first major victory in the battle against the German occupiers during the Second World War is considered to be the defense of Moscow (1941).Map actions of the German and Soviet troops - the Volga River (in the north), then the railway line Rzhev (in the west) and the station "Gorbachev" (in the south).Defense of the capital, the Red Army broke most of the Army Group "Center" (1941 th year), and then launched a counteroffensive (1942nd year).
Hitler's Plan
basis of the plan "Barbarossa" is to take Moscow and the defeat of the Soviet armies to defend it.Conceived should pass in a few weeks.For his commanders in chief of the German operation was developed "Typhoon", which began on September 30, 1941 after a long aviabombordirovok, reconnaissance missions and preparations armored, motorized and infantry armies.
number of parties
total number of the enemy:
- more than a million soldiers and officers;
- about 1,600 tanks;
- about 14 thousands of artillery guns and mortars;
- 950 fighters and bombordirovschikov.
from the Red Army:
- 1.2 million Red Army soldiers and commanders;
- about 1,400 tanks;
- 9,600 artillery pieces;
- 700 aircraft.
It was about a third of the combat potential of the Red Army.The first preparations for the battle were assigned to General Headquarters at the end of July 1941. The Defense of Moscow lasted from 30 September to 4 December, which is the first step in the battle of Moscow.
militias and extermination groups
July 1941 ended the Muscovites for the erection of the defensive line in the direction of Borodino.At the same time began the formation of militia groups.There are about twenty-five divisions, which included volunteers of different ages.These units were very poorly staffed.Even goes so far as to six thousand people had no more than three hundred rifles.
Due to the fact that the capital was leaked a large amount of saboteurs and had recruited a percentage of the population, formation of destructive forces.The enemy is located in every way deals damage, lighting at night strategic targets for enemy bombordirovschikov and exploding ammunition depots.
offensive
original plan of the enemy was using three tank groups (I, II and III), divide the basic formation of the Red Army, concentrated in the area of Bryansk and Vyazma, take the remaining Soviet troops surrounded, and then from the south enter Moscow.
For a complete presentation of finding defensive lines and the number of troops they were conducted numerous reconnaissance flights in the summer of 1941. The defense of Moscow began to reflect permanent bombordirovok.
Orel-Bryansk operation
view of fast charges, the Soviet army was poorly staffed and, moreover, concentrated its strengthening in a location remote from where the enemy was going to take place.Thus, German troops entered the Eagle without serious losses.As later recalled one of the German generals, the army entered the city, it still went on the tram routes.Businesses and factories did not have time to evacuate, and their property in the containers was directly on the road.
Most of the defenders got into the ring.Meanwhile, 3 October a convoy of German tanks made its way to the town of Mtsensk.But thanks to the 4th Armored Division Colonel Katukova column was put out of action.Fighting under the Mtsensk detained German plans for an entire week.However, October 6th, the Germans had taken Bryansk, whereby General Eremenko (commander of the Bryansk Front) had to retreat.General himself was wounded and evacuated to Moscow.
Vyazemskij front
front was broken by German troops began an offensive in the direction of Vyazma.Kirov and Savior Demensk were taken on October 4th, 1941. The defense of Moscow every day slabla.Thus, the troops of the Reserve and Western Fronts were taken in the ring.According to some reports, it was captured about 700 Soviet soldiers and officers.
Battle of Mozhaysk
To keep the enemy in Mozhaisk was sent to Major General Govorov.They created an order to create a defensive line.In addition to contracting regiments and battalions in its aim and shoot with the training of cadets Artillery School.
Despite that the enemy was moving farther and farther.After keeping the defense about ten days, our troops were forced to retreat.October 13th under the onslaught of the enemy fell Kaluga, October 16th - Borovsk himself Mozhaisk same - 18 October 1941. The defense of Moscow began to take place as early as a hundred kilometers from the capital itself.
panic in the city
wave of anxiety swept citizens.Such mass movements of panic and did not know its history the capital of our Motherland - Moscow.1941, October 15 - the date of the decision on emergency evacuation.General Staff, as well as management of commissariats, military institutions and other institutions were transferred to the nearby cities (Saratov, Kuibyshev, and others).
plants and other important strategic facilities mined.20th of October in the city has been declared a state of siege.
parade on Red Square
Parade on November 7 at the Red Square of the besieged city - is undoubtedly one of the colorful event, with which is not rich in the Great Patriotic War.Defense of Moscow, thus, got a breath of fresh air, the defenders became more enthusiasm.
The same can not be said about the Germans.Weather conditions completely wore down, making travel distances for much longer than was assumed under the plan.Everything else, the resistance of Soviet troops surrounded haunt.And the Germans needed to make a two-week break for the purpose of the reorganization of its parts.
a counteroffensive
become a great surprise for the Germans was brought forward into the attack Soviet troops.6th December 1941 after several Red Army shelling, playing in the surprises found pretty shabby enemy by surprise.So the defense of Moscow moved to its second (disastrous for the Germans) stage - the counter-offensive.
Award Medal for the Defense of Moscow - one of the honors of Military Merit in World War II.She was awarded to all participants, to keep the defense more thereof month.And the officers and soldiers.
addition, Medal for the Defense of Moscow was prepared and civilians, one way or another helped deter the enemy.
