In the Rudniki Forest, about 40 km south of Vilna extensive partisan activity began in the summer of 1943 when a group of paratroopers under the command of Captain Alko arrived in the region.
![Group of armed Jewish partisans who had fought in the forests around the city, in Vilna](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_1block/public/3380_406.jpg?itok=oZnVlUoI)
Yad Vashem Photo Archives, 3380/406
![Group of armed Jewish partisans who had fought in the forests around the city, in Vilna](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/3380_406.jpg?itok=H1OqmUYi)
![Jewish members of the FPO (United Partisan Organization) who escaped from the ghetto to the Rudniki Forest, returning to Vilna after liberation. Vilna, Poland, July 1944](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_1block/public/4613_139.jpg?itok=il56leH0)
Yad Vashem Photo Archives 4613/139
![Jewish members of the FPO (United Partisan Organization) who escaped from the ghetto to the Rudniki Forest, returning to Vilna after liberation. Vilna, Poland, July 1944](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/4613_139.jpg?itok=PDaU-0tL)
![Partisans from the "Mstitel" (Revenge) Division who fought in the Rudniki Forest](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_1block/public/120go9_.jpg?itok=qXLF6RMH)
Yad Vashem Photo Archives 120GO9
![Partisans from the "Mstitel" (Revenge) Division who fought in the Rudniki Forest](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/120go9_.jpg?itok=xzB48V6E)
![Shmuel Kaplinski, FPO member and commander of the partisan camp "Za Pobedu" (To Victory)](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_1block/public/3380_711.jpg?itok=V5q1aWy2)
Yad Vashem Photo Archives 3380/711
![Shmuel Kaplinski, FPO member and commander of the partisan camp "Za Pobedu" (To Victory)](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/3380_711.jpg?itok=2miU33j-)