Desert zone: history of warfare and crimes committed by the Nazis in 1941 on the territory of the present-day Lipetsk oblast

Introduction. This research focuses on the previously unexplored Nazi crimes on the territory of the modern Lipetsk Oblast in the fall and winter of 1941. It is conducted as part of the nationwide project “Bez sroka davnosti” (No statute of limitation). Newly declassified information from the archives as well as historical evidence from both sides of the conflict allowed us to present a detailed description of those events. Methods and Materials. We used the principles of historicism and objectivity in order to explain the concept of Hitler’s Blitzkrieg against the USSR. We also employed the quantitative method to analyze the structure and equipment of German troops, their readiness for the upcoming battle. Analysis. The leadership of Nazi Germany initially considered the territory of the Soviet Union as their future possessions. Based on this, a policy of treatment of the local population and state property was built, which fits the definition of genocide. The Plans and legal basis for future crimes were developed prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Army corps 45, 134, 95, 262 and 293 Wehrmacht Infantry Divisions, which fought against the 34th and 35th army corps (Red Army), committed various atrocities against the civilian population, as evidenced in detail by archival materials and interrogations of German prisoners of war. Results. The system of the occupation regime was planned in such a way that it was possible to squeeze the maximum out of the occupied lands in favor of Nazi Germany. The behavior of the Wehrmacht soldiers in the occupied territory was destructive in relation to the Soviet population, cultural values and the economy. Technically and morally, the German troops were unable to recover from the defeat received in November-December 1941, while the Red Army was building up its forces and gaining the necessary experience in the fight against the enemy.