The 201st: A Critical Examination
An objective analysis of the formation, operations, and historical context of Schutzmannschaft Battalion 201 during World War II.
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Formation and Training
Establishment
Schutzmannschaft Battalion 201 was formally established by Nazi Germany on October 21, 1941. It was primarily composed of soldiers from the previously dissolved Ukrainian Nachtigall Battalion and the Roland Battalion. This unit was integrated into the operations of Army Group Centre in Belarus.
Composition and Leadership
The battalion comprised approximately 650 individuals, predominantly members of Stepan Bandera's faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN-B). While Yevhen Pobihushchyi-Ren, a former Polish Army major, was the nominal commander, the German SD liaison officer Wilhelm Mocha effectively held command. Notable figures within the battalion included Roman Shukhevych, who served as deputy commander and later became the supreme commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
Training and Tensions
During its training period at Neuhammer, significant tensions arose between the German command and the Ukrainian soldiers. Many Ukrainian members viewed both Germany and the Soviet Union as adversaries, with a particular animosity towards the Soviets. The battalion was issued German police uniforms. They departed for Belarus in March 1942, equipped with German police attire.
Service in Belarus
Operational Deployment
Upon arrival in Belarus in March 1942, Battalion 201 was deployed across strategic areas within the triangle formed by Mahiliou, Vitsebsk, and Lepel. The unit was dispersed to guard ammunition depots, protect German administration, and secure key infrastructure like bridges.
Anti-Partisan Operations
A primary function of Battalion 201 was engaging Soviet partisan forces operating in the Belarusian forests. The battalion's operations provided its members with practical experience in partisan warfare and offered insights into German counter-insurgency tactics. Records indicate that over 2,000 Soviet partisans were reportedly killed by battalion personnel during their nine-month deployment.
German-Ukrainian Relations
The strained relations between German and Ukrainian officers, evident during the training phase, persisted throughout their service in Belarus. These tensions reflected underlying political disagreements and mistrust between the occupying German authorities and the Ukrainian nationalist elements within the battalion.
Participation in the Holocaust
Documented Involvement
Historical accounts indicate that Schutzmannschaft Battalion 201 engaged in actions beyond anti-partisan warfare. Professor Frank Golczewski describes the battalion's activities in Belarus as encompassing both "fighting partisans and killing Jews."
Scholarly Perspectives
While specific, in-depth studies focusing solely on Battalion 201's role in the Jewish genocide are limited, historians like John-Paul Himka and Ivan Katchanovski note that German Security Police (Schutzmannschaft) battalions in Belarus were routinely employed in operations against both partisans and Jewish populations. Katchanovski suggests a strong likelihood of the battalion's involvement in the genocide of Jews and Belarusians, deeming the topic worthy of further investigation.
The "Partisan" Equation
Historian Per Anders Rudling highlights a critical perspective from Arthur Nebe, leader of Einsatzgruppe B, which stated: "The view that 'The Jews are without exception identical with the concept of partisan' was a key assumption of the architects of the German counter-insurgency campaigns." This perspective often blurred the lines between actual resistance fighters and Jewish civilians, leading to their systematic persecution and murder.
Contested Narratives
David R. Marples notes that Wiktor Poliszczuk claimed Battalion 201 participated in brutal village pacifications and had experience eliminating Jewish populations. However, Marples also characterizes Poliszczuk's work as a polemic with a Soviet perspective, indicating the complexity and contested nature of historical interpretations surrounding the battalion's actions.
Disbanding and Aftermath
Contract Expiration
The service contract for Battalion 201 expired on December 1, 1942. Upon expiration, the members refused to renew it. Consequently, the battalion personnel were detained and relocated to Lvov.
Refusal to Re-enlist
The German command proposed forming a new unit in Lublin for those who had served in the battalion. However, the Ukrainian members largely refused to sign up, and few reported to Lublin. Roman Shukhevych evaded arrest and went into hiding.
Subsequent Paths
According to Ukrainian historian Roman Ponomarenko, a contingent of fifteen officers, including Pobihushchyi and Brygider, later joined the officer corps of the 14th Waffen-SS Division "Galicia." This path diverged from that of Shukhevych, who joined the underground Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
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References
References
- True and False Lessons from the Nachtigall Episode Op-Ed by John Paul Himka.
- University of Hamburg, Prof. Dr. Frank Golczewski Europรยคische Geschichte. Anschrift.
- Heroes and villains: creating national history in contemporary Ukraine David R. Marples Central European University Press 2007 pp 207-208
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not historical analysis or judgment. The information provided on this website is derived from historical sources and aims for objective presentation. It is crucial to consult multiple scholarly sources and engage with rigorous historical research for a comprehensive understanding of this complex and sensitive topic. The creators of this page are not responsible for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information provided herein.
The subject matter involves sensitive historical events, including alleged participation in war crimes and crimes against humanity. This content is presented for educational purposes to facilitate understanding of historical events as documented in the source material.