German Anti-Partisan Campaign Periods: German Defensive Operations (1943-44)
Figure 1.--This German soldier involved in anti-partisan actions has detained a boy somewhere in eastern Poland (Belarus). This was the center of the most intense partisan activity. One author calls it and the syrounding area the Bloodlands. All we know for sure about this image is that it was taken sime time in July or August 1943. We do not know what kind of unit he soldier was in. Camouflage uniforms were worn by dfferent units. We do not know if the boy was involved with the partisans or what the Gerans did with him Source: Bindesarchiv.
The Third period of German anti-partisan operations in the East occurred during the retreat west following Stalingrad. The retreat in 1943 primarily occurred in the Ukraine. Retreating German units often acted brutally, both killing large numbers of people, but destroying any thing that might be useful. At the same time, expanding Soviet partisan actions brought vicious reprisals. The front in the north was more stable. Army Group Center held and the Red Army concentrated on the Ukraine. Thus Bylorussia and Poland remained in German hands while the strength of the partisans grew. German anti-partisan operations were severe in 1943 and only increased in early-1944. There was unprecedented partisan activities, especially n eastern Poland (Blarus). The partisan movement was so strong in 1943 and early-44 that areas of eastern-Poland/Belarus wee actally librated before the arrival of the Red Army. There were fully functioning partisan kolkhozes that were both farming and growing cattle to feed the partisan bands. [VG Groups] The security uniys rganized operations would sweep areas designated as 'band infested'. They would descend on towns and villages, in some cases killing the entire population and burning the community to the ground. The standard practice of German security units was to kill the entire population of the village nearest to wear the partisans staged an attack. This policy of retaliationwas standard German practice and carried out without any evidence linking a village to the patisans--only distance. The Germans destroyed more than 600 villages like Khatyn. They burned the village including many of the villagers and shooting many others. Often the entire population was murdered. Depending on the German commander, the children and in some cases the women might be spared. The brutality was not a one sided affair. Many partisan commanders were also brutal. The commanders were often petty tyrants, there was heavy drinking when alcohol could be obtained. Anarchy and looting was common. Partisans seized food and clothing from vilagers when food was amatter of life and death. [VG Group] Rapes something the Germans did not commoly commit was reprted. The partisans did not murder whole villages, however, like the Germans. They did execute suspeted traitors with little or no evidece.
Gradually the partisan moveent became better organized as Syavka exerted more control over the Partisan bands. Here the Communist totalitarian regime was a factor. Society was militrarized and there wasa discipline of fear. The imposition of 1,200 Communist Party cells in easern Poland (Belarus) and within partisan detachments improved discipline and conduct of the partians. The improving military situatin also meant that soesupplies were getting through to the partisans.
Finally the Red Army Operation Bagration (June-August 1944) destroyed Army Group Center, brining an end to the anti-partisan effort. By gthis time the Germanhs had turned large areas of the countryside into virtual wastelands.
Sources
VG Group (Belarusian scientists and professionals abroad). 'Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II,' Virtual Guide to Belarus.
