The Red Army's Do-It-Yourself Nazi-Bashing Guerrilla Warfare Manual - 9781612000091

This third edition of the æThe Partisan's CompanionÆ is the last and best Red Army manual used to train partisans to fight the Nazi invader. Its usefulness outlived World War H, as it was later used to train Third World guerrillas in their wars of national liberation during the 1950s-70s, and even the Fedayeen guerrillas who fought U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq.

By the end of 1942, it was obvious that Germany was losing the war. The partisan ranks grew as did the training requirements for partisan commanders. The 1942 edition of The Partisan's Companion helped quickly train new guerrillas to a common standard. Besides field craft, it covers partisan tactics, German counter-guerrilla tactics, demolitions, German and Soviet weapons, scouting, camouflage, anti-tank warfare and anti-aircraft defense for squad and platoon-level instruction. It contains the Soviet lessons of two bitter years of war and provides a good look at the tactics and training of a mature partisan force.

The partisans moved and lived clandestinely, harassed the enemy, and supported the Red Army through reconnaissance and attacks on German supply lines. They clearly frustrated German logistics and forced the Germans to periodically sideline divisions for rear-area security. The partisans, and this third edition of their handbook, were clearly part of the eventual Soviet victory over Germany.

Les Grau is a retired U.S. Army officer who fought guerrillas in South Vietnam, and left on a stretcher. Consequently, his appreciation for guerrilla tactics came early in his career. The Army later taught him Russian, and his tours of duty included frequent trips to the Soviet Union. Mike (Misha) Gress grew up in the wilds of Siberia where everyone's dad, including his own, was a veteran of the fight against the Nazis. He joined the Soviet Army and served in the motorized rifle forces.