Book Review - Defiance by Nechama Tec and Edward Zick

Book: Defiance, by Nechama Tec and Edward Zick (Amazon link).

Overview: Tuvia Bielski and his brothers were Polish Jews who decide to save themselves and other Jews in Poland during WWII by fleeing to the forests and setting up an armed enclave within the forest. There, they faced extermination by the Nazis, and animosity from Soviet-backed partisans. The Bielski's enclave become a semi-independent member of the partisan movement, but was able to fulfill its primary goal of saving Jews.

Impression: I think this book is an important book for preppers and survivalists to read--particularly anyone who is planning on using a rural retreat--because it gives an idea of challenges and issues that can arise in a "retreat."

Notable Points:

1.  Food gathering. Although this group lived in one of the largest forests in Poland (more specifically, Belorussia), very little of their food actually came from the forest. There is some limited reference to children (the few that survived the Nazis) gathering berries, and adults gathering mushrooms, but there is no mention of hunting or trapping. If there was any hunting, trapping, or fishing, it was an insignificant source of food.

Instead, the primary source of food was from peasants and communities in the areas around the forest. Early on, when the group was small, food was generally contributed by peasants that were sympathetic to the Bielskis or other members of the group. Later, as the group became larger and became an official unit within the partisan network, food gathering was conducted at longer distances (generally over 50 miles from forest encampment), and in force. At this time, like all partisan groups, obtaining provisions became a matter of force (like a tax). (In one example, a member of the group recollected an incident where, on his first food gathering expedition, he asked a peasant if he could have a fur coat; he was reprimanded by a fellow partisan and told that they didn't ask peasants for anything, they just took).

It is notable that peasants would inform on others that had more food or special supplies. These informants would be rewarded; sometimes by nothing more than being passed over for having to contribute food at that particular time. Sometimes the motivation was nothing more than jealousy.

The lessons here is that hunting will probably not be a viable source of food; farms and small settlements will be a target for food and supplies. Although the partisans had strict rules against abusing the peasants, that would not be the case with raiders in a TEOTWAWKI scenario.

OPSEC is important. Your neighbors will turn you in or inform on you.

2. Security. The basic lesson summarized at the end of the book was that this group, which at one time exceeded 1,000 people, had an attrition rate of approximately 5% over its existence, versus over 50% for most partisan groups, and over 90% for other groups. The authors attributed this to two factors: (a) the size of the group gave it a distinct advantage over smaller groups--it was simply too large to be safely attacked by bandits or rival partisans; (b) the Bielski's emphasis on saving Jews and surviving over fighting the Nazis. The Bielski's justified their position to their Soviet leaders by providing support services and products to the other partisans, such as repairing weapons, making boots and clothes, and other types of services. It is notable that like other partisan groups, the Bielski's group would engage in reprisals against peasants or villagers that informed on them to the Nazis.

The issue for a prepper is physical security. The two main factors that contributed to the Bielski's success will probably be applicable to a retreat--size and not looking for trouble.

3.  Position and Prestige. Although all members were guaranteed food, clothing, and medical services, in reality the quantity and quality of food, and access to clothing and medical treatment, was the result of prestige in the group (i.e., people close to the Bielski's or other leaders) or because of particular positions. For instance, men with weapons were able to participate in food gathering mission, and therefore had access to better and more food, and could "liberate" other items like clothing and coats. Men without weapons were given only the most menial of tasks. Thus, the ownership of firearms brought a measure of position and prestige.

Obviously, certain tradesman that were valuable to the group, received food or clothing in payment for services. This put them at an advantage even if not engaged in fighting or food gathering. Good cooks were treasured both by the Bielski's group and the partisan groups generally.

Conversely, formal education (other than as medical doctors and nurses) counted for little or nothing within the group. Even an untrained laborer was better off within the group because they, at least, were used to hard labor and were better able to adapt to life in the forest.

Women were mostly dependent on relationships with men to obtain extra food or clothing. Thus, women generally sought to hitch up with men that could provide protection and go on food gathering expeditions. While women within the group apparently were not forced into relationships, or raped, women in smaller groups in the forest, or fleeing to the forest as refugees, were often subject to rape or murder.

The aged and infirm also faced discrimination within the group. Although the Bielski's were adamant that they would not turn anyone away, a lot of the people in the group wanted to get rid of the more useless members of society. 

The lesson for a prepper is that if you belong to, or join a "retreat" group, you can expect that once you are in a SHTF situation, your worth to the group will be measured more by your ability to defend the group or provide some valuable trade or craft, than anything else. Your business, liberal arts, science, law, or some similar degree won't be worth anything in a true TEOTWAWKI situation. If you lack skills and/or physical ability, you may find yourself turned out by your fellow retreat members.