Rail war

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A derailed German train with equipment during the rail war, 1942.

The Rail war^[a] was the name for the actions of Soviet partisans in the Soviet Union, especially in German-occupied Byelorussia and Ukraine. The operations were carried out with the intention of disrupting German logistics via the destruction of rail lines, thus preventing the travel of equipment and manpower to the front.

Overview[]

In June 1943, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Byelorussia adopted a resolution calling for the destruction of German rail lines, as well as a general strike of rail workers in order to prevent their reconstruction. It was also to be accompanied by intentional train wrecks and destruction of bridges and stations.

Partisans during the Second World War frequently used tactics recommended by the CPB, but were most frequently used during Operations , Concert and Bagration. In fact, Ilya Starinov, one of the primary saboteurs, helped organise the latter two operations. Explosives were heavily used during the rail war to destroy German rail lines. Many partisans used explosives which had been developed for the express purpose of the rail war, but others used grenades or improvised explosive devices.^[1]

Data on the rail war differs between German and Soviet sources, but it is commonly agreed that the partisans caused large disruptions of German logistics. Between 1944 and 1945, medals dedicated to participation in the rail war were awarded in Minsk.^[2]

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