Focus ROMI.HR

The Second World War began for the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, when Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the USSR. The attack caught the Soviet Union off guard, leading to a large-scale conflict that lasted until 1945. Roma people, who lived scattered across various parts of the USSR, particularly in areas such as Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, were caught in the chaos. With limited resources, opportunities and a complex relationship with both the Soviet authorities and the invading forces, many Roma communities were more focused on survival than on military involvement. 

During World War II Roma faced the very real threat of annihilation under Nazi occupation. The war, particularly under Hitler's regime, posed an existential threat to Roma people, with Roma very survival hanging in the balance. The Second World War marked a turning point, where Roma's participation in military efforts became not just a matter of allegiance, but one of sheer survival.

Initially, the National Socialists (Nazi) intended to sterilise Roma population as part of their broader plan to eliminate groups they deemed "racially inferior." The goal was to prevent future generations of Roma, leading to their slow, systematic extermination over time. However, this plan soon evolved into something far crueller. The Nazis ultimately abandoned sterilization in favour of mass murder, deciding to kill Roma outright, just as they did with Jews, Slavs, disabled individuals and other marginalized groups. This shift marked the beginning of Genocide on Roma, known as the Porajmos, during which thousands and thousands of Roma were murdered in concentration camps, extermination sites and through mass executions across Nazi-occupied Europe.

As the threat of Nazi atrocities loomed over Europe, many Roma were initially sceptical about the possibility of the horrors they would soon face. Having long been marginalized and persecuted, Roma were understandably cautious about the information they received, often dismissing such claims as exaggerated or politically motivated. Their scepticism was rooted in a history of distrust towards outside authorities, as well as a cultural tendency to focus on survival in the present rather than the uncertain future. 

Some Roma were also not strongly motivated to participate in the war as part of the Red Army because they were often poorly treated and discriminated against by both fellow soldiers and the military authorities. This resistance to conscription often led to significant problems for them and their families, as the authorities quickly discovered their attempts to evade service. Despite this, the majority of Roma ultimately joined the Red Army, driven by a sense of duty and the harsh reality of the existential threat posed by the Nazis. These Roma soldiers fought valiantly against the German forces, recognizing that their survival and the future of their people were at stake in the larger battle for victory over fascism.

Estimating the number of Roma who served in the Soviet Army during World War II is challenging, as many Roma did not identify as such when enlisted, and even if they did, authorities often labelled them as Russian or another ethnic group. Additionally, a significant number of Roma were involved in partisan resistance movements or worked in defence industries, contributing to the war effort in ways that were not always officially recorded. Nevertheless, like all other people in the Soviet Union, Roma were involved in the war in all accessible ways.

The sedentary Roma who were officially registered and had documents were typically conscripted through mail and sent to war. However, those who were not registered and lived in more transient settlements faced a different, more personal form of conscription. Military officers, armed with official orders, would visit these encampments and personally select men to serve. This often meant that Roma in these communities had little choice in the matter and were sent to the front lines without prior notice or preparation. 

Maria Krylova, Roma woman living in Alexandrovka village in Smolensk region in the west of Russia, remembers:
“On the outskirts of Dubno, at a warehouse surrounded by a fence made of dark flagstones, the convoy was intercepted by a short captain with his cap pushed back on his head. Waving a document he had received from the city, which instructed him to enrol the camp guards in a special quartermaster's team and use them to remove military property, he announced:

All men between the ages of twenty-three and thirty-six are considered to be drafted into the army. Women, old people and children continue on their way. No one has the right to linger in one place, - He took a breath. - Comrades mobilised! You have a quarter of an hour at your disposal. You can say goodbye to your families."

In 1944, a thorough check of Roma settlements was conducted to search for weapons and assess the number of men, women and children in the communities. This operation revealed a significant disproportion in the numbers of men and women, providing clear evidence that Roma men had largely been conscripted and sent to fight. The considerable absence of men in the settlements underscored the fact that many had been drafted into military service, leaving behind their families and communities. This stark gender imbalance served as a testament to the Roma men’s determination to defend their loved ones and secure their survival.

Another way how Roma became soldiers was from the GULAG (forced labour camps). While individuals convicted of serious crimes or political offenses were exempt from military service, Roma were often imprisoned for minor crimes, such as horse stealing or pickpocketing. Unlike other prisoners, few Roma were incarcerated for violent crimes like murder or burglary. As a result, many Roma soldiers were recruited directly from the prison camps, where they were seen as eligible for conscription due to their relatively minor offenses. This highlighted the unique position of the Roma within the penal system and their subsequent involvement in the war effort. 

As we can see, the participation of Roma people in World War II was especially significant for them, as it was not only a matter of fighting for their country, but also a fight for their survival. The threat of Genocide was large, with the Nazis determined to wipe out Roma population alongside other “undesired” groups. As a result, many Roma men joined the military willingly, driven by a profound need to defend themselves from annihilation, alongside their desire to contribute to the larger struggle against fascism.