The formation and activities of the Lidsk District Military Registration and Enlistment Office (July – September 1920)

Authors

  • Aliaksandr V. Khavanski Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, 22 Azheshka Street, Grodna 230023, Belarus
  • Siarhei A. Pivavarchyk Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, 22 Azheshka Street, Grodna 230023, Belarus

Keywords:

Soviet-Polish War, Lidsk District Military Registration and Enlistment Office, Soviet power, military command
Supporting Agencies
The article was prepared within the framework of the state scientific research programme «Society and humanitarian security of the Belarusian state» for 2021–2025 (subprogramme 12.1 «History», task 12.1.5 «Military history as a factor in ensuring humanitarian security of the Belarusian society», subtask «Evolution of the military command system on the territory of Belarus in 1795–1991»).

Abstract

This article examines the formation and activities of the Lidsk District Military Registration and Enlistment Office from July to September 1920. It analyses the conditions of the enlistment office’s formation during the Soviet-Polish War and its role in mobilising human and material resources for the needs of the Red Army. The article explores the organisation, staffing, and personnel of the enlistment office. Particular attention is paid to the challenges faced by the enlistment office staff during the establishment of Soviet power in the district. It is noted that the formation of the Lidsk District Military Registration and Enlistment Office is taking place under extremely unfavorable conditions, characterised by an acute shortage of qualified personnel, limited human resources, and instability in maintaining front-line positions. It is concluded that, despite the measures taken to mobilise and register conscripts, the front-line location and the incompleteness of its structure prevent the enlistment office from establishing a fully-fledged military command system in the district. Under constant surveillance, the enlistment office’s existence was limited.

Author Biographies

  • Aliaksandr V. Khavanski, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, 22 Azheshka Street, Grodna 230023, Belarus

    PhD (history), docent; associate professor at the combined arms department, military faculty

  • Siarhei A. Pivavarchyk, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, 22 Azheshka Street, Grodna 230023, Belarus

    doctor of science (history), full professor; professor at the department of history of Bela­rus, archaeology and special historical disciplines, faculty of history, communication and tourism

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Published

2026-02-24

Issue

No. 1 (2026): Journal of the Belarusian State University. History

Section

Belarusian History

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How to Cite

[1]
Khavanski, A.V. and Pivavarchyk, S.A. 2026. The formation and activities of the Lidsk District Military Registration and Enlistment Office (July – September 1920). Journal of the Belarusian State University. History. 1 (Feb. 2026), 5–15. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33581/2520-6338-2026-1-%p.