Reconnaissance and sabotage groups of the NKVD-NKGB of the KFSSR on the Karelian front (1941–1944)

Abstract

Training and activities of reconnaissance groups on the Karelian Front deployed by Cheka officers behind Finnish lines in the times of military actions of 1941–1944 are poorly studied by Russian historiography. Only few articles in printed media, separate memoirs, fiction books and special collections cover the activities of certain reconnaissance officers. Present article is one of the first attempts to explore the topic on the basis of the analysis of declassified materials of Karelian state archives and archives of particular agencies (primarily, the archives of the Federal Security Service Directorate of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Karelia). The author distinguishes three stages in the activities of the reconnaissance and sabotage groups of the NKVD of Karelia behind the lines of Finnish forces in 1941–1944. The distinction is made based both on the events on the Soviet-German Front, as well as the specific situation on the Karelian Front. Special attention is paid to the training process of the NKVD personnel of the Karelo-Finnish SSR who were deployed behind the enemy lines, among them the recruits of Finno-Ugric nationalities (Karelians, Veps, Finns). These officers had a good command of the Finnish language, knew the environment in the place of deployment and could successfully carry out assigned tasks. Alongside the records of efficient activities of the reconnaissance officers, the article notes the mistakes and drawbacks of the NKVD activities and their work behind the enemy lines. Such mistakes were caused by the lack of coordination and, at times, improper use of resources and manpower of the NKGB-NKVD of the Karelo-Finnish SSR, reconnaissance staff officers on the Karelian Front and the leaders of guerilla movement. Refs 15.