Siege of Leningrad

Wojska niemiecke na przedmieściach Leningradu (2-859)

Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-212-0214-08A, Russland-Nord, v. Leeb u.a. beim Kartenstudium

German advance into USSR

Leningrad Siege May 1942 - January 1943

Hitler Mannerheim Ryti

RIAN archive 58228 Leningrad Front Soldiers Before Offensive

Siege of Leningrad

The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade, was a prolonged military blockade undertaken from the south by the Axis powers against Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), historically and currently the second-largest city in Russia. Lasting from September 8, 1941, to January 27, 1944, the siege was one of the longest and most destructive sieges in history and arguably the most lethal. It caused severe famine in the Leningrad region through disruption of utilities, water, energy, and food supplies. This resulted in the deaths of up to 1 million civilian and military personnel.

Background

The siege began during World War II after the German Army Group North, commanded by Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, and Finnish forces encircled the city, cutting off all supply routes to Leningrad and its suburbs. Attempts to breach the siege by Soviet forces were thwarted by the Axis powers, which aimed to force the city into submission and capitulate.

The Siege

Throughout the siege, Leningrad's citizens and defending troops showed remarkable resilience. They constructed anti-tank fortifications and were involved in the production of weapons and munitions for the front, despite the extreme conditions. The city's cultural life continued as much as possible, with performances and literary evenings held in blockaded Leningrad. The Hermitage Museum's treasures were hidden away, and the city's children were evacuated to safer areas, showcasing the determination to protect the city's heritage and future.

The most critical period of the siege was the winter of 1941-1942 when temperatures fell to as low as -30°C (-22°F). Food rations were at their lowest, leading to widespread famine, disease, and death. Civilians were forced to survive on meager supplies, with reports of cannibalism emerging from the dire circumstances.

Breakthrough

The siege was partially lifted in January 1943, when Soviet forces opened a narrow land corridor to the city along the western shore of Lake Ladoga, through the operation known as the Battle of the Road of Life. This allowed for limited quantities of food and fuel to reach the city and for evacuations. The full lifting of the siege occurred in January 1944, after a series of successful Soviet offensives pushed the German forces westward.

Aftermath

The Siege of Leningrad is remembered as a symbol of Soviet endurance and sacrifice. It led to significant military and civilian casualties, with the city's infrastructure and residential buildings heavily damaged. The event has been commemorated in various forms, including memorials and museums dedicated to the siege's victims and survivors.

Legacy

The resilience of the city's defenders and the suffering of its inhabitants have been memorialized in literature, music, and art. The siege has a significant place in Russian history and is a testament to the human spirit's endurance in the face of overwhelming adversity.

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