Oberost

Oberost, short for Oberbefehlshaber der gesamten deutschen Streitkräfte im Osten, was the German military High Command in the East during World War I. It was established in March 1915 following the German offensive in the East. Oberost encompassed vast territories occupied by the Central Powers, including much of the former Russian Empire, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, and parts of Ukraine. Its primary functions were military administration, security, and economic exploitation of these occupied lands. The administration was often harsh, with significant resource extraction and imposition of German law and order.

The area under Oberost's control was divided into several military districts, each with its own commander. The region was intended to serve as a buffer zone and a source of supplies for the German war effort. German policies aimed at creating a semblance of self-governance in some areas, often through puppet states, but ultimate control remained with the military administration. Oberost played a significant role in shaping the political and economic landscape of Eastern Europe during and immediately after the war. Its dissolution began in late 1918 as German forces withdrew from the occupied territories following the armistice. The legacy of Oberost is complex, marked by both administrative efforts and the oppressive nature of military occupation.