SPECIAL BELARUSIAN RESERVIST TRAINING CENTRE

ˈSpecial Belaˈrusian Reˈservist ˈTraining ˈCentre

Special courses for training organisers of the partisan movement in the territory of Belarus during the Great Patriotic War.

It was formed according to the Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus in April 1942. It was located 18 km from the city of Murom in Vladimir Oblast (Russia). The training program was drawn up in the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus and approved by the People’s Commissariat of Defence of the USSR. The Central Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus engaged in the personnel selection, groups and detachments formation.

In mid-June 1942, the 1st turnout took place. 12 partisan detachments were formed, each of 50 personnel (including mine demolition instructors and demolition squad), commander, commissar, and headquarters chiefs. At the beginning of July 1942, all detachments crossed the Viciebsk Gate to the invaded territory of Belarus. The “Biasstrashny” (fearless one), “Bystry” (fast one), “Graza” (thunderstorm), “Mstsiviets” (avenger) detachments were sent to Viciebsk Voblasc; the “Bura” (tempest), “Gvardziejec” (guardian), “Znishchalnik” (destroyer), “Smierts Fashyzmu” (death to fascism) detachments, to Minsk Voblasc; the “Balshavik” (Bolshevik), “Za Radzimu” (for the Motherland), “Pieramoga” (victory) detachments, to Magiliow Voblasc. The “Miech” (sword) Detachment was headed to Dobrush Rajon, Gomiel Voblasc, but due to the heavy losses that the detachment had in the battles with German Nazi invaders, it remained in the territory of Bagushewsk Rajon, Viciebsk Voblasc.

The organisers of the partisan movement who were trained at the Special Belarusian Reservist Training Centre were transported to the enemy’s rear together with subversive groups (10–15 people). The groups were provided with military equipment and radio sets. Behind the enemy lines, detachments and groups effected contact with partisan detachments and underground party organisations, helped them to establish radio communication with the Central Headquarters of Partisan Movement and the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Bolsheviks) of Belarus, found patriotic forces. Their activity had a positive influence on the expansion of the partisan movement.

Many detachments (“Mstsiviets”, “Graza”, and others) and organisation groups grew into brigades and large detachments and in the course of hostilities inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. According to incomplete information, during the year of combat operations, 12 detachments destroyed more than 4,000 Hitlerites, derailed 71 enemy trains, burned 6 tanks, 4 armoured vehicles, 98 motor vehicles, 23 bridges, destroyed 2 enemy garrisons, etc.

In November 1942, the Special Belarusian Reservist Training Centre was disbanded. During its existence, 2,865 people were trained. 15 detachments and 100 organisation groups of them (a total of 2,378 people, including 60 mine demolition instructors and 2,318 demolition squad) were formed and sent to the rear of the enemy.