German Report Series: Rear Area Security in Russia

This publication was prepared by a number of German officers after the end of World War II. There were a number of these publications, many of which are in publication in the German Report Series by Naval and Military Press. They are all of significant importance in understanding the way in which the war was fought, particularly on the eastern front. Although not a long pamphlet, this is a description of how the Germans tried to maintain security behind the front line in the campaign in Russia. It should be read in conjunction with the Soviet Partisan Movement (also in the German Report Series). Rear area security is important, because it is in these areas that partisans, saboteurs and spies operate, away from the front line where security is much more stringent. It gives details of what the Germans planned, and how the Russians so often frustrated those plans, especially with attacks on rail and road communication networks, absolutely essential for the German Army supply and resupply function.