During the German occupation of European countries in WW2 a key role was played by local ‘partisan’ groups. The partisans often had different ideals and political motivations but were united by the same goal to assist with the effort to secure victory against the German occupying forces. The type of operations conducted by partisan groups were wide-ranging, including both intelligence gathering and support activities to Allied forces, particularly in relation to acts of sabotage against the enemy's logistics and communications infrastructures.