Siege of Leningrad: Early Period, 1941-1942

Eastern Front

This set of images offers a selective view of defenses in and near Leningrad early in the Siege as well as evidence of the German bombing campaign (Map).

Map of Leningrad Showing Defenses & Activity, 1941 - 1942

Aerial photo of Trenching and Anti-Aircraft Site in Central Leningrad, June 1941

Aerial photo of Barrage Balloons Near Leningrad in June 1942

Aerial photo of Defensive Works with Wire Barriers Southeast of Leningrad, November 1941

Aerial photo Trenching and anti-Aircraft Site South of Leningrad, November 1941

Aerial photo Anti-Tank Ditches and Other Defenses Under Construction Northeast of Leningrad, June 1942

Aerial photo showing evidence of Armored Vehicles South of Leningrad, November 1941

Aerial photo showing Destruction of Leningrad Badaev Warehouses Between June 1941 & September 1942

Aerial photo showing Luftwaffe Bombing of the Leningrad Waterworks, November 1941

Anti-aircraft sites and barrage balloons were deployed in and around the city (Graphics). On the ground, the city was defended by a multi-layer defensive system consisting of tank trenches, personnel trenches, wire barriers, minefields (Graphics). Construction of the defensive lines began before the siege and continued afterwards (Graphic 5). Ground force units continued probable training with armored vehicles (Graphic) in the vicinity of the Leningrad communist party headquarters.

The Luftwaffe began bombing the city on 8 September. Among the first targets were the Badaev warehouses, one of the city's main food storage complexes (Graphic). Photography of 16 November revealed attacks on city infrastructure continued with a successful attack on the water works (Graphic).