The Red Army's Do-It-Yourself, Nazi-Bashing Guerrilla Warfare Manual

The Partizan's Companion, 1943

Lester Grau, Michael Gress, Lester Grau, Michael Gress

• Publisher: Casemate
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781612000091
• eBook ISBN: 9781612000206
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: World War II
• Index: History

The WWII Soviet guerilla training manual that became an essential text for freedom fighters across the globe—complete with illustrations.
 
When Germany invaded the Soviet Union during World War II, the Red Army began recruiting local partisans to help mount a resistance. This edition of The Partisan's Companion is the last and best Red Army manual used to train these men to fight Nazi invaders. Besides field craft, it covers partisan tactics, German counter-guerrilla tactics, demolitions, German and Soviet weapons, scouting, camouflage, anti-tank warfare, and antiaircraft defense for squad and platoon-level instruction. It contains the Soviet lessons of two bitter years of war and provides a good look at the tactics and training of a mature partisan force.
 
While this handbook was a vital part of Soviet victory over the Nazis, its usefulness outlived the Second World War. It was later used to train guerrilla groups in the developing world during their wars of national liberation in the 1950s–70s. Even the fedayeen guerrillas who fought US and coalition forces in Iraq relied on this manual for training, tactics, and general approach to combat.
 
A selection of the Military Book Club.

I.

FUNDAMENTAL PARTISAN TACTICS

CROSSING THE FRONT LINE

Crossing the front line into the enemy’s rear takes very meticulous preparation. Communications with a Red Army commander is one of the main conditions to make it successful.

Tirelessly observe the enemy and conduct systematic reconnaissance. Collect information about the enemy, his force’s location, his flanks, the boundaries between units, the deployment of his weapons systems, the location of his engineer obstacles, etc.

Also learn about the region where your detachment is going to operate. Studying a map and talking to the locals will give you a chance to orient yourself even on a totally unfamiliar terrain. Find the location of forests, open and broken terrain, populated areas, gullies, rivers and bridges. It is a good idea to find knowledgeable guides who are thoroughly familiar with the terrain and have connections among the local population. All of that will let you choose the most appropriate place to cross the front line.

The enemy should not be able to detect your crossing. Before starting, it is necessary to check weapons and equipment and adjust them well so nothing will be loose and make noise or shine.

To protect military secrets, do not take your documents, personal letters and photos with you.

The best weather for front line crossing is during fog, rain, strong wind (coming from the enemy’s side), snow, and blizzard. The best time to cross is during the dark of night.

While crossing the front line, the partisans must avoid skirmishes with the enemy’s units. Do not stop unless it is an emergency – go through the tactical depth of the Front in one single spurt. Try to mass the forces in the planned operational area as soon as possible and start surprise partisan actions in the enemy’s rear area.

If there are some unoccupied sectors of the enemy’s defense, a group of partisans can move into the enemy’s rear area comparatively easily if they cross at night using reconnaissance and security measures.

But quite often the situation is more difficult. Then the group of partisans infiltrates the area by crawling from one concealed area to another. At the same time, send some fighters to the flanks. They can divert the enemy’s attention away from the real direction of the group’s movement.

If the front line is heavily saturated with enemy forces then the partisan detachment will infiltrate in small groups and, sometimes, by individual combatants. In such a situation, it is very important to designate a gathering point behind the front line.

While crossing the front line, the partisans could run into enemy’s firing positions in the depth, as well as enemy reserves, patrols and security forces. It is better to be prepared for such encounters in advance and always be on your guard and ready to fight. Reconnaissance and security measures are your precautions against the unexpected.

It is imperative to observe all measures of concealment: no smoking, chatting with comrades or coughing. Move with light careful steps. Avoid moving on roads – they are used by the enemy for reconnaissance and patrols. The enemy puts mines on them and on trails and sets ambushes near them. When moving with a compass or with a guide during the night – do not forget to use your hearing. Try to move at night through the areas that are most saturated with the enemy and move through the concealed and safe areas at dawn.

While moving through the forest, avoid emerging onto meadows, roads and forest cuttings. Pay special attention to buildings that stand alone – they require meticulous reconnaissance. When you are sure that there is no enemy – move forward fast.

Keep in mind that it is possible to run into the fascist’s submachine-gun ambush. They could be concealed in the folds of the terrain, shell holes, houses and in the trees in the forest. The submachine-gunners can let a partisan group pass and then open up with intensive fire from the rear to create panic. Remember: the fascist submachine-gunners’ fire is mostly for the moral effect. Usually, the losses that it inflicts on troops are insignificant. When a partisan group suddenly runs into an ambush, the partisans should drop to the ground. Previously designated fighters – submachine-gun hunters – should kill them. While a submachine-gunner is shooting, the fighters identify the direction of fire and close in on him by quick bounds, gradually surrounding him. If the shooting suddenly stops – the shooter is looking for a target. It is necessary to lie down and conceal yourself. As soon as he opens fire again – continue to move closer to him.

In all cases of sudden encounters with the enemy – try to determine his strength. And after that – either fight to destroy the enemy or leave quickly changing your direction. After the partisans lose the enemy, they can resume moving in the original direction toward the planned objective.

If partisans, who are moving in the enemy’s rear, meet a local inhabitant, they must take precautionary measures. If the local has been intercepted by a reconnaissance patrol and has not seen the main body of the partisan detachment, he must be led away so that he can not see all the partisans and determine their strength and direction of movement. After waiting for the main partisan group to pass undetected, the patrol interrogates and releases the detained local.

If the local has seen the partisan detachment’s main group, then he must be detained and thoroughly searched and interrogated to determine that he does not belong to the fascist police or the local administration that the Hitlerites install in the captive regions. It is also desirable to get information about the enemy from him. In order to hide the true direction from the local, the detachment must change it. The detained local should accompany the detachment for several kilometers. After that, leave him under guard of at least two partisans while the detachment vanishes from view and moves for a sufficient distance. After that the detained local may be released. The detachment will again change the direction and go to the designated area.

On the return journey, when crossing the front line from the enemy’s rear area into the area controlled by Red Army units, use the same rules as described before. Do not forget about meticulous camouflage

. Carefully study the route and the crossing sector. Let the Red Army units know about your impending crossing. It would be the best to concentrate initially in one of the concealed areas 10 to 12 kilometers from the front line – behind the enemy’s forward combat formations. In that area, the partisans rest and prepare themselves for the crossing. After that, they should make the last bound to friendly forces.

While crossing the front line – do not forget about conducting reconnaissance for the Red Army. Remember: you are bringing out the most current information about the enemy.

RECONNAISSANCE

Every partisan, while operating in the enemy’s rear area, always and everywhere conducts reconnaissance. The success of all partisan combat actions depends first and foremost on continual and meticulous reconnaissance.

The reconnaissance should be done covertly while thoroughly camouflaged in order not to disclose the location and size of your detachment.

Remember: a partisan carries on reconnaissance not only for his detachment’s interests but also for the interests of Red Army units. You must help the Red Army to learn about the enemy, find out its might, discover unit locations, minefields, firepower, logistics bases, etc. Also, let the Red Army know about enemy combat preparations and troop regroupings. Always try to get the most accurate and concrete information about the enemy.

Partisans should not limit themselves to combat reconnaissance—by observation or combat. They should collect information from reliable tested comrades, Soviet patriots from within the local population. Do not hesitate to enter the localities occupied by the enemy. Dress yourself as a local inhabitant and behave accordingly.

It is helpful to capture a “tongue” – an enemy prisoner. You can get necessary information from him. Try to transfer the prisoner to military command.

Every scout should acquire the necessary skills in map reading, moving on an azimuth, knowing how to camouflage himself and how to get ones bearings in unfamiliar terrain.

It is necessary to develop your skills of observation in order to ensure that you do not miss any details. A scout will have to climb trees, cross rivers and marshes, stay out in the rain and mud for a long time and endure other difficult conditions. You must toughen yourself and develop the necessary qualities of a scout – self-control and persistence.

The scout should try, if possible, to avoid taking notes about collected information. Develop your memory. Try to remember all relevant things in detail.

Read the “RECONNAISSANCE” chapter for the rules of how to conduct reconnaissance against different targets.

FIELD LOCATION

Partisans establish a field location to recuperate after difficult marches and combat, to provide help to wounded and to sick comrades.

A large forest is the best and most reliable shelter during any season. This is the place to build camouflaged dug-outs and lean-tos (look into the “March and Bivouac” chapter for how to do this). Fascists avoid going into the forests.

Partisans should camouflage their base thoroughly. It is necessary to hide not only the base location but also the tracks that could betray the detachment (especially in the wintertime). These are the principle methods of masking these tracks: 1) Try to enter and leave the forest during rain or snow – then the tracks will be washed away or covered with snow; 2) Select hard and stony paths where there will be no tracks; 3) Step carefully into your comrades’ tracks.

A camp-fire is necessary for cooking and drying clothing. To learn how to make and hide the campfires – look into the “March and Bivouac” chapter.

The resting detachment must organize reliable security. The partisans’ patrols should be located at a distance that would not let the enemy make a sudden attack on the detachment’s main forces. The distance and position of the patrols depends on the terrain and other conditions. There should not be any fixed pattern. If the detachment is located on broken ground with thick vegetation, then you might be need two or more lines of security instead of one.

In addition to the immediate security posted when staying in a forest, you should post separate observers at the forest edge and on the approaches where the enemy would most probably come from. During daytime, these observers may climb trees to obtain good observation sectors.

It is necessary to develop a signal system to warn the detachment of an enemy threat. These signals must be passed quickly and reliably.

When living in dug-outs, make two exits instead of just one – exiting in opposite directions. If there is enough time, connect the dug-outs with underground passageways. Near the dug-outs, construct foxholes with overhead cover. Place simple obstacles against enemy tanks and infantry on the camp’s approaches. Land mines should be placed on the main approaches. The mine’s explosion will not only kill the fascists, but will also serve a signal to the partisans.

As a rule, partisans should avoid staying in inhabited areas. It is possible to do so only in those areas free of enemy troops and where it would take a significant amount of time for the enemy to come. In any case, it must be done only after very painstaking reconnaissance.

It is a must to establish reinforced security both in the inhabited area and on its approaches. The houses and streets must be guarded by sentries, patrols and observers. The local inhabitants should not be permitted to leave and all newcomers should be detained and sent to the command detachment. In order to prepare against an enemy unexpected attack, the inhabited area must be fitted out for a defense. Signals, the area for assembly upon alarm, withdrawal routes, should be determined. The duty sub-unit must be selected and put on guard. The vigilance of the security elements must be checked as often as possible.

While resting in any place – keep your weapons close and ready. When leaving the rest area or halt – remove all traces of your partisans presence. Do not leave any noticeable signs behind.

DESTROYING ENEMY TARGETS

Every partisan is obliged to find and destroy the enemy. While exterminating the fascists also destroy and disrupt his logistics areas which feed the Hitlerites. Know those targets in the enemy’s rear area whose destruction will cause the most damage and weaken his forces:

a) Enemy Lines of Communications: railroads, highways, dirt and country roads (cart-tracks) used to move enemy forces and supplies; bridges; railroad structures – water towers, railroad switches, stations, depots, turntables, signal systems; filling stations on highways.

b) Communications Means: telegraph and telephone lines and stations, stationary and mobile radio stations, couriers carrying military correspondence.

c) Transportation Means: automobiles, tanker trucks, tractors, trailers, steam engines, railroad cars, airplanes and any wheeled transport.

d) Airfields: landing strips, aircraft hangars, fuel and ammunition storage.

e) Artillery Parks: cannon, artillery rounds, propellant charges storage sites and also other types of armament – rifles, machine-guns, mortars. Destroy only those weapons that you cannot take with you, bury or hide them.

f) Depots: weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, forage, clothing and personal equipment.

g) Plants and Shops used by the enemy to repair combat equipment and machinery.

To learn how to destroy enemy targets by the simplest means – see the “Explosives and Demolition” chapter.

Also find and destroy the fascists’ chemical weapons – chemical depots, barrels, large cans and cylinders filled with toxic agents; chemical artillery shells; bombs; mortar shells; and various transport used to carry toxic agents. To know how to recognize the chemical objects hidden by the fascists and how to destroy them – see the “Protection from the Chemical Attack” chapter.

Success in any operation in the enemy rear area depends, in the first place, on the partisans’ meticulous preparation. Even if there is no enemy presence in the immediate proximity – prepare yourself for an unexpected encounter with them. Conduct continuous and thorough reconnaissance of the targeted objective. The reconnaissance will give you the ability to discover the most vulnerable spot of the objective, the forces and means required for its destruction, the composition of the enemy guard and the most convenient and covert approaches.

When preparing to the operation – you must know:

a) Which vital element of the target is it necessary to destroy first and what means you will use – weapons fire, demolition or burning. Depending on this – prepare all the necessary means.

b) Time of the attack – day, night or dawn.

c) Signals for the beginning and end of the assault.

d) The withdrawal routes and the assembly area after the operation.

The element of surprise is the main requirement for the partisans’ assault on any enemy objective. All preparation should be done with the strictest secrecy. Follow all the rules of covertness and camouflage. Immediately before the assault – cut off the communications between...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• THE PARTISANS COMPANION
• XXV Anniversary
• ORDER of the Peoples’ Commissioner of Defense November 07, 1942
• ON PARTISAN WARFARE
• Chapter I. FUNDAMENTAL PARTISAN TACTICS
• Chapter II. HOW THE FASCISTS ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THE PARTISANS
• Chapter III. EXPLOSIVES AND DEMOLITION
• Chapter IV. COMBAT WEAPONS
• Chapter V. REVOLVER AND PISTOL
• Chapter VI. BE ABLE TO USE THE ENEMY’S WEAPONS
• Chapter VII. RECONNAISSANCE
• Chapter VIII. CAMOUFLAGE
• Chapter IX. HOW TO FIGHT ENEMY AVIATION
• Chapter X. ANTI-CHEMICAL PROTECTION
• Chapter XI. HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT
• Chapter XII. RENDERING FIRST AID
• Chapter XIII. MARCH AND BIVOUAC
• Chapter XIV. HOW TO STORE FOOD
• Chapter XV. LIFE IN THE SNOW
• Chapter Notes