The Partisan Movement

Overview

The Soviet partisan movement began immediately after the commencement of Operation Barbarossa. It was centrally commanded by OMSBON, very active and well organized to coordinate operations with the Red Army's military objectives. In 1941 the Soviets had very few experienced guerrilla commanders since the majority had succumb to Salin's purges so many. many partisan units were lost that year. But as the war continued partisan manpower grew to the equivalent of 30 army divisions. Despite their thousands of successful raids few had a major impact even in toto. But their ongoing operations successfully diverted and distracted the Nazis from battlefield operations sometimes resulting in Nazi units being pulled from the front lines to combat them.