Warfare History

15 Remarkable Ways Partisans Resisted Invasion During World War II

Darren - October 13, 2025

During World War II, the rapid expansion of Axis powers led to the occupation of numerous countries across Europe and beyond. In response, diverse groups of resistance fighters, known as partisans, emerged to challenge the invaders. These courageous individuals, hailing from various backgrounds and nationalities, engaged in innovative and daring tactics to disrupt enemy operations, gather intelligence, and support Allied forces. Their unwavering commitment and resourcefulness played a pivotal role in the eventual defeat of the Axis powers.

NEXT >>

1. Sabotaging Railways

Partisans strategically targeted railway lines to disrupt enemy supply chains, often by blowing up tracks or trains. This sabotage delayed reinforcements and supplies for Axis forces, hindering strategic operations across occupied regions. In France, resistance groups focused on damaging both tracks and trains to render the railways inoperable, significantly impacting German logistics (iwm.org.uk).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

2. Intelligence Gathering for Allies

Resistance groups played a pivotal role in gathering information on enemy movements, relaying crucial intelligence to Allied forces via secret radio transmissions or couriers. Networks like the Polish Home Army provided details pivotal to the D-Day landings (encyclopedia.ushmm.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

3. Assassination of Collaborators

Partisans often targeted collaborators and high-ranking enemy officials for assassination, reducing the effectiveness of local puppet governments. The assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in Czechoslovakia by Czech partisans marked a significant resistance success. Heydrich, the acting Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia, was mortally wounded on May 27, 1942, and died on June 4, 1942. This operation, known as Operation Anthropoid, was a pivotal act of defiance against Nazi occupation (britannica.com).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

4. Distributing Underground Newspapers

Secret presses operated throughout occupied zones, distributing underground newspapers to counter enemy propaganda and bolster morale. Publications like France’s “Combat” informed citizens and coordinated civil resistance. “Combat” was founded in 1941 as a clandestine newspaper of the French Resistance. Its first issue appeared in late 1941 in Lyon, with a press run of 10,000. By May 1944, the newspaper had a run of 250,000 (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

5. Guerrilla Warfare in Forests and Mountains

Yugoslav Partisans effectively utilized the challenging terrains of forests and mountains for guerrilla warfare, conducting hit-and-run attacks on occupying forces. Their intimate knowledge of the landscape enabled them to execute successful ambushes and maintain control over liberated territories. For instance, during the Kozara Offensive in 1942, Partisan forces managed to evade encirclement by German and Croatian troops, demonstrating their agility and elusiveness in mountainous regions (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

6. Rescuing Downed Allied Airmen

Many partisan groups risked their lives to rescue and shelter Allied airmen shot down behind enemy lines. The Comet Line, a Belgian escape network, famously guided hundreds to safety. Founded in 1941 by Andrée de Jongh, the Comet Line assisted Allied soldiers and airmen in escaping occupied Belgium and France. Between August 1941 and December 1942, de Jongh personally escorted 118 individuals, including more than 80 airmen, from Belgium to neutral Spain, from where they were transported to the United Kingdom (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

7. Blowing Up Bridges and Infrastructure

Partisans targeted bridges and infrastructure to disrupt enemy troop movements. Italian and Polish resistance groups conducted such operations, impeding advances and forcing occupying armies to divert resources to repair efforts. For example, during the five-month “Cayuga” mission, Italian partisans blew up six railroad bridges and seven highway bridges, significantly hindering German logistics (nps.gov).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

8. Establishing Hidden Camps and Supply Bases

Partisans constructed concealed bases in forests or remote areas to evade detection and organize attacks. The Bielski partisans in Belarus set up camps that became safe havens for fighters and civilians alike. This became immortalized in the iconic anti-war movie Come And See (britannica.com).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

9. Sabotage of Industrial Plants

Resistance fighters targeted industrial facilities to disrupt Nazi war production. In Norway, the sabotage of the Vemork heavy water plant was pivotal in hindering Germany’s atomic ambitions. In 1943, Norwegian commandos led by Joachim Ronneberg infiltrated the plant, destroyed its heavy water supply, and escaped to Sweden. This operation significantly delayed Nazi efforts to develop nuclear weapons (bbc.com).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

10. Facilitating Mass Escapes and Shelter Networks

Resistance networks like the Dutch ‘Onderduikers’ and the French ‘Dutch-Paris’ line established shelters and guided thousands of Jews and other persecuted individuals to safety. The ‘Onderduikers’ hid Jews in private homes, while the ‘Dutch-Paris’ line, led by Jean Weidner, coordinated escapes from occupied territories to neutral countries. These covert operations saved countless lives during Nazi roundups (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

11. Organizing Symbolic Acts of Defiance

Resistance movements in occupied countries organized symbolic acts of defiance to maintain patriotism and morale. In Norway, students wore paper clips on their lapels as a subtle protest against the German occupiers, symbolizing unity and resistance. Similarly, in Poland, the “minor sabotage” campaign included actions like tearing down German propaganda posters and painting anti-German graffiti, such as the Kotwica (Anchor) symbol, to assert national identity and defy the occupiers (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

12. Direct Combat Engagements

Some partisan groups formed regular units, engaging in open combat with enemy troops. Soviet partisans, at times numbering over 300,000, conducted large-scale battles and liberated towns ahead of advancing Allied armies. For instance, during the Battle of Velikiye Luki in 1942, Soviet forces encircled and captured the German garrison, marking a significant victory. Similarly, the Battle of Batina in 1944 saw Yugoslav partisans, supported by the Red Army, defeat German forces, contributing to the liberation of the region (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

13. Disrupting Communication Lines

Partisans targeted communication lines to cripple enemy coordination. French and Italian resistance groups excelled in these covert operations, cutting telephone and telegraph cables, and sabotaging radio stations. For instance, the French Resistance’s “Plan Violet” focused on disrupting German communications by severing telephone lines and destroying relay stations, thereby hindering German commanders’ ability to coordinate responses to Allied landings. Similarly, Italian partisans targeted communication infrastructure to impede German military operations (dday.center).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

14. Infiltrating Enemy Organizations

Partisans sometimes infiltrated police forces or government agencies, feeding information to resistance networks or sabotaging from within. The Belgian Secret Army, known as the Armée secrète or Geheim Leger, was the largest resistance group in Belgium during World War II, with over 54,000 members. They engaged in intelligence gathering, sabotage, and assisting Allied airmen (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

15. Mobilizing Women and Youth in Resistance

Women and youth played vital roles in the resistance movements during World War II, acting as couriers, spies, and even fighters. In Italy, the Garibaldi Brigades, aligned with the Italian Communist Party, were among the largest partisan groups, with women contributing significantly to their operations. Women often served as “staffette” (couriers), delivering messages and supplies between partisan units, while others participated directly in combat. Youth also played a crucial role, with many young Italians serving as guides across the mountains, helping steal food, weapons, and clothing for the partisans (encyclopedia.com). One notable example is Marisa Diena, an Italian-Jewish resistance fighter who joined the Garibaldi Brigades. She acted as a courier, delivering messages and supplies, and later became the Vice-Commander of Information services for her brigade in 1944. The contributions of women and youth were essential to the success of resistance movements, demonstrating courage and determination in the face of occupation.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Conclusion

The ingenuity and bravery of partisan resistance during World War II significantly disrupted Axis operations, delayed enemy progress, and saved countless lives. Their diverse actions—from sabotage and intelligence gathering to direct combat and facilitating escapes—undermined occupation forces and bolstered Allied efforts. These courageous movements not only contributed to the war’s outcome but also laid the groundwork for postwar reconstruction and the enduring remembrance of their sacrifices (en.wikipedia.org).

<< Previous