The defense of Moscow (1941) is considered the first major victory in the battle against the German invaders in World War II. Map of the actions of German and Soviet troops - the Volga River (in the north), then the Rzhev railway line (in the west) and the Gorbachevo station (in the south). Defending the capital, the Red Army defeated most of the Army Group Center (1941), after which it launched a counteroffensive (1942).
Hitler's plan
The basis of the Barbarossa plan was the capture of Moscow and the defeat of the Soviet armies defending it. The plan was to pass in a matter of weeks. For its implementation, the German commanders-in-chief developed Operation Typhoon, which began on September 30, 1941, after long air raids, reconnaissance missions and preparations of tank, motorized and infantry armies.
Number of parties
Total enemy strength:
- more than a million soldiers and officers;
- about 1600 tanks;
- about 14 thousand artillery pieces and mortars;
- 950 fighters and bombers.
From the side of the Red Army:
- 1 million 200 thousand Red Army soldiers and commanders;
- about 1400 tanks;
- 9600 artillery pieces;
- 700 aircraft.
This accounted for about a third of the entire combat potential of the Red Army. The first preparations for the battle were appointed by the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the end of July 1941. The defense of Moscow lasted from September 30th to December 4th, which was the first stage of the battle near Moscow.
Militia and kill squads
July 1941 ended for the Muscovites with the erection of a defensive line in the Mozhaisk direction. At the same time, the formation of militia units began. In total, there were about twenty-five divisions, which included volunteers of various ages. These formations were very poorly manned. It even got to the point that there were no more than three hundred rifles for six thousand people.
Due to the fact that a large number of saboteurs leaked into the capital, and there was also a percentage of the population recruited by them, the formation of extermination squads began. The enemy, located in the city, inflicted damage in every possible way, illuminating strategic objects for enemy bombers at night and blowing up ammunition depots.
Offensive
Initially, the enemy's plan was, using three tank groups (I, II and III), to break the main formations of the Red Army concentrated in the Bryansk and Vyazma region, encircle the remaining Soviet troops, and then enter Moscow from the south.
For a complete picture of the location of the defensive lines andnumber of troops in them, repeated reconnaissance sorties were carried out in the summer of 1941. The defense of Moscow began with the reflection of constant bombardments.
Orel-Bryansk operation
Due to the imminent gathering, the Soviet army was poorly equipped and, moreover, concentrated its fortifications in a place far from where the enemy was going to pass. Thus, the German troops entered Orel without serious losses. As one of the German generals later recalled, when the army entered the city, trams were still running along the routes. Enterprises and factories did not have time to evacuate, and their property in containers stood right on the roads.
Most of the defenders hit the basket. Meanwhile, on October 3rd, a column of German tanks made its way to the city of Mtsensk. But thanks to the 4th tank division of Colonel Katukov, the column was put out of action. The fighting near Mtsensk delayed the German plans for a whole week. However, on October 6, Bryansk was taken by the Germans, as a result of which General Eremenko (commander of the Bryansk Front) had to retreat. The general himself was wounded and evacuated to Moscow.
Vyazemsky Front
The front was broken through by German troops, and an offensive began in the direction of Vyazma. Kirov and Spas-Demensk were taken on October 4th, 1941. The defense of Moscow was weakening every day. So, the troops of the Reserve and Western fronts were encircled. According to some reports, about 700 Soviet soldiers and officers were captured.
Battle of Mozhaisk
To keep the enemy in Mozhaisk was sentMajor General Govorov. They create an order to create a defensive line. In addition to the recruiting regiments and battalions, cadets of the artillery school who were withdrawn from classes were also sent to it.
Despite this, the enemy moved further and further. After holding the defense for about ten days, our troops were forced to retreat. On October 13, Kaluga fell under enemy pressure, on October 16 - Borovsk, Mozhaisk itself - on October 18, 1941. The defense of Moscow began to take place already a hundred kilometers from the capital itself.
Panic in the city
A wave of anxiety swept the townspeople. Such a panic and mass movements have not yet known in its entire history the capital of our country - Moscow. 1941, October 15th - the date of the decision on urgent evacuation. The General Staff, as well as the leadership of the people's commissariats, military institutions and other institutions were transferred to nearby cities (Saratov, Kuibyshev and others).
Factories and other important strategic facilities were mined. On October 20th, a state of siege was declared in the city.
Parade on Red Square
The November 7th parade on the Red Square of the besieged city is, undoubtedly, one of the colorful events that the Great Patriotic War is not rich in. The defense of Moscow, thus, received like a breath of fresh air, the defenders became more inspired.
The same cannot be said for the Germans. The weather conditions were completely exhausting, forcing them to overcome distances in a much longer time thanwas supposed to be according to plan. In addition, the resistance of the surrounded Soviet troops made itself felt. And the Germans needed to take a two-week pause in order to reorganize their units.
Going to the counteroffensive
A huge surprise for the Germans was the Soviet troops that advanced to the attack. On December 6, 1941, after several shellings, the Red Army, playing on surprise, caught the rather shabby enemy by surprise. So the defense of Moscow moved on to its second (deplorable for the Germans) stage - the counteroffensive.
Awarding
Medal for the Defense of Moscow - one of the honorary awards for military merit in World War II. It was awarded to all participants who held the defense for more than a month. And both officers and soldiers.
In addition, the medal for the defense of Moscow was received by civilians who in one way or another helped to contain the enemy.
