ALBERT I

ˈAlbert I

Code name for the punitive operation of Nazi invaders against the K. E. Voroshilov Partisan Brigade in Uzda and Kapyl rajons of Minsk Voblasc on November 7, 1942 during the Great Patriotic War.

It was conducted by the forces of the 14th German SS Police Regiment, two security battalions, several tank companies, artillery battalions and special subunits under the command of the highest SS and police chief in Central Russia and Belarus, SS-Obergruppenfuhrer and Police General E. von dem Bach-Zelewski.

The punitive forces reached the distant approaches to the Staryca Forest from the town of Sluck, village of Gresk, and the urban settlements of Uzda and Kapyl on November 5, 1942. On November 7, motorised groups of the Hitlerites invaded the villages of Zapollie, Svidzichy, Rusakovichy, blocking the partisans’ withdrawal routes to the west. The main enemy forces advanced from the east and south in the direction of Lieniavichy village, trying to cut up the partisan forces, encircle them and destroy them piece by piece. The main role was assigned by the punitive forces to the tank company with riflemen landing forces on the armour. In the morning, it attacked the Staryca Forest from the south. Partisan artillerymen took the lead tank out of action, set fire to the second one, knocked out the landing forces from the armour and shot them, repelled 3 attacks by the Nazis. From the Vialieshyna Forest, the G. I. Kotovskij Detachment struck the punitive forces from the rear. On the eastern fringe, the Hitlerites were detained by partisans of the V. I. Chapaev Detachment. They repulsed more than 10 enemy attacks and twice launched counterattacks themselves. By the end of the day, the partisans had run out of ammunition and, by the order of the brigade headquarters, they retreated to the Vialieshyna Forest. The punitive operation was failed (see also Staryca Battle of 1942).

During the operation, the head of the partisan garrison and commander of the V. I. Chapaev Detachment, I. M. Tarakhovich (Dunajew), died.