Operation of the Polish Railways by the Soviet Union in 1944–1945

Abstract

During the Second World War, the Polish railways were destined to become strategic lines on the path of the Red Army's liberation of Europe from Nazism. This circumstance required the Soviet command to develop new approaches to the management of railway transport in Poland, taking into account the model of administration and operation of steel lines of neighboring European states that existed by the end of 1944, liberated from the Nazi invaders. In addition to the traditionally used military operational departments, railway operational regiments, as well as military operational directorates, an institute was created for authorized representatives of the Central Directorate of Military Communications of the Red Army and the People's Commissariat of Railways of the USSR. The above body has successfully proven itself in the implementation of the tasks of transporting military cargo and contingents, while restoring the transportation of national economic cargo and passengers on the territory of Poland. This gave grounds for the creation of similar institutions of commissioners on the highways of East Prussia and Hungary. Thus, the article presents a largely unique system for managing the railways of the neighboring state by the Soviet military and transport authorities during the war years.