PREPARATION OF THE SOVIET RAILWAY NETWORK IN THE WESTERN DIRECTION FOR A POSSIBLE MILITARY CONFLICT IN THE EARLY 1940S

The article describes the preparation of Soviet railway network for a possible military conflict in late 1930s – early 1940s. state western direction is considered and analysed. possibilities transfer troops materiel by rail on border territory Union have been identified. Similar identified forces means potential enemy to with USSR. scale construction production works carried out pre-war period at defence facilities transport People’s Commissariat Defence has revealed. role Red Army, Military Communications Service, as well Railways main factors influencing established. It also defined that work was being order modernise had not fully completed start Axis aggression.