The Red Cross Activities in the River Transportation During the Great Patriotic War (The Middle Volga Case)

Abstract

Introduction. The Red Cross during the Great Patriotic War contributed significantly to the provision of medical care to both Soviet soldiers and the local population. According to the policy of centralizing public organizations, the Red Cross was integrated into the public authorities and subjected to the Party organs and the People’s Commissariat for Health Care. Materials and methods. The study is based on the objectivity principles and applies general scientific as well as specific historical methods. The paper is mainly based on unpublished archival materials. Analysis. The paper shows the activities of the Red Cross regional division – the Middle Volga Basin Committee that can be an example of multifunctional use of the organization. The Red Cross Middle Volga Basin Committee was formed in 1939. The paper goal is to establish the importance of the Red Cross of the Middle Volga Steamship Lines in the Great Patriotic War and particularly in the Battle of Stalingrad. From summer 1942 near frontline Middle Volga was a link in the transportation of the wounded and evacuated population from the Lower Volga region. The basic personnel of the Middle Volga Red Cross were women. Their selfless effort and efficiency were noted by hospitals. Results. In difficult conditions, particularly in 1942–1943 the Middle Volga Red Cross Committee fulfilled various tasks to ensure sanitation in the Volga section it was charged with. It trained sanitary and medical personnel for the Red Army and People’s Commissariat for Health Care. The organization educated the population on first aid, including assisting in preparation for the “Ready for Sanitary Defense” test. The Middle Volga Red Cross worked in evacuation hospitals and posts, and in ambulance ships. Besides the organization contributed to preventive anti-epidemic measures. Authors’ contribution. O.A. Gomanenko and E.L. Golovina jointly studied historiography, archival materials and made conclusions on the subject.