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

THE DECISIVE MONTHS: JANUARY—JUNE 1944
CHAPTER 11
The Northern Sector
In the Army Group North Rear Area the partisan situation had
steadily worsened toward the end of 1943. Throughout the year the
hands there had increased in size and especially in strength, although to
no such degree as in the central sector. In many areas they reigned
almost supreme, and in at least two rayons behind the Sixteenth Army
operated a wholly Soviet administration.' Despite their improved position,
however, they were not overly active, and throughout the sector
seemed more interested in biding their time and hoarding their strength
than in raiding German installations. Although only 250 of the 1,200­
odd miles of railroad in the 60,000 square mile sector 2 had German
security units permanently stationed along them, they set off but 439
rail demolitions in 575 attempts during December.'
Whether they refrained from more extensive operations on orders from the
Central Staff, conserving their strength until the Red Army should
launch a general offensive, or whether they were held in check by the
security commands is unknown. Their reaction to subsequent Soviet
moves, however, seemed to indicate Moscow's guiding hand.'
At the beginning of 1944 these bands comprised some 27,000 partisans,
in sharp contrast to the 140,000-plus behind Army Group Center.
Roughly 14,000 were in the rear of the Sixteenth Army, for the most
part concentrated in the area west and northwest of Nevel. The remainder
were in the Eighteenth Army rear between Lake Ilmen and
Lake Peipus. 5 The terrain definitely favored their operations. Almost
the entire sector was covered with dense forests and swamps interspersed
with numbers of small lakes, and was passable for heavy traffic only
1
Meldung, Nov. 43, Korueck 584, AOK 16, la, Ant. Bd. IV, Allgenzein, 4.XI.43.–
24.V.44. 54321/6.
2
This was exclusive of the Baltic States which were under a political
administration and where the partisans had never been a factor.
3
Sicherungstruppen und Bandenlage ins Bereich der H. Gr. Nord. Dezember 43;
Bandenanschlaege auf Eisenbahnen und wichtige Strassenbruecken, Dezember 43, im Bereich
der II. Gr. Nord. Both in OCMH files.
4
See: KTB, H. Gr. Nord. Ia. 12.1.-10.11.44. 75128/31, 75128/32, 75128/34.
5
OKH/Fde.H.Ost/Abt. (I/Bd.). 29.11.44. H 3/361; Bandenlage int Bereich der H.
Gr. Mitte, Stand: 1.1.44., H. Gr. Mitte, Ic/AO (Abw.), Bandenlisten, Sep.–Dez. 43.
65003/5; Bandenlage, Dez. 43, H. Gr. Nord, Ic/AO, KTB, Bandenlagekarten, Dez. 43.
75131/41.
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