The Partisan's Companion was produced by the Red Army to train
partisans to fight the Nazi invader. Its usefulness outlived World War
II, 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 US 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, ant-tank
warfare and antiaircraft 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 their handbook were clearly part of the
eventual Soviet victory over Germany. This pocket manual puts The
Partisan's Companion in context, explaining its importance.
