Wartime documents from the Zonal State Archives in Rechitsa on the restoration of the Rechitsa Fruit and Vineyard

As a result of the Nazi occupation of 1941–1943, Rechitsa was devastated. Industrial enterprises, including the Rechitsa Fruit and Vineyard, also suffered. According to the explanatory note to the 1944 report on the plant’s operations (F.329, Op.1, D.3, L.81–81ob), the plant resumed operations on December 2, 1943, shortly after Rechitsa’s liberation from the Nazi invaders. Until the second quarter of 1944, the plant was occupied almost exclusively with the restoration of its partially destroyed buildings and workshops, as well as the disposal and transfer of flour and milling equipment unrelated to the wine industry. In the second quarter of 1944, the soft drink production facility and the raw vodka production facility began operating, necessary for the plant to stimulate restoration work and provide assistance to its workers and employees. The main production facilities—the juice and wine production facilities—resumed operations in August 1944.

Since the enterprise’s restoration took place under difficult material and economic conditions, the annual production and procurement plan could not be met. Nevertheless, over time, the diligent work of its workers enabled the Rechitsa Fruit and Vegetable Plant to rise from the ruins and establish successful production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

1. ZGARech. F.329. Op.1. d.3. L.81

2. ZGARech. F.329. Op.1. d.3. L.81ob