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As Germany moved there forces deeper into Russia they began the siege of Leningrad in September 1941. As Leningrad lay besieged Germany moved on to Moscow. Germany completely surrounded the city. All attempts to break the siege failed. The siege eventually ended 900 days after it began September 8, 1941 to January 27, 1944. During the siege the 3 million civilians in the city refused to surrender. Food and fuel were very low by 1942. Almost all homes lost heat and electricity. At an all time low people received 1/4 a pound of food or 125 grams per person per day. By January and February 1942, 200,000 people died of cold and starvation. During the long siege people were evacuated slowly. 700,000 escaped the hardships of the city. During the warmer days, people ferried across Lake Ladoga. In the cold days trucks carried people across the frozen lake. At least 600,000 people died in Leningrad. However some historians estimate it to be closer to 800,000. Most of the people were buried in the Piskariovskoye Memorial Cemetery. Others were buried in mass graves. The Memorial Cemetery remains a reminder to the heroic people of the city. |
