Stalin’s Secret War: The NKVD on the Eastern Front

by Rupert Butler

The use of terror has been a characteristic of Russia from the days of the Tsars. The Okhrana was the oppressive police force of the Romanovs. Then came the Cheka, the OGPU, SMERSH and the NKVD-organizations that used terror to control every aspect of military and civilian life.

As a result, during ‘the Great Patriotic War’, Soviet soldiers and citizens feared not only the Germans but the tentacles of the secret police. To maintain iron discipline in the face of the German onslaught, to root out dissent and defeatism and to counter the threat of treachery and collaboration, the agents of the NKVD waged a merciless campaign against their own people. The full extent of this extraordinary wartime operation is told in Rupert Butler's compelling study.

Genres: History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about the NKVD and their work behind the lines and the Secret War that they led against all those who opposed the Soviet Empire. The book works its way through the war years onto the Cold War.

It will help understand some of the background to the dislike of Russians by some and loved by others in Eastern Europe.

[De Lijkendanser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite in depth into the machinations of one of Stalin's paranoia tools. Need yo get rid of thorough dirt? Scrub your floor with NKVD and everything is clean.

[Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnam ea et ratione voluptas quaerat delectus. At quos quia deleniti excepturi et accusantium doloremque. Ut debitis eos distinctio magni quo cum consequatur.

[ziombel · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Rupert Butler describes the actions of the Soviet secret police. The author starts from the origins and short characterization of the activities of the NKVD before World War II. According to me, this part could have more informations. Later it goes to describe the various activities of World War II, directed against all enemies of the revolution and socialism. At the end he shortly describes activities after war. In this book author described Katyn massacre, the great purge, fighting in Leningrad, Stalingrad and several other cities. Described is also a career of Beria, Stalin panic against traitors and conspiracies and the fight for control of the secret police.

NKVD dealt with interviewing prisoners, arrests, tortures and the fight against external and internal enemies. Russian soldiers who deserted or were taken captive by the enemy, were killed on the spot or deported to labor camps. Anyone who was little suspected of treason was immediately removed. Even the soldiers complaints about lack of food or ammunition were perceived as a betrayal of the Soviet Union. NKVD troops protected the rear of the Red Army, and if anyone tried to retreat, he was killed. Millions of people were deported to Siberia for even the smallest offenses against authority. Especially they persecuted poles, because Stalin hated them for stopping the invasion in 1920. The NKVD dealt with espionage.

According to me, book is interesting and written in a good way. The big drawback is the lack of an index of places and names. There is also too short. But according to me it is worth to read.

//polish
W tej książce Rupert Butler opisuje działania radzieckiej bezpieki. Autor rozpoczyna od genezy powstania i krótkiego scharakteryzowania działalności NKWD przed II wojną światową. Według mnie na tą część mógł poświęcić więcej miejsca. Później przechodzi do opisu rożnych działań z okresu II wojny światowej, wymierzonej przeciwko wszystkim wrogom rewolucji i socjalizmu. Na końcu krótko porusza działania po wojnie. Opisana jest zbrodnia katyńska, wielka czystka, walki w Leningradzie, Stalingradzie i kilku innych miastach. Opisana jest także kariera Beria, paniczny lęk Stalina przed zdrajcami i spiskami oraz walki o władzę nad bezpieką.

NKWD zajmowała się przesłuchiwaniem więźniów, aresztowaniami, torturami oraz walką z wrogiem zewnętrznym i wewnętrznym. Rosyjscy żołnierze którzy dezerterowali lub zostali wzięci w niewolę przez wroga, byli zabijani na miejscu, albo zsyłani do obozów pracy. Jeśli na kogoś padł choć cień podejrzeń o zdradę, był od razu usuwany. Nawet skargi żołnierzy na brak jedzenia albo amunicji były odbierane jako zdrada ZSRR. Wojska NKWD zabezpieczały tyły armii czerwonej i jeśli ktoś próbował się wycofać, był zabijany. Wywieziono miliony ludzi na Syberię nawet za najmniejsze przewinienia. Szczególnie tępiono też polaków, ponieważ Stalin ich nienawidził za powstrzymanie inwazji w 1920. NKWD zajmowało się także szpiegostwem.

Według mnie książka jest ciekawa i napisana w dobry sposób. Dużą wadą jest brak indeksu miejsc i nazwisk. Jest też trochę za krótka. Jednak według mnie warto ją przeczytać.

[Monty Mccord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished it a while back but forgot to report. I greatly enjoyed this book, although one of sadness. The author did his homework.