Who are Vlasov during the war?

The history of the Russian Liberation Army (ROA) is very contradictory. Over time, historians can not come to an agreement, when the army itself began to be formed, who are Vlasov and what role did they play during the war. In addition to the fact that the very formation of soldiers is considered, on the one hand, patriotic, and on the other, treacherous, there is also no exact data when it was Vlasov with his fighters who entered the battle. But first things first.

Who is he?

Vlasov Andrey Andreevich was a famous political and military figure. He started the Great Patriotic War on the side of the USSR. Participated in the battle for Moscow. But in 1942 he was captured by the Germans. Without hesitation, Vlasov decided to go over to Hitler's side and began to cooperate against the USSR.

Vlasov is still a controversial figure to this day. Until now, historians are divided into two camps: some try to justify the actions of the commander, others - to condemn. Vlasov's supporters vehemently shout about his patriotism. Those who joined the ROA, were and still are true patriots of their country, but not their government.

Opponents for a long time decided for themselves who those Vlasovites are. They are sure that once their boss and they themselves joined the Nazis, they were, are and will remain traitors and collaborators. In addition, patriotism, according to opponents, is just a cover. In fact, the Vlasovites went over to Hitler's side only in the name of saving their lives. Besides, they did not become respected people there. The Nazis used them for propaganda purposes.

Formation

It was Andrei Andreevich Vlasov who first started talking about forming the ROA. In 1942, they created a "Smolensk Declaration" with Bayersky, which was a kind of "helping hand" for the German command. The document dealt with a proposal to found an army that would fight against communism on the territory of Russia. The Third Reich acted wisely. The Germans decided to report this document to the media in order to create a resonance and a wave of discussion.

Of course, this step was primarily aimed at propaganda. Nevertheless, the soldiers who were part of the German army began to call themselves the military ROA. In fact, it was permissible, theoretically the army existed only on paper.

Not Vlasov

Despite the fact that since 1943 volunteers began to form in the Russian Liberation Army, it was still too early to say who Vlasov was. The German command fed Vlasov "breakfast", and in the meantime collected all comers in the ROA.

At the time of 1941, the project included more than 200,000 volunteers, but then Hitler did not yet know of such a large amount of assistance. Over time, the famous "Xavi" (Hilfswillige - "wishing to help") began to appear. At first the Germans called them "our Ivans." These people worked as guards, cooks, grooms, drivers, porters, etc.

If in 1942, the German army included just over 200,000 Xavi, then by the end of the year there were almost a million "traitors" and prisoners. Over time, Russian soldiers fought in the elite divisions of the SS troops.

RONA (RNNA)

In parallel with the Xavi formed another so-called army - the Russian People's Liberation (RONA). At that time, it was possible to hear about Vlasov, thanks to the battle for Moscow. Despite the fact that RONA consisted of only 500 soldiers, it was a defense for the city. It ceased to exist after the death of its founder Ivan Voskoboinikov.

In parallel, the Russian National People's Army (RNNA) was created in Byelorussia. She was an exact copy of RONA. Its founder was Gil-Rodionov. The detachment served until 1943, and after Gil-Rodionov returned to Soviet power, the Germans disbanded the RNNA.

In addition to these "nevlasovtsev", there were still legions, which were famous among the Germans and were in high esteem. And also the Cossacks who fought for the formation of their own state. They were even more sympathetic to the Nazis and regarded them not as Slavs, but as Goths.

Origin

Now directly about who the Vlasovites are during the war. As we already remember, Vlasov was captured and from there he began active cooperation with the Third Reich. He proposed the creation of an army in order for Russia to become independent. Naturally, this did not suit the Germans. Therefore, they did not allow Vlasov to fully realize his projects.

But the Nazis decided to play in the name of the commander. They called on the soldiers of the Red Army to betray the USSR, to register with the ROA, which they did not plan to create. All this was done on behalf of Vlasov. Since 1943, the Nazis have begun to give soldiers ROA more to manifest themselves.

Perhaps, and the flag of Vlasovites appeared. The Germans allowed the Russians to use patches on their sleeves. They had the appearance of St. Andrew's flag. Although many soldiers tried to use the white-blue-red banner, but the Germans did not allow this. Other volunteers, other nationalities, often used patches in the form of national flags.

When soldiers had patches with St. Andrew's flag and the inscription ROA, Vlasov was still far from command. Therefore, this period can hardly be called "Vlasov".

Phenomenon

In 1944, when the Third Reich began to surmise that the lightning war was not working, and their affairs were deplorable at the front, it was decided to return to Vlasov after all. In 1944, the Reichsführer SS Himmler discussed with the Soviet military leader the question of the formation of the army. Then everyone understood who Vlasov was.

Despite the fact that Himmler promised to form ten Russian divisions, the Reichsfuhrer later changed his mind and gave his consent only to three.

Organization

The Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia was formed only in 1944 in Prague. It is then that the practical organization of the ROA begins. The army had its own command and all the branches of the army. Vlasov was both the chairman of the Committee and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who in turn, both on paper and in fact, were an independent Russian national army.

With the Germans, the ROA was bound by allied relations. Although the Third Reich was involved in financing. The money that the Germans gave out was credit and had to be paid as far as possible.

Thoughts of Vlasov

Vlasov set himself a different task. He hoped that his organization would become as strong as possible. He foresaw the defeat of the Nazis and understood that after that he would have to represent the "third party" in the conflict between the West and the USSR. Vlasovtsy had to implement his political plans with the support of Britain and the United States. Only in early 1945, ROA was officially represented as the armed forces of the allied power. Within a month the fighters were able to get their own sleeve-insignia, and on the cap - the ROA cockade.

Baptism of fire

Even then they began to understand who those Vlasovites were. During the war years they had to work a little. In general, the army participated in only two battles. And the first was against the Soviet troops, and the second - against the Third Reich.

February 9, ROA first entered the fighting positions. Actions took place in the Oder region. ROA showed itself well, and the German command highly appreciated its actions. She was able to occupy Neulevin, the southern part of Karlsbeez and Kerstenbruch. On March 20, the ROA was to capture and equip the bridgehead, and also be responsible for the passage of the ships on the Oder. The army's actions were more or less successful.

Already at the end of March 1945, the ROA decided to gather "in a heap" and connect with the Cossack Cavalry Corps. This was done in order to show the world its power and potential. Then the West was rather cautious about the Vlasovites. They did not particularly like their methods and goals.

Also, the ROA had ways of retreat. The command hoped to rejoin the Yugoslav detachments or break into the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. When the leadership realized the inevitable defeat of the Germans, it was decided to go west on their own to surrender there to the Allies. Later it became known that Himmler wrote about the physical elimination of the leadership of the Committee. This is what was the first reason for the ROA's escape from the wing of the Third Reich.

The last event that remains in history is the Prague Uprising. Parts of the ROA reached Prague and raised a riot against Germany along with the partisans. Thus, they managed to liberate the capital even before the arrival of the Red Army.

Training

For all history there was only one school that trained soldiers in ROA, - Dabendorf. For all time, 5 thousand people were released - these are 12 issues. Lectures were based on a harsh criticism of the existing system in the USSR. The main focus was precisely the ideological component. It was necessary to re-educate the captured soldiers and grow up convinced opponents of Stalin.

Hence the real Vlasovites were produced. A photo of the school's badge proves that it was an organization with clear goals and ideas. The school did not last long. At the end of February it had to be evacuated to Gishubel. Already in April, it ceased to exist.

Disputes

The main dispute remains what the flag of the Vlasovites was. Many still claim that the current state flag of Russia is the banner of "traitors" and followers of Vlasov. In fact, it is so. Some thought that the Vlasov banner was a naval flag with the Andreev cross, and some individual collaborators used the modern tricolor of the Russian Federation. The last fact was confirmed even by video and photography.

Also questions to other attributes began. It turns out that the awards Vlasov one way or another refer to the famous for the present time dispute over the St. George ribbon. And here it is worth explaining. The fact is that the ribbon of Vlasov, in principle, did not exist at all.

Today it is the St. George's ribbon that is attributed to the defeated in the Great Patriotic War. It was used in awards for members of the Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia and the ROA. And initially it was attached to the Order of St. George in imperial Russia.

In the Soviet award system, there was a Guards band. It was a special sign of distinction. They used it when decorating the Order of Glory and the medal "For victory over Germany".