Prisoners of war in Soviet labor camps: the case of Camp No 348

This article examines the establishment, operation, and economic role of Camp No. 348 in South Kazakhstan. Within the framework of the Soviet Union’s post-war forced labor policy, prisoners of war were extensively utilized in the industrial, construction, and agricultural sectors. The camp primarily housed Japanese prisoners of war, who were subjected to harsh labor conditions at industrial sites such as the Achisay Polymetallic Combine, the Shymkent Lead-Zinc Plant, and the Lenger Coal Mines. This study is based on archival documents that have only recently been introduced into academic circulation, previously classified under the security markings «secret» and «top secret.» A comprehensive analysis of historical research, official reports, and statistical data was also conducted.

The main aim of the study is to determine the place of camp No. 348 in the forced labor system in the USSR based on scientific methods of historical, comparative, systematic and quantitative analysis. The camp's structure, labor conditions of the prisoners, compliance with sanitary and hygienic norms, and food and medical supply issues, are examined in detail. The study analyzes the impact of harsh living conditions on labor productivity and the overall social status of the prisoners. Furthermore, the article assesses the contribution of Camp No. 348 to industrial development and its economic significance for the region.

The findings of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the structure of POW camps in Kazakhstan and their socio-economic importance. The obtained materials serve as a foundation for further studies on Soviet labor camps and a reevaluation of the forced labor system in the post-war period from a scientific perspective.

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