Punitive operation “Winter Forest” started 65 years ago

A Nazi punitive operation coded as “Winter Forest” started in the Vitebsk oblast 65 years ago, on December 27, 1942. The operation aimed to suppress the partisan movement and civilians in Vitebsk, Gorodok, Mekhovoe, Polotsk and Sirotino regions of the Vitebsk oblast during the Great Patriotic War. The operation was conducted by SS division #286 with the aim to turn the territories in the rear of the left wing of the Centre group of armies “into the burnt-over land”. During the operation, the Nazis killed 1,627 civilians, brought 2,041 people to Germany for forced labour, burnt down the villages of Arzheukhovo, Beloye, Charbomysly with the majority of their residents. On January 25, 1943, after sanguinary battles, most partisan units managed to break through the Polotsk-Nevel railway. They helped thousands of locals get into the Rossony region thus saving their lives.