"Historical" Partisans

[Grenzewolf]

Yay, First Historical post.

Ok history buffs and keepers of the flame of knowledge lets pick some brains.

I am currently working on a Eastern Front Partisan Campaign. The Front behind the Front had a huge effect on Germany's opperations in the East. Stalin recognized it and the communists planned, trained and positioned key persons for it well prior to hostilities. Stalin issued direct orders to keep the partisans well equiped and organized. The Germans constantly had to adapt and could only be reactionary to the growing threat to its supply and rear echelons.(reactions that usualy resulted in more partisans) The organization and coordination between the Front line Soviet forces and the rear embeded Partisans was a major factor in many of the major battles on the Eastern Front.

Im putting together a five part campaing simulating activity in the Bryansk Forest involving the Kovpak & or Saburov Brigades. I would like to gather more information on the Soviet Partisans as well as the Security/Reaction Forces of the Germans involved in the anti-partisan effort. Any information on units, their composition, weapons, engagements, leadership, ect.. would be helpful.

I have done alot of research but much of it is from a macro perspective or at the personal level that leaves out the detail needed to make a comprehensive Scenario with maps, personel and equipment.

I have what I believe to be a great out-line for a challenging and dynamic Campaign. Im hopeing some discussion and information may lead to a better understanding and realistic simulation on the table.

Current Scenarios Include:
1.Rail Road
2.Convoy (Forest ambush)
3.Bridge Protection
4.Supply Depot strike
(possible) 5. Airfield Attack
Final Engagement:
Partisan Camp Raid (If Germans meet Campaing Requirements)
or German Column Attack (If partisans Gain Men and Recorce Requirements)

The above will take Place during the 1943 time frame during massive Partisan escalation of overt activity. The Partisan Player will have the ability to increase the size and resources of his force while the German player will be challenged to minimize the partisan growth. The final battle will either be offense or defense.

I concider this a Historical Post and not Solely a Scenario Post because it is information I need more than Game mechanics.

Please Post your Thoughts and Insight. The Discussion is Now OPEN.

[cssmythe3]

Get this, my cooworker's grandmother was a 17 year old demolitions expert in a soviet partisan cell. She had a group of guys with guns escort her, and she carried the high explosives. She was responsible for derailing 14 german supply trains.

Maybe the WOTC guys will release some female partisan figs

I'll see if I can get any more stories outta the guy.

-Chuck

[johnnyonthespot]

Originally Posted by cssmythe3

cooworker's grandmother

Secondary resource, you mean!

[Y2UAsk]

After the war, the US Army conducted extensive interviews with captured German officers about various aspects of the war (chiefly as preparation for the time when the Cold War might become a hot war). They published a series of books and pamphlets summarizing what they learned from these interviews. One of them is called "Anti-Partisan Operations in the Soviet Union" or something like that. It's sitting on my shelf at home -- I can check the exact title tonight if you want. All of these books are fascinating (if not entirely objective), and because they were published by the government, there's no copyright on them. Most of them have been reprinted by private companies over the years in order to keep them available to historians and history buffs. You might be able to find a copy through Amazon or a used book store. There's another, much slimmer volume on Operations in Soviet Swamps and Forests, which also includes sections on partisan warfare.

The biggest difference between Soviet partisans and, say, French or Dutch partisans was that there were actual partisan armies in the USSR, not just small cells of saboteurs and assassins. Many of their members were regular Red Army soldiers who suddenly found themselves behind German lines during the rapid advances of 1941 and '42. These were able to carry out much more significant operations than the Western partisans. There were, IIRC, several full-blown battles between Soviet partisans and German security forces.

Steve

[Grenzewolf]

Chuck,

Great! I have Guy Sajer's account from The Forgotten Soldier I would realy like to hear of this type action from the partisan perspective.

One of the elements I will incorrporate into the Rail Road Scenario is how soldiers returning from Furloughs were organised into security/defense units for rail stations, trains and convoys. It was this type of incident Guy Sajer earned his Iron Cross. I wonder just how effective these temporary ad-hoc units were so I can decide whether to represent them as K98's or Fortress Defenders in the game.

Sabatoge though representing the largest contribution/activity by the Partisans will be difficult to represent in game but I am toying with ways to incorporate it with a larger operation represented by the scenario. ie Train Leaves Station or Remains.

Another item I would like more information and mabey you might enquire about. Was the issue of Native Defense Forces that worked initialy with the Germans during the early years. Many switched sides during '43 either under communist threats and pressure or German Unjust treatment. Initialy the Germans were welcomed by many as liberators and earned the peoples trust. The forward combat Commanders Governed fairly and gave the civilian peoples rights, freedoms, controls, protection and a economic base. This was all but destroyed latter when the forward combat elements moved on and new powers assumed control with opressive, dictatorial policies.

I look forward to hearing anything you learn.

[Grenzewolf]

Steve,

Rgr that! Great Resource. I have done research on the reference you mention. The Information has been placed on-line by the Army at www.army.mil (something something) books. But alas what I read onlineis rather watered down to a macro version mabey there is more detail in the hardbound or I didnt dig deep enough in the archives. I have a couple other books dedicated to the Eastern Front but darn it they are up-north at my cabin and my recall for names, dates and events has never been the best lol.

Thanks Steve

[spacepope]

There was a lengthy Partisan Warfare article I read recently. I wrote an executive summary when I was planning a similar campaign, although I lost interest. I will look for the file when I go home, and send you a PM to share ideas.

Initially, partisans were totally ineffective because local leaders and communists were speedily executed by advancing Germans. Eventually, coordination between partisan forces and STAVAK became very strong, with supplies being dropped and partisan leaders being flown out to receive additional training.

Strategic coordination allowed partisan units to attack undefended rail lines in conjunction with planned offensives, or draw units off the main line to weaken German defenses.

[Grenzewolf]

Originally Posted by spacepope

There was a lengthy Partisan Warfare article I read recently. I wrote an executive summary when I was planning a similar campaign, although I lost interest. I will look for the file when I go home, and send you a PM to share ideas.

Initially, partisans were totally ineffective because local leaders and communists were speedily executed by advancing Germans. Eventually, coordination between partisan forces and STAVAK became very strong, with supplies being dropped and partisan leaders being flown out to receive additional training.

Strategic coordination allowed partisan units to attack undefended rail lines in conjunction with planned offensives, or draw units off the main line to weaken German defenses.

Sounds Great Space Pope, I need as much information for inspiration as I can get.

I would have to read your article, much of my information points to the established local leaders such as mayors and constables remaining in place and retaining their authority. Hence the initial trust of the local population. The incidents you describe happened primarily after the forward elements moved on in the following offenses after several months of thier successful area govenance. These commanders held German soldiers accountable for any actions against civilians and even consulted local civilian authorities on punishment and reperation. Of course all these things gains were totaly botched by follow elements that took control resulting in one of biggest blunders contributing to the failure of the German Offensive in the East.