The fate of Vladimir Ilyin largely reflects the fate of thousands of our compatriots in the first two years of the war. In battles with the enemy, the author of this book was captured, fled at the first opportunity and joined the partisans. Their detachment attacked enemy garrisons, blew up bridges and warehouses with ammunition and fuel, derailed German military echelons. But the most important thing in partisan actions was the demoralizing effect on the enemy. At the same time, only partisans could conduct effective counter-propaganda among the local population, talking about the real state of affairs at the front, agitating and mobilizing to fight the invaders. All this is honestly and in detail described in this book.