THE MEANING OF THE "ROAD OF LIFE" DURING THE SIEGE OF LENINGRAD

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The city of Leningrad was under siege for almost 900 days during the Great Patriotic War. What the locals experienced cannot be expressed in words: constant shelling by the German army, bone-chilling hunger, unbearable cold and lack of medicines were a test unprecedented in its scale. The capture of Leningrad was of particular importance for the Wehrmacht, as it created the prerequisites for the capture of Moscow, since it was the most important strategic and transport hub. Autumn 1941. Army Group North, together with Finnish troops, was ordered to destroy Leningrad. Initially, the city was planned to be taken with lightning speed, but as the war progressed, it became clear that this could not be done. The Germans were interested in the Baltic Fleet and large military and industrial enterprises. With regard to civilians trying to evacuate, the order was simple - to shoot. The Germans were against heavy losses during the assault, so it was decided to blockade Leningrad. To starve and at the same time to conduct artillery fire was the best solution in their opinion.

On September 8, 1941, the last line of communication and supplies was blocked, Leningrad was completely isolated. From that moment the blockade began. The unbearable cold and excruciating hunger took the last strength from every person. There is a decision from the Leningrad Front council on the implementation of a bold project "The Road of Life", which is able to save people. During the closure of the blockade ring, the only connection with Leningrad was through Lake Ladoga, which was under the control of the Soviet Army. The "Road of Life" was not a simple highway laid over the frozen waters of Lake Ladoga, but a complex infrastructure that would provide food all year round. This was a very difficult task as the lake itself was difficult to use for navigable transport, the coast was not equipped with piers, which caused significant problems when laying the road. It was also necessary to supply not only food, but also weapons for combat operations.

The length of the road through Lake Ladoga was about 30 kilometers. The road section was relatively small, but incredibly difficult to provide the necessary. Tens of thousands of workers worked on its creation. Work on it was carried out constantly, either because of the snow, or because of the transfer of the route to stronger ice. Divers installed decking and supports that prevented the ice from breaking. Signs were installed along the route of cars, heating, medical points, food points, technical assistance stations were placed. Food was sorely lacking.

Drivers of cars delivering an incredible number of tons of cargo, and taking old people's children out of Leningrad to the shores of Lake Ladoga, risking their lives every second. Only on November 29, 1941, 52 cars went under water. The ice breaking through took not only people's lives, but also valuable cargo. In this regard, the drivers drove the car standing with the door open in order to have time to jump out if necessary. Constant air raids by the Germans, trying to destroy the cargo and destroy the route, complicated the path of the Soviet Army. Drivers leaving for the route realized that this could be their last flight. Weather conditions were incredibly difficult, how many drivers died lost on the route during a blizzard...

The 3 blockade winters experienced were the most difficult for people, but the most successful in terms of providing food. During the first winter in Leningrad, about 250,000 people died. Thanks to the provision of food, the number of victims decreased, which certainly testified to the benefits of this route. Despite all the difficulties, the Leningraders did not give up: they worked in factories, children and the elderly tried to do everything in their power. People stood in queues for 125 grams of bread, but this did not break the City and its inhabitants. Thanks to such people who defended Leningrad at the cost of their own lives in unbearably difficult conditions, it gives us a reason to be proud and never forget these great people.

Leningrad was liberated on January 27, 1944. People who went through this horror with bewilderment listening to the news about the end of the blockade could not believe that this had happened. The feat of the people who provided Leningrad with help during the blockade along the "Road of Life" route will forever remain in our hearts. Results Currently, the world has once again become an arena of armed confrontation between the largest world powers. As 80 years ago, movements of different ideological orientation, but united by the misanthropic nature of the ideology promoted by them, appear and become widespread as if from the world of shadows.

During the confrontation with them, situations similar to the one that took place in Leningrad during the Second World War became possible again. This is especially evident in the example of Donbass. The experience of courageous struggle against the enemy and overcoming all the hardships of the war is more relevant today than ever.

About the authors

Alexandra Vyacheslavovna Abramova

Author for correspondence.
Email: vip.sashaabramova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4864-6631
Russian Federation, 10 Studentskaya str., Voronezh, 394036, Russia

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