History 15/03/20 Soldiers which countries most fell into Soviet captivity during the war
We all know that during the Second World war, the Soviet Union was at war with Germany. Our enemies in the films, memoirs and research articles, as well as in everyday conversations are called Germans and not the other way.
However, it is not so much a misconception, how many persistent cliché, since already then, during the war, the Soviet people knew that they are opposed not only Germans, but also Romanians, Finns, Hungarians and representatives of other Nations. Who fought with us? What languages are spoke to the prisoners in Soviet camps in the years of the great Patriotic war?
Romanians
Romania took part in the attack on our country simultaneously with the army of the Wehrmacht. On the morning of 22 June 1941, the Soviet border was crossed by the 3rd and the 4th Romanian army of over 600 thousand people. From the first months of the war under the control of Romania were all Bessarabia and Bukovina. The Romanian units were occupied Odessa. Hitler gave his consent to accession to Romania of Bessarabia, Bukovina and between the rivers Dniester and southern bug. Here was created Bukovina, Bessarabia and Transnistria governorate capitals in Chernovrah, Chisinau and Odessa. In these territories there was an active romanization of the local population and the ruthless exploitation of people and resources in favor of the Romanian metropolis.
Romanian troops participated in the fighting in the Crimea, in Ukraine, in the attack on the Caucasus, in the battle of Stalingrad. The inhabitants of the occupied territories of the USSR recalled that the Romanians were distinguished by cruelty to the local population almost more than even the German Sonderkommando.
Until August 23, 1944, when Romania joined the anti-Hitler coalition, approximately 165 thousand Romanian soldiers were missing, most of them got into Soviet captivity. After 23 August, the Soviet troops were disarmed and taken plen about 100 thousand Romanian military. According to the archives of the NKVD, the Soviet Union, there were 187 367 prisoners Romanians, of them returned home 132 755.
the Italians
the Italian Expeditionary corps in Russia, established by order of Il Duce Mussolini, arrived in the USSR in August 1941. At the time of creation of the power of the case were as follows: 3,000 officers, 59 000 soldiers, 5500 vehicles, over 4,000 horses and mules. The corps consisted of cavalry, infantry regiments, artillery. In July 1942 the corps was reinforced and was named “Italian army in Russia”. The Italians fought on the territory of Ukraine, on the don. The Italian army was divided catastrophe the Wehrmacht defeat at Stalingrad. In total the battle killed 30 000 of Italians, 54 000 died in captivity. The Italian side left the USSR in 1943. Their defeat greatly undermined the popularity of Mussolini and the beginning of its collapse.
Most survived the occupation of Soviet citizens suggests that the Italians never committed atrocities as the Germans, and the guerrillas recalled that he treated the Italians, even with some degree of pity.
According to the NKVD, 1956, in the camps of the Union were 48 957 Italian prisoners of war, of which survived until liberation 21 274 people.
Spaniards
Franco open war on Hitler’s side didn’t want and kept the de jure neutrality of Spain during the Second World war. However, were recruited division volunteers who wished to fight against the Soviet Union on the German side. It is known as the “Blue division” — color blue of the shirts was a form of Falangists. The division departed from Madrid for military training and subsequent transfer to the front in July 1941. It consisted of 18 693 inhabitants, of which 641 officer, 2272 non-commissioned officer, 15 780 lower ranks.
Division participated in the siege of Leningrad and showed himself as efficient, but very undisciplined unit. Residents of the occupied territories remember that the Spaniards were thieving, which is not surprising – due to the lack of winterDidi they had to drag the local shawls, coats, boots and blankets – but not cruel.
the Division was disbanded in 1943, but some of the Spaniards remained at the front. From them was formed the “Blue Legion.” During the fighting with the red Army “Blue division” 4957 lost in killed, wounded 8766. 452 people were captured. Home to Spain from captivity after the end of world war II returned 382 people.
Finns
the fact that Finland is at war with the Soviet Union, Finnish President ryti declared on 26 June 1941. On the night of July 1, 11 infantry divisions and 4 brigades of the Finnish troops, numbering 150 thousand people moved in the direction of Vyborg and Petrozavodsk. By the fall of the Finns came to the Karelian isthmus to Leningrad and in October took almost all of Karelia. Under the control of the Soviet command remained only the White sea coast and Zaonezhye. Then the Finns went on the defensive in the occupied positions. In 1944 the Red Army began the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk offensive, and pretty soon both armies were in the positions occupied after the Winter war of 1939-1940.
the Loss of Finland in the war against the Soviet Union amounted to 82 thousand in killed and 2377 were captured. After the war, returned home 1974 people.
Hungarians
Hungary declared war on USSR June 27, 1941. 1 July on the territory of the USSR was invaded by the Hungarian Carpathian group consisting of 5 brigades with a strength of 380 thousand people. Carpathian group fought in the 17 th German army on the territory of Ukraine. In April, the Hungarian group was reinforced 2nd army with 200 thousand people. By January 1943, the Hungarian army was virtually destroyed during the offensive of the Soviet troops. In may 1943, what was left of the army of 40 thousand people – was allotted to Hungary.
In the occupied territories, the Hungarians took part in punitive actions against the civilian population. According to the testimony of survivors of the occupation, the atrocities Hungarians are inferior to the SS.
All in the war against the Soviet Union killed more than 200 thousand Hungarian soldiers and officers. According to archival documents, in Soviet captivity in may 1945 was 425 thousand Hungarian soldiers and officers. By 1948 the USSR in the camps was only 7506 Hungarian prisoners of war who were considered war criminals. In 1955 the Soviet camp left the last 370 the citizens of Hungary.
Source:
© Russian Seven
Recommended statesalaska… Share: Comments Comments on the article “Soldiers of which most countries fell into Soviet captivity during the war” Please log in to leave a comment! br>
Share on Tumblr
