Resistance during World War II

Quick Facts: Who was Resistance during World War II?

Subject:

Resistance during World War II

Known for:

Irregular forces in WWII, whose impact was largely political and moral rather than decisive military.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

During World War II, resistance movements operated in German-occupied Europe by a variety of means, ranging from non-cooperation to propaganda, hiding crashed pilots and even to outright warfare and the recapturing of towns. In many countries, resistance movements were sometimes also referred to as The Underground. While resistance groups played a significant auxiliary role in harassing the enemy, their military impact was limited, and they were incapable of liberating their nations alone. Overall, the effectiveness of resistance movements during World War II is generally measured more by their political and moral impact than their decisive military contribution to the overall Allied victory. By 1941, British assessment of Allied resistance groups suggested that although Nazi Germany now controlled much of Europe, only Czechoslovakia, Poland and (in Asia) China had considerable resistance networks.

Career & Major Achievements

Although by 1942 resistance groups formed in most occupied territories, the assessments of effectiveness of large resistance networks such as Soviet partisans and French Resistance suggests that they did not significantly hamper German operations until late 1943. All resistance movements were also significantly dependent on support from Allied powers. Resistance also encompassed activities beyond armed combat, such as sabotage, espionage, assisting escapees from Nazis, and other activities. Overall assessment of resistance effectiveness is a matter of debate among historians. Jørgen Hæstrup argued that resistance activities "influenced the course of the War decisively [particularly] in the psychological sector".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

According to Evan Mawdsley, however, in military terms, "the resistance did not do a great deal to achieve the strategic objectives" of major Allied powers, failing (with few late war exceptions) to regain territory or tie-down frontline German troops. J. R. Seeger notes that in specific campaigns, the resistance was considered highly valuable, and on the "rare occasions" resistance forces were able to tie down German troops, this benefited conventional Allied forces in that theater, but often resulted in "horrific Nazi reprisals". Mawdsley does, however, acknowledge that the resistance movements played "a significant auxiliary role in the area of sabotage and the gathering of intelligence", and that the movements had "great political and moral (and propaganda) importance", translating to their subsequent significant impact on collective memory. The resistance movements in World War II can be broken down into two primary politically polarized camps: the internationalist and usually Communist Party-led anti-fascist resistance that existed in nearly every country in the world; and the various nationalist groups in German- or Soviet-occupied countries, such as the Republic of Poland, that opposed both Nazi Germany and the Communists. Among the most notable resistance movements were: The Albanian Resistance The Belgian Resistance The Bulgarian Resistance (led by the Fatherland Front) The Czech Resistance The Danish Resistance The Dutch Resistance (especially the "LO" national hiding organisation) The French Resistance The Greek Resistance The Italian Resistance (led mainly by the Italian CLN) The Jewish Resistance in various German-occupied territories The Norwegian Resistance The Polish Resistance (including the Polish Home Army and the greater Polish Underground State loyal to the government-in-exile and the People's Army loyal to the Soviet-backed government); Slovak National Uprising Soviet partisans[a] Yugoslav Resistance Chetniks Yugoslav Partisans And the politically persecuted opposition in Germany itself (there were 16 main resistance groups and at least 27 failed attempts to assassinate Hitler with many more planned, and defectors to the Soviet Union and the anti-Axis resistance in Greece and France).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1941: 1941 Milestone — By 1941, British assessment of Allied resistance groups suggested that although Nazi Germany now controlled much of Europe, only Czechoslovakia, Poland and (in Asia) China had considerable resistance networks.
2. 1942: 1942 Milestone — Although by 1942 resistance groups formed in most occupied territories, the assessments of effectiveness of large resistance networks such as Soviet partisans and French Resistance suggests that they did not significantly hamper German operations until late 1943.

Notable Quotes by Resistance during World War II

“resistance activities "influenced the course of the War decisively [particularly] in the psychological sector"”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Resistance during World War II

True or False: “The primary measure of resistance effectiveness during WWII was its decisive military contribution to Allied victory.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Overall, the effectiveness is generally measured more by their political and moral impact than their decisive military contribution.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Kuper — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Influential British social anthropologist known for research in Southern Africa.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• Abdulsalami Abubakar — Historical peer (Born in 1942) (1942): Retired Nigerian Army General who oversaw the transition to democracy in 1999.
• Alexander Belyaev — Historical peer (Died in 1942) (1942): Pioneering Soviet science fiction writer, known as 'Russia's Jules Verne'
• Agustín Pedro Justo — Historical peer (Died in 1943) (1943): 18th President of Argentina, leading during the tumultuous Infamous Decade.
• Akaji Maro — Historical peer (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering Japanese butoh performer, director, and acclaimed film actor.

Frequently Asked Questions about Resistance during World War II