I am very familiar with the history of the Bielski Otraid. They were guerrilla partisans, who lived with the assistance , willing and unwilling, of the rural peasant farmers surrounding them and supplied and were supplied by Soviet (non Jewish) partisan groups. They were led, thank providence, by four very tough Jews , who were experienced as farmers, millers, woodsmen, fighters and smugglers , an honorable profession, just ask John Hancock and many of our other Founding Fathers.

Unknowingly, they followed Mao's dictum that the guerrilla lives as a fish supported by the sea of peasants, albeit they were neither communists nor socialists in the common understanding of those ideologies. The Otriad recreated a small industry based Jewish shtetl , in the midst of the forest, fought to defend it and saved more Jews than even Oscar Schndler. But, they did not live off the "land" as in the bug out fantasy scenarios we keep hearing from "survivalists".

I suggest to you two fine books detailing the history of the Bielski Otriad. The earliest academic history by Professor Tec, titled "Defiance". This book was the basis for the fine movie of the same name. Also, a much later work, that had additional sources available, titled, "The Bielski Brothers". Both read like adventure novels.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to attend a speech given by Aaron Bielski's daughter, speak with her after the speech and even page thru a family scrapbook. It was an amazing experience. By the way, Aaron is still with us, living a well deserved retirement in Florida.