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

THE OCCUPATION FALTERS 113
. The Partisans and the German Economic Program
Although the bands based within several hundred miles of the front
were probably given first priority in the reorganization because they
were easily reached and controlled, those in the deeper rear were by no
means neglected. As early as May well-led brigades had begun to
appear far to the west in White Russia, and under directives from the
Central Staff had started working intensively against the German
occupation, especially the economic program. 68 The Germans had made
no secret of their intention to milk the Soviet Union dry economically,
and the action of the partisans in this sphere must have been part of
a Moscow-directed campaign to counter this exploitation.
It was not a difficult campaign to wage. By the spring of 1942 German
manpower in the rear was so short that the security commands
were forced to use all available security units to guarantee the continued
supply of the divisions at the front. Since there was never
enough of these even for adequate rail line and highway security, large
portions of the countryside went unprotected and rapidly fell under
partisan control. 69
By the beginning of the summer the partisans had paralyzed many
phases of the economy in the outlying areas of White Russia and. threatened
to cause the Germans to lose a large portion of the grain crop
which was nearing harvest. Several of the economic inspectorates
were completely in their hands. They concentrated on the isolated state
and collective farms and dairies and destroyed dozens of them with all
their cattle and agricultural stocks. Much the same conditions existed
in northwest Russia and some parts of the Baltic States. 70
As the summer progressed the situation deteriorated still further.
Inability of the security commands to control much of the rear beyond
the corridors along the major communication axes and the larger population
centers made the work of the economic inspectors almost impossible.
By July, 50 percent of the rayons in White Russia were under
partisan domination, complete losses not only economically but as sources
of labor. 71
68
Monatsbericht, WiStab Ost, Juni 42, KTB, Wi-Stab Ost, I .V.-30.IX.42.,
Wi/ID 2.346; "Report on the Effects of the Partisan Situation," 30 Jun 43. Wi/ID
2.53.
69
Monatsberichte, Mai, Juni, Juli 42, KTB, Wi-Stab Ost. 1.V.-30.1X.42. Wi/ID
2.346.
70 Ltr, Generalkommissar for White Ruthenia to Reichskommissar Ostland, 18 Sep
42. EAP99/96, Rosenberg Collection; Monatsbericht, Wi-Stab Ost, Mai 42, KTB,
Wi-Stab Ost, I. V.-30.IX.42. Wi/ID 2.346.
71
Monatsbericht, Wi-Stab Ost. Juni 42; Monatsbericht, Wi-Stab Ost, Mai 42,
KTB, Wi-Stab Ost, I. V.-30.1X.42. Wi/ID 2.346.