DAMACHAVA BATTLES OF 1943

Daˈmachava ˈBattles of 1943

Battles between partisans of the K. E. Voroshilov and G. K. Zhukov detachments, J. V. Stalin Partisan Brigade (Brest Voblasc) on the one part and German Nazi invaders on the other part at the Damachava-Tavarnaja railway station on October 23, 1943, and in Damachava urban settlement, Brest Voblasc, on November 22, 1943, during the Great Patriotic War.

On the night of October 23, 1943, at the Damachava-Tavarnaja railway station, partisans of the K. E. Voroshilov detachments (V. M. Grabianiow was a commander) and the G. K. Zhukov one (V. U. Katkow) exploded the fortifications raised by the Hitlerites, destroyed the station equipment, burned a train with bread and potatoes which was intended to be sent to Germany, and killed 18 Nazis.

The enemy garrison in Damachava numbered roughly 150 Wehrmacht soldiers who were located 400 m from the settlement in a 2‑story brick school building, adapted for circular defence, and roughly 100 police and gendarmerie soldiers who conquered positions in the strongest buildings in the centre of the settlement.

Preparations for the defeat of the garrison were conducted for about three weeks. The K. E. Voroshilov Partisan Detachment participated in the operation. On November 22, the cover group blocked the Brest — Uladava highway at the roads intersection from the villages of Liapliowka and Dubica, and made ambushes on the roads from the side of Tamashowka and Slavacichy villages. Another group immobilised the enemy in the school building with heavy fire. The assault group seized the police station with a swift dash.

As a result of the battle, the garrison barracks were destroyed; arms, uniforms, 200 cattle heads and food which the invaders had looted from the population were seized. Partisans destroyed more than 50 Hitlerites, lost two people killed and three wounded.