UDC

94(470.51)«1942/1948»

Authors

Dmitriy V. Perevoshchikov
Udmurt Institute of History, Language and Literature, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; ul. Lomonosova 4, Izhevsk, 426004, Respublika Mordoviya, Russian Federation;
e-mail: dmitryizh76@mail.ru

Abstract

Based on archival documents used in a scientific research for the first time, the article examines some aspects of the functioning of the four largest camps for foreign prisoners of war on the territory of the Udmurt Republic. It should be noted that this topic is a blind spot in the history of the region. The article sheds some light on the poorly studied issue of foreign prisoners of war in Udmurtia from 1942 to 1948. The information presented here gives a clearer understanding of the life of prisoners of war not only in Udmurtia, but also in the Soviet Union as a whole, since this system of detention was in many respects similar throughout the country. For the first time in a scientific study, the chronological framework of detention centres for special groups located in the republic was outlined. Further, the article presents data on the number of prisoners in each of the camps and on the nationalities of former soldiers from the armies of the Axis powers who lived and worked in Udmurtia. Foreign prisoners of war worked in the shops of the Izhevsk Metallurgical Plant and on household plots, were involved in construction as well as peat extraction for Udmurtia’s large enterprises. In spite of numerous problems and low productivity of former soldiers of the Axis powers, the main goal set for the leadership of the four largest camps in Udmurtia was achieved: the prisoners of war contributed to the development of Soviet industry and construction.

Keywords

Udmurtia, Great Patriotic War, camps for foreign prisoners of war, foreign prisoners of war, special groups of prisoners

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