the soviet partisan movement 1941-1944 by edgar m. howell

96 THE SOVIET PARTISAN MOVEMENT
brigades under leaders just returned from Moscow training centers were
reported moving south from the Bryansk area to the Ukraine toward
a junction with an irregular group which had moved eastward from
the southern portion of the Pipyat Marshes. 167 It is likely that this latter
concentration was ordered in conjunction with the preparations for the
Soviet counterattack at Stalingrad, for after the Red Army had successfully
isolated the Sixth Army in the city, the Central Staff directed a
number of bands in the Ukraine to strike at German installations and
communications as far to the rear as the Dnepr River and to make
detailed reports on German troop strengths, in an attempt to embarrass
German efforts to relieve the Stalingrad garrison. 168 The results of
this maneuver are unknown.
In November four partisan brigades estimated at an aggregate
strength of 19,000 men were reported in the Bryansk area behind the
Second Panzer Army. 169 Still, in spite of this strength and despite continued
weakness of the security command there they mounted no effective
offensive action. The rail limes remained open and demolitions dropped
appreciably. 170
Further to the west in the Vitebsk-Polotsk-Nevel area of White Russia
where their strength was on the rise, the partisans demonstrated a
similar lack of aggressiveness toward G-erman communications. They
did hamper the work of the economic authorities which could not be
given adequate protection because of manpower limitations within the
security command, and they did much to turn the natives further away
from the occupation, but they raided the communication lines only
sporadically, and never in a concerted offensive. 171 Raids continued,
but in no great volume. Demolitions set off on the rail lines in the
entire Army Group Center Rear Area numbered 235 for September, 203
for October, 162 for November, and dropped to 147 for December. 172
167 Entry for 25 Oct 42, in ibid.; Bericht, Hoeherer SS und Polizeifuehrer, Ukraine,
27.XII.42. 51/10.
168 See: Captured Soviet directive, dated 28 Nov 42, in Anl. z. Bfh. H. Geb. "B”
Ia, Nr. 12001/42 g., 16.XII.42., KTB, Ia, H. Geb. Sued, VIII.41.-XII.42. 75905.
169
Lagebericht Nr. 1838/42, la, Pz AOK 2, 6.IX.42., Anl. 77 z KTB Pz AOK 2,
16.VIII.42.-29.11.43 and 11.XI.42. 37075/90.
170
Bericht, H. Geb. Mitte, Ia. Nr. 2051/43, 9.VII.43., Anl. z. KTB, H. Gr. Mitte,
11 .VI.-31.VII.43., Teil XXII, Band 10. 65002/22.
171
Berichte, 201 Sich. Div., Okt, Nov, Dez 42, Anl. z. KTB 2, 201 Sich. Div.,
I .IV.-31.XII.42. 29196/2.
172
Bericht, H. Geb. Mitte, la, Nr. 2051/43, 9.VII.43., Anl. z. KTB, H. Gr. Mitte,
11.VI.-31.VII.43., Teil XXII, Band 10. 65002/22.