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

44 THE SOVIET PARTISAN MOVEMENT
cated little technical knowledge of such work. 9 Most of them were scattered
widely in their drops, and few were jumped anywhere near their
objectives. 10
Because of the short period of training, the carelessness of drops, the
small numbers involved, and the variety of objectives, the entire action
was regarded by the Germans as an experiment or wild idea conceived in
the heat and confusion of the early days of the fighting and not as an
attempt to foment unrest among the people and instigate a resistance
movement. 11
Communist-Led Units
Other agents were infiltrated through the lines, especially in the northern
sector. For the most part these were Communist Party functionaries
of the middle and older age groups who had been given the task of
organizing and directing partisan activity and political work in the overrun
areas. Operating through local Communist Party cells and informal
groups of pro-Soviet natives, they formed a number of loose-knit
guerrilla organizations and set up a communications net of sorts. These
partisan units comprised some 50 to 80 men, subdivided into 10-man
groups. They were headed by local party leaders, members of the
NKVD border guard, and managers of collective enterprises. Twentytwo
such organizations were identified behind Army Group North prior
to 13 July. 12 Their general mission was to foment rebellion in the German
communications zone, but they also offered some direct resistance
in form of sabotage and launched a minor reign of terror among the
natives, thereby creating considerable unrest and a decided reluctance
on the part of many to collaborate with the invader in any way. 13
Annihilation Battalions
During this same period, armed units of another type began to appear,
causing some disruption along the supply lines and considerable unrest
among the natives. These were "Annihilation" or "Destruction" battalions,
organized by the NKVD of Communist Party members, factory
workers, 14 overage members of the Red Army reserve, and volunteers.
They averaged some 100 men and women to a unit, at least 90 percent
9
"Final Report on Combating Partisans and Parachutists Along the Slucz River,
213th Security Division," 31 Aug 4 1. (Trans.). 14424/2.
10
Anl. Z. KTB, LIV Corps, 24.VII.41. 15420/5.
11
Ibid.
12 "Political Report of the Administration of the Political Propaganda of the Northwest
Front" (German translation from the Russia dated 15 July 41), in Anl. z.
KTB.I, H.Geb. Nord, 21. III.-19.X.41.14768/5.
13
KTB, 281 Sich. Div., 31 .VII.41. 15954/1; Meldung 26, Einsatzgruppe A,
18.VII.41. Footlocker 62, folder 4.