MILITARY OPERATION GROUPS

ˈMilitary Opeˈration Groups

Partisan formations which acted in the invaded territory of Magiliow Voblasc during the Great Patriotic War.

Also, the name of the command echelons of these formations.

These groups united partisan regiments, brigades, and independent detachments.

In April 1943, under the Magiliow Underground Voblasc Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus, the Magiliow Voblasc Military Operation Group was formed for the operational command of the partisan movement in the voblasc. At the same time, the Magiliow Partisan Formation (it included partisan brigades and detachments operating in the voblasc) was formed which was also named the Magiliow Military Operation Group. In July — August 1943, the Magiliow Underground Voblasc Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus formed the Rajon Military Operation groups under the Bialynichy, Bierazino, Byhaw, Kirawsk, Klichaw, Krugliansk, Magiliow, Asipovichy, Shklow Underground Rajon committees of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus which became part of the Magiliow Partisan Formation.

To improve Party leadership of the partisan movement in remote areas of the voblasc located east of the Dniapro River the leadership of which became more complicated due to a lack of communication facilities, the Magiliow Underground Voblasc Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus formed the South-Eastern and North-Eastern zones in April 1943; they were led by representatives of the Voblasc Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus Ja. M. Nikifaraw and M. V. Shpak. In March 1944, the 8th Ragachow Partisan Brigade was transformed into the Ragachow Military Operation Group which was redeployed to Magiliow Voblasc.

Military operation groups were disbanded as the territory of the voblasc was liberated by units of the Red Army.