Partisans in the Forests of Belarus

It is most important that the historical aspects of the forest are also included with the other areas of interest.

There is an old Russian saying that if we keep only one eye on the past we are blind in one eye but to keep no eyes on the past then we are blind in both.

The forests of Belarus are remote and hostile and show what most of Western Europe was like centuries before. Now few of the original forests in Europe remain. Those forests contained a great variety of life both fauna and flora. Bison, wolf, beaver, lynx and wild boar all existed in great numbers.

During the Second World War, few are aware, of the incredible sacrifice made by the Russian peoples to the Allied War effort. Over 20 million gave of their lives : of the 5 million captured only 2 million survived. Belarus alone lost 2 million of its brave citizens and 7500 towns and villages were destroyed. Heavy artillery bombardment preceded the occupation and lethal persecution.

Our forest has also a story to tell.

1940/1941 Belarus was an occupied country. Given the choice whether to succumb to the Germans, become prisoner, or flee, groups of partisans took to the forests.

The partisan movement developed slowly – they were ill equipped and badly prepared but led by charismatic leaders. Possibly their first intention was to find havens but they quickly realised that they could be extremely effective against the German lines of communication. They became a thorn in the side of the then advancing German army. Operations caused havoc to the road and rail networks.

The conditions in the winters were extremely harsh with temperatures falling to below –35 C but without comforts of any kind, the partisans persevered and survived for up to three years.

The forest dominated by birch, spruce and oak was not only their home but also their larder and supply centre.

From the trees and ground cover came bedding, wooden cooking utensils, footwear tools and medicines. The tar produced from the bark of the silver birch was refined and used for axle grease, glue and poultices for skin disorders.

Accommodation, without nails, was erected, partially below ground, to complement concealment and preserve what heat that could be generated.

Food, although meagre, could be extracted  from reed mace and wood anthills for example, and although certainly not appetising it was nutritious. From wild flowers such as soap wart and yarrow came soaps, antiseptic, wound dressings and insect repellents.

Vodka and urine were also used to treat skin disorders and disease.

It is imperative that part of our project “keeps one eye on the past” to preserve traditional skills, artefacts and archive the knowledge that was once available.

Many countries in the world now chase their dying culture, Belarus has it in abundance to preserve.

My thanks to Ray Mears and his team for much of this information and to thank him for being sufficiently aware to include life in the forests of Belarus during the Second World War as part of his “Extreme Survival” series.