08.11.1941
Zhdanov, Khazin at the device.
Stalin at the device. We are very worried by your slowness about carrying out the operation you know about. You have a term of several days. If you do not break through to the East within those several days then you will ruin the Leningrad front and the whole population of Leningrad as well. We are being told that after the artillery barrage the infantry doesn’t go forward. But you must know that infantry will not go without tanks. After the barrage you must put forth the tanks and only after them you can let the infantry attack, giving the artillery an order to redirect their fire 3-4 kilometers to the East of the frontline of your tanks. So that the tanks and the infantry could maneuver freely while the enemy couldn’t bring in fresh forces. And in general, you must redirect your artillery fire further to the East as your forces are advancing. Without such organization you will not achieve anything. Of course the aviation and RS must do their jobs also. Over.
The offense of
the infantry has bumped upon a quite strong fortified construction. The
artillery barrage was enough each time, but the infantry didn’t use its fire
and airstrikes. The infantry usually, after starting the movement, had to
stop and lie down while sustaining high casualties. Because of this there is
a serious lack of forces in the divisions operating on the left bank of Neva
river.
Regarding tanks, des[ite all the measures taken, we only managed to transfer
7 tanks to the left bank of Neva and those quickly went out of service.
Regarding KVs, we didn’t manage to get any of those across the Neva yet. It
is enough to say that three quarters of the ferry vehicles are out of
service. That is why ferrying is slow and happens generally at night.
Regarding artillery, they are very good at firing against the front edge of
the enemies front, but they don’t see the targets when firing deeper. The
cannot do a stronger barrage at an area and the enemy has dug in very deep
and has bunkers and dugouts.
Due to our losses and not yet organized ferry we were forced to hold on our
offensive for a few days to put our units in order, reinforce them, organize
the ferry properly, prepare the battle so there is a full cooperation
between the infantry and the artillery.
Regarding the area of the 55th army, there is movement here in the direction
of the supporting strike. Blocking units of sappers and supporting tanks
have been created. Tanks are used at full here. We lost 29 tanks knocked out
and burned. Now at night a battle is going on to capture the firing points
near Usty-Tosno and the railway bridge. The commanders of the 55th army have
an assignment to clear the Western bank of the Usty-Tosno today during the
day, to start crossing the Usty-Tosno tomorrow.
The forces are in a combat mood. On the right bank all is dependent on the
difficulties of using tanks. Low manpower of our divisions is also an issue.
We are taking measures: by reducing the rear (artillery men) for 8000 men,
signalmen by 5000, AA by 8000 and sending them as riflemen. Some divisions
are reduced to two regiment compositions. Over.
You have to choose between the captivity on one side and sacrificing several divisions on the other. I repeat, sacrifice and break through the road to the East for you, to save your entire front and Leningrad. As soon as you break through, we will make a railroad. The infantry will not go without tanks. Take actions to ferry the KV tanks to the left bank. If they are too heavy, then let them make their armor lighter for 10-20 tons. If there are lighter tanks, then ferry those. If the 55nd army can strike from the South to the North to the rear of the enemy who is at Neva, then let it strike. I repeat there is not much time left for you - you will run out of food soon. Try to form groups of hunters of the most brave men from different divisions and create one or two regiments of them. Explain the great significance of the feat that is required from them to break through. Perhaps those consolidated regiments of brave men could encourage all the rest . Over.
The military council of the front not only doesn’t have any doubt, but also fully agrees with you and will not stop before any opposing force not for a minute. So that you have no doubts in our actions I report that we have transferred to the left bank 5 of our best divisions. The 168th rifle division and 20th rifle division after 3-4 days of fighting have only around 200-300 men but nevertheless they don’t have any deserters or those avoiding the battle. We throw into battle everything we have in our hands. We will not be able to transfer light tanks to the left bank because those, a few dozen machines, are used by the 55th army near Usty-Tosno.
If you do not agree or have any doubts, then say it directly. You are using your forces poorly. If you have such good divisions operating at the front, then it is very sad that you have used them poorly. Infantry division, armed with machine guns and rifles, cannot go against enemy fortified positions. Fortified regions must firstly be destroyed with artillery, mortars, then you should let tanks go there and only then, behind the tanks the infantry division can show itself as a real force. Without tanks the infantry is helpless against enemies fortified regions.
We will re organize our artillery work as you have instructed. We will immediately create consolidated regiments of hunters. Units of hunters are operating in the 55th army and are used to capture enemy dugouts and bunkers. Over.
I ask you and comrade Khazin to inform us about the situation with this matter at around 12PM. Over.
All from us.
Wish you well. Wish you luck. I’m waiting for the first information via the direct wire tonight at 12 o’clock. Call me to the device on 8.11.1941, 6.00. Stalin.
Good bye comrade Stalin, we are getting down to the implementation of your instructions and will inform you at 12:00 in the night.
ЦАМО. Ф. 96а. Оп. 2011. Д. 5. Л. 151-155.
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