‹ Back

An archival project related to the transition of Belgians from the German army to Soviet partisans has been implemented. The archival collection of the Central Headquarters of the Partisan Movement is housed in RGASPI, while the Belarusian Headquarters of the Partisan Movement is stored in NARB. These collections are fascinating, but beyond them, numerous stories connected with partisans have been preserved in occupational, Soviet, and party archives across many regional repositories.

The partisan movement during the German occupation and the attitudes of local residents towards it were far from straightforward. The image of popular support for partisans was "painted" only after the war. In occupied Belarusian villages, there was a divide between supporters of Soviet power and those aligned with the Germans. While researching the history of the Belgians, I discovered interesting documents related to “Kalina.” This story seems to be unknown and reveals a vivid picture of life in occupied Belarus.

"Kalina" was the codename of a partisan liaison. She was a young girl from the village of Pristomy in the Smolevichi district of the Minsk region. Her real name was Halina Kostenievich.

 

In August 1943, there was a Belgian garrison in Prilepy. Halina worked as support staff in this garrison while maintaining contact with the partisans. Halina developed friendly relations with the soldiers and, through hints, identified a few individuals who wanted to join the partisans. The archive preserved her "combat diary," where she described this risky endeavor day by day.

 

August 19, 1943

I was at work in the Prilepy garrison. It was crucial to meet with the Belgians, and I had to seize the moment.

During lunch, I went to listen to music at the house where the soldiers were stationed. I met with the necessary individuals and subtly discussed the plan. I noticed the nervous expressions of two Belgian brothers (cooks Jan and Willy). I still doubted their sincerity and feared they might betray me. They noticed my hesitation and promised to prove themselves by giving me something after work. We devised a plan. They would pretend to collect firewood, and I would “forget” my lunch and return to retrieve it.

It worked: instead of bread, they handed me nine clips of ammunition, a grenade, and a box of small-caliber machine gun bullets. We agreed to execute the defection on Sunday, August 22, 1943. Everything would be prepared. During their defection, they planned to kill several notorious fascists and, if possible, seize additional weapons.

After returning home, I gathered my contacts and briefed them on the situation. I assigned a liaison to inform Dima and help coordinate everything properly. Awaiting results.

 

August 20, 1943, Friday

We discussed the meeting place with the liaisons, but it happened prematurely. The Belgians, apparently traveling from Smolevichi, were to be sent to Minsk the next morning, where they faced danger. So, they took 2,000 rounds, a carbine, a machine gun, and reached me at 5 PM. I wasn’t home—I was working in the field. My father guessed what was happening and called for me.

When they saw me, they were overjoyed and begged for immediate help, as someone would soon come for them. I had only one hour because their check-in was at 6 PM. They were so anxious that tears streamed down their faces.

Time was short, and I saw a listener nearby. I sent him to find any partisan group and bring them to the designated spot where I would be waiting with the Belgians. By evening, the partisans arrived and took the defectors. However, that same night, the Germans conducted searches in our village.

 

August 21, 1943, Saturday

Two Belgians, one a well-acquainted medic, told me I was being summoned to Prilepy because of an accusation linking me to the partisans. The medic assured me that he and the soldiers would protect me. I decided not to go to the commander in the morning. The Belgians fabricated something to the commander, who then ordered them to bring me in the evening.

Meanwhile, two officers and a soldier stayed at my house, suspecting that partisans might visit us that night. My parents were terrified. That night, I prepared for the worst but managed to convince the commander of my innocence.

This story continues with intricate details about Halina’s courage, her relationships with the defectors, and her daring maneuvers to support the partisans while evading German suspicion. Her bravery, documented in her diary, offers a profound glimpse into the complexities of life under occupation and the nuanced dynamics between locals, partisans, and foreign soldiers.

 

Sources: GA Minsk Region, f. 423, op. 1, d. 22, ll. 66-73.