Main Activities and Organization of Medical Support of the 6th Front Trophy Brigade during the Offensive Phase of the Battle for the Caucasus

Abstract. The article is devoted to the study of relevant in modern realities and at the same time insufficiently studied issues related to the activities of frontline trophy
brigades during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. In particular, the main areas of their work, problems of collection, storage and subsequent use of medical trophy property are analyzed. The article examines the reasons for the deterioration of the sanitary and epidemiological situation, as well as the measures taken by the Red Army’s sanitary services to organize medical and preventive care for the troops of the 6th Front Captured Brigade during the offensive phase of the Battle of the Caucasus, which began on January 1, 1943. In his work, the author relies on the results of previously conducted scientific research, analyzes a wide range of documents from the funds of the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (CAMD) and the CAMD branch (military medical documents) in St. Petersburg. At the same time, a significant part of the archival documents is introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. Based on the principles of historicism and objectivity, the success of collecting individual types of trophy property is assessed, as well as the implementation of measures in the brigade to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases, save the health and lives of soldiers and commanders of the Red Army, and return them to duty.

Keywords: 6th frontline trophy brigade, battle for the Caucasus, medical equipment, sanitary and epidemiological support of troops.