WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/Eastern Front • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The nearly 900-day German siege of Leningrad, whose starving population survived only via the ice-road supply route across Lake Ladoga until the Red Army broke the encirclement. (8 September 1941 – 27 January 1944)
Chronological Storyline (25 Milestones)
Aug 31, 1941 CE
German forces cut last rail line
Army Group North advanced to the Neva River, severing Leningrad's last rail connection and effectively isolating the city from the south. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419The Siege of Leningrad: 872 Days of Hell | Free Documentary History
Sep 8, 1941 CE
Siege of Leningrad begins
German forces captured Shlisselburg, severing Leningrad's last land route and beginning a siege that would last nearly 900 days. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Sep 11, 1941 CE
Zhukov takes command of defense
Stalin dispatched Georgy Zhukov to Leningrad to organize the city's defense, replacing Marshal Kliment Voroshilov and stiffening Soviet resistance against Army Group North. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgy_Zhukov
четырежды Герой Советского Союза кавалер двух орденов "Победа" Георгий Константинович Жуков в период хрущёвской опалы By не указан - http://mil.ru/files/files/generals_peaceful_moments/, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=190520363
Sep 15, 1941 CE
Stavka orders sustained defense
The Soviet High Command issued directives committing the Baltic Fleet and civilian population to a determined defense, making clear Leningrad would not be surrendered. Source — Wikipedia:
Sep 19, 1941 CE
Heavy artillery bombardment begins
German artillery began systematic shelling of Leningrad, killing civilians and damaging infrastructure as the encirclement tightened around the city. Source — Wikipedia:
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Sep 22, 1941 CE
Hitler orders city destruction
Hitler issued a directive stating that Leningrad should not be captured but rather encircled and destroyed, reflecting the Nazi policy of deliberate starvation. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Sep 25, 1941 CE
Finnish forces halt at old border
Finnish troops under Marshal Mannerheim advanced to the 1939 border on the Karelian Isthmus and halted, declining German requests to attack Leningrad directly from the north. Source — Wikipedia:
Finnish soldiers in a shelter on the VT-line during an alert By Sot.virk. Uuno Laukka - https://finna.fi/Record/sa-kuva.sa-kuva-143060?lng=en-gb, Military Museum, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30652283
Oct 8, 1941 CE
Rations cut as starvation looms
Soviet authorities reduced bread rations to critically low levels as food stockpiles dwindled, marking the onset of mass starvation among Leningrad's civilian population. Source — Wikipedia:
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Nov 8, 1941 CE
Road of Life opens across Ladoga
As Lake Ladoga began to freeze, Soviet trucks began crossing the ice road, bringing limited supplies into Leningrad and evacuating some civilians. Source — Wikipedia:
Luftwaffe aerial reconnaissance photo of a section of the Leningrad Ice Road, 60 km east of Leningrad By Unknown Luftwaffe photographer - Stanley, Roy M., Col. Eastern Front Images: Imagery from WWII and Cold War Intelligence Files. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Aviation, 2016 ISBN 978-1-47388-351-2, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54062230
Nov 20, 1941 CE
Rations reach lowest point
Bread rations fell to 125 grams for dependents, the lowest of the siege, as the death rate from starvation climbed sharply through November. Source — Wikipedia:
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Jan 7, 1942 CE
Soviet Lyuban offensive launched
The Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts launched an offensive to break through the German corridor south of Lake Ladoga, but the effort failed with heavy Soviet losses. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyuban_Offensive_Operation
"DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PAMPHLET NO. 20-233" "GERMAN DEFENSE TACTICS AGAINST RUSSIAN BREAK-THROUGHS" October, 1951. United States Army. By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6312646
Jan 22, 1942 CE
Tikhvin operation concludes
Soviet forces completed a successful counteroffensive at Tikhvin, pushing German troops back and enabling rail delivery of supplies to Lake Ladoga's eastern shore. Source — Wikipedia:
Volkhov river front during the Tikhvin Offensive. Maximum german advance. Early november 1941. By Alberto Aliaga - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72580157
Feb 15, 1942 CE
Peak monthly civilian death toll
February saw the highest monthly civilian death toll of the siege, with approximately 100,000 people perishing from starvation and cold in Leningrad. Source — Wikipedia:
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Apr 4, 1942 CE
Second Shock Army encircled
General Vlasov's Second Shock Army was cut off in the Volkhov swamps during the failed Lyuban offensive, eventually leading to its destruction and Vlasov's capture. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Shock_Army
Jun 25, 1942 CE
Second Shock Army destroyed
The encircled Soviet Second Shock Army was annihilated, and its commander Andrei Vlasov was captured by German forces, a major blow to Soviet relief efforts. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrey_Vlasov
Photo portrait of Andrey Vlasov, published in the U. S. edition of S. Steenberg's "Vlasov" without the creator being credited and a copyright notice. By Unknown author - https://archive.org/details/vlasov0000unse/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=151878396
Aug 19, 1942 CE
Sinyavino offensive begins
Soviet forces launched the Sinyavino Offensive to break the siege, but after initial gains were halted and then counterattacked by German reinforcements. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinyavino_Offensive
Situation Near Leningrad before the start of "Operation Iskra". The information of troops positions and advance based on Glantz (2004) and Glantz (2009). By D2306 (talk) - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98665663
Sep 21, 1942 CE
Sinyavino offensive defeated
German forces under Manstein counterattacked and destroyed several Soviet divisions, ending the Sinyavino Offensive and restoring the siege ring. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinyavino_Offensive
Situation Near Leningrad before the start of "Operation Iskra". The information of troops positions and advance based on Glantz (2004) and Glantz (2009). By D2306 (talk) - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98665663
Jan 12, 1943 CE
Operation Iskra launched
Soviet forces of the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts launched Operation Iskra, a coordinated offensive to break the German siege ring south of Lake Ladoga. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Iskra
Development of "Iskra" op to the January 22 By D2306 at English Wikipedia - I (D2306 (talk)) created this work entirely by myself., CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16223667
Jan 18, 1943 CE
Siege partially broken
Soviet troops from the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts linked up at Workers' Settlement No. 1, opening a narrow land corridor and partially breaking the siege. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Iskra
Development of "Iskra" op to the January 22 By D2306 at English Wikipedia - I (D2306 (talk)) created this work entirely by myself., CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16223667
Feb 6, 1943 CE
Rail link restored to Leningrad
Soviet engineers completed a rail line through the narrow corridor, allowing trains to deliver supplies directly to Leningrad for the first time since 1941. Source — Wikipedia:
Development of "Iskra" op to the January 22 By D2306 at English Wikipedia - I (D2306 (talk)) created this work entirely by myself., CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16223667
Jul 22, 1943 CE
First artillery salute in city
Leningrad authorities held a victory salute, and improved rations and supply lines significantly reduced civilian starvation deaths through the remainder of 1943. Source — Wikipedia:
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Sep 25, 1943 CE
Soviet forces push south of city
The Leningrad Front launched local offensives pushing German forces further from the city, gradually expanding the corridor opened in January. Source — Wikipedia:
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
Jan 14, 1944 CE
Leningrad-Novgorod offensive begins
The Leningrad, Volkhov, and 2nd Baltic Fronts launched a massive combined offensive to permanently drive German forces from the Leningrad region. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leningrad%E2%80%93Novgorod_Offensive
“A battle in the outskirts”. Soviet machine-gunners firing at the enemy near the old train station Detskoe Selo in Pushkin near Leningrad. By Boris Kudoyarov / Борис Кудояров - RIA Novosti archive, image #764, http://visualrian.ru/ru/site/gallery/#764 35 mm film / 35 мм негатив, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18133929
Jan 20, 1944 CE
German 18th Army retreats
Under overwhelming Soviet pressure, the German 18th Army began a general withdrawal from positions around Leningrad, abandoning the siege lines. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leningrad%E2%80%93Novgorod_Offensive
“A battle in the outskirts”. Soviet machine-gunners firing at the enemy near the old train station Detskoe Selo in Pushkin near Leningrad. By Boris Kudoyarov / Борис Кудояров - RIA Novosti archive, image #764, http://visualrian.ru/ru/site/gallery/#764 35 mm film / 35 мм негатив, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18133929
Jan 27, 1944 CE
Siege of Leningrad lifted
Soviet forces fully expelled German troops from the Leningrad area, and the city celebrated the complete lifting of the siege after 872 days. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad
The fire of anti-aircraft guns deployed in the neighborhood of St. Isaac's cathedral during the defense of Leningrad (now called St. Petersburg, its pre-Soviet name) in 1941. By Boris Kudoyarov - "The Eastern Front in Photographs", John Erickson // http://waralbum.ru/51876/ // http://visualrian.ru/media/2352163.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3686419
