Nerubayske

Just northwest of Odessa is a small village called Nerubayske and there are catacombs with a total length of about 250 kilometers. Parts of the catacombs were hiding places for partisan units during Second World War. This area was occupied by Romania and they were well aware of the catacombs and that they were used by partisans. The problem was just that you did not know exactly where the partisans were among all the aisles. However, the partisans did not use all the aisles, but a few of which they had good knowledge. However, the Romanians did not have the same knowledge of the catacombs, which made it difficult for them to carry out successful attacks. The partisans were also feared by the Romanians. They were very reluctant moving in to far in the catacombs because they didn’t want to get lost or even worse, being captured. A few attempts were made to capture the catacombs but failed. The Romanians tried to force tha partisans out by pouring gas into the catacombs, but this method failed.

Life in the catacombs was a life in darkness and a constant struggle for survival. But there sleeping quarters, improvised lounges, washrooms, workshop and a hospital where it was possible to perform simple operations. But the partisans needed supplies and had to leave the catacombs to get supplies. Either in nearby villages or in Odessa. They also carried out sabotage operstions against the germans. In October 1942, the leader, along with a few men, went to Odessa to obtain supplies. But they were betrayed, captured and executed. No natural successor stepped forward and the partisans left the catacombs. They split up and joined other partisan units. For a few years after the war, the catacombs were used by criminals and groups because it was difficult for the authorities to find them there.