Local communication companies in 1941-1945: domestic historiography

Abstract

The authors for the first time study the historical literature published in 1941-2015 and devoted to activity of local communication establishments of the front and rear districts of RSFSR during the Great Patriotic War. The special attention is paid to the researches executed on materials of Central Volga area. The historiography is analyzed within two large periods: Soviet and Post-Soviet. The main tendencies of methodology development, references and the subject perspective are defined in each of them. The authors have drawn conclusions about the degree of study of civil operators contribution to the Victory in 1941-1945. The modern period of studying of the place and role of communication industry in military economy, information infrastructure, everyday life in the extreme conditions of the war is characterized by application of new methodological approaches (system, modernization, integration, biographic) which promote interdisciplinary judgment as well as expansion of the problem field of the Great Patriotic War communication history research. Among perspective questions which were earlier insufficiently studied by historians the authors note a role of local communication establishments in industrial enterprises and population evacuation, in development of military industrial complex of rear areas, structure of post military censorship bodies, standard and legal base of post and cable departures inspection, courier communication organization, material and household provision for regional communication institutions officers and others.