Transcript of talk of the Supreme Commander and the member of Stavka to the commanders of the Leningrad Front.

01.12.1941

Stalin, Molotov at the device.: Hello.

Khozin, Zhdanov.: Hello.

Stalin, Molotov.: It is very strange that in such a difficult time for Leningrad comrade Zhdanov does not feel the necessity to come to the device and call in any of us to share information. If we from Moscow wouldn’t call you to the device, then probably com. Zhdanov would forget about Moscow and muscovites, who could help Leningrad. It seems that Leningrad, headed by com. Zhdanov is not in the USSR but somewhere on an island in the Pacific ocean. Please let us know about what you are doing, how is it going and how you plan to get out of the current situation? Over. Stalin, Molotov.

Khozin, Zhdanov.: сom. Stalin, com. Molotov, we admit this our mistake, but we wanted to report only on something significant. For all this time we were busy transporting KV tanks to the left bank of Neva. We succeeded. 20 KV tanks, 10 T-34 and 16 light tanks have been transferred to the left bank of Neva during the last several nights. Yesterday (30.11) we started an offensive, supported by these tanks the first day of which has resulted in a significant success. On the front of the breakthrough, the first enemy entrenchment line has been taken. We are continuing the offensive and count on success. To exploit that success we are bringing in two fresh divisions and additional tanks. We wanted to report when there are more results.
During this time, we took to work the commanders of the armies that are in defensive positions: 42nd, 23rd armies and Seaside groups, for their insufficient activity. We took one division from each of them to reinforce the active region of the 55th and 8th armies. During this time we have formed two ski regiments and two separate ski battalions and are currently forming a third ski regiment.
We had in mind a very interesting operation which could bring us quick results, by using the 80th division with a ski regiment from the ice of Ladoga lake. The ski regiment had to operate in the rear of the 8th army on the left flank of Neva. This operation however was disrupted because of the cowardly-treacherous behaviour of the command of the 80th division. The division commander Frolov has refused to execute the operation three hours before the start of the operation. The operation therefore was re-scheduled to the next day but the surprise factor was lost. We have sent you a request to allow the trial of the commander of the 80th division and the commissioner of the division Ivanov and shoot them. The front council is forced to deal with traitors and panic mongers, most of whom are among the high command staff. We wholefully support the promotion of young personnel who want to fight.
Regarding the situation on the front of the 55th army there is nothing to boast of. On the front of the 54th army, the most threatened area is the direction of Voybokalo, Myary. Several measures were taken there: in the region of Serokaska a strike group was formed, containing the 80th rifle division, 6th naval brigade6th naval infantry brigade, two ski battalions, which is intended to counter strike the enemies flank and rear. The concentration will finish on 02.12.
To Fedyuninsky we send another 1000 reinforcements.
The situation in the Volkhov direction is stable. Transferring of the brigade with tanks is nearing completion with only two battalions remaining.
We will finish all the transferring together with tanks.

We ask to:

1. faster push of our forces towards Budogosh, Kirishy to deny the enemy of his supply routes.
2. 2- accelerate transferring of all the reinforcements planned by com. Shadenko for the 54th army.
3. 3- we lack the heavy shells (152mm), we ask to send those to Babaevo from where we will transfer them to us. Over.

S.,M.:

1. shoot Folov and Ivanov and declare that in the press.
2. we will try to supply the 152 shells for you
3. the reinforcements from Schadenko also
4. we will take Tikhvin soon and then pile up to Budogosh, Kirishy
5. where you lack the shells for 152mm, massively use 120mm mortars, those are very effective at defeating the enemy.

K.,Z.: Acknowledged, all will be done. We are sure that we can please you in the following days.

S.,M.: Do not waste time. Not only each day is important, but also each hour. The enemy has concentrated against Moscow all of his forces from almost all the fronts. All other fronts are in a good situation to strike the enemy, including your Front. Use this opportunity to strike the enemy before it is too late. I repeat, do not miss the chance. Over. Good bye, wish you luck. Stalin, Molotov.

K.,Z.: We will fight as beasts on all the regions of our front without delaying for even a minute. Good bye. Thank you. Zhdanov, Khozin.

ЦАМО. Ф. 96а. Оп. 2011. Д. 5. Л. 191-194.

Transcript of talk of the Supreme commander to the commander of the Leningrad front.

08.11.1941

Leningrad.: Zhdanov, Khazin at the device.

Moscow.: 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.

Zhdanov.: 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.

S.: 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 to go after themSomething similar was mentioned later in “The last 100 yards” book, where it was said that there are some brave men who encourage others to go forward. Over.

Z.: 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.

S.: 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.

Z.: 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.

S.: I ask you and comrade Khazin to inform us about the situation with this matter at around 12PM. Over.

Z.: All from us.

S.: 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.

Z.: 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.

Transcript of talks of the Supreme Commander to the Commander of the Leningrad front

09.11.1941

Leningrad.: Zhdanov and Khozin at the device. Good day com. Stalin. Reporting about fulfillment of your orders. The following measures are taken:

• Forming three volunteer regiments of selected people. The formation will be finished by the end of today. By morning of 10.XI we hope to transfer them to the other side of Neva.
• Thanks to the shrinking rear we reinforced the divisions that are on the left bank of Neva.
• We gathered around 40 medium and light tanks which will be shipped to the left bank of Neva at night between 9th and 10th of November.
• Today we have listened to the combat plans, presented by the Military Council of the 8th army. We achieved that the Military council of the 8th army fully understands how to organize the operation of breakthrough and plan the breakthrough operation according to indications of comrade Stalin.
• Ready time for operation start is set to 10th - 11th of November. On the direction of a support blow of the 55th Army we started to form a volunteer regiment. The nearest objective for the army is to clear the Western bank of river Tosna; following with capturing the ferries on the river Tosna and advancing in the direction of Mga station to meet up with the 8th and 54th Armies.

Considering the experience of previous battles, we have given instructions about carrying out the offensive towards a dug-in enemy. Our forces have shown their weakness in performing such operations, especially on company, battalion and regiment levels. Considering this, instructions have been given to reform the work of artillery.

Stalin.: Pause the transmission. Tikhvin is occupied by the enemy. We are clearing the situation. If it will be possible, we will connect to you by the wire. This wire goes through Tikhvin. Over. Stand by the device.

Z.: All clear, standing by.

Zhdanov and Khozin by the device.: Continuing the report. Instructions to reform the work of artillery were given, according to your indications. We now got information from the 54th Army that the enemy has occupied Tikhvin but in the Volkhov direction the enemy is 15-18km away from Volkhov. The commander of the 54th Army asks for a division to be transferred to cover Volkhov. We think that it is better to take that division from the 54th Army, because transferring from us is difficult because of the transport issues. Over. Waiting for indications.

Stalin at the device.: Sorry, I was late. To eliminate the enemy forces we have transferred Meretskov with some units of the 7th army to Tikhvino region. We are sending tanks and one full division there. I think that the 54th army could move one of its divisions to cover its rear. As you see, the enemy wants to create the second line of encirclement around Leningrad and completely cut it off from the rest of the country. It is very dangerous to wait any longer. Be hurry to create a large group of forces, concentrate all the fire: artillery, aviation, 120mm mortars and RS on a large he said “narrow” as it is evident from the reply, but the document has a typo areas and punch through and create a road to the East until it’s not too late. We will eliminate the Tikhvino enemy group by ourselves I suppose.
Could you ship disassembled KVs across the Neva or handle large amounts of KV to your Tosno groups and let them go along the Southern bank of Neva to the enemy rears? Over.

Z.: Comrade Stalin! Reporting: your instructions are being implemented. We have considered an offensive plan and we are creating quite a powerful artillery group in the 1km wide breakthrough region which consists of 600 guns and mortars as well as three RS batteries. All the aviation will operate there as well. Shipping KV tanks across Neva is a very difficult and very lengthy task. We have already transferred one brigade to the region of the 55th army and will transfer one more brigade there. We are doing as you said - forming one motorised regiment for these brigades. We will be setting them the following objective: as soon as we capture the ferries across Tosna river, they will strike the enemy rear towards station Mga. Over.

Comrade Stalin, we have a request. Due to unreliability of supply across the Ladoga lake, we ask to give us 30 additional “Douglas” aircrafts and 10 TB-3 for evacuating the war materials from Leningrad and bringing in food concentrates and other provisions. Additionally they will need a regiment of fighters to support their actions. We ask for your instructions on what to do with the 69 regimental artillery pieces you have ordered us to transfer. Those are at Volkhov. Over.

S.: We will do our best to provide “Douglas” and TB-3 for you. As for the 69 regiment cannons, let the 54th army take them for storage.

Over. Good bye.

Z.: Over. Good bye.

ЦАМО. Ф.96а. Оп. 2011. Д. 5. Л. 156-159.