Chapter 7. The front line has stabilized Leningrad at the end of September. In Agalatov. The village of Rybatskoye and Kanoneck "Red Banner". In the Nevsky "Pigatch" Leningrad, 23rd, 55th Army and the Nevsky Operational Group. September 27 - October 7, 1941 at the result of fierce fights on the most dangerous

It became a good tradition in July to gather in the territory of the memorial complex "Stalin Line". The events of 1944 are restored here, when the soldiers of the Red Army carried out a breakthrough of the German defensive line "Panther".

From Pskov to the island - about 50 kilometers. And from there another 32 kilometers to the holmotki. Let it be unclean. But the fans of festivals of reconstruction does not stop.

In 2017, about 200 reconstructors arrived at the site. And these are not only representatives of a strong half of humanity, but also fragile, almost aerial girls. At the same time, some of them chose kizzy boots and a coarse soldier's uniform, while others are a loose dress, a jacket, a shock on the shoulders and socks with shoes on a small heel. That is how women dress up on the eve of the Great Patriotic War.

The main requirement for all participants in the festival - everything must comply with the recoverable period of history. No modern types of clothing, weapons, shoes. Even wrist hours and those must respond to the spirit of the times.

The task of reconstructors is to restore the events of July 1944. And to show the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the participants of that war as it were.

At the site of the festival before the start of the action, everything is strictly checked - the correspondence of the shape, personal belongings. Police officers checked the weapons used in the operation - none of the participants or guests should suffer.

In July 2017, over the fields, where the reconstruction was planned, the fiery sun was hung. It seems that the first day of summer came - from the beginning of June only the rains go yes north wind blowing. And then suddenly heat!

In anticipation of the audience, the participants of the festival also once again pronounce the details of the scenario: who from where and where it moves when and where the beginning of the offensive and its completion. For guests everything should look natural.

In the breakthrough of the defensive line, not only infantry is involved, but also heavy machinery. There is already a special coherence. The second attempt to hit the enemy will not be given.

In the German camp, meanwhile, the last cooking is coming - nurses waved underwear at a tent with a red cross.

According to the scenario, in this place is part of SS troops, derived from rest and reorganization. And another DRK division.

Dan. And here the column of civilians appears. These are basically women and children. This is a column of local residents hijacked in Germany. A woman liked one of the soldiers, and he takes her to the side. A child jumps to him, pushes the German. Soldiers are immediately attacked by people going in the column, and only a subcurrent officer suggests order. He takes out several people. In a couple of minutes, they are taken in the armor. Shots are heard. This is not fiction. Such scenes really took place under the island during the war years. And traces of such executions are still found.

In the direction of Dota (long-term firepoint) comes the German column. These are broken parts. In one row of the infantry, shecirgrenaders, sturchpioneers, mountain rangers. The soldier misses the territory of the fortified item.

And suddenly, after them, a column of Soviet troops appears. These are parts that pursue a retreating enemy.

Karaul from the checkpoint opens fire. Soviet soldiers leave transport, the artillery officers unfold the anti-tank gun "Sorcetic" and are preparing for battle. In the German camp, convene fighters, group and put forward to the trench in front of the road.

Soviet fighters attack trenches, covering armor.

Posted on the hill fighters of the Wehrmacht have resistance. But now soviet soldiers Break into trenches.

German soldiers retreat to Dota.

Ahead of the Red Army Wire Bargeted. But after a couple of minutes it was a passage.

And now the throw of Soviet soldiers knock out the Germans from the angular trench and breathe dot.

The surrendered enemy disarm and build in a column.

Memory of the fallen fighters honor a minute of silence.

The final chord of the festival becomes acquaintance of guests with reconstructors. You can not only take a picture with the participants, but also ask about the details of weapons or forms.

By the way

In 2017, about 5,000 people visited reconstruction.

As the Russian army saved Leningrad from Hitler.

In the second half of 1943, the German troops were stunned under the powerful blows of the Red Army, which at the central and southern sections of the Eastern Front advanced hundreds of kilometers to the west. After the biggest battle In the Kursk Arc, the advice at the end of July switched to their first large-scale summer offensive.

After a month and a half were liberated by the city of Smolensk, Bryansk and Kirov ( so in the text, the city of Kiruzhi region was released in January 1942 - approx. Translate), and the German troops retreated behind the Coolant River. By September 30, Soviet troops took most of the coast of the Azov Sea in the south, and also freed a number of key cities, including Kharkov, Stalino and Poltava, who threw the Germans to almost Dnieper.

Fortunately for the Germans, the rear behind the upcoming Soviet troops, and they were forced to stop moving forward, waiting for reinforcements, ammunition and supply. From July 1, both sides suffered huge losses, and although Russians could restore their losses due to the calls for people from the liberated territories, they needed time to mobilize, equip and teach the basic skills of combat operations.

While the German troops fought with the tips and gradually moved away, thousands of people under the leadership of German engineers worked on forced work, removing powerful defensive lines. On August 11, Hitler signed an order in which it demanded to build the so-called "East Shaft". Although Fuhrer preferred to fight for each span of the captured land, after Kursk battle And the Soviet offensive, he had to realize the reality.

Line "Panther - Wotan"

This defensive line was supposed to spin from black to the Baltic Sea. In the south, the main part of the defensive position was planned to be erected in the West Bank of the Dnieper. To the north of Kiev, this line was supposed to go along the Derne River to Chernigov, and then in the northern direction east of Gomel, Orsha, Bridge and Pskov, ending in the southern tip of the Pskov Lake. Further, the shaft was to go to the north along the western coast of the Pskov Lake, and then by the flow of the river Narva to the north to the Finnish bay.

By the end of August, the High Command of the Land Forces of the Wehrmacht gave two code names to the North and Southern sectors of this line. That part of the shaft, which was to defend the army groups "A" and "South," called "Votan", and the line where the battles of the Center "Center" and "North" were called "Panther".

Hitler hoped that after the construction of the Eastern Shaft, he would become a powerful obstacle, where the coming troops of the Red Army would be bleed. In fact, it was a refund to the Equal War and the battles for exhaust, in which Hitler himself participated during the First World War.

But with this shaft there were three serious problems. The first problem is the time required for its construction. As a result of the Soviet offensive, the German troops moved to a dangerously close distance to the objects planned to construction, and part of them had already taken unfinished defensive positions. The second problem was live strength. Reaching, finally, its defensive positions, some German units and units were so bleeding that they could place only one soldier for every 50 meters of the front.

Context

Stalinist General deceived Wehrmacht

How Guderian Tankers won Ukraine

Soldiers of General Vlasov greatly helped Prague

Falling the stroke "Wotan"

When reinforcements arrived and rear, the Russians continued to strike the Germans. In November, the Red Army took Kiev, and the 4th Ukrainian front hacked the defense line of the 6th German army, which kept Melitopol and the surrounding area. The north of Soviet troops managed to gain a foothold on the bridgeheads on the opposite shore of the Dnieper, capturing several key positions on this and not completed by the end of Wotan. By the end of the year, most of the praised defensive line in the central and southern sectors of the Eastern Front was occupied by the Red Army.

If in the center and in the south, the situation was worse in the summer, then in the sector, which occupied the North Army Group under the command of Field Marshal Georg von Küchler, was unnaturally quiet and calmly. This group of armies since 1941 deposited Leningrad, and on this section of the front Soviet troops for two years the blockade was trying to carry out powerful offensions several times, but the front line remained relatively stable.

In August, Küchler received intelligence information, indicating that the Tips are increasing forces on Oranienbaum Bridgehead. It was a small portion of the coast of the Finnish Bay of West Leningrad, where the defensive battles were led by the 2nd Impact Army. The 16th Army of General Christian Hansen army held its site, intelligence also pointed to the hidden concentration of the enemy's troops at the junction of the Center for Army Center and the North Army Group opposite the most important railway node of Nevel.

In response to the likely threat of a background Küchler, five divisions from the front line to create a combat reserve for reflection of the Soviet offensive. Two these divisions he immediately lost, since Hitler contrary to the objections of the Army commander sent them to the south to strengthen other sections of the Front.

When the Army Center "Center" departed to Panther, the Army Group North received the 43rd Army Corps of General Carl Background of Offen, who took the northern flank of the retreating group of armies. Thus, Kuhler received three more divisions, but now he was in addition to 77 kilometers of the front line and for the settlements of Nevel and Novosokolnikov, which were key nodes of communications between the Center for the Center's Army and North.

Punching bars in German defense

In the first week of October, low clouds prevented the Germans to conduct air intelligence. It made it possible to the Kalinin front of General Andrei Ivanovich Eremenko (on October 12, his front was renamed to the 1st Baltic) to take positions for the transition to the offensive, without fear of being discovered by the Germans.

On October 6, Lieutenant-General Kuzma Nikitovich Galitsky struck in the 2nd airfield division, which occupied the most northern sector of the Center for Army Center. In this offensive, four rifle divisions and two tank brigades from his 3rd shock army participated. The 21st Guards Division and the 78th Tank Brigade broke through the defense of the enemy at the site of the 2nd airflow division and scattered her troops. The second echelon of the upcoming troops was introduced into battle at the site of the breakthrough of the crushed division and went to the offensive in the northeast towards the bridge. Because of the failures of this and other aircraft divisions, Hitler decided to convey most of them into submission ground Forceswhere they received the name of field divisions (Luftwaffe). Neighboring 4th Impact Army also moved forward, and by the end of the day the bridge was already in the hands of Soviet troops.

Trying to restore the position of the troops on the front, the background Kühler ordered the three who remained in the reserve divisions to attack the Russians around the bridge. These compounds arrived there disparately and failed to stop the superior enemy forces. Thus, between the Army Groups "Center" and "North", a breech of a width of 24 kilometers was formed.

Only parts and units of one reserve division were born into battle. The transfer of two other divisions was prevented by the partisans who explode the railroad leading to the city. Because of this delays, the background Küchler gave an order to take defensive positions left around the bridge.

At the same time, the Soviet commanders stopped promotion. The success of the initial offensive was for Russian surprise, as they waited for a more powerful opponent's resistance. Now they have begun to strengthen their flanks, because on their own bitter experience they were convinced that the Germans often allow the enemy to embry on their defense, and then apply counterdowns to flanks, in many cases locked in the boiler, and then destroying the advanced parts of the upcoming Soviet troops.

The passage lasted until November 2. Moving forward under the cover of a thick fog, the 3rd and 4th impact armies struck the 3rd tank army from the center of the Army Center "Center", breaking down a 16-kilometer breach in its defensive orders. This allowed the 3rd shock army to turn to the northeast and hit the 16th Hansen army in the flank. The background Kühler, in response, sent six battalions to Hansen from the 18th Army of General Georg Lindemann, and he strengthened his right flank. With the arrival of these troops, the Lindemann flank managed to keep, despite powerful blows.

Weak German counteroffensive

By this time, Hitler was furious. The Nevelsky ledge remained safe and preservation, and moreover, the Soviet offensive threatened to hack the entire front in the northern sector. He demanded on November 8 to hold a counteroffensive to destroy this protrusion by focusing the efforts of the Army Group Center and North.

The background Kühler resolutely objected to this. He noted that if he went to the offensive, it would weaken the 19th Army, which was in positions around Leningrad and Oranienbaum. He also pointed to the data of German intelligence on the increase in the Soviet group in these areas. Kühler feared that the coming of winter Russian would go in these areas in the offensive, as they did so every winter since the beginning of the war on the Eastern Front.

But Hitler was unshakable. He gave an order that the Center for Army Center "Center" began an offensive on November 8, and the background Kühler joined the upcoming 9th. The 8th in the offensive was the infantry and tank divisions, which unexpectedly achieved considerable success and advanced eight kilometers. The next day, Kyukhler postponed his own offensive, stating that he had no free parts for this. Hipped Hitler demanded that the North Army Group began an offensive no later than November 10th.

The 10th Cuchler background took a sluggish attempt to fulfill the order of Hitler, throwing into battle against the Soviet troops on the northern flank only seven battalions. The Russians opened the artillery fire, and then conducted a counterattack, throwing the Germans back and apply heavy losses them. Hitler and his commander again entered into debate about priority tasks.

Articles on the topic

Marshal Konev strikes

In Stalingrad, Germans destroyed hunger

Winter war taught him a lot

While they argued, the Russians moved forward. They formed a new protusion with a depth of 80 kilometers. Now a new threat arose, since the Soviet troops, who were on the tip of the offensive, turned east, threatening the right flank of the 16th Army. They approached the dangerous close distance to the Novosokolnikov.

The background of Kühler was summoned to Hitler's bet, where they spent an acute discussion about the danger. Although Hitler has previously persecuted the idea of \u200b\u200bthe nevel ledge, he eventually agreed that the Soviet troops threatening flank should be stopped before attempts to stabilize the situation under the browse.

As a result, Lindemann was raised again, who had lost another division from its 18th army. Although his situation was relatively calm, due to the transfer of one division after another south, the line of defense at Lindemann became dangerously weak and fragile. Luftwaffe field divisions in his submission stood on defensive positions, and their combat capability caused big doubts. At the same time, division from the regular army was rarely equipped with a full except.

While the background Kühler was waiting for arrival at the south of new divisions, the 11th Guards Army was transferred to the offensive and hit the "Center" armies group. Two divisions that attacked the Soviet protrusion on November 8 were allocated back to reflect the new offensive that the plan of the North Army Group practically disappeared to eliminate this protrusion. In the last week of November, the thaw began, and it finally destroyed German plans, since the Earth turned into a swamp, and the offensive had to be postponed until December 1.

When it still began, German divisions advanced deep into the Soviet protrusion of only five kilometers. Tanks and armored vehicles were stuck in the mud, and infantry every step was given with great difficulty. It was a battle with nature. Even Hitler recognized the futility of attempts to continue the offensive to the Soviet West Flange and therefore ordered to stop it. And the background Kühler received from him the order gradually to disintegrate from the enemy of the position on the nehel's ledge.

Non-doors

Until the end of November, the advice on the western protrusion was carried out regrouping and fixed. They were pleased by the results of the operation carried out in November, as they managed to significantly move forward and jeopardize the group of the Army Center and the North Army Group at the same time. However, they left far ahead from their rear divisions, and could not receive reinforcements to fill the losses incurred, because these parts and connections were in reserve and prepared for the general winter offensive, which was planned in Moscow.

On December 16, Hitler finally realized that the nehelsky ledge would not destroy him. An enemy on the 3rd of the tank army, who had arrived at the 3rd tank army, forced the Germans to retreat even more, and it created a threat to the communications node in Vitebsk. The next 10 days Fuhrer carefully watched the development of events in the Vitebsk area, leaving all the deeds of the North Army Group Back Kychler.

On December 27, Hitler agreed to the request of Küchler's background to reduce the stretched front. The German troops were allocated from the Nevelsky protrusion on the line, passing south of Novosokolnikov to the West in the direction of the wasteland. Thanks to the Hansen retreat, he received additional forces to organize defense and strengthen positions along the front line in the West.

It should be noted that the North Army Group was the only group of army, which has not yet retreated on the frontier of the East Shaft "Panther". From September, about 50 thousand civilian workers and engineers were built this line in the north, building about six thousand long-term fire facilities and setting 200 kilometers of barbed wire. They also dug 40 kilometers of trenches and anti-tank pvv. In addition to this, spare positions with strengthening in the districts of Narva, Chudovo, Kingisepp, Luga, Krasnogvardeisk and Novgorod were constructed.

Multimedia

Leningrad blockade

Battle for Stalingrad: Archival Frames

The removal plan for troops on the line "Panther" began to implement in September. Most of the command of the North Army Group has worried about the need for evacuation of 900 thousand civilians who lived in these areas. It was impossible to evacuate them all, and therefore security forces in the rear areas began to take adult men who could mobilize either the coming red army or use as workers in the military industry. In just a year, approximately 250 thousand men were forcibly transported to Latvia and Lithuania. In addition, hundreds of thousands of tons of grain and potatoes, as well as millions of cattle heads, were also planned to transported hundreds of thousands of tons of grain.

The operation plan envisaged a phased waste, which was to start in mid-January and go for two months until the spring dismotection. However, on December 22, Hitler decided not to approve the operation plan if the tips would not start the overall offensive against the Army Group.

By the end of the month, the 18th army lost one of his best compounds, the 1st Infantry Division, which was transferred to the south to strengthen the front. In the first days of January, two other divisions were sent there. Whether Kühler protested, referring directly to Hitler, but to no avail. In addition to the south divisions, Hitler sent to Oranienbaum's area to strengthen the 3rd Tank Corps SS Lieutenant Lieutenant Felix Steiner.

Operational construction of German troops on the front line

In early 1944, part of the 18th army of Lindemann around Leningrad and on Oranienbaum Piglet were exhausted to the limit. On the front line, where the troops of the 2nd shock army of Lieutenant General Ivan Ivanovich Fedyuninsky fought, stood the Corps of Steiner (SS Police Division, SS Division "Nordland", as well as the 9th and 10th field divisions of Luftwaffe). There was also a brigade of the SS from the division "underson".

Selling on the southern section of the front around Leningrad took place from the Finnish bay of 30 kilometers southwest Pushkin and ended on the Neva River. This section of the Front occupied the 50th Army Corps of General Wilhelm Vegener (as part of the 126th, 170th and 215th Infantry Divisions) and the 54th Army Corps of General Otto Shponheimer (11th, 24th and 225th Infantry divisions). Against the Soviet troops in Sinyavinsky altitudes and in the area of \u200b\u200bthe time stood the 26th Army Corps of General Martin Graz (61st, 121st, 212nd, 227th, 254th Infantry and 12th aircraft infantry division), and Also Spanish Legion, who consisted of volunteers, who previously served in the 250th division retired).

The last sector of the 18th army was a plot on the Volkhov River from Kirish to Novgorod. Along the banks of the river were located the 28th Army Corps of General Herbert Loch (21st, 96th and 13th aircraft infantry divisions) and the 38th Army Corps of General Kurt Duke (in its composition, the 2nd Latvian brigade SS, 28 - Hheheric (Light) Division and 1st airflowing infantry division).

South of Lake Ilmen, the 16th Army Hansen still supported contact with the center of the Center armies. The 10th Army Corps of General Thomas Viqije (as part of the 8th Hanroom Division, the 30th and 21st aircraft infantry divisions) kept the frontier from Lake Ilmen to the hill. On the right flange of Viqiye, the 2nd Army Corps of General Paul Lakes (218th and 93rd Infantry Divisions) and the 6th Army Corps of the SS Lieutenant General Charles St. Pffer-Wildenbrukh (331m and 205th Infantry Divisions) were On the front line from the hill to new-phoned heights. The bridge district held the 43rd Army Corps of General Carl Background Ofena (15th Latvian Division of the SS, 83rd and 263th Infantry Divisions) and the 1st Army Corps of General Carl Hilpert (58th, 69th, 23- I, 122nd and 290th Infantry Divisions). The last sector from the empty to Lake Neuterdo held the 8th Army Corps of General Gustav Hen (81st and 329th Infantry Divisions, as well as the SS-Yekeln combat group).

To be continued.

Insurance materials contain estimates of exclusively foreign media and do not reflect the position of the EOSMI's editorial office.

Line "Panther"

At the final stage of the Great Patriotic War, the issue of the release of Leningrad still remained one of the most important on the agenda in the work of the TGC bet and the General Staff. Since January 1942, the Soviet command undertakes repeated attempts to break through the blockade and fully restore the message of the northern capital with a large land. Nevertheless, part of the 18th German army continued to hold their positions and parried all the strikes of the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts. Favorable atmosphere In this area, it was formed by the fall of 1943, when the strategic initiative completely passed to the Red Army.

The defeat of the German fascist troops in the decisive battle on the Kursk arc was marked by a radical fracture during the war and allowed the Soviet command to approach the solution of large-scale offensive tasks. Therefore, in the north-western strategic direction, it was not only about the removal of the blockade. In September 1943, the plan for the offensive operation was developed in full swing, the purpose of which was the liberation of the Baltic and the defeat of the entire Army Group. By that time, the troops of the Western Front were rapidly approaching the boundaries of Latvia and Lithuania. Thus, opened real opportunity Applying a powerful coordinated strike by the forces of five fronts - Leningrad, Volkhovsky, North-West, Kalininsky and Western. In the operational management of the General Staff, various options were considered and analyzed. A proposal was made - the main strike on the site of the northwestern front from the region of the Staray Russa right to the West, which allowed to dissemble the North Army Group into two parts. But with further consideration, this offer had to be refused. The nature of the area was extremely uncomfortable for the upcoming side. In addition, since the time of the Demyan operation, the enemy had a well-prepared, solid defense on this site.

Next, the General stations developed a breakthrough plan in the Western Front strip, followed by turning his right wing to the north. At the same time, the Germans would have to largely reduce the density of their defendant troops before the Kalinin front and open his way to Rezekne. The Kalinin front blow in the direction of Rezekne would lead to the exit to the flank and then rear of the enemy, which in turn seriously weakened the possibility of his resistance to the North-Western front, which, with such developments, could quickly and without much losses to move forward. Unfortunately, it was not possible to bring this plan to action, as it was based on the assumption that the current rates of the onset of the Western Front will be maintained and our troops will be able to create a prominent protrusion. But from the reports of the headquarters of the front became clear: the troops exhale, wounded in the defense of the enemy. It is impossible to calculate their further promotion, and therefore, a very tempting plan for applying a flank strike had to stop.

Ultimately, the plan of the offensive operation looked as follows. The main blow was supposed to be applied along the Dvina River in the direction of Polotsk, Daugavpils and go to Riga. Thus, a cut-off of the North Army Group from the remaining German troops and from Germany is achieved. Then a series of auxiliary strikes was followed with the aim of crushing the Baltic group of Germans, isolating and destroying it in parts. In addition, the General Headquarters had intelligence information on the possible waste of German troops in the sites of Leningrad, Volkhov and North-Western fronts. Commander of the Army Group "North" General-Colonel Lindeman really turned to the Fuhrer's bet with a proposal to take off his troops to a more profitable arbitrary on the organization of a long-term defense of the River River Line. To keep by all means - this was the general meaning of the response from Berlin.

On October 7, 1943, the Kalininsky front troops assault on the brief. This city was a major reference point and an important node of the opponent communications. With the taking of the bridge, the Germans lost the only railway branch in this section of the front. But the main thing was that the bridge was at the junction of the Army Groups "North" and "Center". The Soviet command had the opportunity to drive the tank wedge between two German groups and significantly expand the breakthrough.

The German Officer Otto Carius, the participant of those fights, recalled: "Suddenly, for us, an order was received on the march to the Neckline. Russians there attacked and took the city. Attack followed so unexpectedly that some of our troops were caught during the movement. The real panic began. It was quite fair that the commandant of the bridge had to respond to a military court for the blatant neglect of security measures. " Of course, in addition to the return of Commandant, the German command took other hurdles, so as not to allow his opponent to develop a tactical success in operational. Since a very sworded area actually tied the fighting for a few roads, the Germans blocked the strategic highway Great Luke - Nevel - Vitebsk tank-artillery departments. The upcoming Soviet troops were rendered fierce resistance. Heavy battles started.

At the same time, the Kalinin front was tasked to take the town. Mastering this settlement would be bypass Vitebsk and embrace the entire left flank of the Center for the Center of the Center from the North. But here the events developed much less favorably than in the area of \u200b\u200bthe bridge. At the initial stage of the operation, the Soviet troops managed to embry on the defense of the enemy. Then the Germans quickly reconciled and stopped further promotion of Russians. Almost immediately the battles per town moved to the protracted stage. Thus, the Soviet command could not be implemented by the intention of a deep breakthrough in the Kalinin Front strip. The North Army Group stood in a tough defense and held back the onslaught of our troops.

In the rate and the General Staff perfectly understood that it was necessary to look for a new one as soon as possible, a more optimal solution. It was impossible to give Germans to prepare and organizing defense in their operational rear. In addition, the trail of our troops on the spot allowed the enemy to strengthen the town and other important settlements in the front-line strip. Therefore, on October 12, 1943, it was decided to form a new front - Baltic. His task was a breakthrough of the enemy defense in the Idrician area with a further attack right in Riga. The new front was created on the basis of the management of the disbanded Bryansky front and through the allocation of troops from the reserves of the NGC rate. The commander was appointed General Army MM. Popov. Shortly before the introduction to a new position, he conducted a successful offensive operation on a very similar under the terms of the theater of hostilities. General Popov's troops liberated Bryansk by entering the rear to the well-strengthened German group. At the rate believed that this experience could be used in the Baltic States.

On November 1, the troops of the Baltic Front moved to the offensive. But, as noted in Memochi S.M. Shemen-Ko, "The enemy perfectly understood in all these subtleties." The offensive of the troops Popova choke almost on the first day. Their promotion did not exceed a few hundred meters per day. Fights on the Idritsky direction lasted about two weeks. The losses of our troops were great and completely did not justify the results achieved. The resistance of the enemy could not be broken, so the decision to stop further attacks well organized, the enemy's durable defense looked quite reasonable.

The new breakthrough was decided to implement in the town of Town. From October 20, 1943, the Kalinin Front became referred to as the 1st Baltic. He had to storm the town to reveal to move to Vitebsk further, and then take Polotsk, Daugavpils and Riga. To strengthen the former Kalinin front, the Soviet command made regrouping, having transferred from Idritsky direction, from the front of Popov renamed to the 2nd Baltic, additional troops.

In accordance with his favorite principle, "Frames decide all" Stalin decided to strengthen the command of the 1st Baltic Front. On November 19, 1943, the new commander was the general of the army I.Kh. Bagramyan. From the supreme, he received a categorical order - "commit to the town." A.M. Vasilevsky in his memoirs paid attention to this characterlike Stalinsky Steering Style: If there is no case on some front, it means that you need to change the commander.

Of course, Bagramyan confidently stated that "the order of Comrade Stalin will be executed." But the whole problem was that the task set before the front was not new. The German command was waiting for a possible Russian strike in the town area and properly prepared for its reflection. With the personal Stalinist orders, the jokes are bad, and the tunic of Bagraman should have been mercilessly to drive troops under the desired, destroying the fire of the enemy, who occupied well fortified positions. About what price I had to pay for taking a town, briefly mentioned in Memoirs S.M. Shtemenko: "Order by order, and take this settlement, very important to further promotion to Vitebsk and Polotsk, immediately failed. He was released from the occupiers only in a month as a result of stubborn and bloody fighting. "

As in the case of a successful assault, the Soviet command undertakes energetic attempts to make a deep breakthrough. But long-term, exhausting battles could not but affect the combat capability of the troops of the 1st Baltic Front. Moreover, the enemy demonstrated determination to fight intensively for each meter of the Earth. It was not possible to develop a further offensive either in the direction of Vitebsk, nor in the direction of Polotsk. The attempt to break the breakthrough from the area of \u200b\u200bBrush to the catcher. From the second half of December, relative lulls were established at the sections of the 1st and 2nd Baltic fronts.

In early January 1944, the General Staff sent a new version of the operational plan for the release of the Baltic state for approval. This time, developers proceeded from the unconditional proper assumption that the focus of the German command was riveted to Idrice, the Neck and the town and it was from there that it expects our new offensive actions. Therefore, the main blow was decided to apply the forces of the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts. A deep breakthrough was to be carried out through Gatchina and Narva.

The outstanding success of the winter onset of the Red Army in 1944 was the breakthrough of Leningrad's blockade. Finally, a point in severe, bloody struggle continued for three years was put. In honor of this long-awaited event, Moscow Saluteoval warriors of the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts. Calculations of the General Staff justified: the enemy defense was hacked, our troops rushed into a breakthrough, cleaning the territory of the Leningrad region from the invaders. The scheduled time managed to free Gatchina and meadow. Parts of the German 18th Army randomly retreated. They were chased by mobile tank-mechanized groups of Soviet troops. Only in the area of \u200b\u200bVolosov, the Germans managed to create a temporary defense line, which was held by the 61st Infantry Division of Colonel Wengler. Here for a few days there were stubborn, fierce battles. The German defense was again broken, and our troops rushed to Narva.

Hitler's anger fell on the commander of the North Army Group General Lindeman. The old, honored officer, at one time successfully commanded the 18th Army from the very beginning of the Eastern Campan, was retired. The new commander was a man who enjoyed unlimited confidence of the Fuhrer. It was Colonel-General Walter Model. A few words should be said about him.

The model passed a good commander school in the Guderian tank group. Gedz Guderian managed to bring up a number of generals, subsequently become famous military leaders. In his 24th Motorcorpus Walter Model passed the way from the headquarters of the regiment to the commander of the 3rd Tank Division. He moved during the eastern campaign. It is enough to remember that it was the 3rd tank division in September 1941, she took the Lohvitsa, thereby clinging the ring around the Kiev group of Soviet troops. For three years of war on the Eastern Front, the model has gained wide fame with its courage, an iron will and an unstable composure. All these qualities were combined in it with undoubted distribution abilities. At the final stage of the war, the model became an indispensable person for Hitler. There, where the front cracked louder, the Führer sent a model. And never disappointed in it.

Back in December 1943, the former commander of the North Army Group issued an order about the construction of his troops of the so-called line "Panther". According to General Lindeman, a strong defensive ruffle of a defensive line was to prevent the breakthrough of the Soviet troops into the Baltic States. The plan provided for the following configuration of the line "Panther": from the River Narva, along the mice and Pskov lakes and further to the south, including the old Soviet fortifications - Pskov, Ostrovsky and Sebezhsky, who in fairly short time could be turned into a serious barrier on the way of the upcoming opponent. But continuous battles on the front did not allow Lindeman to pay sufficient attention of the rear, so construction work on the line "Panther" was carried out through the stump deck. When in February 1944 troops Leningrad Front Sports to Narva, the new German commander had to be engaged in the organization of defense in the same place.

As soon as arriving at the headquarters of the Army Group, the model was very cool took up his subordinates. From Carius, a member of the battles on the line "Panther", so described his meeting with the commander: "I was viewed to find a suitable position to concentrate my tanks, when the car was driving a car with the flag of the housing on the front line. He immediately stopped, and I did not believe my eyes when Field Marshal jumped out of him. I reported that it was required of me, and then a storm could have broken down, like which would rarely see! The model twitched eyebrows ... I was not even allowed to explain anything or say anything in response. I went to my tanks and instantly turned out to be on the other side of Narva. Feldmarshal gave me an order that I would never forget:

I have a personal responsibility for you for not a single Russian tank. None of your "tigers" should not be disabled with the fire of the opponent. We are here the roads every trunk! " .

We add that Hitler on the day of the appointment of the model commander signed an order to assign him the title of General Field Marshal. The Feldmarsh Wand became a potent psychological doping. The model assured the Fuhrer, which will fight until the last person.

Having understood in the setting, the new commander calmed down somewhat. Resolute success Russians reached only in the Narvian direction. The actions of the 2nd Baltic Front, which were an integral part of the Leningrad offensive operation, was unsuccessful. The army of General M.M. Popova applied another blow to Idritsa, which the opponent was well prepared. I managed to take only newcomers. Further, our troops were stripped into deeply echelonized German defense, pulled into protracted battles and stopped at 40-45 kilometers east of Idritsa on February 10.

Did not bring the desired results and the offensive of the 1st Baltic Front. Maximum, which managed to achieve on this site - to go to the near approach to Polotsk and Vitebsk. Thus, in early February, the troops of the four Soviet fronts approached the supplement line "Panther" and stopped to carry out the replenishment and rearrangement before the bloody storm inevitable now.

Walter model sought to fully use the operational pause. First of all, he demanded significant reinforcements from the rack. The troops reported the model, suffered huge losses and extremely tired long battles. He did not consider it necessary to hide the true state of affairs from the Fuhrera. Hitler immediately fulfilled the requirements of the commander, which was prescribed personally. The newly formed 3rd Tank Corps of the SS arrived in the Narva district. It consisted of the 11th Motor Motor Division of the SS Nordland and the assault brigade of the SS "Langmark", equipped with Flemis. After rest and replenishment on the line "Panther", the assault brigade of the SS "Vallonia" was sent to the baptism of fire and distinguished in the breakthrough of German troops from Cherkasy boiler. Her commander Leon Degral received a knightly cross from the hands of the Fuhrer himself for this fight. Handing him the highest award of Reich, Hitler said: "If I had a son, I would like him to look like you." In addition, the command of the Army Group North has grown high hopes for the 15th Grenadier, 19th and 20th Motor-Motor Divisions of the SS. These parts were formed from Latvians and Estonians. In the headquarters of the model, they expected that they would fight particularly desperately, since they had nowhere to retreat, and in the event of a captive, they were expected to shoot in place. The Baltic MIC troops were published from iceaggs and members of other protascious organizations. Soviet counterintelligence and special departments of the Red Army equalized this kind of elements to the Vlasovs, therefore, they should not count on anyone.

The Germans failed to hide from the opponent's transfer of their reserves. First of all, in the Narva direction, where the atmosphere for them was threatening. Commander of the Leningrad Front General L.A. Give, having received an exploration message about the appearance of freshly sieas parts under Narva, decided not to give the Germans to create a solid defense. On February 3, a specially prepared assault detachment of a sudden strike captured the German premium strengthening on the left bank of the River Narva.

However, I had a worthy opponent. The commander of the 3rd Tank Corps of the SS Friedrich von Scholz was considered one of the best combat generals in Waffen SS. He was well versed in the setting. Therefore, after two hours, the tank-reconnaissance battalion "Hermann Zelce" from the Nordland division took a counterattack and beat off the predicted fortifications captured by Russians. In fact, this relatively small-scale combat episode has become the beginning of a long and bloody battle on the line "Panther", which continued for more than two months.

The next day, the troops showed the attacks on the prerequisite strengthening. In addition, attempted to seize the bridgehead on the right bank. The Germans were forced to pull the significant forces to Narva and compact their defense. The narrow plot from the coast of the Narva Bay to the northern Okrain of the city was covered by the 48th Motor Motor Regiment of the SS "General Zeiphardt" and the 49th De Ruyuter assault brigade "NEZEREXT". On the southern approaches to Narva, the position of the Nordland division was held with the position of the Nordland with a number of additionally attached parts: the 23rd Motion Power Policy of the SS "NORGA", 11th regime of self-propelled artillery, 54th artillery separate battalion and so on. Due to the high density of German defense, we failed to seize the bridgehead in the area of \u200b\u200bNarva. But south, Crifasso, the narrow section of the right bank was disgust. Constantly throwing reinforcements, the dialects was able to keep this bridgehead. But the Soviet parts could not move forward from him. Therefore, on February 12, the headquarters of the Leningrad Front decided to suspend further actions. The Germans also moved to defense. Both sides have prepared strongly to subsequent operations.

Meanwhile, in the General Staff made adjustments to the plan for the defeat of German troops in the Baltic States. Operational management has obtained comprehensive information about what is the line of Panther. CM. Shemenko recalled: "As a result, our troops ended up before the defense opponent well developed in engineering terms. On the way lay, in particular, the Pskov-Ostrovsky fortified area, which was supported from the south the main forces of the 16th German Army. " Therefore, the work of operational officers was headed by the head of the General Staff General A.I. Antonov.

At the heart of the assault plan of the Panther line was the idea of \u200b\u200bforce the Germans to spray their forces in several directions, mislead them as to where the main blow will be applied. For this purpose, a number of activities were planned to disguise the intentions of the Soviet command. The strike of the Leningrad Front on the Narva Roshchka is attached to the strike of the Leningrad Front and bypass Tartu from the north. The auxiliary shot applied the troops of the same front to Pskov to then develop success in the lower course of Western Dvina. Another part of the forces to the Leningrad Front had to be allocated to the offensive in the search of the Church of the Lake, having the goal to go to Tartu from the south.

In the light of such a large-scale problem L.A. Govorov introduced a proposal to disband the Volkhov Front. He believed that as a result, his front would receive additional troops that are absolutely necessary for action on such a wide area. In addition, Pskov was located in the Volkhov Front strip. Therefore, during the offensive, it will be impractical to link the interaction and engage in the organization of a single managing two fronts in the Pskov direction. All this will be an excess burden for the commander. In the bet with the proposal, I agreed, and on February 15, 1944, the Volkhov Front was disbanded. However, after a month and a half he had to recreate it again, but not even as Volkhovsky, but as the 3rd Baltic.

Before the 2nd Baltic Front of General M.M. Popova was put on a practically old task. His main blow again aimed at Idritsa and further on Rezekne. With the only difference that two more auxiliary strikes were preparing - on the island and a whole.

The main blow of the 1st Baltic Front under the command of General I.Kh. Baghamyan was scheduled in the direction of Vitebsk. At the same time, he had to interact with its right wing with the 2nd Baltic. The General Staff was calculated by the forces of the adjacent flanks of these two fronts to break the defense of the enemy in the Idrician area, which one 2nd Baltic was clearly unable. This Chertova Idres since October, forty-thirds did not give the General stakers to breathe calmly. Not to mention how much blood sheds there. The capture of Idricians was not only a matter of operational meaning, but also a question of military honor!

As a result, the actions of the Soviet troops were to lead to the crushing of the enemy forces, the breakthrough of the Panther lines and the output of the main shock groups to the Riga Bay. Thus, the Army Group North turned out to be in isolation in the Baltic States, which created the conditions for its complete destruction and opened the Red Army direct road to the "Lair of the Beast" - to Eastern Prussia.

To coordinate the actions of the fronts in the Baltic States, the TGC rate sent by Marshal S.K. Tymoshenko. In his memoirs S.M. Shemen-Co. described the impressions of cooperation: "I was appointed to him as headquarters. I perceived it, just say, without delight. However, the order is an order ... After a while I was invited to Marshal for dinner. This dinner turned into very unpleasant explanations.

Why were you sent with me? - Immediately asked Marshal and, without waiting for my answer, continued: - Teach us, old people * Want to beglong for us? Actually! .. You still went under the table on foot, and we already drove the divisions, won for you Soviet power. The academies were shocked and think that God is kept for the beard ...

... Here, with such a "encouraging" with a problem, I began to fulfill the new duties. " Hardly did not like Comrade Tymoshenko all sorts of "Melnikov" there! In this, he was completely solidary with another, even more great commander, whose name is still at all on the lips. Such a prominent military thinker instructed Stalin to win the Feldmarshal Maul Ey.

On March 1, 1944, at the time of the length of the Panther line, Soviet artillery preparation was rapid along the entire length. The troops of the Leningrad, the 1st and 2nd Baltic fronts switched to the offensive. From the front command item, General Popov on the outskirts of the village of Specino for the attack of German positions, I watched S.M. Shtemenko: "The results of the first day of fighting in the band of the 2nd Baltic Front were clearly unsatisfactory. All this day we were on the front NP and saw our own eyes how the Germans were fiercely defended, how dense their artillery and machine-gun fire was. He literally did not give the go to our infantry. " He did not help with terrestrial troops and strong support from the air. The actions of aviation affected both not enough favorable weather conditions and the lack of proper data on the purpose of the opponent's defense.

The next day the offensive resumed. The Germans met our troops with powerful barrage fire. All attacks were repulsed. The troops suffered very tangible losses. For once the 2nd Baltic Front could not move to Idrice. But no better was the picture and on other fronts. It turned out that the Germans solved the idea of \u200b\u200bthe Soviet command. The fire covered the troops in the directions of the main blows.

On March 3, a meeting of the front commander was convened in Spechino. Offensive actions decided to temporarily stop and move to defense. All those present agreed that the enemy was extremely strongly strengthened on the Idritsky direction and to break his defense is possible only if there is even greater concentration of live strength and technology than it was planned at the beginning. Therefore, are inevitable large losses and a huge consumption of ammunition. In the bet sent a telegram to strengthen the 2nd Baltic Front of the 3rd Cavalry Corps. From the idea of \u200b\u200ba frontal blow on a narrow plot in front of the Idritsky grouping of the Germans, it was decided to refuse. Instead of the onset of adjacent flanks, both fronts have now applied strikes in different directions: the 2nd Baltic forces of the two armies north of the Railway Petrachka - Idritsa, the 1st Baltic - west of the bridge also in two armies. To carry out such an operation, it was necessary to bargain the joint with the Leningrad Front.

However, the rate did not agree with the proposals developed at the meeting of the highest command staff. In Moscow, the instructions came from Moscow, in which the fronts were made essentially the same tasks. Again the adjacent fronts storming Idritsa. The new thing was only that the 1st Baltic Front caused the main strike not at Vitebsk, but on the Idritsky direction for the purpose of mastering the city of Sebezh. The commanders of the armies and fronts spoke out against the continuation of Idritsky Nightmare. But the instructions of Comrade Stalin two interpretations did not have. Therefore, Marshal Tymoshenko said that the orders are not discussed - they are executed.

On March 10, the next, fifth total assault of Idricians began. Artillery cannonade, not a verses, thundered for a whole week. The wave for the wave of troops of the 1st and 2nd Baltic fronts was in attacks. The result was how S.M. Shtemenko, "Two dents" in German defense. One at 25, another 20 kilometers on the front and 7-9 kilometers in depth. The Germans at these sites undertook a tactical waste at the pre-prepared positions. To the outcome of the seventh day of the assault, our troops were exhausted, bleeding and stopped. Even Marshal Tymoshenko, at one time she who did something similar on the Mannerheim line, admitted that further attacks were unpromising, and ordered to stop the offensive. Only the Leningrad Front was delivered from this meat grinder: in its attitude, nothing was said in the instructions, so L.A. Govorov took advantage of the respite for rearrangement of his troops and holding a more thorough intelligence of the enemy defense. The fighting on the Narva Isthmus with both forseer was carried out in small number of tank and infantry units.

On the morning of March 18, Marshal Tymoshenko, the second time convened a meeting of the commander of fronts, members of military councils and headquarters headquarters. All the gathered generals believed that there was no point in continuing the offensive. But how to report this to Moscow?

According to the memories of S.M. Shtemenko, for more than two hours he, together with the head of the headquarters of the 1st Baltic Front V.V. Kurasov and the 2nd Baltic L.M. Sandalov worked on the compilation of the Stalin report. In the first part of this document, the course of the failed operation was briefly described and the causes of failure were described in detail. Further, the Supreme Commander was requested a 30-day term for the preparation of a new offensive operation on the Idritsky direction, and also contained requests to replenish the troops with people and technicians, front-line arsenals - a large number of ammunition. The second part of the report smoothed an unfavorable impression. The attention of Stalin appealed that, according to intelligence data, the enemy had transferred the opponent from the Narva Isthmus to enhance its Idritskaya grouping 24th infantry, the 28th Little and 12th Tank Division. In this way, the Verkhovna was made a hint of the possibility of making a more optimal solution. The Germans seriously weakened the direction to Narva, thereby creating favorable conditions for the onset of the troops of the Leningrad Front. As a result, Stalin allowed to postpone the new assault of Idricians until April.

I must say, General L.A. By that time, he managed to achieve some tactical success. Understanding that the defense of the enemy was prepared thoroughly, he decided to abandon the method of frontal assaults. The govorov washed by the Germans with permanent disturbing actions, trying to strength their position in many areas. Such tactic brought their fruits. The troops of the Leningrad Front captured the south of Narva, very convenient for the development of a large-scale offensive. A very tempting operational plan was developed. The govors offered to apply a blow to the rear of the German troops, focused on the left bank of the River Narva. At the same time, the Soviet Division "Nordland", "Feldhrenholl" and the 61st Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht fell into the bag. The rate authorized the offensive operation of south of Narva.

On March 18, at 7 o'clock in the position of the German 61st infantry division, the fire shaft collapsed. After a powerful artillery training, our troops switched to the offensive with a springboard and immediately broke through the defense of the enemy. The German command was well aware of the danger. For the breakthrough site, to Lembita village, reserve parts supported by a battalion of heavy tanks and assault aviation were immediately nominated. The Germans successfully counted and the position was almost restored to the outcome of the day.

March 19, Soviet troops repeated the attack. The instnotes of Colonel Wengler were again shot down from the occupied positions. Then the German counterattack followed. Thus, the hopes of General of Govanov for the commission of a deep breakthrough were not justified. Until March 22, there was a fierce, bloody struggle around the bridgehead. We could not develop the offensive of the troops of the Leningrad Front. But the attempts of the Germans to reset them from the right bank of Narva ended in failure. Valuable bridgehead was retained. In the future, he delivered a lot of hassle.

The April onset of the 1st and 2nd Baltic fronts again turned out to be unfulfilled. As in March, the Soviet troops slightly wedged into the defense of the enemy. Neither the task of a deep breakthrough nor the task of the defeat of the group of army "North" could not be solved.

Fronts advanced ahead of just 18-20 kilometers. Equally unsuccessfully developed the onset of the Leningrad Front on Pskov. Moreover, the Germans took advantage of the fact that the main forces of the troops were transferred from Narva south. An elite tank regiment "Great Germany" arrived on Narva's experiments with a special task, which was commanded repeatedly mentioned in the summary of the Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht Colonel Hyacinth Count von Strakhvitz. Feldmarshal model personally set the task of eliminating the ill-fated Russian bridgehead.

During the March fighting, the Germans managed to preserve in their hands the key value of paragraph 33.7, which they called the "boot". This "shoe" was deeply crashed into the territory of the bridgehead, dividing it in two - to "East" and "West" bags [so in German operational documents. - Aut.] That is, the Germans had the opportunity to defeat Soviet troops in parts. On April 6, 1944, the Great Germany regiment with the empowered tank and infantry parts conducted a successful operation to destroy the Eastern Bag. On April 19, Colonel Strakhvitz tried to complete the elimination of the Russian bridgehead. But the intentions of the Germans were obvious, so our troops awaited their offensive and well prepared for its reflection. The cruel fight lasted throughout the day to the sweetest. The Germans were discarded with big losses. The soldiers of General Govanov reappeared a bridgehead. In the future, no active action on this site did not undertake.

With the onset of the spring, the dishthele on the fronts was established. Thus, Feldmarshal model was able to stop Soviet troops on the line "Panther" and temporarily stabilize the front of the North Army Group.

The operational pause lasted here until July 1944. Three months later, the Soviet troops took a new offensive, finally broke through the line "Panther" and entered the Baltic States.

Pskov OUR!

On July 23, 1944, as a result of heavy street fighting, Pskov-dilapidated powerful bombardments was released from the fascist invaders. The longest occupation ended in the history of our city.

As a result, the date, practically coincided with the Day of Memory of the Holy Patrone Pskov - Princess Olga, became the main urban holiday. And the theatrical "forcing" the river the Great Troops of the Pskov garrison was for many years was the favorite festive show of the citizens. 71 years after the liberation of the regional capital, the Pskov Information Agency recalls, as it was ...

Pskov in the occupation

Pskov was occupied on July 9, 1941 - already on the 18th day of the war.
The city became a support rear area for German army Groups North: Its administrative, economic and military center. The command and economic inspection of the North Army Group, the command of the 18th Army, the headquarters of the Operational team 1-A (SD Security Service), the Military Construction Organization Todt, German hospitals and intelligence officers are accommodated.

Since the spring of 1943, divisions were placed in Pskov Russian Liberation Army (ROA), Estonian compendier and police, Latvian volunteers, Spanish legionnaires from "Blue Division", railway troops headquarters.

The permanent German garrison of Pskov numbered about 20 thousand people, periodically the number of quartered in the city of soldiers increasedup to 70 thousand.

"Russian liberation army»General Vlasov on the streets of Pskov

The city had a bank, individual theaters for the Germans and for the Russian population, published a newspaper in Russian "For the Motherland" (According to some data, the team of the Soviet newspaper has passed to work in its full composition headed by the editor "Pskov collective farmer"), operated officer and soldier clubs. Contrary to common practice, in the occupied Pskov, the mail worked, and special stamps were published.

A separate page of the stories of the occupied city - the work of the so-called Pskov spiritual mission. Orthodox priests who arrived from the Baltic States who worked in it were engaged in charitable activities (gathered donations for prisoners of war of Pskov's concentration camps), opened kindergarten, shelter for orphans, parish schools. Thanks to the activities of the mission, Orthodox churches were opened for worship services, including Trinity Cathedral.

<- Уже 18 августа 1941 года в Псков прибыли первые 14 миссионеров-священников Псковской православной миссии -

basically Russian priests from Riga

and Narva dioceses.

In 2010, the director Vladimir Khotinenko removed the art film "Pop" about the priest of the mission -\u003e

"Stalan 372" was located on the Zaulicheye, on the territory of the former military town (in the current borders of the jubilee streets, Major Delvais and General Marghelov). Prisoners of war were located in 30 stables of the former Omsk infantry regiment.

Among other things, Pskov has become a major destination of Soviet prisoners of war,

in particular, in the city found camp for prisoners of war ranksStalag-372..

According to emergency state Commission In order to establish and investigate the atrocities of the German fascist invaders and their accomplices, in the years of occupation in Pskov, 250-290 thousand Soviet prisoners of war were killed. In total, during the war years through Pskov, who was an important transport center in the German rear, passed,

according to experts, there are a total of about 1 million prisoners of military and civilians.

Beginning of the liberation of Pskovshchina

The liberation of cities of the current Pskov region began at the beginning

1942. Immediately after the defeat of the German troops, the administrative centers of the two southern regions were released near Moscow: Kunya. (January 23) and Combaty (January 28-29).

Then the liberation continued only at the end of 1942. November 24 began Velikoluksky offensive operationdesigned by capturing railway nodes in Great Luki. and Novosokolnikov to sow German troops and prevent their transfer under Stalingrad. After 4 days of troops of the 3rd shock army under the command of General Lieutenant Kuzma Galitsky The ringing ring around the city on Lovati was closed, after which the assault began. For the New Year's night, the troops mastered almost all the city with the exception of the railway hub and the fortress. At noon January 16, 1943, the defending resistance was finally broken, and a special detachment of the 249th division of 30 people captured the last focus of defense - the headquarters of the garrison, the captivation of the lieutenant colonel background Zassa.

At the same time, another task of an offensive operation - the liberation of Novosokolnikov - never was achieved.

January 16, 1943: Commander of the Velikoluksky garrison Baron Eduard von Zass after captivity by the Central Division of the 249th Division.

Baron took place from the kind of Estonian landowners from the Islands of Saaremaa, who proven themselves military service Russian Empire. Background Cassus managed to alternate on the side of the Germans under the great bows of almost 2000 Estonians who fought in the Red Army. Baron was publicly hanged for war crimes on the city's market square on Lovati in early 1946.

Fierce battles in the territory Novosokolnichesky district - on the Ptahinian height - resumed only in the summer of 1943. Later, from 6 to 10 October of the same year, was released Nevel. And from Novosokolnikov The Germans were knocked out only January 29, 1944 to prevent the enemy's troops Leningrad and Novgorod.

In parallel, on the same days, the Soviet troops began offensive from the north, freeing Gdov (February 4), Plussia (18th of Febuary), Red stops (February 23), Bottom (24 February), Dedovichi (25 February). On February 26, three district center were released - Bejanitsa, Porch and Lohn. February 29 joined them Novorzhev. Thus, the eastern half of the current Pskov region was liberated.

Further promotion of Soviet troops again stopped in view of the fact that the famous German defensive line "Panther" was waiting for them ...

Line "Panther"

Line "Panther" - part of the so-called Eastern Shaft: German defensive system stretching from Baltic before Black Sea and designed to stop the offensive of the Soviet troops. She passed from the sign river Narva in The Gulf of Finland to the northeastern tip Child Lake, from southeastern tipPskov Lake Arc east of OgbalaPskov, walked along river Great in the southeastern direction tolake Alya.Further before lake Big Ivan. northeasternNevel.

By the end of 1943, Panther included 36.9 km of anti-tank RVov, 38.9 km of a full profile trench, 251.1 km of wire bardings and 1346 firepoints (dolots and sucks). Its the most powerful defensive nodes were island and Pskov. In the region of the latter, 1 kilometer of the fortifications accounted for an average of up to 8 dollars and 12 sucks. It also included anti-tank and anti-personnel mine fields and anti-tank Rips.

Before breakthrough

At the end of February 1944, parts of the Red Army went to Panther. The position war began, which lasted 5 months.

On February 4, 1944, in connection with the approach of Soviet troops, the German command in Pskov was issued an order "On Evacuation".

As part of its implementation, 11 thousand Pskovich was sent to the Baltic States and Germany.

From the city began to actively export values \u200b\u200band equipment.

What could not take out, was destroyed in place.

April 18, 1944 was formed 3rd Baltic Front under the command of General Army Ivan Maslennikovawhose troops were preparing for three months for the upcoming storming of the fortifications of Panthers. The headquarters went on combat planning, with the fighters were held special training, armored and mechanized troops were engaged in the restoration of the material part.

In the spring and summer several attempts of the breakthrough "Panthers" were taken on different sites. North of Pushkin Mountains - in the area Damn mountain - a small Soviet bridgehead appeared on the left bank of the Great, the so-called Strezhnevsky bridgehead.

At this time in Pskov from July 8 to July 22, 1944, bridges were blown up, a city power plant was destroyed, many promotions,

historical monuments, residential buildings.

Commander of the 3rd Baltic Front

From front-line newspapers 42nd, 376th, 128th rifle divisions:

"Pskov burns! His wounds harness our hearts. Pskov is waiting for their liberators. "

"We are in front of us ancient Russian city, who glorified himself a centuries-old heroic struggle against the German invaders. Pskov is the last stronghold of the Germans on the Leningrad Earth. Pskov is a gate to the Baltic States. "

"To free Pskov is to rescue thousands of Soviet citizens from the fascist captivity. Release Pskov - it means paving the path of the Red Army to the Baltic States. Release Pskov - it means to put another serious blow to the enemy. The matter of honor of the warriors of our army is to eat Pskov from German Kolay, return it

to happy Soviet life. "

From the flyer of the Military Council of the 42nd Army:

"The glorious warriors of our army!

... You are on the approaches to a major administrative center Leningrad region, an important node railways - City of Pskov.

Before you an old Russian city, who glorified himself a centuries-old heroic struggle against the German invaders. Our ancestors, Pskovsians and Novgorod, led by Alexander Nevsky, broke in 1242 on the church of the Lake of German dogs. This is "Ice battery "forever glorified the power of Russian weapons.

Our fathers and older brothers in 1918, near Narva and Pskov Narolov, broke the choice of German troops and thus entered the first greatest page in the history of the military glory of the young Red Army ... "

Pskov-Ostrovska offensive operation

Pskov-Ostrovsky Operation Began the offensive Strezhnevsky Bridgehead July 17, 1944. The main blow was applied to the junction between the main forces. army Groups North – 18th and 16th armies. On the first day of operation, the troops have advanced by 40 kilometers. The significance of this event was so big that in Moscow in honor of the soldiers of the 3rd Baltic Front, which made a breakthrough was given salute.

July 21 was taken Island. As a result, a real threat to the entourage of the Wehrmacht grouping in the Pskov region was created. The panic retreat of German troops began.

From the magazine of hostilities of the 42nd Army of the 3rd Baltic Front:

July 20. "The insignificant of artillery and mortar fire from the enemy, the movement of boats, railway. Echelons and live strength to the West - characterize the removal of its main forces and the rear on the West Bank. Great. "

21 July. "A reduction in the movement of the living force and transport, the comfort of communication in certain areas is confirmed yesterday's conclusion and we must expect leaving the opponent of its positions."

From the testimony taken captive by the captivity of Wehrmacht Geinz Kenve about the offensive of Soviet troops in the area of \u200b\u200bthe island:

"Nobody expected the Russian offensive on our site. We were amazed when artillery preparation began. Anxiety began to form groups from the rear to keep the Russians. But after the breakdown of shells, the Russian infantry suddenly appeared in the dugouts. We rushed to run.

The first to run away commanders, for them soldiers ... On the first day of the Russian coming, the company lost more than half of their composition. "

Soviet infantry on the streets of the island

On July 22, 1944, the troops of the 42nd Army of the 3rd Baltic Front switched to the offensive on Pskov.

The main blow to the city was applied 128th and 376th Rifle Divisions (Commanders - generals Dmitry Lukyanov and Nikolai Polyakov) included in 42nd army (Commander - General Vladimir Sviridov) 3rd Baltic Front.

Together with them they operated the compounds and parts - engineering, artillery, sapper and others. Supported the offensive pilots

14th air army General Ivan Zhuravlev.

Directions of the 128th Rifle Division came directly on Pskov: 741-J. (Commander - Lieutenant Colonel rigorius Churbanov), 374-J. (Commander - Major Konstantin Shestak), 533-J. (Commander - Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Panin), and from the 376th rifle division - 1250th regiment (Commander - Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Glushkov).

From the report of the commander of the 128th Rifle Division D. A Lukyanov Command 3rd Baltic Front:

"Pskov was turned into an opponent in a powerful resistance node. The buildings have machine-gun points, in the foundations of houses are equipped with dots and dzotes. Streets and most of the houses are mined, fugasy are installed at the intersections. On the Pskov Highway - Riga to the trees were tied charges with electric fuses ... "

"We knew that we had to go, in a short time calculated by 2-3 hours, and at the first stage minutes, to force the Great River, so according to the map and on the reports of intelligence in the details the possible places of crossings, rear borders of the enemy, reserves of infringement . We did not count on the tabletracks, so from the very beginning they were focused on Russian inlet and resourcefulness: they studied quickly and reliably build rafts using barrels, boxes, doors, window and door boxes, gates, telephone poles. "

Chronicle of Liberation Pskov

The 533rd Rifle Regiment of the 128th Rifle Division began a breakthrough of the line "Panther" in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Cherochi, Lazhnevo, Closko, coming on the protestes.

The 374th rifle regiment was moved to the offensive (from the side of the Gornovo, Birdo on the crosses), 741th rifle regiment (from Lyubovo).

Routed in the offensive 376th Infantry Division (at 06:00 1250th Rifle regiment in the direction of Mountain - Abrosovo, at 06:30 1252th Rifle regiment in the direction of the Upper and Lower Galkovichi, Interbalovo, Delos, at 06:45 1248- th row regiment in the direction of MOLOVO, ABIGA). The 374th and 741th rifle shelves of the 128th rifle division occupied crosses, and a birch station.

The 533rd and 374th rifle shelves of the 128th rifle division were cleaned from the enemy the East and central regions of Pskov, went out to the Great River.

The 741th rifle regiment, who occurred to the left bank of the Pskov River, went ashore Great to the mouth of Pskov.

Crossing through the Great Two Rot 374th rifle regiment In the area of \u200b\u200bthe Pokrovskaya Tower, the battle for mastering the south of the Mozoan Monastery, the south of the Mozoan Monastery and its retention.

All parts of the 128th rifle division focused on the right bank of the Great River (from the mouth of the Pskov River to Promatizhaz: 741th Rifle Regiment - from the mouth of Pskov to the mouth of the Mirozh, the 374th rifle regiment - from the mouth of Mirozh to the railway bridge, 533- y rifle regiment - from the railway bridge to the protesters.

By evening, the 128th Infantry Division occupied the frontier: the right bank of the Great from the mouth of Pskov to Promedians, two companies at a bridgehead on the left bank of the south of the Mozoan Monastery. The 376th Infantry Division occupied the frontier: Moarovitsa, Hoteys, Diamond. The seeping was cleared, the preparation of the forwarding agents.

Two more companies of the 374th rifle regiment were crossed on the bridgehead on the Zealicye.

03:00


04:40 - 05:00


06:00 - 06:45






09:00 - 10:00

11:00 - 15:00

12:00 - 14:00

Shelves of the 128th Rifle Division for July 22 released 50 settlements. The 376th Rifle Division liberated the Northern District of Pskov, focused on the right bank of the Great (from the mouth of Pskov to the mouth of the Great).

Shelves of the 376th Rifle Division from the beginning of the offensive were released by 69 settlements.

From the magazine of hostilities of the 42nd Army of the 3rd Baltic Front:

July 22. "Correcting the situation, the behavior of the opponent and the moment of his departure, part of the army, especially 128 SD, did not give the enemy to tear off, broke into his shoulders. Pskov and mastered the bridgehead on the left bank of the river. Great, which contributed to the breakthrough of his first intermediate turn. "

03:00 - 04:00


04:00


05:00 - 06:30


06:30

The 533rd, 374th, 741th rifle shelves of the 128th rifle division forced the Great River.

The 1250th Rifle Regiment began forcing the Great Downstream from the mouth of Pskov.

1248th, 1250th, 1252th rifle shelves of the 376th rifle division forced the Great in the northern part of Pskov, to the mouth of the Great.

Pskov is completely cleaned of the enemy's troops.

From the special issue of the newspaper "Blow on the enemy" of July 26, 1944:

"Rota began to force the Great River. The enemy machine gunner, seated in the basement of the stone building, beat the crossing. Partorg Rota Sergeant Kudzoev grabbed two grenades and ran to the river. The fighters saw how a courageous communist crossed the river, as his grenades rotted back to the ambrusura and threw. The machine gun is walked, the company quickly crossed over the river and rushed into the attack. Ahead was the hero-communist Sergeant Kudzoev.

From the memoirs of the commander of the 374th regiment of the 128th Rifle Division K. A. Shestak:

"Our regiment began an offensive on July 22 at 4 am. The horizon slowly cleared. From the swamp, which lay before the height of Berdovo, stretched up a nasy cable thick fog. How he was, by the way, this fog! He helped the shelf is secretive to reach mineral fields and the wires of the opponent. The sappers were neutralized for the day of battle about a thousand mines and fugasov, undermined several firepoints of the enemy, they traveled 12 passes in mine floors and barriers. They opened the way and gave a signal to the beginning of art preparation ... The enemy was worn by surprise. He did not even have time to take fighter positions and strengthen the defense line. "

From the memories of Sergeant Communication company 374th regiment I. Markova:

"From the ruins of the plant" Promoter "fascinated machine guns. Fighters climbed. We tried to go around, but also to the left of the destroyed building station we met with fire. Then the battalion rose to the attack. A friendly "Hurray!" ... The enemy machine guns were choke, the Nazis ran away. And here I am already on the territory of the plant "Promoter, in the first, be destroyed, but but the liberated building of his hometown. And the next battalion knocked the Nazis from the station building at the time.

From the memories of sergeant company company

374th regiment I. Markova:

« With the battle, every step in the ruins of houses lit up the fascists. Around– not a single home, some ruins ... There are already ruins of the hotel "Oktyabrskaya".

W. Summer Garden I stopped, looked at the clock. Exactly 9 am We are located in the center of the native city. "

From the memoirs of the commander of the 374th regiment of the 128th Rifle Division K. A. Shestak:

"On July 22, at 10 am, the caravan of homemade rafts and dams took a course on the Mozoan Monastery and the Church of the Clement. My monitoring point was equipped on top of a small hill near the Pokrovskaya Tower. From here, a good overview of both banks of the river was opened. To support the landing of the fire and suppressing enemy fire funds on the banks of the river was delivered

36 artillery guns.

With the rules of the landing squad, we had a straight link - underwater telephone, radio communication and visual. Already by 11 o'clock in the morning on July 22, the bridgehead on the opposite shore was conquered and firmly held by us. ".

AND c memories of the machine gunner of the 374th rifle regiment A. Rozalin:

« We are hiding behind their fire "Maxim". Beam on thickets of the opposite gentle shore. On the water began to look up the fountains: enemy ambushes from the opposite shore took a strong shelling of mines. I carry the fire of your machine gun in the depth of the opposite shore. From somewhere on the right, along the river, faded the enemy machine gun. Yeah! Won from the destroyed brick building. I deploy my machine gun there, coming with him in a duel. The fascist is sitting and our machine gun: froze, whispered bullets. Mostly our swap! "

From the report of the head of the political waste of the 128th rifle division P. P. Kazmina:

« Exceptional samples of courage and courage of the warriors of our parts showed in hot battles when forceing the river Great. The fifth rifle company of the 374th shelf with the move rushed climbing, using logs, boards, shens of the hay. Sergeant of Baldakov with a coil by the shoulders crossed the opposite bank and gave a timely communication command. Krasnoarmec Samoilov, crushed to the West Coast of Great, from under the enemy's nose, hijacked the boat, on which many fighters and technology were transported».

From the memoirs of the fighter of the divisor of the 533rd regiment G. I. Herodic:

« We descended along the steep promenade down to the river. We look at the right: bridges are blown up, there are no pontoon crossings yet. The only way out remains: to put into the work of the soldier smelter, use the remedies.And he can not be keenly a minute: the fighters of rifle battalions are running along the steep Kosoyar, and on the go, they choose everything that can stay on the water: boards, logs, doors, gates, empty barrels from fuel ... It is necessary to believe our little Flotilla looked very funny. Water fountains were cooked around us. These are the Germans fired by the crossing of the gunsand large-caliber mortars.

But they shot already from afar. And the non-delicate shooting is ineffective! So our intelligence crossed without losses. "

According to reports of irrevocable losses for July 22-23, 1944, losses killed in the 128th and 376th rifle divisions, as well as in parts of the 14th fortifications, amounted to 100 people ...

« Soviet troops The assault was mastered the city of Pskov. Honor and glory to the valiant troops of the Third Baltic Front! Their share fell happiness to release one of the oldest cities of Russia, whose name resurrects in the memory of the Russian people the glorious pages of his history.

Since ancient times, Pskov stands with a non-frozen Rus in the Western turning. Pskov is memorable enemies. About his stone walls more than once shared the robber gangs of German dogs-knights. In brutal battles on the Pskov Earth under the root of the ragged was the power of the Livonian Order. Pskov regiments, tested in military art, participated in historical battles, in which the united forces of Slavic peoples inflicted the final strike by Teutonic conquerors - predecessors of German imperialism.

The old glory of Pskov echoes new. In historical battles under Pskov, the Red Army was born in 1918. And again, as inset, as 26 years ago, under Pskov, the invaders learned the power of Russian weapons, the anger of the Russian people learned. But they never had bits, as now ... a wonderful city, the keeper of Russian culture, again in the family of native cities! "

All compounds participating in the operation

received the name "Pskov".

By order of the Supreme Commander No. 0248 of August 9, 1944, it was awarded the 128th Rifle Division, the 376th Rifle Division, the 122nd Army Mortise Shelf, the 52nd Guards Heavy Cannon Artillery Division, the 631nd Army Zenith-artillery regiment, 38th separate motorized pontoon bridge battalion,

85th separate communication regiment.

Orders and medals for the liberation of Pskov was awarded

4244 Soldierand commander.

« We go with the fighters along the streets of the liberated Pskov ... Streets, erased

from the face of the earth, piles of ruins, ash, and only occasionally surviving houses, densely stupid by mines. Some quarters at first glance seem to survive. In fact, it is only walls: inside everything is blown up. In the ruins turned the station, hotel, most residential buildings, theater, church, church, looted

and enterprises destroyed. "

"They all the time retreated"

"On the night of July 14, 1944, under Pskov, we took another position in order to support the reconnaissance of the next division in the morning. Lil rain. Commander of the Department Sergeant Communication by Efim Leibovich, with his department, extended a connection from the battery to the observation point on the front line. We, led by our platoon commander, prepared data for launching fire.

It seemed that everything was going well. But only I climbed into the dugout a little sleep, as Kombat shubbnikov called me. It turns out that the connection with the supervisory point was interrupted, and the shubbits ordered immediately eliminate damage.

With difficulty pulling the fallen relations of Rudakov and Huszymis. Since Leibovich was called to the team point of the division, the group was headed by me.

Deaf dark. Feet travel around clay. After every one hundred meters, it is nicknamed. And then shelling began, and almost crawled. Finally discovered damage. Long searched in the dark with an explosion the second end of the wire. Husin quickly hit the ends, you can return. Not far from the battery ordered Rudakov to ring the line. It turned out that the connection was broken again.

They walked back again under fire ... so repeated three times. When, completely exhausted, returned to the battery, heard an ominous sheep of projectile. A slip fell on the ground. The break, the other, the third ... a few minutes could not raise the heads. Finally calmed down. I wake up and see how the hatin is selected near the trench. Rudakova nowhere. Loudly began to call - in vain.

In dull, dawn dusk noticed a stationary body near a small stone. Ran up to a friend, turned to my face.

- Sasha! Sasha! What's the matter?

Rudakov opened his eyes, sleepily and confused:

- Nothing, comrade Sergeant ... I fell asleep under the "music" ...

What people are tired and how they are accustomed to the constant proximity of the deadly danger! ..

... In the summer of 1944, we stopped in the city of Izborsk. Under this city, we almost died with a group of scouts. And it turned out. Efim Labovich, I also traveled our intelligence officers on the two-year. In the car - coils with cable for communication and the rest of our combat property. The Germans, as we were told, was dragging from here, and we calmly drove along the road. True, we saw that people were lying on the roads and their hands were enjoyed. We did not pay special attention to them. They drove into one village, stopped in the center and here they understood: there are Germans in the village.

Our rifles lie under the coils. To get them, you need to unload the whole car. Of course, only the careless soldiers could afford it to afford. And we see that the Germans with guns run to our car. MiG jumped from the body and run into rye.

What saved us? Probably, the Germans also did not understand something: they could not assume that several idiots were found among the Russians who drove into the village without weapons. Maybe they made them accepted us for their own, because one German was long standing on the edge of the field and shouted all the time in our direction:

- Hans, Hans! ..

We are in rye, and I try to suppress my breath, unwittingly examining some crawling bugs, I think: "Oh, how stupid I will perish ..."

But the Germans soon left. We waited some time, left the rye field, got into the car, pre-taking the rifle, and went back.

Why our car did not attract the Germans why they did not leave ambushes - I can not understand. Probably because they then had a panic. They retired all the time.

We found our battery, and Kombat shubbniks, having seen us alive, was delighted.

"I thought you were all died," he said. - You were sent to the village by mistake, confused ...

The Pskov Land dismissed the sergeant of the 72nd separate anti-aircraft division, subsequently a popularly beloved circus artist and cinema Yuri Nikulin.

In his book "Almost seriously" in chapter

"Under Gdov, under Pskov" there were memories of these battles:

"July 23, 1944. We enter the city, the city is still burning, often heard explosions. It is fluttering mines. The city is very mined. Many mines are robbed by themselves -

this is a high-speed fugary. The city suffered greatly. All good buildings are destroyed. We drove almost to the cathedral, but did not meet a single civilian person. The city is dead. The people were all hijacked with the Germans with them, "wrote in his diary Cornelia Orlov, fighter Special group of the 2nd Baltic Front.

The demining of the city began with the proletarian boulevard and the October Street: the transport arteries, according to which the main movement of the Soviet troops was going.

An inscriptions appeared on the walls of the houses: "The house is mine. L-t Korneev ".

In memory of this, this inscription is now preserved at the facade of the building of the Pskov Museum-Reserve on Nekrasov Street.

In accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of August 23, 1944, Pskov became the center of the newly formed region. On January 5, 1945, the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR adopted a resolution "On activities to restore the economy of the city of Pskov and the Pskov region". And on November 1, 1945, the decision of the Council of People's Commissars The USSR Pskov was included