Jusuf-bek Umaszew and the importance of the Caucasus for Polish intelligence services during World War II in view of documents kept in Polish archives in London
Jusuf-bek Umaszew and the importance of the Caucasus for Polish intelligence services during World War II in view of documents kept in Polish archives in London

Summary/Abstract: Jusuf-bek Umaszew was most probably born in Dagestan and was most likely of Kumyk origin. In the interwar period he served as a contract officer in the 36th Infantry Regiment stationed in Warsaw. He was on active duty in the Polish Army until the last days of the defense in September 1939. After the campaign he left for Turkey. There he was recruited by Polish intelligence, which entrusted Umaszew with the task of building a courier route through the Caucasus to Polish lands occupied by the Soviet Union (Lviv and Białystok). This was achieved after the beginning of the German-Soviet war in June 1941. In 1943, the post where Umaszew worked was terminated, and he was transferred from Istanbul to Jerusalem. Around that time, the idea of using him in the activities of the “Promethean movement” emerged. However, no decisions were ultimately made in this regard. Nevertheless, following the end of World War II Umaszew became involved in the movement, though it is not possible to determine whether he did so in cooperation with the Poles or on his own initiative.

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