Partisan and Anti-Partisan Warfare in German-Occupied Europe, 1939-1945: Views from Above and Lessons for the Present

This introductory article begins by sketching the general historical background of partisan and anti-partisan warfare in German-occupied Europe. It then briefly outlines the state of available primary sources, and the often heated, controversial character of the historiographical debates which are t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of strategic studies 2008-10, Vol.31 (5), p.675-693
Main Authors: Shepherd, Ben, Pattinson, Juliette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-partisan Warfare
Conflict theory
Europe
Federal Republic of Germany
Grand Strategy
Historical analysis
Historiography
Insurgency
Military history
Occupation
Occupations
Partisan Warfare
Partisanship
Population Policy
Regression analysis
Strategic planning
War
World War Two
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Summary:This introductory article begins by sketching the general historical background of partisan and anti-partisan warfare in German-occupied Europe. It then briefly outlines the state of available primary sources, and the often heated, controversial character of the historiographical debates which are taking place within this area. It then considers, at some length, the lessons which the five articles presented, offer for the present-day conduct of counter-insurgency warfare - lessons relating to the effects of higher-level strategic perceptions; to the potential, then as now, for directing a policy of 'disaggregation' against insurgents; to the importance of situating counter-insurgency warfare within the context of wider policies which are receptive to the needs of the occupied population and its social and cultural characteristics; and to the necessity of fielding counter-insurgency forces which not only are well-resourced, but which also, in stark contrast to the anti-partisan formations which the Germans so often deployed, conduct themselves in ways that cultivate the population rather than alienate it.
ISSN:0140-2390
1743-937X
DOI:10.1080/01402390802197803