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Russia: The Wild East

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Factual: History

A history of Russia, written and presented by Martin Sixsmith

Russia: The Wild East: Series 2

Russia: The Wild East: Series 2: Episode 12: Redemption through Blood

Episode 12

Episode 12: Redemption through Blood

Series 2

Redemption through Blood

BBC Radio 4 - Russia: The Wild East, Series 2, Redemption through Blood

The Siege of Leningrad epitomises the courage of the Soviet people.

Soviet society becomes an all-consuming military state as Stalin attempts to rebuff the Germans. Leningrad suffers the most, the siege epitomising the courage of the Soviet people.

Having retreated from Moscow, Hitler focused on capturing the oilfields of the Caucasus, penetrating farther into Russia than any western army. Stalin urged the Red Army to greater sacrifices: "we must throw back the enemy whatever the cost. Those who retreat are traitors . and must be exterminated on the spot." 150,000 soldiers were executed for cowardice. 

Those who survived were sent to penal battalions "to redeem by blood their crimes against the Motherland," drawing on the deep-seated Russian belief that the individual must sacrifice himself for the good of the state. Women took the strain in industry and agriculture, overtime was obligatory, holidays suspended and the working day increased to 12 hours. Food supplies were limited; the author Fyodor Abramov wrote of "little girls with runny noses" working in the forests: "you didn't dare come back without fulfilling your quota! Not on your life! "The front needs it!"' Hitler had pledged to make Leningrad a terrifying symbol of Nazi invincibility and for 900 days the city was shelled nonstop and starved of fuel and food. One in three of the city's 2.5 million inhabitants starved to death. 

Martin Sixsmith stands in the concert hall where Shostakovich's 7th Symphony, which he dedicated to "our struggle against fascism ...our coming victory over the enemy and to my native city, Leningrad..." was first performed on August 9th 1942. So many members of the orchestra had died in the siege that amateur players were brought in to fill their seats, and the brass section was given special rations to give them the strength to play. But the performance was a triumph. It was broadcast on national radio and then around the world as a symbol of the strength of Soviet resistance that would eventually defeat the Nazi menace.


Historical Consultant: Professor Geoffrey Hosking


Producers: Anna Scott-Brown & Adam Fowler
A Ladbroke Production for BBC Radio 4.

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Episode 12: Redemption through Blood

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