Siege of Leningrad: Diary of the Second World War: by Alexandra Nikiforovna Borovikova бесплатное чтение
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Andrei Anatolievich Orlov
Siege of Leningrad: Diary of the Second World War by Alexandra Nikiforovna Borovikova
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© Andrei Anatolievich Orlov, 2025
The book is published by January 27, 2024 – the 80th anniversary of the complete lifting of the German-Nazi Siege of Leningrad.
This book is dedicated to the blessed memory of my grandmother. She lived and worked in Leningrad from 1941 to 1944, being in a besieged city, and who was awarded the honorary medal «For the Defense of Leningrad.»
The diaries have been carefully kept in the archives of our family for almost 80 years, and now the time has come to open them to the world.
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Table of contents
Siege of Leningrad: Diary of the Second World War
Great thanks for releasing this book
Preface
Chapter 1. June 1941
Volume one
22/VI/1941
28/VI/1941
Chapter 2. July 1941
3/VII/1941
4/VII/1941
25—26/VII/1941
27/VII/1941
28/VII/1941
29/VII/1941
30/VII/1941
Chapter 3. August 1941
1/VIII/1941
2/VIII/1941
3/VIII/1941
4/VIII/1941
5/VIII/1941
6/VIII/1941
7/VIII/1941
8/VIII/1941
9/VIII/1941
10/VIII/1941
11/VIII/1941
12/VIII/1941
13/VIII/1941
14/VIII/1941
15/VIII/1941
16/VIII/1941
17/VIII/1941
18/VIII/1941
19/VIII/1941
19/VIII/1941
20/VIII/1941
21/VIII/1941
22/VIII/1941
23/VIII/1941
24/VIII/1941
25/VIII/1941
26/VIII/1941
27/VIII/1941
28/VIII/1941
29/VIII/1941
30/VIII/1941
31/VIII/1941
Chapter 4. September 1941
1/IX/1941
2/IX/1941
3/IX/1941
4/IX/1941
5/IX/1941
6/IX/1941
7/IX/1941
8/IX/1941
9/IX/1941
10/IX/1941
11/ I X/1941
12/ I X/1941
13/IX/1941
14/IX/1941
15/IX/1941
16/IX/1941
17/IX/1941
18/IX/1941
19/IX/1941
20/IX/1941
21/IX/1941
22/IX/1941
23/IX/1941
24/IX/1941
25/IX/1941
26/IX/1941
27/IX/1941
28/IX/1941
29/IX/1941
30/IX/1941
Chapter 5. October 1941
1/X/1941
2/X/1941
3/X/1941
4/X/1941
5/X/1941
6/X/1941
7/X/1941
8/X/1941
9/X/1941
10/X/1941
11/X/1941
12/X/1941
13/X/1941
14/X/1941
15/X/1941
16/X/1941
17/X/1941
18/X/1941
19/X/1941
20/X/1941
21/X/1941
22/X/1941
23/X/1941
24/X/1941
25/X/1941
26/X/1941
27/X/1941
28/X/1941
29/X/1941
30/X/1941
31/X/1941
Chapter 6. November 1941
1/XI/1941
2/XI/1941
3/XI/1941
4/XI/1941
5/XI/1941
6/XI/1941
7/XI/1941
8/XI/1941
9/XI/1941
10/XI/1941
11/XI/1941
12/XI/1941
13/XI/1941
14/XI/1941
15/XI/1941
16/XI/1941
17/XI/1941
18/XI/1941
19/XI/1941
20/XI/1941
21/XI/1941
22/XI/1941
23/XI/1941
24/XI/1941
25/XI/1941
26/XI/1941
27/XI/1941
28/XI/1941
29/XI/1941
30/XI/1941
Chapter 7. December 1941
1/XII/1941
2/XII/1941
3/XII/1941
4/XII/1941
5/XII/1941
6/XII/1941
7/XII/1941
8/XII/1941
9/XII/1941
10/XII/1941
11/XII/1941
12/XII/1941
13/XII/1941
14/XII/1941
15/XII/1941
16/XII/1941
17/XII/1941
18/XII/1941
19/XII/1941
20/XII/1941
21/XII/1941
22/XII/1941
23/XII/1941
24/XII/1941
25/XII/1941
26/XII/1941
27/XII/1941
28/XII/1941
29/XII/1941
30/XII/1941
31/XII/1941
Chapter 8. January 1942
1/I/1942
2/I/1942
3/I/1942
4/I/1942
5/I/1942
6/I/1942
7/I/1942
8/I/1942
9/I/1942
10/I/1942
11/I/1942
12/I/1942
13/I/1942
14/I/1942
15/I/1942
16/I/1942
17/I/1942
18/I/1942
19/I/1942
20/I/1942
21/I/1942
22/I/1942
23/I/1942
24/I/1942
25/I/1942
26/I/1942
27/I/1942
28/I/1942
29/I/1942
30/I/1942
31/I/1942
Chapter 9. February 1942
1/II/1942
2/II/1942
3/II/1942
4/II/1942
5/II/1942
6/II/1942
7/II/1942
8/II/1942
9/II/1942
10/II/1942
11/II/1942
12/II/1942
13/II/1942
15/II/1942
16/II/1942
17/II/1942
18/II/1942
19/II/1942
20/II/1942
21/II/1942
22/II/1942
23/II/1942
24/II/1942
25/II/1942
26/II/1942
27/II/1942
28/II/1942
Chapter 10. March 1942
1/III/1942
2/III/1942
3/III/1942
4/III/1942
5/III/1942
6/III/1942
7/III/1942
8/III/1942
9/III/1942
10/III/1942
11/III/1942
12/III/1942
13/III/1942
14/III/1942
15/III/1942
16/III/1942
17/III/1942
18/III/1942
19/III/1942
19/III/1942
20/III/1942
21/III/1942
22/III/1942
23/III/1942
24/III/1942
25/III/1942
26/III/1942
27/III/1942
28/III/1942
29/III/1942
30/III/1942
31/III/1942
Chapter 11. April 1942
1/IV/1942
2/IV/1942
3/IV/1942
4/IV/1942
Volume two
5/IV/1942
6/IV/1942
7/IV/1942
8/IV/1942
9/IV/1942
10/IV/1942
11/IV/1942
12/IV/1942
13/IV/1942
14/IV/1942
15/IV/1942
16/IV/1942
17/IV/1942
18/IV/1942
19/IV/1942
20/IV/1942
21/IV/1942
22/IV/1942
23/IV/1942
24/IV/1942
25/IV/1942
26/IV/1942
27/IV/1942
28/IV/1942
29/IV/1942
30/IV/1942
Chapter 12. May 1942
1/V/1942
2/V/1942
3/V/1942
4/V/1942
5/V/1942
6/V/1942
7/V/1942
8/V/1942
9/V/1942
10/V/1942
11/V/1942
12/V/1942
13/V/1942
14/V/1942
15/V/1942
16/V/1942
17/V/1942
18/V/1942
19/V/1942
20/V/1942
21/V/1942
22/V/1942
23/V/1942
24/V/1942
25/V/1942
26/V/1942
27/V/1942
28/V/1942
29/V/1942
30/V/1942
31/V/1942
Chapter 13. June 1942
1/VI/1942
2/VI/1942
3/VI/1942
4/VI/1942
5/VI/1942
6/VI/1942
7/VI/1942
8/VI/1942
9/VI/1942
10/VI/1942
11/VI/1942
12/VI/1942
13/VI/1942
14/VI/1942
15/VI/1942
16/VI/1942
17/VI/1942
18/VI/1942
19/VI/1942
20/VI/1942
21/VI/1942
22/VI/1942
23/VI/1942
24/VI/1942
25/VI/1942
26/VI/1942
27/VI/1942
28/VI/1942
29/VI/1942
30/VI/1942
Chapter 14. July 1942
1/VII/1942
2/VII/1942
3/VII/1942
4/VII/1942
5/VII/1942
6/VII/1942
7/VII/1942
8/VII/1942
9/VII/1942
10/VII/1942
11/VII/1942
12/VII/1942
13/VII/1942
14/VII/1942
15/VII/1942
16/VII/1942
17/VII/1942
18/VII/1942
19/VII/1942
20/VII/1942
22/VII/1942
23/VII/1942
24/VII/1942
25/VII/1942
26/VII/1942
27/VII/1942
28/VII/1942
29/VII/1942
30/VII/1942
31/VII/1942
Chapter 15. August 1942
1/VIII/1942
2/VIII/1942
3/VIII/1942
4/VIII/1942
6/VIII/1942
7/VIII/1942
8/VIII/1942
9/VIII/1942
10/VIII/1942
11/VIII/1942
12/VIII/1942
13/VIII/1942
14/VIII/1942
15/VIII/1942
16/VIII/1942
17/VIII/1942
18/VIII/1942
19/VIII/1942
20/VIII/1942
21/VIII/1942
22/VIII/1942
23/VIII/1942
24/VIII/1942
25/VIII/1942
26/VIII/1942
27/VIII/1942
28/VIII/1942
29/VIII/1942
30/VIII/1942
31/VIII/1942
Chapter 16. September 1942
1/IX/1942
2/IX/1942
3/IX/1942
4/IX/1942
5/IX/1942
6/IX/1942
7/IX/1942
8/IX/1942
9/IX/1942
10/IX/1942
11/IX/1942
12/IX/1942
13/IX/1942
14/IX/1942
15/IX/1942
16/IX/1942
17/IX/1942
18/IX/1942
19/IX/1942
20/IX/1942
21/IX/1942
22/IX/1942
23/IX/1942
24/IX/1942
25/IX/1942
26/IX/1942
27/IX/1942
Volume three
28/IX/1942
29/IX/1942
30/IX/1942
Chapter 17. October 1942
1/X/1942
2/X/1942
3/X/1942
4/X/1942
5/X/1942
6/X/1942
7/X/1942
8/X/1942
9/X/1942
10/X/1942
11/X/1942
12/X/1942
13/X/1942
14/X/1942
15/X/1942 – 18/X/1942
19/X/1942
20/X/1942
21/X/1942 – 28/X/1942
29/X/1942
30/X/1942
Chapter 18. November 1942
1/XI/1942
4/XI/1942 – 5/XI/1942
13/XI/1942
16/XI/1942
17/XI/1942 – 19/XI/1942
20/XI/1942
22/XI/1942 – 25/XI/1942
26/XI/1942 – 30/XI/1942
Chapter 19. December 1942
1/XII/1942 – 4/XII/1942
5/XII/1942
6/XII/1942
12/XII/1942
16/XII/1942
23/XII/1942
24/XII/1942
25/XII/1942
26/XII/1942
27/XII/1942
28/XII/1942
29/XII/1942
30/XII/1942
31/XII/1942
Chapter 20. January 1943
1/I/1943
2/I/1943
3/I/1943
4/I/1943
5/I/1943
6/I/1943
7/I/1943
8/I/1943
9/I/1943
10/I/1943
11/I/1943
12/I/1943
12/I/1943
14/I/1943
15/I/1943
16/I/1943
17/I/1943
18/I/1943
19/I/1943
20/I/1943
21/I/1943
22/I/1943
23/I/1943
24/I/1943
25/I/1943
26/I/1943
27/I/1943
28/I/1943
29/I/1943
30/I/1943
31/I/1943
Chapter 21. February 1943
1/II/1943
2/II/1943
7/II/1943
Chapter 22. March 1943
14/III/1943
15/III/1943
16/III/1943 – 18/III/1943
19/III/1943
20/III/1943
21/III/1943
22/III/1943
23/III/1943
24/III/1943
25/III/1943
26/III/1943
27/III/1943
28/III/1943
29/III/1943
30/III/1943
31/III/1943
Chapter 23. April 1943
1/IV/1943
2/IV/1943
3/IV/1943
4/IV/1943
5/IV/1943
6/IV/1943
7/IV/1943
8/IV/1943
9/IV/1943
10/IV/1943
11/IV/1943
13/IV/1943
14/IV/1943
Chapter 24. May 1943
1/V/1943
2/V/1943
3/V/1943
4/V/1943
5/V/1943
6/V/1943
7/V/1943
8/V/1943
9/V/1943
10/V/1943
11/V/1943
12/V/1943
13/V/1943
14/V/1943
15/V/1943
16/V/1943
20/V/1943
Volume four
21/V/1943
22/V/1943
23/V/1943
24/V/1943
25/V/1943
26/V/1943
27/V/1943
28/V/1943
29/V/1943
30/V/1943
31/V/1943
Chapter 25. June 1943
1/VI/1943
2/VI/1943
3/VI/1943
4/VI/1943
5/VI/1943
6/VI/1943
7/VI/1943
8/VI/1943
9/VI/1943
10/VI/1943
11/VI/1943
12/VI/1943
13/VI/1943
14/VI/1943
15/VI/1943
16/VI/1943
17/VI/1943
18/VI/1943
19/VI/1943
20/VI/1943
21/VI/1943
22/VI/1943
23/VI/1943
24/VI/1943
25/VI/1943
26/VI/1943
27/VI/1943
28/VI/1943
29/VI/1943
30/VI/1943
Chapter 26. June 1943
1/VII/1943
2/VII/1943
3/VII/1943
4/VII/1943
5/VII/1943
6/VII/1943
7/VII/1943
8/VII/1943
9/VII/1943
13/VII/1943
14/VII/1943
15/VII/1943
16/VII/1943
17/VII/1943
18/VII/1943
19 /VII/1943
20/VII/1943
21/VII/1943
22/VII/1943
23/VII/1943
24/VII/1943
25/VII/1943
26/VII/1943
27/VII/1943
28/VII/1943
29/VII/1943
30 /VII/1943
31/VII/1943
Chapter 27. July 1943
1/VIII/1943
2/VIII/1943
3/VIII/1943
4 /VIII/1943
5/VIII/1943
6/VIII/1943
7/VIII/1943
8/VIII/1943
9/VIII/1943
10 /VIII/1943
11/VIII/1943
12 /VIII/1943
13/VIII/1943
14/VIII/1943
15/VIII/1943
16/VIII/1943
17/VIII/1943
18 /VIII/1943
19/VIII/1943
20/VIII/1943
21/VIII/1943
22/VIII/1943
23/VIII/1943
24 /VIII/1943
25/VIII/1943
26/VIII/1943
27/VIII/1943
28/VIII/1943
29/VIII/1943
30/VIII/1943
31/VIII/1943
Chapter 28. September 1943
15/IX/1943
16/IX/1943
17/IX/1943
18/IX/1943
19/IX/1943
20/IX/1943
21/IX/1943
22/IX/1943
23/IX/1943
24/IX/1943
25/IX/1943
26/IX/1943
27/IX/1943
28/IX/1943
29/IX/1943
30/IX/1943
Chapter 29. October 1943
1/X/1943
2/X/1943
3/X/1943
4/X/1943
5/X/1943
6 /X/1943
7/X/1943
9/X/1943
10/X/1943
11/X/1943
12/X/1943
13/X/1943
14/X/1943
15/X/1943
16/X/1943
17/X/1943
18/X/1943
19/X/1943
20/X/1943
21/X/1943
22/X/1943
23/X/1943
24/X/1943
25/X/1943
26/X/1943
28/X/1943
29/X/1943
30/X/1943
31/X/1943
Chapter 30. November 1943
1/XI/1943
3/XI/1943
4/XI/1943
6/XI/1943
7/XI/1943
8/XI/1943
9/XI/1943
10 /XI/1943
11/XI/1943
12/XI/1943 – 13/XI/1943
14/XI/1943
15/XI/1943
16/XI/1943 – 17/XI/1943
18/XI/1943
Volume five
19/XI/1943
21/XI/1943
22/XI/1943
23/XI/1943
24/XI/1943
25/XI/1943
26/XI/1943 – 27/XI/1943
28/XI/1943
29/XI/1943
30 /XI/1943
Chapter 31. December 1943
1/XII/1943
2/XII/1943
3/XII/1943
4/XII/1943 – 5/XII/1943 – 6/XII/1943
7/XII/1943 – 8/XII/1943 – 9/XII/1943
10/XII/1943
12/XII/1943
13/XII/1943
14/XII/1943
15/XII/1943
16/XII/1943
17/XII/1943
18/XII/1943
19/XII/1943
20/XII/1943
21 /XII/1943
22/XII/1943
23/XII/1943
24/XII/1943
25/XII/1943
26/XII/1943
27/XII/1943
28/XII/1943
29/XII/1943
30/XII/1943
31/XII/1943
Chapter 32. January 1944
1/I/1944
2/I/1944
3/I/1944
4/I/1944
5/I/1944
6/I/1944
7/I/1944
8/I/1944
9/I/1944
10/I/1944
11/I/1944
12/I/1944
13/I/1944
14/I/1944
15 /I/1944
16/I/1944
17 /I/1944
18/I/1944
19 /I/1944
20/I/1944
21/I/1944
22/I/1944
23/I/1944
24/I/1944
25/I/1944
26/I/1944
27/I/1944
28/I/1944
29/I/1944
30/I/1944
31/I/1944
Chapter 33. February 1944
1/II/1944
2/II/1944
3/II/1944
4/II/1944
5/II/1944
6/II/1944
7/II/1944
8 /II/1944
9/II/1944
10/II/1944
11/II/1944
12/II/1944
13/II/1944
14/II/1944
15/II/1944
16/II/1944
17/II/1944
18/II/1944
19/II/1944
20/II/1944
21/II/1944
22/II/1944
23/II/1944
24/II/1944
25/II/1944
Volume 6
26/II/1944
27/II/1944
28/II/1944
29/II/1944
Chapter 34. March 1944
1/III/1944
2/III/1944
4/III/1944
5/III/1944
6/III/1944
7/III/1944
8/III/1944
9/III/1944
10/III/1944
11/III/1944
12/III/1944
13/III/1944
14/III/1944
15 /III/1944
16 /III/1944
17/III/1944
18/III/1944
19/III/1944
20/III/1944
20/III/1944
22/III/1944
23/III/1944
24/III/1944
25/III/1944
26 /III/1944
27/III/1944
28 /III/1944
29/III/1944
30/III/1944
31/III/1944
Chapter 35. April 1944
1/IV/1944
2/IV/1944
3/IV/1944
4/IV/1944
5/IV/1944
6/IV/1944
7/IV/1944
8/IV/1944
9/IV/1944
10/IV/1944
11/IV/1944
12/IV/1944
13/IV/1944
14/IV/1944
15/IV/1944
16/IV/1944
17/IV/1944 – 18/IV/1944
19/IV/1944
20/IV/1944
21/IV/1944
22/IV/1944
23/IV/1944
24/IV/1944
25/IV/1944
26/IV/1944
27 /IV/1944
28/IV/1944
29/IV/1944
30/IV/1944
Chapter 36. May 1944
1/V/1944
2/V/1944
3/V/1944
4/V/1944
5/V/1944
6/V/1944
7/V/1944
11/V/1944
12/V/1944
16/V/1944
17/V/1944
18/V/1944
19/V/1944
22 /V/1944
2 3/V/1944
27/V/1944
28/V/1944
29/V/1944
30/V/1944
31/V/1944
Chapter 37. June 1944
1/VI/1944
3/VI/1944
4/VI/1944
5/VI/1944
6/VI/1944
7/VI/1944
8/VI/1944
9/VI/1944
10/VI/1944
11/VI/1944
12/VI/1944
13/VI/1944
14/VI/1944
15/VI/1944
16/VI/1944
17/VI/1944
21/VI/1944
22/VI/1944
23/VI/1944
24/VI/1944
25/VI/1944
28/VI/1944
29/VI/1944
30/VI/1944
Chapter 38. July 1944
4/VII/1944
6/VII/1944
8/VII/1944
9/VII/1944
16/VII/1944
18/VII/1944
19/VII/1944
23/VII/1944
24/VII/1944
26/VII/1944
27/VII/1944
28/VII/1944
Chapter 39. August 1944
1/VIII/1944
4/VIII/1944
6/VIII/1944
10/VIII/1944
11/VIII/1944
16/VIII/1944
27/VIII/1944
30/VIII/1944
31/VIII/1944
Chapter 40. September 1944
2/IX/1944
3 /IX/1944
4/IX/1944
5/IX/1944
6/IX/1944
7/IX/1944
8/IX/1944
9/IX/1944
10/IX/1944
16/IX/1944
17/IX/1944
18/IX/1944
20/IX/1944
22/IX/1944
24/IX/1944
27/IX/1944
Chapter 41. October 1944
25/X/1944
Afterword
Special thanks
Great thanks for releasing this book
The only person I want to specifically thank, and who deserves to have his name preserved on the main page of this book:
Budylin Maksim Aleksandrovich, 1988 y. – sincere gratitude from the author of the book.
Preface
This book is dedicated to the blessed memory of my grandmother, Alexandra Nikiforovna Borovikova, who survived the Great Patriotic War and the Siege of Leningrad. Unfortunately, I did not know my grandmother, but the surviving diaries of the siege allowed me to recognize her as a strong, courageous person who was not afraid of difficulties in life, and who was ready to defend her own opinion and fight any troubles. She is one of those who survived the Siege of Leningrad from 1941 to 1944, being in a besieged city, and who was awarded the honorary medal «For the Defense of Leningrad.»
For many years, her diaries were kept by herself, and then by her daughter, before the diaries turned into a full-fledged book, which is published by a grateful grandson.
I thank my grandmother for the fact that despite the horrors of war experienced for several years – months of bombing, shelling, sleepless nights in a shelter, hunger, and cold, and the horrors of a besieged city – the corpses of people who were killed by the Nazis in their air raids, she she managed to write down everything she saw and experienced on paper, which later turned into 6 volumes of handwritten diaries.
I also thank my mother and father for the fact that over several decades they were able to preserve these historical eyewitness accounts of that time – the terrible period of the war, which was organized by the Nazis, led by Germany.
Remembering every year such events as the Breaking of the Siege of Leningrad and the Complete lifting of the Nazi Siege from Leningrad, we remember everyone:
– And those who bravely fought in the Great Patriotic War against the Nazis and died on the battlefields. It doesn’t matter where exactly.
– And those who fought for the city of Lenin and died without seeing the end of the war.
– And those who died in Leningrad itself from hunger or bombing.
If we count everyone in total, then even the approximate losses are millions of human lives, people who could have lived their lives long and happily, who could have made many incredible discoveries and achievements, but instead they were all overtaken by death.
The book is released by January 27, 2024. The release of the book is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the complete lifting of the Nazi Siege from the city of Leningrad. This book should remind the modern generation that war is not a holiday, it is horror.
Even after 80 years, we must remember and honor all those who died in that terrible, bloody war. Our grandparents fought for a peaceful sky above their heads. The events of those years should never be repeated, people should never see this horror again. Human life is one, and it is priceless.
Happy memory to everyone who is not with us today.
The book was originally written in Russian. But because There are more than 8 billion people on Planet Earth, among whom English is recognized as the international language, so I translated the book from Russian into English. In addition, there are much fewer books in English about the Siege of Leningrad than in Russian.
Chapter 1. June 1941
Volume one
22/VI/1941
22/ VI. The date June 22, 1941 is imprinted for the rest of our lives, not only ours, but also our generation.
The insidious enemy, the presumptuous fascist bastard, in the person of Hitler, disrupted our calm, peaceful, happy life.
22/VI, when I was still sleeping, in the morning they brought me a summons: «Urgently report to the Headquarters of the M.P.V.O. (*Local air defense) Factories.»
Since it was urgent, I had to go.
There was nothing in my mind then, I thought it was just a test of the combat readiness of Com. composition (*Command staff) of the Factory, or simply a P.V.O. exercise. (*Air defense).
People’s Commissar was tasked with sawing 8,500 m³, which was carried out well.
And so, 22/VI, in the morning, suspecting nothing, I received an order from the director of the Factory – to stop the workshop and transfer people to the disposal of the chief mechanic to perform one task.
I remind him over the phone that he must not disrupt the People’s Commissar’s task.
Then they broadcast on the radio that at 12:15 there will be a message from Moscow.
Just at that time I wrote a statement to the People’s Commissar about payment for 1940, but something was not written, there was some kind of excitement in my soul.
And so, at 12:15 Moscow turns on, Comrade Molotov reports that Nazi Germany violated the treaty, and at 4 o’clock in the morning, crossed the borders.
4 cities were bombed, there were killed and wounded.
It was a surprise.
This could not be considered a surprise at all, because we knew that although there was an agreement with Germany, it was not a reliable friend.
Frankly speaking (only from myself), I expected this attack not now, but for some reason later – I don’t know why it happened in my head.
After that, everything became clear: why we were called to Headquarters, why people were transferred from work to another.
(*Text crossed out):
And so it begins with that.
I regret that I didn’t write my diary earlier, where I could have written down in detail all the little things.
All your impressions and moods.
From the first days the mood was the same: although the enemy is strong and cunning (*Text omitted), defeat (*Text breaks off).
(*A piece of the page is missing, there are only a few words) … my diary (*Text breaks off) notebooks (*Text breaks off).
28/VI/1941
28/ VI. So, since June 22, I spent only 7 nights at home, and the rest I was at the Factory all the time.
I have a bed set up here.
I can say I live here.
Now there is no other way – there is war.
It’s war time, we need to be prepared.
Those who have left for the Army must be replaced by others, or sent to defense work upon request.
I keep a separate record of «air alerts» and will place them at the end of this diary.
Chapter 2. July 1941
3/VII/1941
3/VII. On July 3, I had a day off (Thursday), and so, in the morning I was lying on my bed, listening to Comrade Stalin’s speech.
Comrade Stalin’s speech is a historical document that our generations will study in history.
4/VII/1941
4/VII. In response to the call of Comrade Stalin, on July 4, I submit an application as a volunteer, to the rear of the home guard (*Armed formations created from citizens (mostly volunteers), as a rule, not subject to conscription for military service by mobilization).
But this statement, as they say, is still only on paper.
Firstly, this is «Katushka» (*Wood Harvesting Factory named after Volodarsky, which in the period from 1939 to 1946 was subordinate to the Main Directorate of Sawmill and Woodworking Industry of the People’s Commissariat of Forestry of the RSFSR), and secondly, I am wearing a skirt.
The last one fact is killing me.
I don’t know why they look at our brother like that – women, women like me, who are not afraid of anything.
After all, only the Soviet government gave women like me the way to life, when from the dark village Sasha, a housekeeper, a farm laborer (though at one time she was very lively and energetic) – to a technician and engineer (*A farm laborer is a hired worker in agriculture pre-revolutionary and Soviet Russia, often seasonal, from impoverished peasants who had a small land plot or were completely deprived of land).
What is the period of growth, just since 1927?
In the first days of the Great Patriotic War, for some reason I had assumptions that although the enemy was strong and cunning, the war would not last long.
For some reason I hoped that the rear of Germany, and the countries it enslaved, would soon rise up, but it turns out that Hitler firmly holds his people in his hands, and raised them in the spirit of fascism.
But at first, perhaps, his false information also had an influence.
During the first days, songs and marches of Soviet composers were broadcast all the time.
These were my favorite songs.
But how tired they are these days.
My mood was and is always cheerful, but something in my soul is not cheerful.
I remember everything:
How the people near the areas near the front worry, how the bastard Hitler mocks the people who are captured by him.
How villages and cities collapsed.
How the happy (we didn’t notice this happiness before the war), calm life in Leningrad was disrupted.
Evacuation of children: I once saw a bus with wounded at the Moskovsky railway station.
All this left an imprint on my soul.
Then, the workers were sent to defense work – the workshop was left with only old women, but they worked with great enthusiasm.
I will never forget, but everything taken together resonates with me only internally.
No panic.
I was, am, and am going to be calm.
Leningrad will not be touched, fascist boots will not step on its streets and avenues.
Enough forces to protect both from land and sea.
After all, from the land it is guarded by Styopa, Kolya, Petit and others.
From the sea of Mark and Ilya.
I received two letters from Mark: one from Kurgolovo (*Village of Ust-Luga rural settlement, Kingisepp district, Leningrad region), the other from Narva.
«Apostle»… that’s it for me.
I don’t know why, but I haven’t heard from him for a long time.
There was also one letter from Styopa – no more.
I don’t know if he is alive or not.
So a month passed, the second month of the war began.
All the time at the Factory.
Lately it has become boring, but this boredom does not come out.
I experience everything within myself.
On the contrary, I always behave cheerfully.
Especially while on duty.
When I go to Headquarters, I make everyone laugh.
And then they say: «where Borovikova is, it’s always fun.»
One thing that is surprising is that when I started living at the Factory, I got used to drinking beer.
Every day, systematically.
I’ll probably get fat.
Moreover, when sending shift «A» to defense work, I was assigned to sell products.
What a damn job.
I bad bargained for 60 rubles.
25—26/VII/1941
25—26/VII. They sent it and evacuated a train with half of the Factory.
Mostly the so-called «own» went there.
near Akulovka (*Okulovka, Novgorod region).
Probably, they were trembling, «their own».
Especially Isaac and Moses.
27/VII/1941
27/VIII. At Headquarters I made everyone laugh a lot (*Text breaks off) and told me an anecdote with the following content:
Two students are traveling in a carriage, opposite them is a handsome Armenian.
One says to the other: «You know, the holidays will soon be over, soon I’ll study again, etc.»
The other one says: «Oh, how tired of all this. Is there really no other topic of conversation?»
Then the first one says: «Do you want me to tell you three truths?»
«Well, tell me,» says the second.
Here it begins: «Tomorrow is Thursday – true, the day after tomorrow is Friday – true.»
«Why are you talking nonsense?» – the second one speaks again.
Listening to them, the Armenian says: «Do you want me to tell you three truths?» – this is what the students were waiting for.
«Please,» they both say.
«Then,» says the Armenian…
(*Then the text is cut off, crossed out, and erased with a blade).
28/VII/1941
28/VIII. I went to the cinema and spent the night with Nyura Tsvetkova.
I watched the film «Girl with Character» (*Soviet feature film, directed by Konstantin Yudin, 1939).
29/VII/1941
29/VIII. When I go to home, I came in the Headquarters, I was chatting with Nina Ditina.
I told a couple of jokes.
Today’s summary is not bad:
109 enemy aircraft were shot down, our losses were 38 aircraft.
The newspaper dated 27/VII 1941 reported that from 20/VII to 26/VII, German aviation tried to raid Leningrad 12 times, but the planes were driven away.
During this period there were 22 air raid alert / «V.T.» (*Here and below: Air Alert), but we did not see a single enemy aircraft, and did not hear any bombs exploding nearby.
We live calmly.
On the approaches to the city, 41 enemy aircraft were shot down, our losses were 8 aircraft.
In the evening I took a shower.
Nyura Tsvetkova meets me and says that there are two letters from Vasya.
She and I went ashore and she let me read it.
What coldness there is in these letters: «Hello, my wife Nyura,» writes your husband Vasya.»
What kind of letter is this, it gives off a chill.
Before going to bed, I was at Headquarters, told a few jokes and went to bed.
Where I am, they always say it’s fun.
And for me, as they say, cats scratch at my soul (*A deep inner experience, hidden from others), but I don’t show it to anyone.
30/VII/1941
30/VII. Somehow I miss my Apostle this morning, for some reason I haven’t received a letter for a long time.
There’s a mood today that you can’t even describe.
Broadcast transfer on the radio: directions Nevelskoye, Novo-Rzhevskoye, Smolenskoye and Zhitomirskoye.
At 9:26 am the signal «air alert» warning
Anti-aircraft gunfire could be heard, and an order was even given: to occupy a bomb shelter.
The alarm lasted 1 hour. 20 minutes.
The second alarm with departure to the bomb shelter lasted 50 minutes.
Starts at 11:55, lights out at 12:45.
At 4 o’clock I received a report from the Information Bureau:
Fighting is taking place in the Nevelsk, Smolensk and Zhitomir directions.
Individual episodes of hostilities were also reported.
Finally, I cannot understand why the hell the people of Germany and the countries it enslaved are reconciling.
Why don’t they rebel against Hitlerism?
Then it would be easier to achieve Victory.
At 6:31 pm, just about to leave home, they suddenly give you air alert, well, and you sit again, with the receiver to your ear, waiting for orders.
No shooting yet.
Nothing special happened.
The alarm lasted 32 minutes.
Alarm total for 30/VII = 26 hours. 31 minutes.
I went home for two nights.
It was a complete relaxation for me – to take a break from the hustle and bustle of production (*Hustle – with turmoil, disorderly movement, a large number of people walking in a limited space).
But you can’t rest in own room – it’s so damp and dirty.
After airing the room, I went to bed.
On Thursday I took care of my household chores, then went to the city.
I wanted to order a coat.
I want blue, but the material is all black and there are no collars.
In Passage I bought floss (*Yarn, produced in a factory or by hand, produced specifically for embroidery or other types of needlework), but now there is no time to embroider, and there is no reason to.
There were rubber boots, but I didn’t get them.
There were three alarms during the day, with a total duration of 90 minutes.
The alarm, which lasted from 17:50 to 18:25, was not calm; anti-aircraft gun fire was very audible.
At that time, Lenka and I were just having lunch.
It seemed to me that they were already bombing, but it was only anti-aircraft fire.
So far Leningrad is defending itself strongly.
The radio reported that the USSR had entered into an agreement with Poland on a joint fight against Hitlerism.
I received one of the unpleasant letters in part of the world.
In the evening, Nina Ditina reported that there was an order from the Factory to move me to Palevsky (*Palevsky housing estate – built in 1925—1926, and located between Elizarova Avenue and Olga Berggolts Street), to Faktorovich’s apartment.
Let them cut off my head, but I won’t go there.
They will tug and fray my nerves over every trifle.
Chapter 3. August 1941
1/VIII/1941
1/VIII. I arrived at the Factory at 8 o’clock in the morning and read the order.
Really, yes…
Now I’ll write a note to the director that will make him gasp.
I received a long-awaited letter from the Apostle; he is still in Narva.
In the evening I wrote him an answer, but it was a sad letter, because… the mood was lousy.
I didn’t drink beer today because… the director said that if I drink like this, I will become an alcoholic.
That’s why I didn’t go, I don’t want to be a drunkard.
In the evening I went to see Katyusha Bogomolova.
She was on duty at Headquarters.
I told several jokes, made everyone laugh, and quietly went home while they were laughing.
(This is a story about an old woman at the academy, when I was still in my first year, how she went into the men’s restroom early in the morning).
I bypassed around the workshop department several times and went to bed.
I didn’t dream of anything in my dream, but I slept peacefully and had a good night’s sleep.
In the morning, something was a little boring, there was a desire to make an attempt on the Apostle, to pat him properly by the hair, and kiss him deeply, deeply, but he was not here.
2/VIII/1941
2/VIII. In the morning, Polina Sirotina told me that Chepik was swearing a lot about the room.
During the day there were two «air alert» – at 9:30 and 10:30, but both passed quietly.
At 12:30 I went to the planning department, then I went with M. Markovna to my place, met Tanu, and told the latter a joke…
One officer had a little money (*Orderlies were the soldiers of the Russian Army who occupied the position of permanent servants under officers) and performed
(*Further text was erased with a blade. Despite this, Internet resources made it possible to establish that it contained an excerpt from the satirical novel by Jaroslav Hasek (1883—1923) «The Adventures of the Good Soldier Schweik during the World War,» and since almost the entire A4 page, it can be assumed that there are several different fragments from the said book. One of them is the one part of which is written in the diary:
At 7:30 I went to the dining room, ate some salted tomatoes, ate a plate of lentils, a glass of tea, and in the afternoon I drank a large mug of bread kvass with Boris.
It was spread out so much that the waistband of the skirt didn’t fit together, so I had to add it to the buttonhole.
Suddenly, the director causes and says:
– «Well, now I’ll take Borovikova by the sides!»
And I say that:
– «K.M., not now, because… I just ate a bowl of lentils.»
He laughed, his stomach rising, and asked:
– «Did you drink beer?»
I speak:
– «I drank a mug of bread kvass.»
– «Well, then,» he says: «then now I can’t take you by the sides!»
And then I add to him that:
– «Plus, I’m also afraid of tickling, everything taken together: tickling, kvass, lentils is very dangerous.»
Well, he laughed at me!
In the evening, Titov and I shared a glass of beer.
Then, we compiled a list of 25 people, whose sent to defense work.
Good night, A.N., go to bed, and may you dream of the Apostle.
3/VIII/1941
3/VIII. Good morning, A.N.!
Borya Modestov called at night and said that I have a light in my workshop – of course, he was lying.
I listened to the summary radio transfer:
Direction: Pskov, Smolensk, Belotserkovskoe and Estonian.
Baltika hit well again knocked out.
It’s good that our transport returned.
For some reason, today a letter sent to Stepanov in the city of Enso (*Now: Svetogorsk) arrived back.
On the envelope it is written: «for lack of addressee.»
This means…
What boredom is plaguing my soul, this is the third day now – I don’t know why.
Especially now, when songs are broadcast.
The song «Beloved City» (*Song by the Soviet composer Nikita Bogoslovsky to the verses of the poet Evgeny Dolmatovsky, written in 1939 for the film «Fighters») hurts my heart so much that I want to cry, but Lenka prevented it.
My beloved city will sleep peacefully; I don’t know what will happen ahead.
I saw off the people who were working shift «B» today, near Narva.
Eh, I would love to go there myself, otherwise you’re sitting here.
Oh, how tired I am.
This is the 33rd night I’ve spent at the Factory, during the war period from June 22, 1941.
Again they sing a song from the movie «Seekers of Happiness» (*Soviet film directed by Vladimir Vladimirovich Korsh-Sablin and Joseph Solomonovich Shapiro, 1936).
I really want to drink a glass of beer out of grief, maybe it will make me feel better.
I cried a little when they broadcast this song: «Who knows?» (*The song «And who knows him» was written in 1938 by V.G. Zakharov and M.V. Isakovsky).
I listened to the latest news.
Still, I drank the desired mug of beer today.
What a nightmare the mood was today, so I regretted that I was not a man, then my place would have been at the front, and not here to sit and listen on the radio to what can be done in practice, on the spot myself.
After all, I am not afraid of death, especially when you sacrifice it for your Motherland, you know why, which gave you life.
The soul is seething with the desire to smash fascism.
In her grief, I began to smash all the flies in own office.
What a terrible day today was.
People are already remarking to me that, although I am so lively and cheerful, I am becoming boring and silent.
This echoes the transmitted bullying of the fascists against the city.
Let it all go to waste, unfortunate Hitler and all his henchmen.
The ill-fated Hitler violated everything that was so good.
Well, okay, Shurochka, it’s time to go to bed, and tomorrow, get up as sprightly and cheerful as you were before.
Good night – sleep, Sasha!
4/VIII/1941
4/VIII. Honestly, it’s funny – the mood changes depending on the weather.
Today is a cheerful, stormy mood.
With such a mood, it’s only to beat the fascists, I would love to chop up a few souls of them.
I sent two letters – one to the Apostle, and the second to the Khitola station (*Khiitola is the junction station of the Oktyabrskaya Railway at the 173.0 kilometer of the Kuznechnoye – Alkho section), comrade Stepanov.
Stormy letters – depending on the mood, Here, they will say, you fool – well, that’s okay, we need to support the boys.
Times are hot now.
Well, we, not like frogs, also have hot blood.
Today he was ordered to the West to vacate room №1 on Borovaya.
Stop fooling around, go to the workshop, otherwise you’ve been sitting too long.
You’ve been sitting there for probably half an hour already.
When you live in century, you will turn around, both in a rocking chair and lying on your side – as Kirill said to Comrade Stalin, from this proverb Stalin burst out laughing (*Soviet classical prose. Panferov Fedor Ivanovich. Book Bruschi. Somewhere they write Volume 2, somewhere a book IV).
In the evening, after drinking tea with Titov, I went to the territory, and behold, I heard very heavy shooting in the direction of the Gulf of Finland.
Probably the Baltic Fleet is bathing a fascist shark.
After standing for about five minutes, listening to the shooting, I wanted to invite Titov to my place, suddenly, at 20:35, the signal «air alert» was given.
The weather was cloudy.
The alarm lasted 20 minutes.
Nothing special, it went smoothly.
Now I’m going to the shore again to listen to the shooting.
Russkih M.K. arrived today, whos go to look for the train, and found something; when he was on his way back, he got off the train at the station, they were detained.
He took his mug, poured some water, took a piece of omelet, ate it, and washed it down.
Suddenly three enemy planes appeared and began bombing the train with which he had just arrived.
Well, he runs away.
He ran 200 meters, it didn’t seem like much, he still had to run.
Then they started shooting at the planes.
When it was all over, he missed his mug and couldn’t find it anywhere.
In Akulovka, when he was traveling with the military, a low "fascist vulture" appeared in the air.
It was by all accounts, but our anti-aircraft guns, having shot it down, turned out to be our plane.
The pilot was wounded in the elbow.
After 5 minutes, at 21 o’clock, they gave again «air alert», which lasted 20 minutes.
Everything went smoothly.
Now I’m going ashore again to listen to the Baltic command.
She sleeps quietly, but vigilantly guards her borders, own favorite Leningrad.
5/VIII/1941
5/VIII. Good afternoon, A.N., it’s time to get up.
Combat summary:
Direction Kholmovskoe, Smolenskoe, Belotserkovskoe.
Today I wrote a caustic letter to the director again.
What a misfortune, this Coil.
When I get out of it.
I really wanted to do this on vacation, but that bastard Hitler prevented me from doing so.
I went to the brevenka (*Here and below: place of loading/unloading of logs), sat there, and remembered about the dispatch meeting.
I 10 minutes late.
I received a remark from the director of the Factory.
Today «Main engineer» had already given his stupid orders.
At 12:35 they just broadcast an article where they say that about 100 planes were shot down in 40 days.
In the evening I went to spend the night with Nyura Tsvetkova, drank a bottle of port, and went to bed.
6/VIII/1941
6/VIII. Got up at 7 o’clock in the morning.
Today I’m in a bad mood again.
When will all this end?
Tomorrow is a day off – I don’t know whether I’ll go home or not.
Still spent the night on Borovaya.
7/VIII/1941
7/VIII. I was delighted as a little girl that I had a day off.
Spent the whole day in the city.
I went around the Passage, the DLT, the Living Room Courtyard, and Apraksin Courtyard.
In the evening I drank a glass of beer, had a hearty dinner, and sat embroidering a napkin, since I bought a white canvas (cloth) in the afternoon.
I had a great argument with Nina Ditina, who was so panicky about the progress of military operations.
He speaks out in a way that an honest Soviet citizen should not.
8/VIII/1941
8/VIII. I got up at 6 o’clock in the morning, along with the latest news.
Direction:
Kholmovskoe; Keksholmskoe, Smolenskoe, Belotserkovskoe.
The German Information Bureau summed up the results of the 3-month war, which says that the Nazis are fighting very hard:
1) 16 fascists destroyed an entire regiment of our soldiers.
2) Next they report on Stalin’s line.
3) During 6 weeks of the war, the German command captured 895 thousand prisoners.
Tanks – 13,145
Guns – 10,388
Aircraft – 9082
The Soviet Information Bureau explains that the calculation technique is as follows: if we assume that in the occupied areas there are still workers and peasants who are considered prisoners of war, then this figure is humanly possible.
Further, the Information Bureau reports that according to estimates, German losses: 1.5 million killed and wounded.
Our losses are 600,000 people.
6,000 tanks were captured and destroyed.
Our losses are about 5,000 tanks.
Artillery 8000 guns.
Our losses are 7,000 guns.
Over 6000 aircraft.
Our losses are 4000.
This is the damage and losses during 6 weeks of war.
The mood today, I wouldn’t say it’s good, but I can’t say it’s bad either.
I really don’t like the command of the Factory – Anakin.
I haven’t done anything with the room yet.
I won’t go home today.
Here we go again, the damn dispatch meeting is coming soon.
You’ll go scratching your tongue again, it even gets on your nerves.
Today I saw in a dream that I supposedly evacuated.
An unpleasant dream, as if I were under fire or bombing.
At the dispatch meeting I had a great argument with the main an engineer, he gives such stupid orders, he himself knows absolutely nothing, but wants to show himself as a master.
I fight to the bitter end and do not change my stubborn character.
Whatever happens, I will insist on my own.
At 4:30 I’m leaving post 4, and suddenly I hear a rumble.
I looked at the Neva, 3 military boats were coming, probably reinforcements to Kexholm (*Nowadays: Priozersk).
It was nice to see them, they walked like a fighters, quickly.
At 17:30 they gave the «air alert» signal.
Lasted 18 minutes, nothing special.
At 9 o’clock I went to spend the night with Nyura Tsvetkova.
She met me at the entrance with a bag and a decanter for beer in it.
As soon as we crossed the road, it started to rain, but we continued on.
Having reached Palevsky, heavy rain hit, we hid under the roof of a beer stall.
Nyura went out in the rain, bought 3 mugs of beer, and we went to her in the rain.
We ate some herring.
My mood was not bad.
I played the guitar and sang a few songs – or rather, I purred.
9/VIII/1941
9/VIII. At 6:30 I was already at the Factory, until 8 o’clock I was doing handicrafts.
I can’t quit my habit, but I have to do something.
Something was wrong in the workshop this morning.
The machines worked poorly, but by 9 o’clock things had improved.
At 8:30 am, shift «B» returned from Kingisepp.
Air raids forced them to leave defense work and return.
6/VIII 2 enemy planes were shot down, there were casualties among the defenders.
At 12 o’clock they announced on the radio that diplomatic relations with Norway had been restored.
It is so pleasant.
How sympathy for the Soviet Union grows every day.
There should be no doubt about this, they should be, are, and will be.
Today I received a letter from Kolya Ulyanov.
I wrote him an answer right away.
I never delay in responding to fighters.
22:10 pm – we need to end with a note about today.
The weather was cloudy.
By evening my mood also deteriorated.
At 2 o’clock I was summon to the director of the Factory.
Anakin stated that 120 more people need to be sent to defense work.
From my workshop, 15 people are needed.
I am sending 3 people from shift «B», 9 people from shift «A»: Pryadichev, Savina, Stroeva, and Postyukovich.
In addition, they offered go drive are one from us: either Russkih or Erofeev.
Russkih it’s a pity to send something.
It’s better to let Erofeev go, he’s been doing a slacker lately, he’s working with his staff in a completely non-military manner.
At 2 o’clock I met A.E. Grube.
My «sympathy» for the rest of my life.
What a good person he still is.
You always speak well of people like him.
At 4 o’clock there was a party meeting (*Meeting of members of the party organization).
Oh, that «Director», Anakin.
The report was boring and dry.
Oh, how this meeting spoiled the mood.
I’m so tired of managing the Factory.
Such a mash (*Phraseologism: a mash is a mixture of yeast and sugar to create the alcoholic drink moonshine, here it is meant as a terrible mixture).
Someday all this will be unearthed.
The scoundrel sits on the scoundrel, the other urges him on.
They hide their skins from the Army.
If only someone would go to the front line, there’s no point for them to guard women’s skirts and eat off their belly – no.
Owns dont bite his own, on the contrary, he will defend himself.
I’ve been planning to report these pranks to the District Party Committee for a long time, but I still think it will be better, but still, someday, they’ll probably make me lose patience – I’ll report.
Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided – it’s still not good.
I sent two letters: one to Comrade Ulyanov, the second to the Apostle.
I sent him such a cheerful letter, and my terrible face – I don’t know how he will accept it.
I have such a disposition towards him to raise his morale.
I really don’t know whether my letters are pleasant to him or not.
Oh, if I knew, I would immediately turn the steering wheel in one direction or another, although it’s late now, it’s better late than never.
Because I’m not a bad helmsman, and he’s just a Red Navy man (*Military rank of enlisted personnel of the USSR Navy), whom I never loved in my life, but considered them to be womanizers.
Now, until I receive an answer, I will remain silent.
By evening my clouds cleared.
It’s now 20 minutes, I’m writing and writing.
And in the soul A…
How I want to meet and talk.
I’ll probably go to the district these days, and still get away from all this to the front.
If only they would send me to Estonia… then that would be all.
Okay, it’s time to finish.
Shurochka, go to the workshop, check the work, and it’s time for a sleep, because tomorrow something new awaits again, either good or bad, probably bad, A.E. Grube promised to come tomorrow.
Well, I’ll put an end to it, but in my head I’ve been thinking for a long time about writing a poem or poems dedicated to…
If I compose it, you will see that it will be dedicate to the first…
10/VIII/1941
10/VIII. 11 o’clock in the afternoon, message from the Information Bureau.
From August 7 to 8, our planes raided Berlin.
From 9 to 10 August, too, military facilities were damaged and fires were visible.
On the night of Moscow, fascist vultures attacked, 8 planes were shot down.
Our losses during the raid on Berlin – one plane is being sought.
Yesterday I was told a joke:
One lady went to buy shoes and a dozen eggs.
She head was filled with other thoughts.
He walks into a shoe store and says:
«Show me size 42 eggs.»
The store seller was short and said:
«What are you saying, citizen, we don’t have such sizes. Go to the one next door, there’s a bigger one there.»
At 12 o’clock I listened to the latest news, where they said that at 14 o’clock there would be a common-Slavic rally.
14 hours: wave 19.37, 19.75, 19.47, 21.79, 22.72, 24.51, 50.93, etc.
Rally of All-Slavic Peoples (*Probably means: I All-Slavic rally in Moscow. Appeal to all Slavic peoples «Brothers, oppressed Slavs!»)
Russian writer Alexei Tolstoy opens the rally.
As equals among equals, everyone united to destroy fascism.
The speech lasted 18 minutes.
Polish general, Czech writer, Croatian, Bulgarian, etc.
They had already begun to interfere with the transmission, and they were not speaking Russian.
Nothing is clear, I didn’t listen, and I didn’t have time.
They gave us a military large order, we must prepare for it.
I had a great argument with Fedya Titov.
Oh, and the man is worse than a seedy woman.
The language is such that at least tie it.
Today is one thing, tomorrow is another.
For all my contradictions and stubbornness, I feel they are starting to attack me.
But it’s okay, I won’t let myself be offended.
At 20 o’clock, as always, Comrade Erofeev’s shift came, and I went to spend the night with Nyura Tsvetkova.
I took my work with me and went to bed at 12 o’clock.
Somewhere in the distance, gun fire shots were heard – dull, dull.
I was afraid that there would be «air alert», but I slept peacefully.
11/VIII/1941
11/VIII. We jumped off at 6:20, got ready quickly, and went to the Factory.
Again, shots were heard on the right bank.
It’s 7 o’clock now, I’m listening to the latest news.
There were battles on August 10 in the Soletsky, Kholmsky, Smolensky, Belotserkovsky and Uman directions.
During 9 august, 45 German aircraft were shot down.
Our losses are 25 aircraft.
From August 8 to 9, 10 enemy aircraft were shot down during a raid on Moscow.
The raid of German planes on Moscow from August 10 to 11.
Single planes made their way through.
There are killed and wounded.
Fires broke out in residential buildings.
No military installations were damaged.
At 12:34 they gave «air alert», lasted 26 minutes.
It went smoothly for us.
At the 5th G.E.S. (*5th State Power Plant «Red October» of the Leningrad Council of the National Economy of Leningrad. Built on the south-eastern outskirts of Leningrad in 1922 in the Utkina Zavod area) they say there were bomb explosions.
And during yesterday evening’s shooting, Tosno was bombed.
I don’t know how much is true, because… These are other people’s conversations, but I haven’t seen them myself.
Morning message.
Directions: Belotserkovskoe, Smolensk, Uman and Estonian.
7 pm, meeting of all-Slavic peoples.
Speakers included Wanda Vasilevskaya, Yanko Kupala and others.
Zaikina made me laugh a lot today.
She told how they were bombed near Kingisepp, during defense work.
So, he says, I’m washing my face in the river, the river is deep, and suddenly I see a fascist plane flying right over my head, low, low, it stopped above me, looked and waved.
I was so scared, I hid my head in my knees and sat there.
She sat for a long time.
I tell her: he probably didn’t like you, because… very black, if she had been beautiful, then he would have put you on a plane and taken you to Germany, but I probably didn’t like you.
In the evening I was nervous about the light masking (*Hiding from the observation of air and ground enemies the light unmasking signs of troops and forces, military facilities, industrial areas, and populated areas, and their imitation on false objects) in the workshop – I don’t know what to do.
12/VIII/1941
12/VIII. I listened briefly to the Information Bureau.
Direction: the same.
How close the enemy is to Leningrad, I don’t know what will happen.
The night passed peacefully.
In a dream I saw my former «sympathy» Z.Z. Guscha – I don’t know why, but somehow it was pleasant, it still has an effect – I love him, as before, for his simplicity and cheerfulness.
Eh, Z.Z., I wish I could meet you again and probably we will, at least I have such a feeling.
Vlasov arrived during the day for a special order.
I’m sitting around 6 o’clock in the evening, suddenly Borya Chizhov comes to me and says that they caught a piece of paper (leaflet) from the air, I read it, and put it under the cloth, and then transfer it to the director.
The bastards who wrote this piece of paper and who released it are not enough lead, they need something stronger.
Dirty lips still say:
«Comrade Red Army soldiers, do not listen to provocations, that they are mocking you – this is a lie. Avoid provocations and come to us.»
It disgusts me to write down these words, it tears my heart apart.
Here, bastards, idiots, I can’t even find words to scold them for these provocations.
You will be in trouble, and no one will believe your leaflets, and hardly anyone will come to you, and so you have poisoned our happy, calm life, and now you are still embarking on such vile adventures – no, nothing will work out.
Bullet in your forehead, scoundrels!
I sat at the Factory until 9 o’clock in the evening, and then, having quarreled with the mechanic, she went to spend the night with Nyura Tsvetkova.
In the evening I wrote a note to Vasya Vinogradov and enclosed a letter in Nyurino.
At the same time I read her letter to Vasya.
How cold!
13/VIII/41 I received a letter from Petya Betselev – I need to answer.
13/VIII/1941
13/VIII. I got up early, I wanted to get some more sleep, but Nyura leaves early and so we arrived at the Factory at 6:30 in the morning, I went to the Headquarters, wanted to listen to the latest news, «Director» interfering, he was talking something on the phone, and everywhere he called himself director – the same, not the Director.
Today can’t understand the mood.
It was very bad in the morning, because… the military summary was very modest, but during the day something immediately became clear.
There is some kind of stormy in me, some kind of premonition.
In my opinion, they will report something interesting in our favor in the coming days.
We’ll wait, but now, A.N., go have lunch, otherwise you really want to eat.
At 4 o’clock we listened to a lecture on extinguishing incendiary bombs.
There were a lot of people, a full red corner (*A room reserved for religious communist events (party meetings, admission to the Party, Komsomol, pioneers), as well as for the needs of agitation and political education)
The lecture was okay, I liked it.
Shvedov was there today and reported that on 10/VIII 41, the fascist bastards occupied Kingisepp and Volosovo.
I don’t quite believe it, but I won’t talk to anyone, except Sokolov.
The future will show.
Let this remain in my diary.
But we, calm in Leningrad.
But he also reported that there were 48 points left in the rear near Pskov (*Firing or machine gun points), which the Nazis were hunting for, but could not find them.
And so, these rear points hit the advancing enemy in the back of the head.
For some reason I have a feeling that they will soon give him a fever, and he won’t have time to come to his senses.
Tomorrow is a day off, but I’m on duty today.
14/VIII/1941
14/VIII. The night passed peacefully.
They woke me up at 7 o’clock, and I sat at director until 8 o’clock.
The issue was decided on defense work.
They sent all the men and stayed with me: Egorov on a brevenka, and Arseny Ivanov.
It’s okay, we’ll work, we won’t lose momentum, and Arseny won’t let you down.
In the afternoon I went drive to the District Council (*District Council of People’s Deputies, a representative body of government in the region) on one matter.
I was elected to the evacuation commission for the evacuation of children.
Commission consisting of: Borovikova, Basov, Ogarkova, Romanova.
In the evening there was a meeting after Basov’s trip to the District Council.
List of evacuation sites:
1. Vologda
2. Chelyabinsk
3. Novosibirsk
4. Ivanovo
5. Kazakhstan
6. Udmur ASSR
7. Kirov
8. Molotov
9. Sverdlovsk
10. Omsk
11. Aktyubinsk
12. Karaganda
13. Pavlograd
14. Kyzyl-Orda.
15. (*The numbers are there, but the name of the place is not written in the diary)
I drive to home, Pavlusha Erofeev arrived.
I was so happy that I forgot to take my bag with dirty laundry with me.
During the week I was so busy, like a devil, I walked around dirty, not looking like a boss.
I came home and was horrified.
Imp-Lenka was drinking with someone in my room.
There is such chaos on my desk!
Dirty plates, bread, wine in a bottle, and empty bottles, soup cooked.
Well, I tidied up the dishes, put everything in the room, went to bed, and, of course, drank a little slivyanka (*Plum liqueur or tincture).
Suddenly, at night I hear a knock.
It turns out that the horse, Lenka, was waiting and waiting for me, and decided to follow me to the Factory, and at that time I was already sleeping at home.
So I didn’t open the door for her, I really wanted to sleep.
I knew that she would come and disperse the sleep.
15/VIII/1941
15/VIII. I got up with the radio at 6 o’clock.
Lenka immediately came to see me, we had a hearty breakfast, and I drive back to the Factory.
On 14/VIII there were battles on all sectors of the front, from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea.
Our troops left the city of Kirovograd and Pervomaisk.
Never mind, don’t be happy, Hitler, we’ll see how you run back.
I have already bought a map of Western Europe, soon we will look to the west, how they will scuttle.
Well, stop writing, it’s already 8:25, time to start working.
In the afternoon I made a list for the evacuation of women and children.
Karpova staged a whole concert, but then calmed down.
Doesn’t want to drive leave.
I would drive leave myself, or rather, I would just take my things home, and then I could be here again to defend Leningrad if I bring any benefit.
Frankly speaking, it’s a pity for the junk.
The devil knows, you live as if everything is not enough, but it’s still a pity to leave it, especially for the fascists to plunder.
At 1:05 p.m. I was in the dining room, they said «air alert», and I ran to my room without my hind legs, but «air alert» was only 6 minutes, passed quietly.
At 15:40 they gave again «air alert», lasted 20 minutes.
Morning message:
Direction – Kexholmskoe, Staro-Russkoe, Smolensk, Estonian.
The day and night passed peacefully.
16/VIII/1941
16/VIII. It was a stupid day.
I got up at 7 o’clock, at 8 o’clock I was drinking tea, suddenly the phone rang, Petya Betselev called, I thought Sasha (potatos-groom).
Betselev reported that he was wounded in the arm and was in the hospital.
Tomorrow I’ll go to him, need to find out, it’s my duty, to visit him.
The day passed so quickly that there was no time to take the diary.
It’s 6 o’clock now, I’m rushing home, at the same time I need to write down the past day.
In this day happened was that evacuation lists were drawn up, etc.
Well, okay, I’m finishing.
Kuzmich is in a hurry.
I’m going.
Goodbye, Katushka.
Hello, Borovaya street!
Came home.
Such boredom – everyone is sulky, everyone is silent.
I drank some tea and went to bed; of course, I worked a little with a needle.
This is my illness, and the war does not interfere.
17/VIII/1941
17/VIII. I got up at 6 am, along with the radio.
Evening message: battles along the entire front, and some adjustments to destroy aircraft.
On the night of 16/17/VIII there was a raid on Moscow, but the planes were not allowed in.
Yesterday at 8:05 there was «air alert», lasted 45 minutes, passed quietly.
Today at 6:45 again «air alert» lasted 5 minutes.
At the call of the Komsomol (*All-Union Leninist Communist Youth Union (VLKSM)) today is Voskresnik (*Communist form of work, collective extracurricular work, arranged voluntarily on rest days) – I don’t know how it will go.
I forgot to write down, when I was driving home, there were a lot of military men coming from Kuznechny, and I really felt sorry for them, because… they walked tired and loaded, and it was very hot.
Ahead of them walked other soldiers with dogs.
Sunday in my department is going well.
Today, in a 16 o’clock, I have to go to Petya Betselev.
Today they took M.K. into the Army, it’s a shame, he’s a very good man.
You can talk to him about anything.
At 16:30 I drive to see Petya Betselev.
It turns out it’s far away.
It takes more than an hour to get to Stachek Square.
Walking through the square, suddenly I see a fascist plane, a tank, standing on the square, and a lot of people around.
But I was in a hurry and passed without stopping.
I went to see him in Hospital, in the line of man who can walking.
I met him in the yard.
There were some two ladies with him, but they soon ran away, and we sat with him for more than an hour.
Walking back across the square, I then looked at the plane and the tank.
Such a colossus, I spat at him and left.
I arrived at the Factory at 8:45, and they told me there was a letter.
I assumed from whom, of course, it was from him – the Apostle.
In it he reprimands me that I rarely write to him, BUT I sent him three letters, it’s true, he didn’t receive them.
Eh, Apostle, if only you were here, and even…
What a pity that that time has passed, will it really not return?
I remember my family.
All this has passed, and there is no hope for a good future.
Let him remain a good comrade in my memory, and then I’m happy.
Means no luck.
I’ll write him an answer tomorrow.
Yes, when I was at Petya’s, I saw wounded Latvians.
I almost fell in love with one of them.
Ha-Ha-Ha.
The old traditions regarding dating still remain in me.
I wrote a letter to the upcoming Apostle for bedtime, and almost cried, it was somehow so boring, and I felt sorry for him.
18/VIII/1941
18/VIII. I got up at 7:30, but haven’t slept since 6:00.
The fighting took place along the entire front.
Army surrendered the city of Nikolaev.
They said that several German regiments were defeated again in the southwestern direction.
Life goes by interesting.
After lunch, I go home and meet my workers.
Nyura Tsvetkova brought me potatoes and cucumbers, and at the same time handed me Matveev’s packet of cucumbers.
I’m eat full to my ears, I can barely puff.
And there are times when there is no time to eat.
Today I again sent 5 people to defense work.
Mood schvakh (*Evaluative description of someone or something as being in a bad, weakened, exhausted state; bad, bad).
Leningrad is calm, but until a certain time.
Leningrad is now in a very dangerous situation, if you take everything seriously.
Something will happen in a few days, it’s just a pity for the city.
I just can’t get my head around this.
In this we are sure that victory will be ours, but it’s a pity for the devastation where the front will pass.
This bastard, Hitler, what a curse on his head.
Such a good summer, such weather, such a harvest, and this bastard is trampling Soviet fields.
It’s been transfer on the radio for a few days – battles along the entire front.
How difficult it is, because you have to fight back, on any sector of the front.
This morning’s report, as they say, was scalded, about the surrender of Nikolaev and Krivoy Rog.
The devil rushes and rushes towards the coal base.
Something with Odessa now.
What a poison this war is for everyone.
19/VIII/1941
19/VIII. A echelon with women and children is leaving.
We thought about sending it to Omsk area, but now we’re sending it to Ufa area.
At one time they offered me to go as an chaperone, with a echelon, but now they are silent.
Today T. Pavlovna said that she had a conversation with Popov, in the sense of an chaperone.
Popov says that nothing will come of Basov, because… he’s a chicken, and that’s for real.
And Borovikova is sorry to let she go and lose his engineer, and if I flutter from Katushka, he will completely break up with me.
It turns out that I am valued, despite my stubbornness. Oh, he’s Popik, he’s still a good person!
It’s time, Shurochka, to go to bed, but you again take the pen in your hands to write down the rest of the day.
My eyes were very tired because I worked with a needle all day, that’s also a habit.
At about 9 pm we held classes on D.P.V., at the 8 shed.
Our commanders are doing a good job.
The result is not bad, but the paramilitary guards let themselves down.
In the evening I was at Headquarters, and Popov told about his many Moses.
At one time, they all applied to be volunteers, and now they are walking around Kazan, all their pants are covered in rust, they can’t even wash them after Akulovka.
Good night, Shurochka, sleep, may you dream about the Apostle.
But I didn’t dream, I was really bored in the morning.
19/VIII/1941
19/VIII. Military summary:
The city of Kingisepp was commissioned.
How hard it all is.
After all, it’s very close to Leningrad, as they say, just a stone’s throw away.
I wonder why it’s calm in Leningrad, or his point of view is to take Leningrad safe and sound.
But Leningraders will not surrender Leningrad like that.
The surroundings are calm, I slept peacefully at night, I am writing and drinking tea, and there, at the front, there are probably hundreds and thousands of corpses lying around, there is a massacre going on, not for life, but for death.
But you can’t break my mood, victory will still be ours.
At 10 o’clock I went out onto the brevenka, and I heard a rumble from the right bank of the Neva – an airplane, then it went to the city center, and suddenly I heard shooting at it.
Romanova and says: why don’t they give «air alert».
Then they give «air alert».
It went well and lasted 10 minutes.
Today, wagons of peasant refugees on cart’s and with herds of cows stretch along the right bank.
It’s a pity to look at them.
I feel sorry for the people and the cattle.
Where are the people going, abandoning everything they have lived with for centuries, what awaits ahead.
Yes, life.
After all, those who were born there lived to old age, raising grandchildren, but now they are forced to leave everything, and with a small belongings (*Belongings, movable property, household junk) move forward into the interior of the country.
The only consolation is that they are taking with them cattle and all their belongings, not even leaving cats, to be torn to pieces and tormented into the hands of the Germans.
This is good.
Let the presumptuous Hitler and his gang meet dead silence everywhere, and no hope for life.
At 16:45 I laughed until I cried.
This is over the guard of the used barge, Egorov.
Today, at 3 o’clock in the morning, he took a bath in the Neva, I don’t know how it helped him, and so he dried first in a boiler, and then in a dryer.
At 16:30 he calls 50 and asks me how much the young lady sawed, I say: 49.6.
Then she picked up the phone, and Katya Yanukhnova asked him how he bathed, he said – with both feet.
In general, the man jumped into the water up to his chest.
We also sit around the clock.
I wanted to sleep all day, and in the evening, after seeing everyone off, I decided to take a nap.
I heard someone come to see me, or Nyura, or the horse Lenka, but I was already asleep and didn’t want to turn around.
I woke up at 8 o’clock in the evening, went to Headquarters, noted my presence, then to the dining room, ate a nasty vinaigrette, a glass of tea and pie, and went ashore.
A military boat passed by, but I only saw it following.
What boredom, what poison life is, indifference, and there is no end – you have to live, and live.
After all, frankly speaking, I haven’t lived yet, but I’m already 37 years old.
My life was spent studying.
I just got back on my feet, now I wish I could just live, but here comes the wave again.
There is something to wear and put on shoes, but all this is not interesting now.
Life has become indifferent, nothing interests you, even in your personal life.
Life has become indifferent, nothing in your personal life interests you (*Recorded on another page. Probably at a different point in time).
You wait for tomorrow, and what it will bring.
Yes, the same as today, the same troubles.
Get up at 6 o’clock in the morning, and you run around all day and do nothing, but you’re tired as hell.
I sent a letter to Narva again today.
The guy needs to be supported, at least morally, but at the same time he is offended that he was forgotten.
Eh, Apostle, Apostle, it all started beautifully, but I don’t know how it will end.
Every day we move away from each other, further and further.
At the same time, he’s a great guy, I like his tenacity.
I won’t say anything other than good things about him, it’s all my fault.
Today I live only in dreams about him – I don’t know whether he knows about it or not, but from my letters he should guess.
There is still nothing from Sima, he is probably no longer alive.
But it’s still a pity for the guy, and it’s a pity that I didn’t study him, while he was interested in me.
Every day my heart aches and aches about them, these strong boys.
After all, it often happens that when you lose a person, only then do you begin to appreciate him.
Many women and girls get carried away for profit.
I look at life completely differently.
An engineer is considered something high, without looking into the inside of a person’s soul.
I never thought highly of myself before the Apostle.
It’s about the person, not the mark, and the not of rank.
Why do I need a husband who is an engineer when I am an engineer myself, and why do I need a lifelong friend with a higher education?
But my hobby can be attributed to the unsuccessful ones.
I only have myself to blame.
I wonder how happy he is that he tied the knot with her?
Well, I have a diary for 3 years, which I wrote when I was young, I remembered only Borya Shilyaiva, but it has already gone into the realm of legend, and he, too, has probably already forgotten me, 14 years separate me.
Meeting with A.I. Nikolaev is a short but beautiful episode in life.
He is somewhere, alive or not.
I was happy to meet him, because… this personality remained undisclosed to me.
Intrigue is always interesting in life.
I revealed the last intrigue of the Apostle quickly, in view of the simplicity of his character.
What I liked about him was that the man himself did not lie, and believed everything, therefore, he had never been deceived in his life.
I don’t even know what binds me to him now, because I know that a strong barrier separates us from him, and he is already lost for the further, parallel pursuit of my life.
But at the same time, there is something attractive about it.
Let us remain good comrades, and then I’m happy.
And then, there will be some hope in my personal life.
He will think something about me after yesterday’s letter.
Or he will simply consider me a fool, but, in my opinion, he will not come to that.
Now I’m going to go to the brevenka, at least to speed up a little, or to make me even more bored.
20/VIII/1941
20/ VIII. The Information Bureau me wake up.
The fighting continued along the entire front.
Especially reinforced in the Kingisepp, Novgorod, Gomel, Odessa directions.
Is probably, at Apostle has a hot time, because… the battles are 30 km away.
The workshop was working on loading a barge, they wanted to send it to Murzinka, but I defended its, Let come down Katushka go, because… this audience likes easier work.
At 12:45 they gave «air alert», it passed calmly.
There was no foreman on the brevenka, and I was on duty there, suddenly, I saw the cruisers «Stroyny» and «Smely» coming, moving slowly, in tugs.
What a beauty the Baltic is.
They’ll probably let the fascist vermin feel it.
Probably to Kexholm.
In the evening at 5:30 there was a factory-wide meeting of workers, with a call for the defense of Leningrad.
The meeting was active.
I went home to spend the night, although it was late, at 8 o’clock.
In the hostel are boredom.
21/VIII/1941
21/VIII. In the morning at 6:30 I listened to a speech – an address by Comrade Voroshilov, Commander-in-Chief of the North-Western Front, to the Leningraders.
I heard the report poorly, because… Moscow has been very hard to hear lately.
Yes, the front line is not far away.
The enemy is still strong, but his strength will be broken, and broken completely, so that the presumptuous Hitler will not leave the psychiatric hospital.
There is his grave there.
Today is Thursday, but we were working on loading a barge.
At 12 o’clock Shakhmashirova and Shvarengova come to me, declaring that they came running from Gatchina, and tell me a lot.
At first I took it very closely, but then, as they say, I waved her hand.
In general, the public loves to chat and create panic.
Some do not realize the seriousness of the matter, and some love to chat.
I’m sitting, writing, and somewhere in the distance I can hear artillery fire.
Now I’ll go check it out, I’m generally very curious.
At 17:00 they gave «air alert», it passed calmly.
At 15:30 it is reported from the tower that 6 fascist planes are flying to the Gulf of Finland.
There are two planes flying in the south, but they are far away and you can’t see whose.
An airplane is flying over the Kirov district, at high altitude.
In the area of «Bolshevik» (*Nowadays: Obukhov Plant) planes are circling at high altitude.
The workshop workers worked at high altitudes.
It was dark and warm in the evening, so I let the workers go.
In the evening at 7 o’clock there was a party meeting.
Ivanov A. categorically refused to enroll in the work detachment for the defense of Leningrad.
What an idiot, he manifests himself so parasitically, both at work and in public life.
I think Shashnev and Ivanov are capable of selling someone in order to save their own skins.
At least, I had this assumption when I signed up for subscribing to a soviet loan.
In the evening Betselev called and said that tomorrow he will probably leave for the front.
He asked, that Lelya come to him.
In the evening I went to the barge with Popov, we talked about something, he felt very sorry for him.
A conversation ensued, and I told him that I wanted to recommend M.K. The Russkih – are the head of the Reel Shop, and he replies, on the contrary, I wanted to appoint you.
It turns out he still values me.
At 10 o’clock In the evening I went to see him, and he said to me:
«Well, Borovikova, today I was rummaging through the wood table, and found so many of your statement, that not a single boss has written so many in all my work.»
No wonder he once called me a writer (*Writer, a person professionally engaged in literary work).
At 7:45 today a ship passed from Ladoga with wounded, but probably the wounded were light, because… everyone was sitting.
It’s already 11:30.
It’s time to sleep, Shurochka, good night.
Yes, today another thought came to mind, about the Apostle.
We need to write him a letter and tell him that there are a lot of «carriage» now, and there are no disputes.
This is the «achievement».
I remember these episodes with the «carriage» (*Vagon) every day.
Once upon a time they, these defenders of the Fatherland, did such little things as making carriage (*Vagon).
Those who are physically stronger and have a stronger throat never stood behind the carriage (*Vagon).
I consider him one of these heroes.
Whether he was a specialist, a good craftsman in this regard, a loader, and a carrier, he was good at carrying «humpback» (*Gorbyl’), etc. (*A humpback – is an obapol; a side part of a log having one sawn and the other not sawn or not sawn through the entire length of the surface, with a normalized thickness and width of the thin end).
God grant him health, have a good dream, and then destroy more than a dozen fascists.
He will be strong enough, I am sure of that.
At 11:05 it was reported that on 22.08.41 there will be a training exercise in the Baltic Fleet, be prepared to listen to the artillery shooting.
We doubtfully believed this teaching, since the atmosphere around was condensed (*As condensed milk – Phraseologism: about the approach of something unpleasant, difficult for someone).
But we are ready for anything.
22/VIII/1941
22/VIII. Today at 6 o’clock morning, fulfilled 2 months of war.
By God, I don’t know what curses are on the fascists’ heads.
The Information Bureau reports that on 21/VIII there were battles on all fronts, especially on Kingisepp.
The bastard is heading towards Leningrad.
Gomel direction – Gomel was leaves (abandoned).
21 aircraft were shot down, our losses were 12 aircraft.
The news conveyed today squeezed my heart, and I wanted to cry and cry, despite the early morning.
All attention was mainly paid to Leningrad, what a threat loomed over Leningrad.
After all, frankly speaking, either encirclement or the entry of the fascist boot awaits us.
But no, this will not happen, the Leningrad proletariat will not allow the fascist boot to trample the sacred avenues of this glorious city.
We will defend the city with our breasts, we will use all our feminine abilities and perseverance, which, however, Erofeev does not believe in, but, frankly speaking, he himself is worse than the most seedy woman, his panties are probably rusting.
I’m looking forward to the Baltic Fleet training.
It’s our destiny, something has to be decided in a few days.
But I’m still calm about Leningrad.
I think we lived in it, and will continue to live, we will not give it up, and we will not concede its beauties and values, but, of course, there will probably be devastation.
Popov said yesterday that the fascists are coming: first motorcycle-mechanical units, then police detachments – detectives who collect everything, even down to door handles.
Then the «SS», who take away and deal with the Soviet people.
Perhaps, with the whistling of shells and bullets, you will either go into battle, or where – I don’t know, but I don’t keep that in my head.
Today the public comes from Tolmachevo (*an urban-type settlement in the Luga district of the Leningrad region), with different stories, but I least of all believe them.
It’s interesting that I’m working now, about 80 people have gathered, and there’s only one sawmaker (*A worker installing saws on sawmill frames), and not a single foreman.
So, spin around, this way and that way.
Turn around, as Kirill told Comrade Stalin, both on the on a rocking chair and on your side.
This is how life turned out.
If I go to Borovaya, I think, something is happening there, on the village avenue of Smolensky, maybe fascist tanks have already broken through from Rybatsky.
When you leave home, you think maybe an enemy has broken through from Volkova Village.
Think or not think, but you forgot your belongings, which you are earned with such difficulty.
23/VIII/1941
23/VIII. Day off.
I spent two nights at home.
This is a great achievement on my personal front.
The night of August 23rd I slept very restlessly.
I dreamed that Popov and I were looking for some kind of bomb shelter, underground.
Then I saw something in the Apostle’s dream.
At 8:20 they gave «air alert», lasted 11 minutes.
It lasted quietly, but I got out of bed at 12 o’clock.
This was the first night that I slept in my bunk during the entire war.
In the afternoon I cooked cabbage soup and drank a bottle of slivyanka with Lenka and Polinka.
In the evening, Polina and I had a glass of beer.
During the day, Tanya and I did the laundry in the Laundry, and in the evening, of course, I worked with a needle.
I can’t give up my only pleasure.
I have already done a lot during the war.
Below I will place an appeal from Comrade Voroshilov to the working people of Leningrad.
Insert №1. Article «To all workers of the city of Lenin».
Insert №2. Article «Two-month results of the war between Hitler’s Germany and the Soviet Union».
Information Bureau for 22/VIII: fighting along the entire front, especially fierce in the Kingisepp, Novgorod and Gomel directions.
New trick of the fascists.
24/VIII/1941
24/VIII. Sunday.
I got up at 5 a.m. this morning because I spent the night at home.
After all, there are no foremen, and workers are assigned from 2 shifts, «A» and «B».
There is also no foreman on the brevenka.
I need to plan the work and provide the latest for everyone.
So, at 6:40 I was already at the Factory.
We start with two sawmills.
Pryadichev was appointed master.
Nothing, we must to put up with everything.
Morning message: fighting on the entire front, especially in the Kingisepp, Novgorod and Smolensk directions.
Nothing, bastards, the time will come, you will get for everything, for this propaganda (*Newspaper clipping):
Embed №5. The text of the TASS clipping.
The previous page also talks about your losses.
Your plan to capture Leningrad will not work.
Yes, Leningrad is in danger, but it is calm, no panic.
Leningrad will not be surrendered; this has never happened before in history.
Moreover, Leningrad is the cradle of the Proletarian Revolution.
We will make every effort, and they won’t pass.
This is the opinion that the whole of Leningrad breathes, victory will be ours!
Insert №3. The poem «They will not pass!» (Author: Vas. Lebedev-Kumach).
Here, we, Leningraders, are calm for now.
Thanks to our defenders – Stalin’s Falcons, soldiers, commanders, political workers and Red Navy men.
And how much sympathy the Soviet people have for the residents of Lenin.
They all burn with one desire, to help us, even morally, Leningraders, and this means a lot.
We read all these appeals with tears in our eyes.
Below are some excerpts from newspapers:
Insert №4. Article «Workers of Moscow – to the City of Lenin. To the workers of the city of Lenin».
Registration for work teams is underway.
Of the many, Lenka Izovieva went.
Well done, the girl is anywhere.
I like people like this.
My turn to volunteer is ahead, because… the «Director» is holding me back, but still, I never give up this dream.
But there was no one left in the workshop department except me.
Indeed, even here, in the rear, we need leaders – commanders.
But, at the first call of the Party and the Government, I am in full combat readiness.
At 10:45 they gave «air alert», before that shooting was heard in the direction of Sortirovochnaya.
Insert №5. Article «Fascist villains will find a grave on the outskirts of Leningrad».
Before that, I was far away, on the territory, and assumed that there would be «air alert».
And so it happened.
But I managed to get to the phone on time, because the director established that under «air alert», the shop manager should be on the phone.
This is the 67th alarm in a row, it passed calmly.
The devil knows what kind of life this has come to be.
The mood is very depressed, how many curses do you send on Hitler’s head every day.
In the evening I treated Popov to a cigarette; he had long been asking me to treat him to good cigarettes.
At 9 o’clock in the evening I was at Headquarters, and asked for a photo from one room, from the Palevsky hostel, let it be, as a souvenir.
I really want to sleep, but I still have to sit for an hour, because… You need to check the military light masking.
The night will be dark, now drizzling rain and cold.
Poor soldiers, how cold they are in this weather.
Insert №6. Article «Leningraders, the whole country is with you!»
25/VIII/1941
25/VIII. I slept the night like a dead woman.
I went to bed at 9 o’clock in the evening, and at 7:30 I barely got up, I really didn’t want to get up.
I don’t know why I slept like that, probably the weather helped.
The weather is cold and cloudy.
Information Bureau message:
The battles took place in the Kexholm, Gomel, Smolensk and Dnepropetrovsk directions.
Something was intercepted, I didn’t understand, as if there were heavy losses on the Romanian side.
Today is a solemn day, one master, Rybushkin, came to me.
This is a big relief for me.
How my soul has been hurting lately, God knows what it is.
I am very suspicious, I think about what comes into my head, I think endlessly.
I saw something in a dream brother Nikolai’s, but the dream was unpleasant.
This morning I really missed the Apostle.
When will all this end, when will we start living again as we did 2—3 months ago?
At 4 o’clock I was on the brevenka, I was walking, and I heard some sailor singing.
I look and think, not A…
True, he doesn’t look like him, but I was overcome with doubt, still I ran to my place, but no, not him.
How excited I am now, how I want to meet him and tear him into small pieces, from the excess of feelings for him.
Nothing, a modest wish, but this is all mental, I have no right to it.
But despite everything, my only interest is to meet him, at least for two hours, and talk, and then I would be satisfied.
Well, okay, fight, beat your enemies, and when you return home, to your family hearth.
As I’m writing these lines, suddenly Comrade Krylov calls me, I haven’t seen him for a long time.
After all, at one time, out of boredom, I was acting out with him, and now, having nothing to do, I would have chatted with him, but he was transferred to another station, and now we are not meeting.
Otherwise you’ll sit on the shore, go and have a glass of beer, but it’ll be more fun.
Morning message: fighting on all fronts, especially fierce in the Kexholm, Novgorod and Dnepropetrovsk directions.
The day was hectic, as always.
In the evening Betselev came and said that he climbed out the window from the Health Hospital.
He promised to come back tomorrow morning.
I did a little crochet work and wanted to go to bed at 10 o’clock.
Just went down, suddenly there was a fire alarm.
It was dark outside, I barely found the place where the fire was supposed to be located – it was near the power station, but I soon went to bed.
26/VIII/1941
26/VIII. This day is memorable for life.
When I wrote the diary, I still didn’t know anything, I found out that the blockade ring was worn that day.
The last train arrived in Leningrad, and we broke contact with the so-called «Mainland».
So, this first ring of the blockade will be reflected in my notes in my diary.
But, I remind you that this is only a postscript, because… While I was writing my diary, we, many Leningraders, did not yet know about this blockade ring.
I woke up at 6 o’clock, listened to the report, and lay in bed until 7 o’clock.
After fierce battles, our troops left Novgorod.
Our troops entered Iran and advanced 40 km (*Iranian operation August 25 – September 17, 1941).
I don’t know how, whether they meet resistance.
Yesterday Irisha reported that Kolya Roshchin was killed – it’s a shame, such good people are being killed.
Today again demand 30 men for defense work.
I don’t know who I’ll pick.
Comrade Bazinev came again, and there was no time to talk.
Today they reported that Kalugin was wounded and is lying in the Tula region, in the Hospital.
Once again there was not a single foreman left on the brevenka; Vainik had to be taken.
I just came from the dining room at 2 o’clock, I ate so heartily, my sides are bursting.
I am writing and waiting for the morning message.
Now I am reading the newspaper inside and out, in particular, the note to the Iranian Government (*On August 17, 1941, a joint Anglo-Soviet note was handed to the Iranian government. It contained a demand for the Iranian Government to ensure that all German specialists leave the country).
They handed over a letter from the Gorky workers to the Leningraders.
What sympathy does have for the Lenin city.
You listen to these letters, or read in the newspapers, tears come to your eyes for the care of this glorious city, which becomes more and more dear every day.
At 15:25 they gave «air alert», it passed calmly.
Here, reading during «air alert» newspaper, I saw a portrait of this glorious lieutenant Antonov, who shot down the Yu-88, which I saw on Stachek Square 14/VIII when I went to Betselev.
Now I was at Headquarters.
By God, I almost cried, they are sending men to defense work again.
Almost everyone left me, only Tamarov remained, and the last one was included in the list.
By God, it’s a shame, people like Anakin, Sokolov and others are sitting there, their pants shine from the seat in place, and I’m sending 73-year-old old men.
No, at least one of them would go voluntarily, They take care of protect their skins, line their pockets, and do everything that is beneficial for them.
It was advisable to send off your own people, so they did, they did it at their own expense, preserving their property.
In addition, I was informed that they were all employed here as workers and employees in order to be sent to the government account.
Here is the public, they always know how to live.
What the hell, Comrade Popov made Anakin the chief engineer, whose was cooks in his head once a day.
He worked as a shop manager, and then he was so-so, but now he has received a great rank – why, because he knows how to live, and save his own skin, as they say – disguise on time.
27/VIII/1941
27/VIII. 6:25 p.m.
Just now I took up the pen to leave a mark here, on paper, that on 27/VIII life flows as usual.
Some day today, neither boring nor fun, I just didn’t feel like writing.
Fights along the entire front.
In recent days, 101 planes have been shot down on the outskirts of Leningrad.
Look, they asshole, how Leningrad attracts them, they want to do us harm.
At 16:30 they gave «air alert».
This is the 70th alarm in a row, but apart from rare anti-aircraft gun shots, there was nothing.
We don’t know anything yet, everything is calm.
It would be nice to live like this until the end of the war.
In the afternoon I sent all men’s, including Tamarov.
Tomorrow is Thursday – a day off, but I don’t know whether I’ll use it or not, since I haven’t been at home since Sunday, and, frankly speaking, I don’t want to, I’m so unaccustomed to being away from home.
Today I settled down and it’s not bad here, I installed a spring bed.
Today I set myself the task of providing all the remaining workers with gas masks, and what if they give me «X.T.» (*Chemical Alert).
The day after tomorrow I will try to conduct a lesson on «X.T.»
I was getting ready to take a shower, but I’ll get the workers to work first, and then I’ll clean off the dirt from myself.
I spent the evening idling, just went to bed, turned out the light, and suddenly there was a call, a fire in the shed.
I say: «Where is it burning?»
– «saw frame, №2» – – it was Ida who called.
28/VIII/1941
28/VIII. I got up at 6 o’clock, somehow I couldn’t sleep.
Today is a day off, I’m rushing home, it’s already 8 o’clock in the morning.
I came home, I really wanted to sleep, but I doing so much, and all day I couldn’t lie down and sleep.
I went to bed at 11 pm.
Lenka just arrived, but how soon will you fall asleep with her?
Still a fighting girl, I love those.
She probably go to the front soon.
Today they reported that they took N.V.
29/VIII/1941
29/VIII. I got up, as always, at 6 o’clock.
There were battles all over the front, our troops left the city of Dnepropetrovsk (*Nowadays: Dnieper).
For the city «N», up to 10,000 fascists were killed.
Our troops are successfully advancing in Iran.
The Iranian people greet them joyfully.
Some episodes say that the Nazis prepared their work in such a way as to strike the USSR from the flank, but our Government quickly revealed these plans of theirs and took timely measures.
Today is a stormy day, my head hurts a lot, probably I was burn off from the stove at home (*I inhaled carbon monoxide from the stove).
In the morning, girls from Kolpino came running, of course, in a panic, but I sent them again.
Then there was Nyura Tsvetkova, she also almost cried, in fact, she’s a good crybaby, well, and now, even more so, if there really was something there.
I laughed, how she sat in the nettles.
Betselev was, and take a walk somewhere all day.
In conclusion, I received a long-awaited letter in which he invites me to his place, but I don’t know how they will let me go, and how else they will let me through.
Just in case, I wrote him an answer, maybe I won’t have to go.
I need to go either tomorrow or on Saturday.
This letter brought both joy and trouble,
At the end he signed: Your friend; and only?
Well, what can you do?
Let us remain familiar, maybe for the better.
The workshop didn’t work at night, so I knitted.
At about 10 pm how start «bang-bang».
I thought the bombing was already starting, so I jumped out of bed, put on my slippers, and sat there.
Some time passed, and again, the second time there was a blow, well, then I jumped off again.
I really wanted to go outside, but it was creepy, there was no one in the workshop, and it was dark.
I wasn’t afraid the shooting, but it was scary because of the darkness.
Again, I started thinking about the last letters, what means «familiar».
I re-read all the past letters, there was no such signature anywhere else.
What does he think.
Well, okay, as on his part, so I will answer, mutually.
How into the forest, thats and out of the forest (*Phraseologism: how you treat someone, that’s how they will answer you later).
30/VIII/1941
30/VIII. I got up at 7 o’clock in the morning and the fighter Lenka woke me up.
The radio is silent, so I slept peacefully.
I got up, put myself in order, drank some tea, and took up my diary, just as Kurochka (*comparison with Chicken) was sitting next to me, writing a letter to a friend.
Suddenly, a shot from a heavy weapon.
It’s interesting to go out and see, but I still have time.
«Ivan Anakin», they say, came go from Kolpino.
As the «Katushechnoe Information Bureau» reported today, Mga (*Mga is an urban village in the Leningrad region) and echelons with children were heavily bombed.
Only the carriages, with things and children, returned to Leningrad.
And the Nazis fired machine guns from the air at the children taking refuge.
Here you are, fucking asshole, if only this is true.
Ninka Basova speaks about the course of the war like a child; she herself does not understand anything.
Okay, it’s time to go to the workshop.
At one o’clock I went to the dentist.
The say they brought pine boards, a military orders, I don’t know how their the recycle (*recycling from wood).
Today for the 5th G.E.S. were shooting all the time, I’m still angry at the Apostle of Evil, but I want to see him myself, but I probably won’t have to go anyway.
Today, during for the period war, is the first tense day.
Shooting can be heard all around, or rather, from Rybatskoye.
There were a lot of planes flying when I was on the brevenka.
Only 7 planes flew immediately along the right bank.
Three, probably with a load, went towards Lake Ladoga.
Have a safe journey, do your job, and return safe and sound.
There were 3 planes flying back, probably for cargo.
It would be good if everything went this way, worse is expected.
We are working now, and if we need to go, we will fight with the fascists.
Before death, the fly gets angry too.
Hitler too before his death.
Rest assured, we will not surrender Leningrad.
Leningrad was, and will be, ours, this glorious, revolutionary city.
Today I received a military order again, and we have already started fulfilling it.
I’m sitting, writing, and I’m still thinking about my «familiar», he’s probably waiting and won’t wait, judging by his last words in each letter.
In the evening I was on Palevsky, in 3 rooms, and had dinner at Moti’s, drink out a little, and went to the Factory.
The military just brought the order, tomorrow we will start fulfilling it.
I slept peacefully, but woke up thinking about my friend and the last words of his letters.
31/VIII/1941
31/VIII. I woke up with the radio.
I listened to the report, battles along the entire front.
Before I had time to get up, they called me: to send 20 people to defense work.
I made a list, people went unconditionally.
In the morning I started fulfilling the military order.
The work is hot.
At the height of it, the Sablinskys asked to go to Sablino and pick up their things.
It’s quiet today.
In all likelihood, there was a landing battle yesterday, as they say Ivanovka was occupied.
Well, bastards, if it’s true.
We will not surrender Leningrad.
It’s pouring rain today, but people are working unconditionally.
7 pm, shift was working on special order.
The shift is working hard – well done.
Probably, they are tired of being outside the city, at the dacha, that’s why they work so conscientiously, or the seriousness of the current situation has simply dawned on them.
Lebedev was there today, from the defense sector, it was nice to listen to such a worker.
The person has no panic, and unbridled enthusiasm.
The artillery struck very hard, but not often.
Now it’s 7 o’clock, I’m listening to the latest news from Moscow, and suddenly there’s such a blow that the windows are shaking.
I know you, fidgety, curious Sasha, in your youth you listened to this shooting, when 3-inch shells were flying over your head, and you were collecting cows (*Civil War of 1917—1918, including the events of the Izhevsk-Votkinsk uprising (in At the moment of its highest rise, the uprising covered a territory with a population of more than 1 million people (most of modern Udmurtia)).
I have peace of mind about what is to come…
Don’t be discouraged, Sashenka, you can’t have two deaths and you can’t avoid one, but now you don’t want to die by accident.
Today I’ve been thinking all day and remembering a friend who’s probably waiting.
The time was 10:30 pm, I was sitting and strapping (*There is a section in knitting – strapping scarves and napkins) scarves for the fighters as a gift, and I also tied three scarves for Lenka.
Let she remember – she is also a fighter.
I wanted to take a walk around the territory, but I went out into the corridor, and it was very dark, if you hit your forehead, you’ll be a freak.
On the radio reported what vile things the Nazis were doing in the Leningrad region – they gave gifts to peasants and allowed them to work on the collective farm, with the goal of taking the Soviet harvest for themselves.
One peasant was given a watch, and then he was hanged on a lamppost.
Chapter 4. September 1941
1/IX/1941
1/IX. Beginning of a new academic year.
I remembered something from the past when I was a student.
This period was so pleasant, and the day when students from all over the Soviet Union gathered, each with their own impressions, and how many of them there were for each summer spent outside the city.
You used to sit at a lecture and wait for a break to share with your comrades – where are they now.
Now you sit here and remember yesterday and think about today.
At night, firing from heavy guns was heard.
I left the office to check which side they were hitting from.
At first it was scary, because it was dark and quiet all around, the workshop was not working.
I heard shots behind Khimgaz (*Khimgaz Plant (formerly Neftegaz)), then went to bed.
At night, they say, at about five o’clock, there was heavy shooting, but I was sleeping and didn’t hear it.
I sleep soundly, having worked hard during the day.
The day passed calmly, only artillery shots were heard in the distance.
In the evening, at 10 o’clock, T. Pavlovna and I went to me, bypass the brevenka, and behind the 5th G.E.S. a glow was visible.
At the end of the day I wrote a letter to an «acquaintance».
I apologized to him for not coming, because maybe it would have been the last meeting.
At 7:30, selection on the military study, to the rear of the militia (*Leningrad People’s Militia Army (as part of the active Army in the period 1/VII/1941- 20/VIII/1941); 20/VIII/1941 body for managing the military training of the working people of Leningrad renamed Leningrad Defense Headquarters), I was appointed squad commander.
The classes did not take place; the gathering was small and late.
Tomorrow, we’ll probably start earlier, because the girls need to get home.
I don’t really care, I overslept at the Factory.
2/IX/1941
2/IX. Got up with the Information Bureau.
Fights along the entire front.
Our planes carried out raids on Berlin, Koenigsberg, and Danzig.
One plane did not return to its bases.
At 7 o’clock Popov calls and asks to allocate 4 people for defense work.
I sent 6 people.
I entered the territory, and the refugees were stretching and stretching along the right bank of the Neva.
Gun volleys have been heard all around since the morning.
At 10:30 I go to the control room, on scratch my tongue, then I cursed a little on Vainin, and go to my cabinet.
At 11 o’clock conveyed an appeal to Leningraders.
Today they are moving Rybatskoye to the city.
Let Rybushkin come to my apartment, I don’t live at home anyway, will save me some junk.
Yes, the decisive days have come for Leningrad.
Today, the radio constantly addresses the soldiers and residents of Lenin, mobilizes them, and warns them all the time.
The enemy is close, the enemy is on the outskirts of the city.
Airplanes are often buzzing in the air today, anti-aircraft guns are firing, and artillery fire can be heard.
But in Leningrad, or rather here on Katushka, it’s calm, because I haven’t been outside the gates for a long time, and I don’t want to go home.
The city will be ours, we will not give it to the enemy, Lenin’s city exists and will be Soviet.
We will provide comprehensive assistance to the front and defend Leningrad.
At 19:15 the signal air alert
The tower is instructed to monitor the air from Lake Ladoga and the Bolshevik Plant.
I gave a warning to the tower to keep an eye on Khimgaz, a landing is possible.
I told the tower to keep an eye on Rybatsky (*Rybatskoe – it is located in the southeastern part of St. Petersburg).
9:30, I’m sitting, and suddenly a radio transmission chronicle starts broadcasting, V. Inber is speaking.
This is a soft female voice, she addresses the women of the city of Lenin, that the enemy is close, the enemy is at the gates of the city.
She started with stories about the first bombing of Moscow, suddenly the announcer interrupted and said, air alert
Sirens blared, horns blared, and the alarm lasted about 6 hours.
V.I. gave a number of selfless examples of the entire population during the bombings, called on Leningraders, in the days of the impending threat, to behave the way Muscovites behaved.
9:45, artillery salvo, I sit quietly, second, third.
At that time I wrote a letter to an «acquaintance», good, good, and recommended joining the VKP (b) (*All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks).
At 12 o’clock Sokolov calls to me and says that the representative of the District Party Committee has ordered to strengthen security.
So, I put on two socks, two stockings, two coats, and walk around the territory.
3/IX/1941
3/IX. The day began with duty on the territory.
The night is warm (relatively speaking, of course), clear, not a cloud in the sky – light.
The night is very suspicious, especially for enemy raids.
Went to bed at 5 o’clock in the morning, and at 9 I was already on my feet.
The day is very clear, but already autumn.
I sent a letter to an «acquaintance».
I went to the Factory Administration, and suddenly, at 10:56, «air alert».
73rd in a row.
10 planes flew from north to west.
Headquarters reports that paratroopers have landed at the Sortirovochnaya station.
At 11:10 the sound of anti-aircraft guns is heard.
Heavy shooting at the Sortirovochnaya.
«Air alert» lasted 1:40, passed calmly, although the anti-aircraft guns hit hard.
Morning message: fighting along the entire front.
After intense fighting, our troops evacuated the city of Tallinn.
At 19:10 «air alert» Heavy shooting can be heard in the Sortirovochnaya area.
The weather is cloudy, I don’t know how it will go.
Today I was getting ready to go home, I thought about going to see a friend tomorrow, but I changed my mind, you still won’t get in, you need a pass.
I’m sitting, writing, and I can hear the whirring of airplanes.
The tower reports that 7 planes are flying from north to south.
I arrived home at 9 o’clock in the evening.
Polinka had soup, so we heated up the soup, boiled potatoes, drank tea made from berries, and gorged ourselves so much that we could roll on the floor.
We had a great laugh at the «ZhPA» team (*Obscene expression meaning butt, buttocks).
4/IX/1941
4/IX. Got up at 6 am.
I’m already used to getting up at this time.
You’re waiting for the military summary like I don’t know what.
Fights along the entire front.
Then Polinka and I went to the Laundry.
The big shooting was guns this morning, despite the cloudy weather.
I was on my feet all day: first I washed the clothes, dried them, ironed them, and so the day passed.
Lenka came, I made soup again.
Lenka bought liqueurs, I drank two glasses, and got back to work.
In the evening I drank 3 beers.
I really missed my friend.
5/IX/1941
5/IX. I stood up together with the Information Bureau.
I slept in Lenka’s bed for two nights.
There are refugees fro Rybatskoe in my room.
The room is dark, cramped, and stuffy.
At 8 o’clock I was already at the Factory.
Nyura Tsvetkova bought me everything: fish, sugar, and candy.
In general, I live, I don’t go to the store, and I have everything here.
I prepared a package for a friend.
The weather today is cloudy, which itself contributes to the defense of Leningrad.
The weather itself is not happy with the current situation and the situation around Leningrad.
Leningrad became the front.
As reported today, yesterday evening, 4 bombs were dropped near the «Red Peat» (*Krasnyi Torfyanik), and a shell from a long-range gun.
Today, they say, the Bolshevik Plant was shelled.
Yes, Leningrad became a front.
But I’m calm, that’s why I’m putting everything on paper, then, maybe someday I’ll remember these historical notes.
So, I’m writing now, and the sounds of gunfire don’t stop.
Today we chatted with Popov for an hour and talked about housing.
I told him that he decide quickly so that you can be remembered with a good word.
At 5:30 I went into the shower and washed for an hour, despite the artillery fire.
I just came to my place, I wanted to order herrings, and I have a full supply of products in my office.
Suddenly, at 6:45, the signal «air alert».
At 7:05, heavy anti-aircraft gunfire, and big impact, in all likelihood, a shell fell somewhere close, as there was a large ball of dust.
Yes, Leningrad became a front.
We received the task to allocate three people for defense work.
In the evening we studied a grenade and a rifle.
A shell fell on Olgin, but not in the house, but in the square, but the windows in the nearby houses were all broken.
In the evening, Gefler arrives and says that a shell fell on Razyezzhay and penetrated 4 floors.
Good night, Sasha, although the night is clear, we haven’t heard any shooting yet.
Chicken spends the night with me.
6/IX/1941
6/IX. Yes, I slept peacefully.
I went to bed after class at 11 o’clock, suddenly at 12 o’clock nights, they call me and say that there is light in the foremen’s office.
I sent the Kurochkina, there’s a dick sitting a member of the «ZhPA» (*Obscene expression meaning ass, buttocks), Vysotskaya, is sitting there, turned on the light, and is sitting calmly.
Well, I gave her a scolding.
This morning I was nervous about sending people to defense work.
People don’t want to go – they’re tired of it.
What a terrible mood today, this is all an casualty accident with Kestner.
How unpleasantly it incapacitates a person at such a difficult moment.
Insert №7. Photo «On the route of defense structures».
Shooting was continuously heard all day long, presumably from the direction of Shlisselburg.
Yesterday evening a shell fell on Glazovaya Street (*Now: st. Konstantin Zaslonov), this is not far from where I live.
Surprisingly, the shell penetrated the third floor, but the first and fourth floors remained undamaged.
It is unknown what happened in the house, as the public is not allowed in.
At 3:15 today a shell fell on Martynskaya Street (*After 1978 it became part of Olga Berggolts Street).
When I went outside, a shell whistled past in the same direction.
I was pretty nervous today because of Rodionova’s tongue, because a shell supposedly fell on the Lenin Factory.
Well, one old woman came to me, all in tears, and asked me to let her go.
I barely had to persuade her, oh, these women’s tongues.
At 4 o’clock in the afternoon Kuznetsov spoke on the radio, and the pilot, Comrade Sidorenko, three times order bearer of the Kirov Plant.
The day passed very anxiously.
The artillery was firing close all the time, and the shells were exploding close.
As they told me today, in the Volodarsky district yesterday, 20 people were killed and 70 people were wounded.
In the evening we were engaged in military affairs, taking aim from a rifle.
My results are not bad.
Then they reported that there was a fire in the direction of Shlisselburg, Nyura Kurochkina and I went to the 6th floor.
Yes, indeed, the fire was strong, then we came to me.
Titov came, ate herring, drank tea, and suddenly they called that we had light somewhere.
So, we went to check, nothing special.
Yes, my soul has become boring, something is getting more boring every day.
Today I received a letter from Kolya Chizhov.
So, I’m writing this diary at 12 o’clock in the morning, suddenly, in a row, 7 shots and explosions.
Well, I’m going to bed now, but I don’t know how the night will go.
Good night, Sasha.
For some reason, all evening I was remembering the incident of meeting in Petrozavodsk with the director of the Utilities and Raw Materials Industry.
Yes, it was summer, there is something to remember.
The best impression was this trip around Finland, all these ordeals (*Toll – to undergo ordeals; Ordeal – torment, suffering, difficult, unpleasant chores).
So many impressions of nature, destruction, defensive structures, the Mannerheim Line.
Insert №8. The poem «Leningraders, my children!» (Author: Dzhambul).
Insert №9. Photo «Active army. Parts of the N-formation».
7/IX/1941
7/IX. Sunday, got up at 8 o’clock in the morning.
I saw something familiar in a dream, I’ll probably receive a letter.
Oh, he’s an acquaintance, an acquaintance, if only we could meet for one hour!
Today is still quiet, the weather is cloudy and drizzling rain.
The weather itself characterizes the severity of the Leningraders, who are also unkind to the enemy.
The recorded 7 shots turned out to be bombs.
This bastard sneaked into such darkness as a thief and dropped bombs, they say one bomb hit a house on Staro-Nevsky avenue, on Poltavskaya street.
There are victims.
Dementyeva came to me today all teary, she said all the windows were broken, she lives near the Lenin Factory.
I sent her home.
Now I’m sitting, writing, and drinking tea.
The weather has changed, the sun appears from time to time, but clouds are constantly crawling across the sky.
A dangerous day for a raid.
Any moment a vulture might emerge from behind the clouds and do some mischief.
It’s quiet today, probably the Nazis are resting on Sunday.
Last night there was the first air bombing.
The damage is still unknown, but there are victims
I’m very sorry for the children.
Today is the 2nd Youth Sunday (*All-Union Komsomol Youth Sunday), we are working normally.
Yesterday I looked at the 1941 calendar, and how nice it would be to relax during the holidays today.
We would have 3 days.
On New Year’s Day 1942, we have a day off.
Now, it would be possible to spend time, not like last year, a friend was lucky.
11:15 pm, I was still sitting and crocheting (*Knitting).
I wanted to go to bed, but before I go to bed, I need to write down the past day.
The day passed calmly, as many workers call it:
– «Since it’s Sunday, Hitler has a day off.»
In all likelihood, they destroyed the point that was shelling the city.
Hitler does not have Sundays; he attacked us just on Sunday, with his crusade.
Today I learned to shoot, I used 10 rounds of ammunition.
She didn’t hit very well, I packed everything in 3—4.
Today I was told one episode.
During yesterday’s bombing of Nevsky avenue, «Iv. Anakin» was washing himself in the shower, and when explosions were heard, he put on his pants and jacket with a soapy head, ran out without even buttoning his pants, and asked Fofanova where they were shooting.
And he pretends to be a hero, he saw a plane circling from the Moskovsky station to Finlyandsky, and back, and then he dropped two bombs on Nevsky avenue.
Here is a liar warrior, it would be better to remain silent.
When he told this, I laughed.
Today was Sunday.
At 16:00 I listened to a rally of women in the common struggle against the fascists.
The rally was broadcast from Moscow.
Grizodubova, Troitskaya, Barsova, Dolores, Ibarruri, and others performed.
The rally lasted from 4 to 7:30 pm.
In the evening with Voevodin I draw out a mug of beer.
Today I’m spending the night alone, on the galerka (*Upper tier in a theater with cheap seats), the workshop is not working.
Here, as I am writing these lines, I can hear 4 blows in the distance, probably artillery.
Today Popov again offers me Faktorovich’s apartment.
I really don’t want to move, the main thing is that I don’t like my neighbors – Voevodin and Anakin.
I don’t want to move to its.
Okay, Sasha, good night.
8/IX/1941
8/IX. I woke up at 6 o’clock, but then, after listening to the radio, I took a nap until 8 o’clock.
There were battles along the entire front.
The military reports have not been bad lately; the Germans are being crushed and crushed.
Someday, they will be cut up, basically, and the rest will understand the power and invincibility of our country.
At 10:02 they gave «air alert».
76th alarm in a row.
It passed calmly, you didn’t even hear the anti-aircraft guns.
But the weather was cloudy, therefore dangerous for the Germans.
Fascist vultures stealthily sneak into the city in this weather.
Say, that «Iv. Anakin» was also called to the military enlistment office.
By God, I really want him to be accepted into the Army.
Such a coward in practice, but a hero in words.
Just yesterday this hero said that the shells fly without any whistle.
Also a warrior, and also the authority of the Factory.
I’m sitting, writing, and I want something sweet.
I climbed into the drawer, to my supplies, which she was saving for a friend.
If he doesn’t write, then let him not write, oh well.
I probably scared him with my last letter.
After all, you need to write something.
If he is boycott, I am also his daughter-in-law, always in retaliation (*Phraseologism: daughter-in-law in retaliation – to spite someone; taking revenge for something).
Yesterday Katya told a joke:
One woman became pregnant very often and decided to seek help from a doctor.
The doctor prescribed her to drink cream soda.
She left him and remembered that she had not asked when to drink, before or after.
She’s back. The doctor says, drink Instead of…
(*Text breaks off).
I’m sitting and thinking whether or not I should go to Borovaya.
I’m completely unaccustomed to being away from home.
I have a good bed here and two mattresses.
At 18:32 they gave «air alert», such was the hurricane gun fire.
I am very curious, I run around the office with a phone and receiver in my hands.
Suddenly, three fascist planes were flying towards Smolny, and they were being fired upon.
The whole sky was dotted with haze from anti-aircraft guns.
But the fascist vultures moved forward calmly, smoothly, with their engines turned off.
The tower reported that there was a very large fire in the direction of the Moskovsky Station.
Pavel Nikolaevich Erofeev assumed that the «Red Neftyanik» was burning (*One of the main reserves of petroleum products for Leningrad was concentrated here. Gasoline, kerosene, and oil were stored in 46 above-ground tanks with a capacity of 30 to 5000 cubic meters).
At 19:06 «Iv. Anakin» reported that in the direction of Vasilyevsky Island a fire was visible in 4 places.
I myself looked out the window and saw clouds of smoke in the Moscow district.
The devil knows, he still broke through.
Just as these planes were flying, and the crushing fire of anti-aircraft guns was hitting, only two girls were sitting on the tower.
Any of the bosses afraid to show themselves on the tower.
The workers were all sent to a bomb shelter.
I’m not afraid of anything yet, what will happen ahead – I’ll say it and write it in my diary.
The sky is clouded with haze.
Our planes appeared in the air.
In the evening they informed me that 11 enemy vultures were flying.
The impacts of dropping bombs was not heard.
This, one might say, was Leningrad’s first baptism of fire.
Oh, what a panic we had at the Factory, not only among women and men, but also among the leaders of the Factory.
They didn’t even speak their own language, Anakin and Sokolov went to the tower, and while they were climbing, the shooting intensified, and they didn’t show their noses until everything died down.
Oh, and there was laughter at them.
I personally was very angry with myself that I couldn’t move away from the phone.
By God, in the hottest moments, I would climb the tower, because I’m curious, I need to see everything for myself.
Headquarters reported that the raid consisted of 44 aircraft.
I during «air alert» stealthily, I climbed the tower and looked at Borovaya.
Still alive.
Then I came to my place, I call Nyura Kurochkina, and we cook some potatoes.
Sokolov instructed me to look around the territory to see if there were any leaflets.
It was already dark and nothing could be seen.
I treated Titov and Popov to potatoes.
Then Titov and I went to the tower.
Just got up to the 4th floor, «air alert» again.
I got up to tower, there was darkness all around, but searchlights were working everywhere, but in my opinion this is a very good reference point for the enemy.
At 10:45 bombs were dropped twice in the direction of Smolny.
The anti-aircraft strikes do not stop.
The tower reports that the shooting over the city is intensifying.
At 11 o’clock explosions in the Moskovsky district.
Yes, life has become interesting – today you are alive, but tomorrow you don’t know what will happen.
Tokarny workshop and Katushka were sent to the bomb shelter at 11:03.
The anti-aircraft guns are firing closer and closer all the time, and I, as an observer, write everything down in this diary.
Anakin, like a mother-in-law, keeps grumbling that someone is supposedly making noise on the phone, sits there, and sulking.
I’m sitting with my pipe, but I really want to sleep, although the shooting doesn’t subside.
The tower reported that lighting rockets launched from the Lenin Plant.
There was impenetrable darkness outside.
The fascist vultures break through one by one and do their vile deed.
This is how 8/IX passed, this restless day and, we can say that this is the first, most restless day of the entire war.
If on Saturday shells flew through us, if then they didn’t know where the shell was coming from and where, although no less safely, here you know that «air alert», you have been warned and sit tensely.
Today I don’t say goodnight, Sasha, because the time is 11:35 pm, and the anxiety is still going on, and how long I’ll sit with the receiver on the phone is unknown.
Now, I think I’ll go to bed with the tube, I’m tired of sitting crooked for 20 hours.
9/IX/1941
9/IX. 0:00, «air alert», it’s still going on, but it’s quiet for now.
And I really want to sleep, if anyone knew, my eyes don’t look at all.
And in the morning the radio will wake me up again.
The sounds of anti-aircraft guns begin again and get closer.
At 0:20, the pillow workshop was ordered to work, as there was no immediate danger.
Lights out «air alert» at 0:40.
Oh, who would know how much I want to sleep.
Okay, I’m going to bed now.
I still woke up at 6 o’clock.
Fights along the entire front.
Near Smolensk there were battles for 26 days for the city of Yelnya, where many fascist divisions and regiments were destroyed.
After which our troops took the city of Yelnya.
At 7:33 air raid warning
This is the 79th alarm in a row, it passed calmly.
At 10:42 air raid warning
At 12:00 «air alert», again.
At 14:37 «air alert».
At 16:13 «air alert».
At first you could hear shooting, then it became quiet.
The tower reported that there was a fire at the Lenin Mill.
Yes, there really was a lot of smoke.
This is during air raid warning the enemy was shelling the city, and a shell hit an oil tank.
The planes are buzzing and buzzing in the air, in my opinion, they are ours.
At 17:30, anti-aircraft gun fire was heard.
At 18:50 «air alert» again, it passed calmly.
At 20:06 air alert
After the shift ended, Nyura and I set to boil potatoes in the dining room.
We started having dinner with Nyura, and of course invited Fedya, my crush according to Popov, Ha-Ha-Ha.
Here is the public, even men, and they occupy big positions, but they engage in gossip.
Is it really impossible to talk to a person who has nothing more than a friendly relationship with Fedya, because he’s not my type.
Poor thing, my friend is somewhere.
How many bumps rained down on my head and his head if we treated each other, person to person, as it should be.
Eh, acquaintance, acquaintance, will I really forget you and replace you with someone else?
No, he will always be with me, even in the most difficult moment for me and for him.
After all, just yesterday I wanted to write a will to him…
Yes, friend, whether we meet again or not, I think we will.
I broke away from the topic of today with this friend.
I had just eaten 90% of my dinner, and the radio broadcast «air alert», a raid (*In wartime, a raid is a situation when enemy aircraft or artillery begin to bomb any territory or object).
Nyura and Fedya ran away, and I took up this diary.
This is already the 9th «air alert» today.
I’m so tired, it’s good that during the day the alarms passed calmly, but I don’t know what will happen in the evening, at night.
The tower reports that there are red rockets over the Lenin Plant.
Here you are, bastards, corrupt souls.
Today there was already a message, on the radio and in the newspaper, about yesterday’s raid.
Insert №10. Article «The raid of German planes on Leningrad».
I don’t know what the curse is on these rabid vultures for these attacks on the civilian population, in particular on our handsome man, Lenin town.
The tower reports that at 22:03, two missiles were fired from the Lenin Plant.
Anti-aircraft gun strikes are heard less and less often.
In the direction of the 1st G.E.S. 2 missiles were dropped, from bottom to top.
That’s how many more, bastards, corrupt souls, deceivers of the people.
They report from the tower that anti-aircraft guns are firing in the direction of the Porokhovs.
I’m sitting, writing, but I want to sleep again, because last night I slept little.
The night is dark, there is shooting all around, and I am sitting alone, the workshop is not working.
At 10:25, in the direction of the Badaevsky warehouses, a fire (*In September 1941, massive air raids by German aviation took place, 280 incendiary bombs were dropped on the territory of the warehouses. As a result, 38 wooden warehouses and 11 buildings, which contained 3,000 tons of flour and 2,500 tons of sugar).
The rumble of an enemy plane is heard, approaching closer and closer.
At 10:40, fragments of anti-aircraft shells fall on the drying shop.
At 11:45, 7 rockets were fired over the Lenin Plant.
To the right of the Moskovsky station there are strong explosions.
There are rockets at the Finland Bridge.
«Air alert» ended at 23:32.
Well, I fell asleep soundly.
10/IX/1941
I0/IX. Wednesday rose again, along with the Information Bureau.
Fights along the entire front.
I washed my face, walked around the workshop, and started working on yesterday’s potatoes.
At 9:08 air raid warning
Today I was informed that the launch of missiles is a conventional sign for the direction of anti-aircraft gun fire.
Me have to find out to have an idea.
The insidious enemy will still break his head.
You, Sasha, will have to work more on your diary.
I record the material sequentially, and the clippings come later.
It’s okay, just be patient and there will be a memory not only for you, but also for your generation.
Insert №12. The article «Women all over the world – to fight against fascism!»
I myself notice that I am writing my new diary awkwardly.
Somehow I got tired of everything, but once I started, I have to continue.
The mood today is at schwah (*SCHVAH – an evaluative characterization of someone or something as being in a bad, weakened, exhausted state; bad, very bad).
Or rather, it’s already the second day.
Popov ruined it all with his tragedy, he’s also a Director, and he scratches his tongue worse than a woman.
The control room met 2 times, because of «air alert».
During the alarm, the 91st in a row, I was on a brevenka and heard machine-gun fire – an air battle in the direction of Murzinka (*Murzinka is a village between Obukhov and Rybatsky).
There were 3 planes visible, I didn’t understand whose.
Yesterday, during 9 alarms near Leningrad, 31 planes were shot down.
It’s two o’clock in the afternoon, listening to the morning message.
Fights along the entire front.
100 tanks, 70 anti-tank weapons, etc. were destroyed.
The military reports have become very good lately.
That’s why, out of anger, he probably launches 9 raids on Leningrad.
If 7 divisions were destroyed for Yelna, then more of their stupid heads were killed for the big cities.
At each alarm, high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped.
Spent the night at home.
During «air alert» went out into the corridor to see what was going on there.
These uterus gathered, descendants from behind, children in front, in large shawls, in winter coats, and disappeared under the arch of room No. 3.
Here are the women, waiting for salvation.
Then I went to bed and didn’t hear when the anxiety ended.
In the evening, when leaving home, I received a letter from a friend.
How much joy it brought me.
11/ I X/1941
11/IX. Day off is Thursday.
I was delighted and lay in bed all day.
There was no firewood delivered, no boiling water, and nothing to eat.
So, the girls went to the bathhouse, burned their boards from the bed, and prepared dinner.
So very ran into it (*Ushakov’s Explanatory Dictionary: ran into something – to eat greedily), bursting my sides..
I made the girls laugh so much that today they burned the boards, and on the next day off they can burn the mattresses.
An interesting moment happened yesterday.
When I was lying in my bed and crocheting, I remembered my childhood years, how I went to school, went home from school.
And at that moment, I completely forgot that I was in Leningrad, already an adult, and, in addition, in a military situation.
There were 11 «air alerts» during the day.
At 11 p.m., «air alert» reports.
Immediately there was fire from anti-aircraft guns, and immediately a bomb hit so hard that the walls shook, and I couldn’t sleep for a long time.
It’s a shame to tears at Popov, and all the «shepherd» of the Factory, who are pretending to be themselves (It ’s not clear what they pretend).
Do they really think that someone will be chasing their pants?
By God, I’m so angry at them that I don’t know how to express myself.
This left Anakin, Popov, Sokolov, Voevodin.
The pants are shiny from the seat.
When it was embarrassing, everyone signed up for the rear of the militia as volunteers, and just as now they call one to the military registration and enlistment office, two go to defend him.
So it goes on and repeats itself every day.
They stayed and scratched their tongues, worse than seedy women.
They signed up as volunteers, but they walked around with their pants covered in rust and no way to wash them.
12/ I X/1941
I2/IX. I stood up together with the Information Bureau.
At 7:30 I went to the Factory, there was no «air alert» yet.
Arrived safely.
At 8:58 air raid warning
From the tower, Anakin reports that 25 planes are flying from the north, towards the Bolshevik Plant, there is shooting, then an air battle over the Sortirovochnaya.
At 9:32, a shell exploded on Tkachi Street, then another was heard, a shot – an explosion.
Yes, we are now starting to get used to these sounds and shocks.
At 11 o’clock Belova, Rodionova, Bazhina came running with their children in their arms, as the windows in the nursery garden were broken.
The shelling of the area intensifies.
I went to the control room and received two letters, one from Vinogradov, the other from a friend.
Oh friend, friend, I wanted vodka.
I wrote him a tearful letter because it was a crazy day.
There was shooting all around, shells exploding, on Palevsky and other places.
I dropped off a letter to a friend, and suddenly I see «M.K. Russkih» is coming – my favorite, dirty, with a rifle, sat with me for a while and went to the director.
I had a great argument with Anakin today, he grew up from a laboratory assistant to a chief engineer, he doesn’t know anything, but he pretends to be, I don’t know who.
I angry at all these four.
At 13:55 a shell exploded, so unexpectedly that ink dripped from my pen as I was writing an order for the workshop.
You sit and sit, and suddenly there is an explosion.
And they are shelling somewhere close, near us.
In the evening I wrote a letter to an acquaintance, boring, but in the mood.
The evening was cloudy and drizzling rain.
It was so dark that you couldn’t see anything, but I had to go out and check the light masking.
I think there will be no worries today.
Lelya Osipova is on duty with me today and brought me fresh and lightly salted cucumbers.
But at 9:35, air raid warning
The tower reports that 4 fires are visible in the Kirovsky district.
They report that missiles are being launched against our Factory, then from the Nogin Factory.
There is a suspicious car parked in front of our Factory; the headlights are switched on and off.
The alarm lasted 48 minutes and passed calmly.
Good night, Sasha.
13/IX/1941
13/IX. I slept so soundly that I didn’t hear the bulletin at 6 o’clock morning – this is the first time during the war.
Fights along the entire front.
After fierce battles, our troops abandoned the city of Chernigov.
I jumped out of bed so much that I couldn’t sleep anymore.
Last night Lelya and I went to bed and talked for a very long time about my knew friend.
I told her how we called him and found out his temperature, in general, from the beginning to the end of our meetings.
It’s my fault and no one else’s.
Today it’s quiet, as long as there is no «air alert», and you can’t hear the cannonade in the distance
Yesterday, long-range shells landed on Palevsky.
These sounds of close cannonade are unpleasant.
When the signal is «air alert», then you are warned, when there is shelling, you expect a strike every minute.
As I was told today:
– On Palevsky, 2 old women were drinking tea when a shell fell, one had her head blown off, the other’s legs;
– One schoolgirl went to a friend for books, while he was looking for them in the next room, this schoolgirl, sitting by the window, was killed to death, the boy remained alive.
Is it really true, with Levanevsky, that he is lying in Moscow, wounded, and who flew to bomb Moscow (*Disappeared pilot, who, along with the plane and crew, went missing in 1937).
But these rumors are from the free public, and they love to chat.
After the control room, Popov sends a car to me, let him still feel that I’m angry with him.
Unhappy shepherds.
Today we started equipping post IV.
What is the situation now in Kyiv.
Devil, he climbs and climbs wherever he can get the strength.
The weather today is cloudy and gloomy, the weather itself contributes to the defense of Leningrad.
Oh, today was the night.
It’s dark, dark, you stand by the window and don’t see any light.
When during «air alert» I was on a brevenka, it was just creepy, you walk and you could fall into the hands of a saboteur.
And he may well make his way from that shore, dark nights, he may well swim across.
Our guards are far from each other, and they like to take a nap.
I’m going home today.
Sent 14 people to defense work.
At 2 p.m. I’m waiting for a message from Moscow, suddenly unexpectedly: «Speaks the Leningrad!»
Tears of indignation come to my eyes.
We sit in a circle, but do not lose heart.
Leningrad performed for the entire Soviet Union, the audience was warned three times that: «Speaks the Leningrad! Listen, the Moscow!»
The first speaker was a professor from one institute.
We will not let the enemy into our city, his boots will not step on our avenues.
Here are his main words.
Then a report from the Leningrad front, but I’m in a hurry to have lunch, I have to drag my feet.
It’s okay, we’ll survive everything, and then we’ll flourish.
«Listen, dear country! Listen, dear country!»
A mechanic, a gun commander, is at the microphone.
I can’t listen calmly, tears come to my eyes.
I had lunch, went to the brevenka, and escorted the car with firewood to Borovaya.
I wanted to drink a glass of beer, but there were a lot of men at the kiosk, so I went to the Factory.
Shelling of the city can be heard in the distance, they say it is hitting the Fontanka and Sadovaya.
Here is an idiot, rushing from one area to another, he interested in the center for something.
Is it really his desire to beat women and children, to destroy the beauty of the city?
Who would know, of course, not from the military public, but from the civilian public, what it feels like when artillery strikes.
If there is a signal «air alert», then you are warned, you hear the hum of engines, then you see them, then you hear the clang of anti-aircraft guns.
And these shells are shelling, you can sit there, not thinking anything, and you’re ready.
It’s good if you die immediately, but you will remain crippled, who needs you then.
It’s close to the front line, the sounds of cannonade are heard all the time, and continuously.
The only bad thing is that we are still poorly oriented.
I personally don’t experience much horror, but it’s unpleasant, because every day it’s the same thing.
It’s only a pity for the hero of the city, a city created over decades.
Okay, I’m off, I’m going home.
Shooting could be heard all the time towards the city center.
When I entered the yard on Borovaya, Dusya and Alya, with knapsacks on their shoulders, in front of the guys, ran to the bomb shelter.
Suddenly a shell explodes, very close, and they don’t know where to go.
I come to home, not a soul.
Until 9 o’clock In the evening no one came, I prepared dinner.
The shelling continued all the time.
Then Lenka came, after dinner with her, we went to bed.
14/IX/1941
I4/IX. At 3 o’clock in the morning they gave the «air alert» signal, but I didn’t even hear the all-clear – I overslept.
In the morning I got up from the Information Bureau.
Fights along the entire front.
Again they hit the enemy the Nazis on the Western Front.
But they crumble and crumble him, and he just keeps rushing and rushing.
They climb like cockroaches to certain death.
Will the Leningrad Front really not hit the enemy them as it should?
Yes, it’s a hot time.
I feel sorry for the city, and I’m afraid to remain disabled.
If they kill you, it’s not a pity, even death, but I want at least kill one fascist for this.
The weather is cloudy and drizzling rain.
The weather itself protects the city, giving it gloom and dissatisfaction with the current situation.
I was at the Factory already at 8 o’clock.
The city is a front, camouflaged military vehicles are passing everywhere.
Military units are moving.
And when you walk along Nevsky avenue, you look at these destroyed houses, your heart clenches, and hatred burns for the Nazis, what they have done, and what they will do again.
At Polinka released Vanya, I let her go on a date, he is in the Mechnikov hospital.
She called me, but why did he is for me, the sleeves are from the vest.
The duty of politeness, of course requires, but is no time to drive around.
Now it’s 9 o’clock in the morning, and I haven’t been to the workshop yet, so I decided to write down what had accumulated over the night.
Last night I destroyed all the letters, from a friend and from Stepan.
It’s dangerous if something happens.
Most of all I am afraid for the my card (*Photo card).
I sent it to a friend, but if it ended up with the Nazis, and on the card and letter I scolded the Nazis a lot.
Yes, and we must scold them for such gifts with which they treat Leningraders almost every day.
I’m writing these lines, and artillery cannonade is heard very close.
But Lenin’s city will be ours, despite the fact that the enemy stands at the very gates of the city, gnashing his teeth at his fortitude.
He looks through binoculars and gets even more furious, as they say: «the elbow is close, but you won’t bite» (*Phraseologism: even close, but you won’t reach it).
Insert №14. The article «Vigilantly guard our factories and factories from the enemy!»
11 o’clock day, the mood is terrible.
The chairman of the Lengorsoviet (Leningrad City Council) speaks on the radio, he performs for the all entire Soviet Union.
He said that the enemy was standing at the gates of the city.
The Nazis are shelling the city, civilians, and workers working on defense work.
But if we don’t break the resilience of our city, we won’t give it up.
A difficult struggle lies ahead, but we will win, our cause is just.
The speaker was Hero of the Soviet Union, Comrade Danilov.
Message and greetings to Moscow and Odessa.
The pilots of Leningrad were entrusted with the task of protecting the city of Lenin from the air.
Recently, the enemy tried several times to raid the city, but was not allowed to do so.
Single planes stealthily made their way into the city here and there and caused casualties among the civilian population.
Who would have known, from the deep rear, about all the «air alert», artillery cannonades, the clanging of anti-aircraft guns, the destruction of buildings, daily shelling, the residents of the city who survived all this would never believe it.
Pedumenko is a fighter from the front from Bondarev’s detachment; recently Bondarev’s men defeated 4 regiments.
He gathered all the aviation and threw it at the Bondarev’s, but they fought steadfastly, behind back us, courageous and steadfast Leningrad.
In front of the city, and the whole country, we assure that we will destroy and drive the fascists away from the walls of our city.
K.B.F. (*Red Banner Baltic Fleet) Babkin:
«Hello everyone, we have the great honor of defending the city of Lenin. K.B.F. and his people are fighting the enemy Nazis (where my friend participates in the battles against the Nazis). Our homeland has put us on combat watch, and we will carry it out honestly. And all the naval and coastal naval forces, as long as the heart beats, while the arms and legs move, we will not let the enemy into Leningrad».
This ended the transmission from Leningrad.
Moscow performed – tears in my eyes.
You and I, Leningraders, says the voice of the announcer, send warm greetings to everyone.
Kyiv says, but the radio has become bad.
14:00, already the 3rd anxiety alarm today.
At 12:29, two bombs fell on the Lenin Plant, one on an oil tank.
A fire broke out and there were large clouds of smoke, but they were extinguished quickly.
After the anxiety alarm, I went to lunch.
I ate borscht, cutlet, and semolina porridge, and refreshed myself thoroughly.
I went around, onto a brevenka, and suddenly I heard «air alert».
The fire at the Lenin Factory is no longer visible.
They report from the tower that there is heavy shooting in the direction of the Bolshevik Plant.
A shell fell behind the Lenin Factory, and there was a big fire near the House of Soviets (*Palace of Soviets, located on Moscow Square).
All this in about 15 minutes.
There is an air battle above the Lenin Factory at 14:08, you can hear machine guns firing.
At the moment I am writing these lines, within 10—15 minutes, up to 25 of our aircraft took off in the air.
Yes, it’s interesting how conversations affect a person.
This morning my workers came, and they told so many horrors that they had been there and seen something.
My mood even dropped.
But then Lebedev comes and says, nothing like that.
The guy always thinks correctly, and always confidently, non-partisan, but a Bolshevik, honestly, in my opinion, so.
When you talk to him, you just get inspired.
In production, in peacetime, he was somehow invisible.
At 14:12 there was an air battle over Porokhovye (*Porokhovye is a historical district in the east of Leningrad, now: Krasnogvardeisky district).
Machine gun fire is heard.
At 14:22, behind small houses in Shchemilovka, a shell exploded.
The anxiety alarm still lasts.
The weather is clear, but there are clouds, it is beneficial for the enemy to take cover.
It will probably be a hot night tonight, judging by previous raids.
From this insert it is clearly clear that the fascist monsters need to beat, bomb, destroy, destroy.
Insert №15. Photo «Yelnya after the expulsion of fascist troops.»
The alarm continues, the air is quiet, only occasionally our planes buzz.
Today it’s surprising that you can’t hear any anti-aircraft guns.
Let’s hope for today’s performance by pilot Comrade Danilin.
At 14:45 they reported from the tower that shooting was heard near the Bolshevik Plant.
At 14:47 a shell exploded near the Proletarsky Plant.
The anxiety continues.
The sun is shining through the window, and I really want to sleep.
Anti-aircraft guns occasionally fire in the air.
At 15:12 a shell exploded.
At 16 o’clock – radio morning message: fighting along the entire front.
At 17:05 there was hurricane fire from anti-aircraft guns, but «air alert» no.
At 17:15 «air alert».
Oh, and there was hurricane fire from the anti-aircraft guns, sometimes you won’t understand, the anti-aircraft guns merge with the machine-gun fire.
At 18:03 «air alert» again.
I was just on brevenka, I heard the siren «air alert».
At 18:20, in the direction of the Volkov cemetery, there was a fire.
The sounds of anti-aircraft guns are getting stronger all the time.
Suddenly, it is reported that from the № IV canopy (*rain shelter) a fire signal is coming, it turns out that the glass was broken by bomb fragments.
At 18:40 there was heavy shooting at the Economizer (*Leningrad State Machine-Building Plant «Economizer» (LZE), since 1939 – Leningrad Iron Foundry, Mechanical and Pipe Plant «Economizer»).
At the same time, in the direction of the «Bolshevik», two fires are visible.
At 18:50 there was heavy fire towards Pushkin.
At 18:55 it was reported that a 2-engine plane was shot down in the Sortirovochnaya area.
At 19:03 the anti-aircraft guns started firing again.
I’m sitting and wondering if the anxiety alarm will end soon, I want to eat, otherwise I’ll be late for the dining room.
I can’t be offended yet, although we get 400 grams, but there is still enough, what will happen next.
Who would know what became of this dark-skinned village Sasha, who was like a bird, always walked around singing, over time began to purr, then a period of jokes and anecdotes, etc.
Now she is silent and sad.
This is what Hitler, the bastard, does to people.
It’s not age that resonates here, but all the experiences that you see and hear.
But I would be happy if things weren’t worse.
Yes, these are decisive days for us, what will happen?
The night is warm, dark, although there are stars.
At 21:26 «air alert» just got ready to see the director.
Yellow, red, and blue rockets are launched at Palevsky.
There are rockets at the Lenin Plant.
At 10 o’clock between Martynovskaya and Agafonovskaya there are white rockets.
After that I went to the director, and then went to bed, slept peacefully.
15/IX/1941
15/IX. I woke up around 5 am.
In the distance, artillery cannonade is heard all the time.
It is our guns beat the Nazis.
Then I took another nap.
Information Bureau: «Battles along the entire front. After fierce battles, our troops left the city of Kremenchug.»
At 8:20 I’m writing down these lines, in the distance, somewhere I hear the sounds of anti-aircraft guns, probably soon «air alert».
The message noted that on the approaches to Leningrad, the regiment under the command of Colonel Comrade Shitov especially showed courage and bravery.
Well, okay, the day is just beginning, more is yet to come.
The weather is good, the day is sunny, and the fascists, the vultures, will probably be active.
At 9:20 our air patrols were already buzzing like bees.
But the artillery cannonade does not stop, my ears are tired of listening.
Here is a clipping «on the words» of the defenders of the city of Lenin dated June 14, 1941:
Insert №16. Article «Dear comrades Leningraders!»
Today is a day that I don’t want to write down.
The Shvedov was here, brought a lot of news, but I doubts it.
There were two «air alerts» during the day.
During the second alarm, air combat and machine gun fire were heard, but nothing special happened.
Our planes are buzzing in the air, like bees before a swarm.
Now it’s 15:00, artillery shots are heard.
The weather is sunny, not a cloud.
Morning message: fighting along the entire front.
The 756th regiment lost up to 80% of its manpower.
17:05 again «air alert».
Since the beginning of the war, the 120th alarm, with a total duration of 75 hours. 40 min.
Something in the distance is beating like a drum, or anti-aircraft guns, or artillery, you won’t understand.
Today I’m going home – I don’t know whether I’ll leave or not.
But I’m thinking of going, I have a bag full of potatoes.
West of Volkov at 17:15 there was heavy shooting.
At 17:17 there was a big fire in the Kirovsky district.
South-west direction, shooting far away.
I spent the night at home, had a potato dinner, and went to bed.
Shell explosions were heard somewhere nearby.
I didn’t hear anything at night.
Slept peacefully.
16/IX/1941
16/IX. I got up at 6 o’clock, together with the Information Bureau.
Fights along the entire front.
I left, as usual, at 7:20.
As soon as I drove away from Borovaya, the military began to come across.
The tram is crowded with people.
On Voronezhskaya, near Novokamenny, there are military men everywhere.
Further to Red Square (*on December 19, 1952 it was renamed Alexander Nevsky Square) you rarely see military squads going.
There are, however, a lot of military personnel at the Moskovsky station.
And starting from Red Square to the Factory, while they were driving, the military marched with invincible force.
It can be seen that well-fed, well-dressed people are simultaneously transporting guns.
At Mill of the Lenin’s, our tram No. 41 collided with tram No. 36, and the windows flew out.
The military on the way kept looking into the air, and they dropped us off at Mill of the Lenin’s.
It turns out that «air alert».
After standing in the park for about 20 minutes, they called it off and we set off again.
Someone was crushed by a tram on Smolyanaya.
I arrived at the Factory at 8:30.
Erofeev said interestingly:
– «Fascist planes burst out of the clouds in a heap, but our anti-aircraft guns immediately hit us, and they scattered in different directions. At this time, the announcer gives the all-clear on the radio „air alert“, instead of „air alert“ In general, I probably didn’t sleep enough.»
Yesterday, when I went home, I sat for about 20 minutes in the public square, under the arch, in view of air alert
Everyone was jealous of my potatoes, which I took home.
The weather today is cold, the sky is cloudy, the Nazis will probably not give us peace again.
At 12:03 they gave «air alert», immediately there was hurricane fire from anti-aircraft guns, and when the artillery hit, everything shook all around.
The battle took place in the direction of the Moscow Highway.
The alarm lasted 24 minutes, but the shooting did not subside.
After that there were two more «air alert», but they passed quietly.
After dinner in the evening, I went to check the light masking of the workshop and decided to go to the tower to see what was happening around the city.
The dome of the sky is clear, clouds to the horizon, adding severity to the September Leningrad night.
I cannot express myself calmly here; I am writing, reluctantly, with tears in my eyes.
The suburb is on fire.
In the direction of Sortirovochnaya, or rather, orienting from Volodarsky Bridge to Moskovsky Station, there are fires in 7 places, and one fire in the direction of Dubrovka.
What a curse to send on the fascist heads after this.
What was created over centuries, created by honest people, now these fascists, monsters, have decided to destroy everything that comes to hand.
For whom is this war needed, what will he get from these ashes created by the fascists themselves.
After all, if he takes our places, he’s probably thinking of gaining a foothold, so why is he destroying everything and destroying everything, including captured Soviet citizens.
No, this won’t happen, you will soon run away from here, you fascist bastard.
Did he, Hitler, think in his bad head, in all likelihood not, when he attacked the Soviet Union.
We are sure that he captured it only temporarily, this is a temporary success, maybe after a while he will fly back, or maybe he will beat, destroy, destroy for a long time.
No, Leningrad is invincible, it will not be able to walk along our beautiful avenues, fascist boots will not pound on the asphalt.
But there are also treacherous bastards in our strata who send out signal flares.
These bastards must be caught and destroyed.
Sleep, Shurochka, you haven’t written to a friend for a long time, but I’m afraid, Sasha, the letter won’t reach you, since the situation is known.
The post office is not working well, although he is close, but now he is far away.
Well, you too, my friend, good night, sleep, but make sure that the fascist scum doesn’t take advantage of your sleep.
Beat and destroy this reptile, then we will thank you all, and you, my friend, especially.
Well, it’s time to sleep, good night, Sasha, may you dream about your friend.
17/IX/1941
17/IX. Woke up at 2:30 am.
I was awakened by artillery cannonade – the buildings trembled.
Woke up, it was unclear whether it was either our military is hitting, or our military was hit, but then, it turns out, they were shelling the city.
After looking around, I went to bed.
I woke up with the Information Bureau.
It was very hot in the room, I decided to open the window and kept my attention on the horizon.
I breathed fresh air for a long time.
The weather was clear, not a single cloud, and suddenly I heard several shots from anti-aircraft guns.
I paid attention, but didn’t see or hear anything else.
I lay down again. I think I’ll lie around.
At 6:55 «air alert», still quiet.
What I noticed was how many factory pipes I could see.
Not a single one was puff (*smoke), everyone seemed to be preparing for «air alert».
Even our «Katushka» did not smoke.
The air alarm lasted 25 minutes and passed calmly.
Walking around the area, I decided to put my outfits in order.
At 9:08 air raid warning
At that time I decided to make several inserts from newspapers.
They still won’t get through, although the enemy is standing at the gate and knocking on the windows, so much so that glass and even frames fly.
But no, it won’t happen, he will run from these gates, since at the Leningrad Gate, they say, there is a sharp turn.
The turning circle was probably well developed by our command.
At 13:21 «air alert» was just getting ready to go to the dining room.
You can’t hear any shooting yet, but planes are buzzing in the air.
During «air alert» I ate the cutlet that Comrade Erofeev brought.
I’ll really go have lunch after «air alert»
At 14:30 a shell exploded behind the Volodarsky Bridge.
At 14:55 a shell exploded outside Mylovarskaya.
At 14:56 there was a message that two fragments from anti-aircraft guns were found on canopy (*rain shelter) №4.
At 14:59 a shell exploded, and so the day passed.
Insert №17. Article «Enemy at the Gates» (Leningradskaya Pravda 09/16/1941).
Insert №18. Article «Roll call of three cities. Leningrad, Kyiv, and Moscow are at the microphone».
Insert №19. Article «Collective tailoring».
Insert №20. Article «From the Heart».
In the evening I went home for two nights.
We just passed the Lenin Factory, «air alert».
We sat in the yard for more than an hour.
There were a lot of planes circling like kites, but we still didn’t understand whether they were ours or the enemy’s.
In the evening, nothing special happened; after dinner, I went to bed, having previously become angry with Lyosha.
18/IX/1941
18/IX. Thursday is a day off.
I really lay in bed until 10 o’clock.
After cooking lunch and doing some housework, the day passed.
By evening there was heavy artillery fire.
Fascist bastards are destroying houses, killing women and children.
Such bastards will not spare Leningrad, its avenues, historical houses, monuments.
Now every corner is dear to Leningrad.
Insert №21. Photo «Monument to V.I. Lenin on Stachek Square at the Narva Gate».
Indeed, the enemy is rushing about, besieging.
Will I ever have to rework this diary, which is 80—90% filled during «air alert», air battles, and shelling.
Insert №22. Article «To arms, brothers!»
19/IX/1941
19/IX. As usual, I stood up together with the Information Bureau: the fighting along the entire front.
At 8 o’clock I already at the Factory.
The day was very clear, and on the way, on the tram, I could already hear anti-aircraft gun shots. I thought I wouldn’t not getting before «air alert», but I made it.
At 8:15 «air alert», such was the barrage of anti-aircraft fire, the roar of engines, the task was immediately given to occupy the bomb shelter.
Shell fragments rained down everywhere.
I found one fragment on the overpass, which is now in my pocket.
Maybe I’ll save it.
Oh, cradle of freedom, what did you begin to worry about in these terrible days of war?
I sit, write, and cut out these newspaper clippings.
Insert №23. Article «Cradle of Freedom».
These are the clippings, but they are valuable to me when I put the diary in order, process it, and bring it into sequence.
Insert №24. Article «Leningrad – a fortress».
Insert №25. Photo «Soviet pilots».
«Air alert» lasts 45 minutes, but is quiet now.
The tower reports that there is a fire on Okhta.
This is already the 131st «air alert» according to the account.
We passed 132, 133 and came 134th.
This was «air alert», she will be remembered for a lifetime.
At 16:48 «air alert», Romanova reported that enemy planes were flying towards «Katushka».
The command was immediately given to occupy the bomb shelter.
I went to call number 35, on the brevenka, to remove the workers.
Suddenly, I see an explosion on the right bank, opposite our «Katushka».
A puff of smoke from an exploding bomb, fiery fragments.
It became clear to everyone that the bombing was beginning.
I dropped the phone and ran to my office.
Motya hung up the phone and is already sitting under the table, let me calm her down.
And bomb explosions continued nearby all the time.
In general, there was, as the old women used to call it, a representation of the world (*Phraseologism: an obsolete name for the End of the World).
There is smoke and dust all around, my dovecote is shaking as if it were made of paper, on chicken legs, and I am sitting alone, everyone is in a bomb shelter.
I think I’m about to skovyrnus’ (*going to die now), but nothing, only two glasses flew out in the foremen’s office and in the accounting department.
Nothing special, I was calm, and «Ivan Anakin» just said into the phone: calm down, comrades, calm down.
The alarm lasted 91 minutes.
After it calmed down a little, I went to check what was where.
It turns out that one bomb fell on the right bank, two bombs fell into the water, 10 meters from my workers, and 7 bombs fell on the territory of the brevenka exchange (*Places designed and adapted for temporary storage of logs and lumber).
The railway was slightly damaged, an overpass, two narrow-gauge tracks were broken, and the water supply system was damaged.
Everything is fine, there are no casualties, there is also no great devastation, therefore, we can put up with this.
If it doesn’t happen again.
Titov even ran away from the tower, and for a long time there was no one on the tower.
Thus ended the Factory’s baptism of fire.
At that moment, the moment of the bombing, I was reading a letter that I found in Lisa’s desk.
Here it is:
Embed №6. The text of the letter from Lisa’s desk
Oh friend, friend, after a storm, there is always a calm, so I want that you would be here, and we would share everything with you.
Yes, I think, after the storm, you probably remember me too.
I really want to sleep, but there’s nothing to be done, the damned enemy gives me no rest, day or night.
My head hurts after today’s hurricane bombing.
But at 21:08 again «air alert», and ended at 23:54.
At that moment, I was not sitting in my room, as usual, but was on a brevenka.
The alarm passed calmly, the roar of engines was somewhere in the distance, and very high.
Somewhere, the bastard, dropped several bombs, but far from us.
The bastards, corrupt souls, again launched rockets, especially in the direction of Kartontolya (*Kartontol plant, founded in 1872), in the direction of our rafting station.
During the observation period, we went onto a brevenka and told jokes:
– «They took the Mother of God and brought her to the director, because… he was smoking by the window» (*According to Wikipedia: Atheism, as a worldview that denies religion, without being formally proclaimed as an element of state ideology in Soviet Russia and the USSR, was actively supported by party and government bodies until 1988).
Today they reported that «M.K. Russkih» was wounded, he was just calling during the bombing of the Factory.
Okay, Sasha, good night.
I know, if you want to sleep, go to sleep.
20/IX/1941
20/IX. Woke up at 6 o’clock morning.
Fighting along the entire front, especially fierce near Kiev.
Then I dozed off again and slept until 8 o’clock.
I wished Sasha good night, but the night was restless.
I spent two air alarms at the brevenka exchange.
The night was clear, and behold, this thrice-damned Messerschmitt (*Messerschmitt) was constantly flying in the air, buzzing, circling first towards the «Bolshevik» and then back.
There were no explosions nearby, but in the city, the bastard did a mischief.
I keep remembering yesterday, what a hurricane it was, and how happily «Katushka» got off.
What a squall there was, smoke, fragments, glass flying.
Okay, the day has passed today.
Today the weather is cloudy.
The city itself, nature itself, is defending itself from the enemy.
It would be nice if there was rain and gray weather for a few days, that would be very good for us.
Today there was shelling again in the direction of Rybatskoye.
The bastard, he also put out scattered leaflets «Peace to the tormented homeland.»
Here you are, the bastard, the punisher, a beast with human body characteristics.
How does he give peace to the defenders of the city of Lenin, by destroying houses, factories, killing women and children, innocent of anything.
And like a bastard, a asshole, he sneaks out from behind the clouds.
But our spirit will not be broken, we will stand to the end, under a barrage of fire and bombs, in any way we can, we will help the front, our valiant troops.
At 11:20 I was intensively knitting a napkin.
Here, too, such a tense situation, but I continue to work, let there be a memory, after the war, of what I did during this period, under the whistle of bombs and shells.
Today was a calm day, honestly, it was like a day off, I couldn’t even believe it was so quiet.
I just said good night and went to bed, at 23:25 «air alert».
Of course, I got up, got dressed, and at 12 o’clock command, take a bomb shelter.
P.I. Erofeev brought me a good black kitten.
21/IX/1941
21/IX. I spent the night peacefully sleep with the kitten.
Woke up at 6 o’clock together with the radio: battles along the entire front, especially near Kiev.
After listening to the message, I decided to take another nap, and suddenly I heard strong artillery salvos.
Woke up, I can’t understand whether it’s ours or not, then I figured out that ours are good gifts for the Nazis.
I got up, went to wash my eyes, just soaped them so that they brightened up a little, suddenly, I heard «air alert», I quickly washed off the soap and ran to the phone.
The weather today is clear, the Nazis will probably disturb us.
It’s already 11:20 pm, I really want to sleep, but I need to write down about the past day.
It went like this: firstly, today is Sunday, and Hitler bothers us 6 times.
Now I’m writing, and in the direction of the Bumblebees (*Airplanes), there is a terrible clap of a firecracker.
I don’t know, or artillery, or anti-aircraft guns, I want to sleep, and I don’t want to figure it out.
Somewhere a plane buzzed.
The day was clear, the night too, this is the kind of weather that Hitler’s infiltrator love (*Scouts penetrating behind enemy lines).
But today our aviation was heavily patrolling, so the Nazis were afraid to show their noses.
In evening weather, rockets were launched again.
Today I finished my famous napkin, what a memory it will be.
Well, okay, Sasha, go to bed, otherwise your cat has long been curled up in a ball and sleeping.
Sleep, Sasha.
Insert №26. Article «Not a step back, valiant defenders of Leningrad!»
22/IX/1941
22/IX. I got up from the Information Bureau: there were battles along the entire front.
After fierce battles, our troops left Kyiv.
I immediately jumped out of bed and cant fell asleep again.
The weather is gray – cloudy, well, I think the day will be calm from the fascist vultures.
Artillery cannonade is heard in the distance.
But at 7 o’clock, while still lying in bed, I heard the «air alert» signal.
Of course, I jumped out quickly, went to the phone, and let’s write all down in this diary.
Today, at 6 o’clock morning, it’s been 3 months of the war with the Nazis, but it seems like a very long time ago.
How tired of all this, when will it end.
There is some kind of indifference to life today, no interest, I want to cry and cry.
I always have such experiences after leaving a city.
Probably, the fascists are now being chasing at every little thing in the city.
I can’t express how angry I am with them.
The weather is gray, cloudy, and scratching cats are at heart.
Oh, how tired I am.
The meeting will start soon in control room. I’m tired of it too.
And why do we just gather to scratch our tongues?
Osipov was taken into the Army today, he’s a good man.
Orlov, Plotkin, also subpoenas.
My heart is sad, and so I write all sorts of leapfrogs.
Nothing from a friend, and I don’t write anything to him either.
Well, at least the cat entertains him a little.
At 12 o’clock I went to the dining room and met Minsuaroshvili (*That’s how it’s spelled, maybe the last name is different), the latter reported that the hostel on Pesochnaya was dilapidated by a ton bomb that hit the wooden house where the motorcycle always stood.
The hostel building, he says, is all twisted.
When he said this, I almost cried.
This is the kind of building that I was live in for 4 years and consider it like home, where you share the joys and sorrows of student life.
Yes, bastards, assholes, these Nazis.
What troubles and sacrifices for the people.
He says 6 people were killed, 18 people were wounded.
I don’t know what hit our Factory.
At 14:40 «air alert».
I was on the brevenka at that time, I quickly went to my place.
The weather was cloudy, favorable for the fascist thieves.
I climbed into my dovecote and sat by the phone, as usual.
And my kitten is sleeping on the bed, curled up in a ball.
The tower reports that the plane is flying in the direction of the Lenin Plant.
The workers fled to the bomb shelter.
So, I sat down, as usual, by the window, and I thought, if a bomb hits this pipe, then I’ll get hit with a brick, and if it hits the other pipe, too.
I’ll sit in the corner today.
So I did.
Suddenly I heard a crash, a shaking of the building, plaster crumbled, frames flew out, doors opened, etc.
It’s good that the workers were removed soon.
The bastard, Hitler, threw a bomb on my workshop.
The door from the office was also half-open, but I opened it with difficulty; the door was jammed in the corridor by the frame that had flown out.
The stairs are all littered with plaster, frames, not a single step.
I went downstairs and almost killed Rybushkin with a flying frame.
I went downstairs and saw that he was covered in blood.
I went up again, and only then did I not recognize my office.
The frames flew out, portraits were on the floor, the walls were like a sieve, there were holes all around.
I picked up the phone and reported to Headquarters that I had an accident, and suddenly I heard that the telephone connection had been interrupted.
Then I decide to run to Headquarters.
I went down the stairs, crawled through the door on my stomach, since it was completely littered with rubble, I climbed onto the overpass, to my feet, I looked, the workshop was engulfed in fire, firefighters were already working.
I met Popov, then returned to the cabinet, took my belongings with me (2—3 dresses, and boots), and took them to the bomb shelter.
Three times I crawled into the office, took all the necessary papers, and took them to the bomb shelter.
Then I began to help put out the fire.
I felt severe pain in my legs.
In the evening I guessed, because where I was sitting there was a hole in the wall, I was probably hit by a wave.
Still, surprisingly, I was calm throughout this shock.
When the workshop was burning, my old women roared with their voices, and indeed, people worked for 10—15 years, something tied them, because maybe it was their piece of bread.
The workshop was badly destroyed, the walls were half-burnt, the boss was left with the workers, without a workshop.
Well, how don’t you curse Hitler?
Feeling of emptiness in the soul.
I was surprised by Vasiliev, who ran away from the pilot (*sharpening saws for a sawmill) after the bomb fell.
When the fire subsided a little, I went up to my office and was truly surprised how I remained alive.
I went to the planning department to spend the night, I really want to sleep.
I’m tired or something, but I don’t know whether I’ll have to fall asleep or not.
Here I am writing in this diary, and somewhere long-range guns are hitting, but it seems to me that they are bombing.
It turns out, Sasha, your nerves are starting to get crazy.
Well, what will you do tomorrow?
Well, you clean up the territory, and then what awaits you, it’s better to go to the front.
Yes, there is nothing else left to do.
Cut your hair, put on Russian boots, and you will become a fighter.
I took her kitten and went to bed.
23/IX/1941
23/IX. I slept like the dead all night, no matter what, although the artillery was firing so hard that the walls were shaking.
I slept in the planning department on the table, with my constant friend – a kitten.
Woke up at 6 o’clock from the Information Bureau: battles along the entire front.
On 22/IX, 100 aircraft were shot down.
Today I feel like a 60-year-old woman, everything hurts, my legs, my head, and my whole body is broken.
Hands are all cut up somewhere, but there is no time to «basking in bed», since the workers will come at 7:30, we need to give work – cleaning up after the devastation and fire.
Now, I hasten to write down this diary.
Yes, Sasha, yesterday can make you gray:
1) Kyiv;
2) hostel on Pesochnaya;
3) bombing;
4) anniversary of mother’s death.
But now there is no time to think, to be sad, you have to work, and work, you are a leader, there is no time to get lost and hang your nose.
The weather today is clear, it will probably be an unpleasant day again.
Planes are already buzzing in the air.
I don’t know what awaits me at work in the future.
Maybe I go to the front.
A day passed, but what a day it was, there would be no more of these.
First of all, I got up at 6 am.
From 7 in the morning, and now it’s already 8:20 in the evening, and I’m still on my feet, and, one might say, I haven’t eaten today.
The canteen is not working, the bread is black-black, there is no boiling water anywhere.
By 4 o’clock we found an electric kettle, boiled it, and drank strong tea.
I was worried all day.
There were 9 air alarms during the day, I dont have time to come again, it was already «air alert».
I spent most of my time sitting in the cracks.
During the day I was engaged in dismantling the workshop piece by piece.
My legs hurt, they don’t bend, I can’t walk, but nothing can be done, I don’t even show it.
Eh, to hell with modern life, but there’s nothing you can do, you have to work, although there are worries and there is no workshop.
Popov ordered to prepare lists for 12 people for defense work.
Yes, that’s how life goes.
You live today, you don’t know what tomorrow holds.
Where will my friends gather after the war?
«M.K. Russkih» are in the Hospital; there is no time to visit them.
Rybushkin was gone all day, I don’t know what happened to him, and I didn’t even have time to go.
I walk around like hell, dirty, I probably even have bugs in my head, and I’m afraid to take a shower, afraid new «air alert» in bath.
As soon as you start undressing, again «air alert».
My felt boots are so outlined, I don’t know why.
Everyone walks very hungry.
In the evening me were treated to vinaigrette, well, thank God.
Well, okay, Sasha, brace yourself, we’ll survive everything, as long as the fascists don’t set foot in Leningrad.
Yesterday I was on the verge of death, I remained alive, and nothing else is needed.
I hope that in the future, we will live and, for someone, reading this diary, I will add a story, because you can’t write everything here.
Although you have no children, you have many nephews, you have someone to tell.
I do not regret at all that I am in Leningrad at this difficult time.
But I don’t know what will happen ahead.
You also don’t know how long you’ll stay in Leningrad.
Well, okay, Sasha, good night, in a new place – the groom to the bride (*Phraseologism: if an unmarried girl goes to bed where she has never slept before, then she has a chance to get at least one glimpse of her future spouse).
24/IX/1941
24/IX. I just said good night and was about to fall asleep when «air alert» was heard.
By that time I had cooked millet porridge, it was so nice, it was steaming, I didn’t have to eat it.
The alarm lasted 1:45.
Again, the bastard, he did this in the city with both incendiary and high-explosive bombs, on Ligovka, near the Moskovsky station.
Artillery cannonade was heard all night.
In the morning I woke up with the Information Bureau – and the sounds of our artillery cannonade were so loud that buildings and windows shook.
Fights along the entire front.
My legs hurt incessantly, thay barely bend, especially on stairs.
In the morning the weather was clear, but around 7 am the sky became cloudy.
Our planes are constantly buzzing in the air.
Anti-aircraft guns were firing somewhere, but «air alert» not yet.
Today I compiled lists for 32 people.
Yes…
It’s all because of the bastard Hitler, my close-knit family is falling apart.
15:00, I was getting ready to go home.
The weather today is cloudy, maybe I’ll take a break from all this hustle and bustle.
I’m sitting, writing, and the planes are buzzing like bees.
I’ll probably have to walk home, but I don’t know if my legs will make it, they can’t walk at all.
The long-range ones are hitting with all their might, but I don’t know if they’re ours or at us.
They say that the tram line at Mill of the Lenin’s was destroyed by long-range fire.
You can hear artillery cannonade and the sound of anti-aircraft guns.
In general, the time is hot, Leningrad is the front.
We will survive everything, as long as the fascist boot does not trample the avenues of Leningrad.
I’m cleaning around the workshop, I think I’ll still be sawing.
Yes, condition…
Today Dipelman left for the Army.
In the evening I went home, and safely, without «air alert».
I ate a lot of potatoes and went to bed.
25/IX/1941
25/IX. Got up at 8 o’clock, fighting along the entire front.
There were 3 «air alerts» during the day, they passed quietly.
Only in the evening was artillery fire heard.
At 3 o’clock I decided to take a nap, having first lit the stove.
I slept until 5 o’clock, and in my dreams I saw something, bastards, fascists.
In the evening I ate thoroughly and went to bed.
Devil this Lenka, somewhere could get it 8 packs of cigarettes.
I slept more or less peacefully for two nights and lay down.
The pain in my legs begins to subside; my right leg still hurts a little.
26/IX/1941
26/IX. I got up at 5:45, because I decided to go early to make before «air alert».
The day was clear, and our planes were already buzzing in the air.
I rode on 2 trams because they were going poorly.
We stood on Ligovka for a long time.
Yes, the city is scratched.
In many houses there is no glass, the plaster is crumbling, in general, there are traces of fascist dirty tricks everywhere.
As soon as I got to the Factory, I suddenly heard the rumble of planes, then shooting in the air.
Tamarov says that two planes were shot down in Murzinka.
Then I went to the Fabupravlenie (*Factory Administration), fed the cat and, finding more free time, decided to write down this diary.
Damn it, it’s not clear what to describe in the revision
It was not for nothing that the workers roared when the workshop was burning; they had a presentiment that it was their piece of bread that was taken away by the fascist bastard.
Rybushkin went to work today.
It’s surprising, given such devastation, not a single casualty.
I had a thorough lunch in the canteen of the Soap Factory.
I’m waiting to go to my workshop, suddenly I hear machine guns firing, it turns out it’s an air battle.
And it’s great, in my opinion, that they beat up the fascist aviation when 138 aircraft were destroyed on 23/IX alone.
There are rumors that Novgorod, Pskov, and Ostrov are ours, it would be very good, and after that create a bag near Leningrad and destroy it here.
Today I’ll probably go live in the drying shop office.
Firstly, it’s low there, and it’s creepy in my dovecote, because I was there on the brink of death twice.
My cat is alive and well, I’m writing now, and he indulges himself to the fullest, but cat during the war – is not profitable, since every day you need to buy an omelet for him.
In the evening I’m going to the district for a meeting (conference).
The first time I listened to Egorenkov, I didn’t like the way he spoke.
In general, it was boring.
Popov and I came home on foot.
It was a very good night for a walk with a nice person.
Warm, a little cloudy, glows are visible around Leningrad.
I wanted to go to the tower, but I got lazy and went to bed.
27/IX/1941
27/IX. I slept in a new place in the dryers, I didn’t dream about the groom, he probably never will be.
All night long artillery cannonade was heard on the right bank, but I slept like a log.
At 6:45 «air alert» passed calmly, since our hawks were in the air, up to 20 of them.
The weather is colorful, the sun is shining, but the clouds are thick.
I don’t know what will happen.
There were 5 «air alerts» during the day.
An interesting incident happened today.
As soon as the «air alert» is began, as soon as the workers began to work, Popov called and asked to come to him.
I only went to see him, he picked up the phone, suddenly, the whistle of flying bombs, one, second, third.
This was a surprise.
In general, there was a sudden raid.
Most likely, the planes hid behind the clouds and then did their vile deed.
Two or three bombs fell into the water, opposite our Factory, at the «Worker» Factory (*In 1844 – Spasskaya and Petrovskaya manufactories; in the 1880s – «Maxvelle’s manufactories»; in March 1919, the manufactories were nationalized, merged into the Petrovskaya Factory; since October 1922 – the Rabochiy spinning and weaving factory; during the Second World War, the Rabochiy Factory switched to the production of fabrics for sewing uniforms and raincoats. At that time, it was the only enterprise in the cotton industry, not ceased production. After the Second World War, cotton fabrics were produced: cambric, voile, poplin, Hellas, turban, scarves. All fabrics consist of pure cotton, woven from the finest combed yarn), 2 horses and 5 people were killed on the avenue.
At 5 o’clock Nyura and I went to the dining room, suddenly there was a signal «air alert».
But we still had lunch of pea soup and lentils, and ran to our hole.
There was a big raid, anti-aircraft guns were firing everywhere, and many of our planes were flying.
Two downed planes on the right bank, but I don’t know whose.
The raid came in waves, several times.
Long-range guns are firing continuously, in the direction of the Finland railway station
The devil knows what’s going on.
There are no letters from a friend, nor have the Russians.
Okay, the girls are waiting me for drink tea.
28/IX/1941
28/IX. I got up at 6:30 in the morning, I didn’t hear the military information bureau because the radio didn’t work after the bombing.
I took a shower and went to the workshop.
The weather is dry and warm, but the sky is pockmarked (*With spots of a different color on the main background; mottled) – clouds.
Here is a description of the night on combat watch of the house in which I lived for 4 years, and which was damaged by a fascist bomb:
Insert №27. Article «Night on combat watch».
The long-range guns don’t stop hitting, probably because the fighting on the Karelian Isthmus is intensified.
Airplanes are constantly buzzing in the air.
Now it’s become a little creepy in the office, after everything we’ve been through.
Before, I wasn’t afraid of anything, I was curious, but now I don’t stick my nose out much.
The lessons of three bombings of our territory warned us that we need to take a little care of ourselves and hide.
I warned the workers that they need to work, perhaps we will restore the workshop, but the workers, heartbroken, are working in bad faith.
This is what brutal brutes are capable of:
Insert №28. Article «Death to the brutal fascist scoundrels».
Today the mood is that a shell or a bomb is about to fly and kill you – goodbye to life.
The sky is gray, our planes are constantly patrolling in the air.
At the training ground, a machine gun is firing all the time.
Today «M.K. Russkikh» came, I was happy about him, like my own brother.
Mishka is still a good person.
He and I went to the dining room and ate thoroughly.
The day became clear, not a cloud in the sky.
The long-range ones are hitting hard, the bastards, yesterday they started dropping fragmentation bombs during a raid, and they are already starting to exterminate the population.
Leningrad is a warrior, steadfast and stubborn, you won’t see it like your own ears!
M.K. interestingly reported that Mga, Lyuban, Bologoe, etc.
This means that the path will soon be open.
This means that we will soon contact the «Big Land».
6 o’clock in the evening, the weather is good, today we were doing military work, I was very pleased.
I shot, the result was good.
The mood today is cheerful, I don’t know what will happen next.
In the evening they gave «air alert», we immediately climbed into the gap (*hideout).
What happened, the weather was hazy and cloudy.
I no longer saw whether the searchlights were illuminated or not, but the anti-aircraft guns were hitting so hard, the shells were flying with such a howl that I don’t know what happened, everything was mixed up in the air, the whirring of planes, the clanging of anti-aircraft guns, heavy artillery.
Then the whistle of high explosive bombs. The earth is shaking.
After «lights out» «air alert» We came out of the gap (*hideout), there was a big glow in the direction of Okhta.
In general, the bastard did it again.
After that, we didn’t sleep for a long time, then I fell asleep so soundly, and at 1 o’clock night again, «air alert».
We went into the gap (*crack, hideout) again, «air alert» passed calmly.
The weather became clear.
During this anxiety, I remembered a friend and missed him so much.
Yes, he is somewhere.
I don’t know that he doesn’t write anything.
Or what he was angry about.
Here, I give you an insert from the newspaper:
Insert №29. Newspaper «Leningradskaya Pravda. 09.28.1941. Women in defense of Leningrad».
29/IX/1941
29/IX. Got up at 7:30 am.
The weather is cloudy now, it looks like it will rain.
«M.K. Russkih» promised to come today.
By God, I love and respect him, no worse than my own brother, what a good person he is.
I fed him a good lunch, and he went to the Raicom (District Party Committee).
At 6 o’clock they call me to a lecture, I don’t know whether it will be interesting or not.
Since lunch the weather has become clear, I don’t know what will happen in the evening.
To be honest, yesterday was a little scary.
There were two air alarms today, but they passed more or less calmly.
Only at night, they say, hit by Vyborgskaya side.
I slept soundly all night today, without even undressing.
30/IX/1941
30/IX. Got up at 7:15 am.
The weather is cloudy, visibility is very poor, well, this is very good for us.
Basically, the area around the workshop has already been cleared, and soon, I think, we will start restoring the timber frame.
Today at me having fun, two crosscutters are working – producing a churki (*wooden blocks).
The men are dismantling the workshop, and almost all the rest are – on the «psaltery».
Today there will a representative of N.K.Lesa (*People’s Commissariat of the Forest Industry of the Soviet Union), Comrade Bykov, what will he say – to restore the workshop or not.
Or we will prepare for evacuation.
Then it will be visible.
I wonder how he just got from the «Big land».
We chatted with Agafonov for a long time yesterday, and their sergeant is junk, and also says he completed two courses at the Institute.
I really want a glass of beer today.
I don’t know whether Pavlusha will get it or not.
I went right out of the gate on this issue.
If the issue of evacuation is resolved, it will be a pity to leave Leningrad.
During this period, I simply became attached to him, during this difficult time.
Well, if you go, then go.
Frankly speaking, I really want to work at a good sawmill, at full speed, and not in such a shaking place as my workshop was, which I loved like a stepdaughter to a stepmother.
Well, I’m ready to go like that, just one day to get ready.
By lunchtime the weather became clear.
In the distance you can hear the roar of guns and planes flying.
I had a hearty lunch: noodle soup and lentils, for which I spent 1.20 rubles.
It turns out that Bykov has not yet been to Moscow.
Popov today gave instructions to launch «1 frame saw (*Pilorama)» in two weeks.
Immediately my soul became more cheerful, since only two trimmers were buzzing.
At 16:30 «air alert» passed calmly.
By that time the weather had already become cloudy.
At 19:30 «air alert», we immediately went to the bomb shelter.
The night was warm, the buzzing of Messerschmitt (*Messerschmitt) gets on your nerves.
The thief was spinning in the air all the time, then he began to lower the fire lighter, the right bank was all covered with fire, but they were soon eliminated, as the lighters fell on the field.
13 lighters were dropped onto our territory.
Our unfortunate people, the ZhPA, got scared and ran away, and not a single one came to put out the lighters in due time.
«air alert» lasted 1 1/2 hours.
Who would know how tired all this is, because you spend almost half of your life underground.
It was already cold and damp, I would never have thought that Anya Romanova was such a coward.
True, after lighters, as the enemy practices, he can throw high-explosive bombs.
There was an interesting phenomenon at the Methane Lighthouse, it accurately signaled, and then some fool shot at it with a small-caliber machine gun.
At 12 o’clock went to bed.
Chapter 5. October 1941
1/X/1941
1/X. Got up at 6 o’clock morning, I immediately went into the shower, I’m thinking about washing myself, while there is no «air alert».
I managed to wash myself thoroughly.
The weather in the morning is cloudy, real autumn.
The radio does not work, but they say that they have reported that our troops have left Poltava.
The weather became clear by lunchtime, the eksgauster (*An obsolete name for a fan) in «Katushka» is humming, and it seems to you that planes are buzzing, and if a vagonetka will hit at the turn round, it seems to you that anti-aircraft guns are hitting.
That’s how nervous my nerves are.
Before the bombing of the workshop, I was not afraid of anything, but now, for some reason, I began to be afraid.
You’re sitting in a crevice at night, the weather is cloudy, the clouds are low, and suddenly some damned Messerschmitt (*Messerschmitt) begins to howl in the air, like an unoiled cart.
As he howls, so will my soul whining.
Or, you think, it’s about to hit you on the dome.
Life.
At 16 o’clock the sun is shining so pleasantly, but my soul is very heavy, artillery cannonade does not stop.
We only rested for a few days, and now they are beating and beating, sometimes it feels like shells are exploding.
Really, another shelling of the city, how tired of all this.
I don’t really despair for myself, I’m alone, if they will strike me to death, means they will strike me to death, maybe this is a road for me.
I just feel sorry for the city and the victims.
Today I’m going home, I’ll climb into my basement, what will happen.
They didn’t let me go home, I spent the night at the Factory.
There were two air alarms during the day.
Night «air alert» lasted 3 hours, and was very restless, somewhere they dropped two pieces again, the night was semi-clear, the moon was shining, but there were clouds.
In the Dubrovka area there was a beating like a drum – continuously.
In the evening we laughed at Agafonov, he brought me a book.
In general, the guy fell in love, but if not at this time, I would have twisted his little head.
2/X/1941
2/X. I’m sitting writing this diary, and there’s shooting everywhere, artillery, and anti-aircraft guns.
The weather is cloudy.
I want to go home, I don’t know how I’ll get there.
The day passed calmly, there was not a single «air alert».
During the day I took a nap for an hour, and then sat, embroidered.
«My horse» (*Lenka) ran around in lines all the time, well, and the «horse» will really get everything.
I’m visiting on the Borovaya street now, yesterday even the «my horse» treated me to sour cream and jelly.
Artillery shooting continued all day.
Our area was shelled yesterday.
One shell fell on Borovoy, not far from us, and, they say, killed the seller of a kerosene store.
This is where the destiny of death lies.
For the day I listened to the radio with pleasure, since the Factory is still not working after the bombing.
In the evening, several new songs were broadcast, which was something of a surprise for us, since songs had not been broadcast for a long time.
I remembered previous years, peacetime, student years, going to the movies, theaters, shopping, yes, everything is gone…
Yes, everything has passed, those years will not return, but we hope that we will still live, go to the movies and theaters.
I look forward to joyful life ahead, and to those who will survive.
They don’t write anything from home, I don’t know why, they probably write something excess, and the military censorship doesn’t let it through.
I know my nieces.
Well, I don’t write anything to them either.
There are no letters from my friend either, but judging by his neatness, I wonder if he is alive.
After all, he was in combat positions all the time.
How I scold myself for not going to see him when he invited me.
After all, this may have been our last meeting.
And he wanted this meeting.
Yes, friend, friend, you can’t get out of my head.
Just now I was driving along Staronevsky avenue, and I remembered how we rode together on the tram for the last time.
We drove in silence, but both had the same feeling: he wants to stay with me, and so do I.
But fate turned out to be such that we soon parted ways.
When he got off the tram, tears welled up in my eyes.
While I was visible, he kept looking around.
Yes, my friend, I would like to meet with you, and talk, and read at least part of this diary, and share my impressions.
Also, I have a second person at the front – this is «M.K. Russkih».
This is my the «named (*betrothed) it brother» (*A term that was used to designate a close friend, comrade, or ally), it’s a pity that I didn’t meet him before going to the front, after the Hospital.
Petya Bizelev is also a good guy, but for some reason he doesn’t write anything.
I never think about Chaim.
3/X/1941
3/X. I came from home, with Borovaya.
I stood up together with the Information Bureau: battles along the entire front.
In every direction the Germans were given a great beating.
Last night they broadcast a very interesting episode of the struggle for Leningrad.
I don’t have a watch, but it’s probably already 9 o’clock.
As I write this diary, the artillery cannonade begins again outside the Kirov district.
It is unknown who is hitting where, we need to go out into the street and find out.
My cat sits and purrs after a good breakfast.
So he will probably live near me, I’ll feed him somehow.
The weather is pockmarked, a real autumn day.
In general, given the current weather, only just walk and walk.
The year is fruitful, but nothing reaches Leningrad.
We get 400 grams already the second month bread, but you can’t complain yet.
Especially yesterday.
Okay, Shurochka, it’s time to go to the territory, I know that you don’t like to sit in your office.
You need restore the workshop.
Today I started raising funds to buy warm clothes for the fighters – things are going well.
At 14:10 they gave «air alert», but before that the air battle could still be heard.
There was such a barrage of barrage fire, they beat like a drum.
The weather is terrible.
By evening the weather became clear, and there was a strong wind, all the clouds dispersed.
I have a feeling that it will be a restless night, and indeed, yes.
I barely had to sleep a wink the entire night.
«Air alert» at 17:45 passed calmly, but «air alert» at 19:40, it was something terrible.
It lasted 3:45, and so, the whole time we sat in the gap (*hideout).
High-explosive bombs were exploding everywhere, M.Z. anti-aircraft guns were firing. (*The M3 3-inch anti-aircraft gun was an American anti-aircraft gun that served throughout the 1930s and early World War II. Its predecessor was the M1918 3-inch gun).
What was happening, I don’t know what.
Okhta in particular suffered.
After lights out, «air alert», we went to have some tea, again «air alert», it was the sweetest dream, but there was nothing to be done, I had to go into the hole (*a gap in the wall, hideout).
I wanted to sleep like crazy.
«Air alert» lasted 30 minutes and went smoothly.
As soon as we arrived at our place, I lay down in bed, again «air alert», lasted 4:15.
It was something terrible, lighters were falling everywhere.
Little was heard of the anti-aircraft guns, and neither did the hawks.
But nothing, I had to sit in the crack (*hideout).
As soon as we arrived at our place, I didn’t have time to warm up, after 10 minutes «air alert» again, lasted up to 5 hours.
Having come to warm up, we heard the rumble of the plane, Romanova and I decided to go outside.
Indeed, the plane was enemy, because After a while, half a hundred lighters were dropped, flying to the ground with a squeal, after which several more land mines were splashed.
We ran into the gap (*hideout), and only then did we hear «air alert», the alarm ended at 5:55.
Arriving at my place, I decided to still get some sleep, but the sleep was dispersed during the night.
I heard the hum of enemy planes, but it turns out that it was a machine from searchlight that was working.
I didn’t want to get up anymore and fell asleep.
At 7:30 they wake me up and say, «air alert», I immediately went into the gap (*hideout).
There are not many preparations: put on a coat, and take a gas mask, and you often forget the latter.
So, during the day and night, there were 7 «air alert».
In total, 186 air alarms.
True, the first «air alert» they were very calm, now you can’t stick your nose out, no matter how curious you are.
Either I wasn’t curious, but now you can’t stick your nose out of the crack (*hideout).
It was an amazing night by nature.
The sunset of the moon gave way to the rising of the sun; one could say that it was not dark.
During one alarm, I chatted for a long time with Agafonov, the guy got a crush on me, well, to hell with him.
In the evening I told half a dozen anecdotes of Romanova when they were sitting in the crack (*hideout), and I thought about continuing in the evening, but I didn’t have to.
I’m sitting, writing a diary, and by God, I’m afraid, that I won’t have time to comb my hair, «air alert» will start.
4/X/1941
4/X. I got up at 7:30 in the morning, at the signal «air alert», or rather, did not sleep all night.
After breakfast, I decided to bypass the territory and I took it upon myself to write down yesterday.
The radio does not work.
The weather is amazing – sun, clear sky, but planes are constantly buzzing in the air.
During the day there were 2 «air alerts», they passed quietly.
According to the weather, there should be a good mood, but so far it’s very bad.
In general, perhaps I’m not a very despondent person, but there’s also little comfort.
Artillery firing we haven’t heard any shooting today, which is also a kind of consolation.
At 15 o’clock Zoya Kuznetsova came and said that Zaretsky was seriously wounded and was in the hospital.
A bullet wounded his leg and a shrapnel wounded his head.
He told Zoya how he struggled after being wounded, but still got out and, perhaps, will recover completely.
Wounded in the battle for Pulkovo Heights.
One day before 12 noon. there were 10 «air alert».
As soon as you come to your place, «air alert» again.
We didn’t have to sleep a wink all night; we sat in the crack (*hideout).
It was very cold, the night was moonlit, without wind.
The alarms lasted endlessly, there were breaks only for keep warm, oh, and it was cold.
Today I brought a warm scarf from home, I’ll try to finish knitting my socks, and then I can sit in the gap (*hideout).
I made laugh all evening with jokes.
Anya Romanova also made me laugh, she said:
As the chief engineer drew a diagram of the crack (*hideout) with his military boot heel, whoever saw it, it’s hilarious.
To be effective you will have to demonstrate it.
Agafonov pestered me all the time, he really wanted to spend time with me.
The main thing today, he says, is that I will never stay late to talk to him, I’m always in a hurry.
Our spotlight worked at night, and how they have discipline.
5/X/1941
5/X. Continuation of a sleepless night, just went to bed, at 1:30 «air alert».
It lasted 2:20, we sat in the crack (*hideout) and froze.
If you have to sit like this for a long time and not sleep, you will get rheumatism.
The time was 9 am, there were already 3 «air alert», with a total duration of 4 hours.
In general, I was pretty cold tonight.
Today is a gray, autumn, and cold day, Sunday, only my workshop is working.
Today’s task: finish knitting socks.
At 2 o’clock in the afternoon they studied bayonet fighting.
During this training, an air battle was heard and seen, and then they gave «air alert».
During the battle, a plane was shot down, but I don’t know whose.
After dinner, I went to bed and fell asleep, sweetly, sweetly, slept until one in the morning, suddenly «air alert».
And so, from one in the morning, the sleepless night began again.
The night was clear – moonlit.
The enemy planes were met by our hawks, so the night passed more or less calmly.
Somehow it makes your soul happier when our aviation is in the air, you seem to be safe.
6/X/1941
6/X. Today was the first day I slept like a boss during the entire period of the war.
I got up at 7:20, it was like taking a nap after the morning anxiety.
After drinking tea and eating porridge, I went to the workers, signed the orders, and decided to write down this diary.
Suddenly, Sokolov calls me and says that I was included in the list of responsible duty officers at Headquarters.
I’m on duty together with Popov, that’s okay, I really don’t want to be with «Iv. Anakin».
It was much better for me to sit in the gap (*hideout) than in the Headquarters or on the tower.
There I knew more what was going on in the city, since we had a military telephone.
Today is a cloudy day, windy, and cold.
There was only one air alarm during the day.
Today I received compensation just to have a drink in company.
Well, for lack of company, at least a glass of beer, but he’s gone now.
After work I went to see Romanova and we laughed until she cried.
She said:
How my workers broke down the destroyed wall near the workshop.
As the rope broke, they all fell, including Tamarov, dangling their arms and legs.
How it helped them to drop the pillar, I just can’t understand.
Then we went to the Partcom (*Party committee is a committee elected by the party organization to conduct current work), we talked something with Sokolov, he said, I wanted to appoint you as an observer on duty at Headquarters with «Iv. Anakin», I immediately answered that I wouldn’t go with him, they immediately started laughing.
Of course, I will be on duty with Sokolov and Popov, but never with Anakin.
I brought up the «air alert» count today, there are already 199 in total.
I can’t hand over my manuscript to Agafonov.
It’s quiet in the air today, but at the training ground pristrel is going on all the time (*Sighting targets, targeting of guns, or shooting guns).
I’ll end here because it’s dark, cold, and boring.
I’ll go to the dryer, we’ll laugh again and maybe sleep peacefully, well, I’ll write what happens in the morning.
All the best, Shurochka, go, «suschi sukhari» (*phraseologism: «We dry breadcrumbs» – they have been saying for a long time. That’s what they said when difficult hungry times were coming – they dried them in reserve. There were no dry concentrates. And a breadcrumbs is both light and does not take up much space, and nutritious. You can chew it and throw it into the soup, and brew it with boiling water), and sleep well.
But the sleep peacefully is failed.
After drinking tea and eating porridge, at 19:25, «air alert»
Having dressed immediately, we went into the gap (*hideout).
As soon as I left, I suddenly saw a flash in the direction of the Moskovsky railway station.
It turns out that the enemy was throwing flares, and suddenly, a high-explosive bomb exploded (they say at Mill of the Lenin’s).
I immediately into the gap (*hideout).
The sound of an airplane nearby.
Suddenly, some kind of ringing and air movement, our soldiers instantly entered the gap (*hideout).
At first I thought he was throwing lighters, but it turns out he was throwing small land mines weighing 5 – 10 kg on Martynovskaya street.
In total, 24 bombs were thrown onto this wooden street, causing destruction and casualties.
I was worried about «Katushka» and the tower.
During «air alert» I went and called Headquarters, they replied that they have calm.
When at 12:15 p.m. the «air alert» lights out, Nyurka and I went to see what happened there.
Walking past the dryer, I wanted to jump over the vagonietka (*An open car of small capacity (0.5—6 m3), designed for transporting goods, which moves along narrow-gauge railway tracks), and I really hurt my leg, as soon as I stood up, it hit me to the bone.
Then I went to the overpass.
The trams were running, but nothing was visible because the night was dark.
I walked back past the forest workshop.
Anya Romanova, she begin – let’s demonstrate how the workers broke down the wall: «one, two, they took it!»
We laughed until cried.
Suddenly, «air alert», we immediately ran into the gap (*hideout) and started telling jokes.
After lights out «air alert» we went to our place.
Romanova fell asleep sitting by the stove.
Out of old habit (I like to pamper), I tied a file to she, etc.
We laughed until they cried as she woke up and freed herself from the burden.
At 12 o’clock went to bed.
7/X/1941
7/X. I woke up at 5 am, took a shower, and went back to sleep.
My leg hurts all the time after yesterday.
After drinking tea, I went to my dovecote and decided to write it down.
The weather today is cloudy, and our aircraft are already in the air.
It’s 2 p.m., the sun is shining clearly and it’s very warm, but today it’s very difficult for me to walk, my leg hurts.
I have a gas mask over my right shoulder and binoculars over my left, because today I am on duty at Headquarters.
In the first hour there was «air alert», I already went to the tower, the alarm passed calmly.
I didn’t like it on the tower, because it’s very noisy from the avenue; you can hear it better on the territory.
There is a humming eksgauster, a hoist, trams, etc., a continuous noise.
Today my old company will sit without me.
We had a great laugh with Nyura Romanova.
Yes, today there is something to add.
As I already mentioned, I am on duty at the tower.
The day was clear and sunny, the weather was very pleasant, but I was in some kind of tense state, for some reason I was worried about how I would stand on the tower and ensure my duty, especially at night.
Indeed, according to schedule, at 7:30, «air alert», and I took up my post on the tower.
First Titov came to me, then he frozen, and left.
Magin came and I went to get warm.
«Air alert» lasted 6.05.
This «air alert», in terms of duration, is the first «air alert» for the entire time of the war, out of all 204 experienced, during the war.
Enemy planes made 7 approaches, almost all along the same route.
Enemy planes entered from the Kirovsky district, then to the Leninsky district, then to the «Lenin Mill», «Lenin Plant», Finlyandsky Station, the right bank of the Neva, Malaya Okhta.
Once a plane passed over our Factory.
At first I thought it was very creepy to stand on the tower – nothing like that.
A lot of lighters were dropped on the city.
The fire in the Moscow district was extinguished quickly.
To the left of «Krasny Neftyanik» the fire continued for 2—3 hours.
In the Smolny area the entire horizon was on fire – a kind of blue, so-called mouse fire in childhood.
A fire broke out, lasted 2—3 hours, and was extinguished.
Then, in the port area there was a strong glow in 4 places, and it burned for a long time.
And the bastards, the rocket men, were firing rockets like candles all the time, especially in Sortirovochnaya, in Shchemilovka, and at the Volodarsky House of Soviets, in Rybatskoye, at the «Red Weaver», etc.
All missiles were dropped from the territory of Kartontol.
Here you go, bastards.
There were also rockets in the city.
I covered myself with a warm scarf and stood the watch without freezing.
At 1:30 the «air alert» lights out, I went to spend the night, ate the soup that Motya sent, and wanted to go to bed, met with Adam, and chatted until 4 o’clock nights.
In general, the guy got carried away head over heels.
I just went to bed, at 4:30 again, «air alert», I’m back on the tower.
The weather became cloudy and drizzling rain, but from 4 o’clock a strong artillery cannonade began.
In all likelihood, they shot at Kronstadt and Rybatskoye, after lights out she went to bed.
8/X/1941
8/X. I got up at 10:10 in the morning, this is slept after being on duty.
And Shura Koltsova woke me up.
I jumped out of my bed, splashed some water in my eyes, and with swollen eyes ran to the dispatch meeting.
Today is a cloudy day, it is drizzling rain at times, and there is an assumption that «air alert» must not be.
It’s already 13 o’clock, and I haven’t seen all my workers yet.
Tomorrow is a day off, but I probably won’t go home.
The day passed calmly, but I really wanted to sleep.
Artillery cannonade is heard all the time.
Again, the bastard, he broke through, the anti-aircraft guns are hitting, but now there’s nothing to worry about.
Especially after being on duty at the tower.
Come on, be despondent, if your death – so death, if you live – so live.
No, frankly speaking, I want to live and survive everything.
Isn’t it interesting to see what happens later, after the war?
After all, fascism will still be destroyed, I am sure of this, without any hesitation.
Victory will be ours – Hurray!!!
The evening and night were cloudy, it was drizzling rain, we went to bed in full confidence that «air alert» it won’t, we having talked enough beforehand.
The room was hot and leaking from the ceiling.
9/X/1941
9/X. At 5:30 they gave «air alert», I quickly got dressed and went to the hideout.
As soon as we ran out, lighters were already being dropped behind the avenue, I sat in the crack (*hideout) for a while, lit a cigarette, then stuck my nose out of the crack (*hideout), it was already light, fires were visible all around, it turns out He had thrown lighters everywhere again.
There was a strong fire at the Paper Factory named after. Volodarsky; then, they say, School №20.
There was a cloud of black smoke towards the center of the city.
After lights out I went home.
After having lunch with Lenka, I went to wash and dry the clothes.
I come home as if on a visit.
We ate everything, especially behind yesterday day: lentil porridge, pasta, herring, scrambled eggs and meat soup.
At 19:20 «air alert», but I went to bed, before they give «lights out».
For some reason I am calm at home, in my basement.
And so I slept until 5 o’clock morning.
10/X/1941
10/X. Got up at 7 o’clock morning, woke up, and lay in bed for an hour.
I listened to the Information Bureau: fighting along the entire front.
Particularly stubborn battles took place in the Vyazemsky, Bryansk and Melitopol directions.
In yesterday’s report it was reported that our troops had left the city of Oryol.
The weather today is cold, it was cloudy from early morning, but by 8 o’clock in the morning the sky was already clear, it will probably be «air alert» again.
Today I am on duty at the Headquarters (in the Headquarters itself), instead of Popov.
Now I’ll go to Anya Romanova, by God, I’m used to her.
Today is such a stupid day, no matter where you go, it’s hot everywhere, they just don’t spare the steam.
The day is still cloudy, but it’s warmer outside.
There was already one «air alert», it passed calmly.
Today, as usual, at 7:24, «air alert».
I lay there and read the newspaper, just waiting for «air alert», according to the schedule.
Getting ready and walking to Headquarters took 3 minutes; I fo to Headquarters at 7:20 pm and go avay at home at 1 am.
There were 5 «air alerts» during the night.
As soon as Popov comes from the tower, «air alert» comes again.
The night was cloudy, the moon was visible between the clouds, and the fascist vultures love cloudy weather.
They crumble and dropped high-explosive and incendiary bombs, as many as they could, and anywhere.
Especially to the right of Malaya Okhta.
First they dropped large land mines, then lighters, and then small land mines again.
Then suddenly a bomb falls nearby, there is a strong explosion, then the building shakes, it turns out that the bomb hit Palevsky Street and smashed the main booth (*cabin).
Glass flew out of houses nearby and all the chimneys collapsed.
Then a bomb was dropped on a residential building, opposite the Nogin Factory.
One bomb fell on Soyuz-util.
The bomb was dropped by parachute, at first it lingered on the wires, then the parachute broke, and the bomb fell to the ground and did not explode, weighing 1,000 kg.
The people were all isolated, and the area was cordoned off with a radius of 150 meters.
Then the lighters were dropped in the Moscow district.
Many fires broke out, but the fires were extinguished quickly.
That’s how the night went.
«Air alert» ended at 2:20, and I didn’t go anywhere from Headquarters, and took a nap with my nose buried in the table, then lay down on the ottomanka (*Sofa without a back), and slept until 7 in the morning, went to the dryer, and took another nap for half an hour, but the workers soon woke up.
It still turns out strange, when everything was calm, I slept 7-8-9 hours a day, and I still wanted to sleep, but now, sometimes you fall asleep for 2—3 hours in a day, and you walk all day, at least that no matter what.
Times change, people change.
They say I’ve lost a lot of weight, but now we have to take into account this hectic life, sleepless nights and food, now you don’t eat dumplings and eggs, but you eat everything you can get your hands on, even soy soup, which makes you sick.
There is a divine view around the workshop; soon the workshop can be restored.
11/X/1941
11/X. I got up at 8 am, I really didn’t want to get up, but the workers were waiting, I still had no time to lie around, maybe I’ll take a nap at lunch.
The weather is gray but dry, the sky is cloudy, and if it does not change by the evening, it will be very dangerous.
It’s a terrible day today, I want to sleep so bad, my eyes aren’t looking, and my mood is foggy.
The workers went to lunch, and I lay down to take a nap, and immediately felt better, but I’m looking forward to the end of the shift so I can lie down again and get a good night’s sleep for the sleepless night of the expected «air alert».
For some reason today I have an assumption that it will be a calm night – that would be good.
In the morning I would take a shower and everything would be fine.
The day is always cloudy.
They promise a change in weather from 13/X/4I.
15 o’clock, they transmit materials from newspapers.
When they started broadcasting about the Baburinsky housing estate, its organization, and self-defense, by God, there were tears in my eyes.
This reminded me of something of the past, something inseparable; I lived near this area for five years, I know it very well.
This program reminded me of my peaceful life – my student years.
They were difficult, but good years.
I can’t forget about the hostel building on Pesochnaya.
After all, it was the first and only one on Pesochnaya Street, in terms house of size and beauty.
Lesnaya and at the same time the Vyborg side are dear to me, like my native places, where I grew up and improved my knowledge.
At the same time, from the Vyborg side I began to get acquainted for the first time with the city of Lenin.
Never in my life will I forget the first hours and days I spent in Leningrad, including on the Vyborg side.
I remember a sunny autumn day – I got off the train, crossed the exit into the city, boarded tram number 25, at that time, in a city unknown to me.
These are the first steps towards the Academy.
At these moments, all the beauty of this magnificent city was revealed to me.
How I got wandering (*to wander – lost, to get confused, to stray, to go astray (from the road)) the first time in the park.
A lush, green shady park, with its greenhouses and flower beds, beautiful, but at the same time, strict lines.
Now I know every bush, every turn.
How many books and textbooks have been read in this park.
How many pictures do I have from this park?
And so, the summer of 1941 came, I had never been to this wonderful park.
From the beginning of summer it was cold, then good weather set in, but the war began, «air alert» began, shelling began.
The war has confined us to the Factory, and there is no need to think about anything else.
The evening was cloudy, 7:30 had passed, it was time for the fascist vultures to raid, but it was not flying time, and we went to bed.
There was no certainty about cloudy weather throughout the night, since this was not the first such night.
And so, at 22:45, «air alert».
We immediately got dressed and went to the workshop, where we sat until 4 o’clock in the morning.
Airplanes circled around us almost all the time, around us anti-aircraft guns hit us, and around us the spotlight illuminated us.
But soon our planes appeared in the air, and it became more fun.
Fun is relative, it would be better to sleep peacefully than to sit and freeze underground, waiting for something to hit you on the dome (*a head) and bury you.
It would be better not to listen to the howls of the enemy vulture, which creaks worse than an unoiled cart, every day and hourly.
As soon as the noise of the engines stopped, we came out of the gap (*hideout) and went to warm up.
It’s somehow strange that now these anxious, cold, and sleepless nights have become commonplace.
What will happen in winter?
I think I should fold the stove and it will be warmer, otherwise you’ll catch a cold.
After all, while I’m alive, I want to live.
They don’t write anything from home, I don’t know what they think about me, maybe they don’t think I’m alive anymore.
Well, the Borovikovs are strong, they must survive everything.
I chatted a little with Adam yesterday, he’s still a self-possessed guy and not intrusive, I like people like that.
Well, compared to a friend, this is nothing – just that.
Frankly speaking, now I’ve started to forget something about him, because he rarely reminds me of himself.
12/X/1941
12/X. Sunday, I decided to get some sleep and got up at 9 o’clock morning.
The day is clear, cool – autumn.
I didn’t hear the information bureau because we don’t have a radio.
The radio is working in my office, but I’m only there during the day.
I’m just recording at 11 o’clock day, and listen to the latest news: battles along the entire front.
Particularly fierce in the Bryansk and Vyazemsk directions.
Cannonade is heard somewhere in the distance, again, probably, the bastard is pushing closer to Leningrad.
But it turns out that our artillery is firing.
15 planes, probably sent to carry out a combat mission, well, good luck to them.
Oh, how nice it is to look at your planes when they are in the air and going on a mission.
It just makes your heart happy when you look at them.
Yes, there was a time when they reported on the radio and in the newspapers that there was a raid on Leningrad on such and such a date, that so many planes were shot down, etc.
Now this is repeated every day, and almost at the same time, as if on schedule.
Frankly speaking, we ourselves are accustomed to everything, however, it is very unpleasant to lie awake at night, and listen to this damned sound of airplanes, and the clanging, and the shaking of the earth from land mines, to hear and see the devastation of the city, to see fires arising, however, the latter are extinguished quickly, but still, you experience it every day.
I mentioned the bomb that fell on Soyuz-util, today they reported that it weighed 1 ton, its length was 2.2 m, this is the load.
The bomb that fell on Palevsky had a 3-charge charge, only one charge exploded, and then there was such a shock, what if all 3 charges exploded?
Today they reported that the fascist bastards began to use fragmentation bombs to destroy manpower (*people).
But no, we cannot be broken, Leningrad will be ours.
Tomorrow is my duty on the tower, and I will go without any fear.
We will survive everything, who would know how much we want to live, more than ever.
Of course, victory will be ours, there should be no talk about it.
After work, I went to the drying room, lay down to take a nap, I wanted to eat, but there was nothing to eat, and tomorrow I have to live another day.
Then I cooked some potatoes, ate them, and at 7:30 the «air alert» sound was heard.
This is the 223rd «air alert» according to the account.
Having quickly dressed, I went into the gap (*hideout) in the felt boots that I had received (men’s) for duty on the tower, oh, and how warm they were.
«Air alert» lasted 25 minutes and went smoothly.
The weather was very dangerous for the raid.
When the all clear was given by «air alert», we did not go to bed for a long time, we were in full readiness for the next raid, which was repeated after 5—15 minutes, every night.
The girls and I went to the territory and walked around territory for probably an hour.
The air was quiet, and intensified fighting was taking place in the direction of Shlisselburg.
Artillery fire illuminated the horizon.
After all the observations, I went to my room and went to bed at 9 o’clock.
From 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. I slept in felt boots, a coat, and a large scarf, then I took everything off, crawled under the blanket, and went to bed again, having first checked it in the air.
I lay there until 7 o’clock in the morning.
It’s been a long time since I had to sleep like that, completely all night.
If yesterday I fell asleep in all my uniform, then there is nothing surprising.
We forgot about the convenience of sleeping; you sleep in what you wear all day.
At night, artillery cannonade was heard in the direction of the Karelian Isthmus, they were beating like drums, I don’t know whether there was an offensive or the Germans drove into a wedge, we are people who are illiterate in military affairs.
The air was quiet, therefore it was possible to sleep.
13/X/1941
13/X. I got up at 7 o’clock in the morning and, of course, got a good night’s sleep.
To celebrate, I had breakfast and went to my dovecote to listen to the radio.
Fighting along the entire front, especially fierce in the Vyazemsky and Bryansk directions, after fierce battles our troops left the city of Bryansk.
Yes, things are not fun, but at the same time, my inner instinct tells me not to hang my head.
The surrender of Orel, Bryansk and others is not yet the fall of Soviet power.
We will win anyway.
We will survive everything, all the hardships and malnutrition.
Of course, it’s a pity, both for the cities and the population, but you are not guaranteed for yourself, but there is no time to whine and hang your head now, on the contrary, in response to everything, today I am on duty on the tower of the 7th floor.
I will go without any hesitation or fear, and will watch the air more seriously.
The weather is cloudy and dry, with snow falling at times; the weather is dangerous for flying, but we are not used to it.
The workshop has been mostly cleaned up, and recovery can begin.
With grief or joy, you need to continue the diary.
Today I received a letter from a friend, at that moment there was no such impulse as before, but then I was in a violent mood, I would crush everyone, knock everyone out, the bulk of the impulse went to Anya Romanova, the only for me thing missing was a mug of beer.
Eh, acquaintance, acquaintance, for some reason I thought that I had forgotten you, at least it seemed so to me.
But today, today everything in me speaks for you, my friend, and only for you, after that all the Adams fly upside down, with whom I sometimes chatted because I had nothing better to do.
I wrote to him again – I don’t know whether he will receive it or not.
If you were here, you would have had a great time, you and your watch would have flown again.
Well, okay, the past will not return again, and will not come back.
Embed №7. A poem from Borovikova A.N.
Well, that’s enough, POET, otherwise you’ll zaraportueschsya (*submit a lot of reports it).
Anya gives me no peace in my life.
Yesterday I told her several jokes, including five pounds of wool.
Today I reminded her of this joke, and what did I get, but what I got was that she kicked me out.
On my way I got Adam, so I had to complain to him.
And he walks like a rooster.
Today is my day on duty at the tower.
At 6 o’clock Ira Kurochkina and I went to the dining room, ate bean soup, with such an appetite that I almost vomited.
Even now, when I remember, it makes me sick.
I had to eat sugar, then potatoes, and then tea.
Oh, how disgusting.
It was probably this soup that gave me a headache.
But there was no time to get sick, at 6:30 the «air alert» signal sounded, I was in full combat readiness and ran to the tower.
Only my legs were difficult to bend in my felt boots, because I had to count 180 steps just going up.
I was in a very good mood, I hummed songs all day, evening, and night, to the sounds of enemy planes.
That’s what the news means, and he’s still alive and healthy – it’s worth something.
When I climbed the tower, a fire was already visible in the area of the Moskovsky railway station.
Looking closely, it seemed to me that the fire was somewhere close, near Borovaya.
After the alarm, I called Sasha (potatos groom (*potential a man whose could have been a husband)), he says, yes, the fire was behind the Anisimov Factory (*Factory named after P. Anisimov; aka: «New Paper Spinning Manufactory»; 60 Obvodny Canal embankment / 47 Borovaya Street), the stables were burning, and two more fires somewhere.
There were planes, I don’t know how many, in my opinion, they were in whole squadrons.
The approach was from the Volodarsky Bridge.
Only some will pass, others will come.
The floodlights were on full blast, but the weather became gloomy and it became dark towards the city center.
It is characteristic that when there was a strong fire near Borovaya, the enemy plane again began to lower incendiary bombs in the same place, drop lighters, and in other places, but they were quickly extinguished.
At 20:11 the all clear was given to «air alert».
I went to Headquarters, made the girls laugh, and told them a lot of jokes.
After all, I already noted that I was in a good mood.
I chatted on the phone with Anya Romanova, Adam, and I went to bed at Headquarters.
At 23:51 «air alert» again, I was already asleep.
Again I went to count 180 steps, the planes were already buzzing in the air, coming again from the Volodarsky Bridge.
Lighters were dropped again, in the Moscow and Leninsky districts.
By that time the moon had already come out to illuminate it, but on the horizon, towards the center, it was dark, and over time the whole city was covered with haze.
Visibility was no more than 100 meters, the moon illuminated everything.
My soul predicted a calm day, despite the deep night.
Sasha hummed songs all the time.
The alarm lasted 1:30, after lights out I went to Headquarters, chatted with the girls, counted the number of steps counted for «air alert», 720 in total.
I went to bed in the drying room, slept in my coat, dress and felt boots until 7 o’clock, then crawled under the blanket and fell asleep again.
Yes, that evening about 20 lighters fell on Borovaya, where I live, they say there was such a squabble, the women drag stole the underwear from the beds.
What frightened them most were the high explosive shells, about five of which were dropped nearby.
14/X/1941
14/X. Pokrov (*In the Christian religion – one of the holidays).
Got up at 5 o’clock in the morning.
The weather is amazing, the sun is shining brightly, not a cloud in the sky, but there is frost on the ground and a little cold.
While I was still sleeping, Anya Romanova comes and says that at 11 a new bomb fell, broke through the roof, two bars, and went into the ground.
Then I went to check it myself, but it turns out that an anti-aircraft shell fell and did not explode.
There were two «air alert» during the day – nearby, they passed quietly.
In the evening I ate oatmeal soup, spat on all four sides, and started knitting socks for the fighters.
The weather was cloudy, not suitable for flying, but still I often went outside, looking closely to see if something would happen or not, «air alert».
Everyone went to bed, but I had a task: knit socks, did it, and went to bed.
15/X/1941
15/X. I slept until 6 o’clock in the morning.
They say that our troops left the city of Mariupol.
The weather is cloudy – snow fell at night.
All night long artillery cannonade was heard in the direction of Rybatsky.
They say that the enemy is shelling Rybatskoye.
Today I am sending 10 people to defense work.
The day and night passed peacefully, «air alert» did not have.
It became noticeable to me that I began to look at my diary less.
Now I have no time, I’m intensively preparing gifts for the fighters.
These days I am also collecting funds for gifts for fighters.
The situation became serious, a new one appeared – the Kalinin direction of the front.
Today I was entrusted with unloading and transporting coal, and twice today Comrade Popov persuaded me to agree to work as the head of the pillow shop.
Oh, I don’t want to, I don’t like it.
It’s better to quickly restore my workshop and work at home, where I’m used to.
Well, okay, when I finish the gifts to the fighters, then it will be clear that there is no time now.
16/X/1941
16/X. Thursday should be a day off, but now there is no time.
I got up at 7 o’clock in the morning, because there are workers on the brevenka, and without a pogonyalka (*Ushakov’s Explanatory Dictionary: pogonyalka – is something that is used to customize someone (whip, rod, twig)), they are not will works.
The weather is dry, but the sky is gray, today I am on duty at the Headquarters – I don’t know how the day will pass, but now it’s time to knit and cut linen, there is no time to sign, you know that you can become obsessed with needlework, and even all for fighters.
The day passed frantically, I spent the whole day cutting, and in total I cut 20 pairs, my hands hurt from the scissors.
Morning message: fighting along the entire front.
Particularly fierce in the Western direction.
The devil is rushing to Moscow, and basta (*Semenov’s Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language: The word «basta» originally appeared in Russian as a noun – a term for a card game (ombre), popular at the court of Catherine II. Then the word «basta» was the name of the ace of clubs. As a colloquial exclamation with the meaning «enough! Enough!» the word «basta» has been used since the beginning of the 19th century).
But I don’t lose heart, although it seems the long-range guns is striking again.
During the day there was «air alert», it passed calmly.
The day is always cloudy, I don’t know what will happen at night.
Distracted mood (*Efremova’s Explanatory Dictionary: an evaluative description of someone’s state as inattentive, unfocused).
This is how the days pass now, you do nothing, and you don’t run around doing nothing, and by the evening you’re tired as hell.
There’s no time to even write down a diary properly.
I’m sitting here writing, and somewhere shells are exploding very close.
It’s already dark, time to go to bed for the overnight stay.
At 19:21 «air alert», I immediately ran to Headquarters, the alarm lasted 1 hour.
Somewhere, the bastard, again dropped several high-explosive and incendiary bombs.
I didn’t go home, but sat in the Headquarters and knitted socks.
At 0:29 again «air alert», the raid was large, since there was more than one approach from the Volodarsky Bridge, and towards the city center, where several high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped.
The Moscow district was particularly affected.
After everything I went to bed.
The night was dark, «Ne vidno ne zgi» (*«Not visible not «zgi»» – about absolute darkness).
Walking into a dark night, you involuntarily look at your workshop and think, how there is a light masking, if there is light in the transmission compartment, but you instantly remember, because there is no workshop, only the name remains.
Arriving at our place, Adam and I talked for a long time on the street.
Suddenly, we heard anti-aircraft guns in the area of the 5th G.E.S., and we could hear the hum of an engine somewhere in the distance, and it was approaching us.
At this time the night was already starry, I immediately ran to Schtab (*Headquarters).
Having reached the dryer, I hear the «air alert» signal, and the plane is already above us.
«Air alert» lasted 47 minutes, after taking a nap for an hour, I went to my room and fell soundly asleep.
Two points need to be noted:
1) At night, to the right of the airfield, flares were fired.
A bright flash of flame (instantaneous), and then the light spread far across the horizon.
This happened 3—4 times, just at that time Adam and I were standing on the street.
2) During the last air alarm, I really wanted to sleep, my eyes were literally drooping.
So, throwing my head back, without taking my ear off the phone, I closed my eyes and involuntarily fell asleep.
Suddenly, I hear Popov’s voice from the tower: «Headquarters, Headquarters, Headquarters!»
I am silent, and I think where and where from this voice is coming from, then I immediately came to my senses, because they are shouting to me, because I am on duty.
That, it turns out, is how exhausted you get during the day, and sleepless nights.
17/X/1941
I7/X. I got up at 7:30 in the morning, I probably would have slept some more, since I went to bed at 4 o’clock, but suddenly I heard the «air alert» signal, I had to run to Headquarters, since my duty at Headquarters had not ended.
Of course, I slept in full harness, one foot was frozen, it turns out that when turning from side to side, one of my felt boots came off (since they are very small).
So every day, episode after episode.
Of course, I don’t write down everything, but according to my mood and time.
Something awaits me ahead.
After all, sometimes you think, because the workshop is not working, I don’t have people in the workshop, what kind of boss are you the over 28 people?
All that remains is to knit your socks and gloves and go to where they are beating the fascist reptile point-blank.
I put notes in every pair of socks or gloves.
It’s already dark, but we need to write down about today.
The day passed frantically, despite the fact that there were 10 people working, I didn’t even have time to have lunch, I was again busy cutting sewing and knitting socks.
Then I was engaged in the delivery of coal to the Factory, because now coal is king.
The day was cloudy, but warm, the artillery cannonade did not stop all day, the shells landed close behind Palevsky.
Morning message: fighting along the entire front, especially fierce on the Western front.
The bastard is heading towards Moscow.
Big losses on both sides.
What a night it will be.
Yes, the night was clear, starry, and warm, but at 19:15 the «air alert» signal was heard.
In total they disturbed me 4 times during the night.
Frankly speaking, we are now accustomed to this, and we think, it doesn’t matter, if you live, that live, if you die, that you die.
There weren’t many people sitting in the crack (*hideout) yesterday.
We couldn’t hear any planes above us; they love the Moscow, Leninsky, and other areas of the city, where again many high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped.
But the worst thing is now, artillery cannonade is heard like drums.
Yes, something has become very close, illegal languages are spoken, the German is rushing in a straight line, only a kilometer from Leningrad, but I think that I will survive, and will survive everything.
How it all ends is interesting.
After all, 236 «air alert» have already been experienced.
And of these, how many nights are «air alert», therefore, how many sleepless nights, but how many are still ahead.
Yes, frankly speaking, you don’t even consider sleep yourself.
If you sleep, it’s good, if you don’t sleep, what, what can you do, war and the front.
Sometimes you walk around in a kind of fog during the day.
Is Leningrad really expecting even more troubles and worries?
To conclude today, I will give you a clipping from the Leningradskaya Pravda newspaper:
Insert №30. Article «On the island of Ezel».
18/X/1941
18/X. It’s 10 o’clock in the morning, I’m sitting and writing this diary, and artillery cannonade is heard very close, as if on Palevsky.
I got up at 8:45 today, drank some tea, went to my room, and one thing, then another, and so the day passed.
Information Bureau: fighting along the entire front.
In the western direction, our troops pushed back the enemy.
And they talked a lot about the evacuation of troops from Odessa.
For us, Leningraders, who have experienced so much, this message is a great sadness.
Amazingly, the night passed peacefully.
The sky was dim – there were clouds hanging over.
In the evening it snowed, the night was dark, you couldn’t see anything.
Not very far away, artillery cannonade could be heard, shots rang out so loudly that the walls shook.
Sometimes with breaks, and sometimes continuously, like a drumbeat.
But we got used to all the knocking.
Our room is warm and light.
After the shower I worked on knitting socks and stockings.
During the evening I knitted mittens for an unknown warrior, I think it’s getting cold, we need to warm up the soldiers and commanders as soon as possible so that their feet would not freeze, and their hands would warm in mittens, so that they would beat the hated enemy harder.
19/X/1941
19/X. I got up at 8 o’clock in the morning, at night it blew out in our cabinet, since the windows were plywood without glass, and the wind was moving around the room.
Dressed warmer, I continued to sleep.
Information Bureau: fighting along the entire front, especially fierce in the Western direction.
The weather is cloudy, but not very cold, or because I am dressed warmly, in felt boots and a winter coat.
Today from 9 am until tomorrow 9 am I am on duty at Headquarters, on the tower.
Somehow it will pass – I don’t know.
Although the weather is not good for flying, when I’m on duty, the damned Adolf likes to bother me how it starts up – intermittently for 6 hours, almost all night, and buzzes in the air, getting on my nerves.
By evening the weather began to clear up.
A military exercise was scheduled at 2:30, but did not take place because few people had gathered.
Yes, the weather is confusing, we are lucky when Popov and I are on duty.
But our fears were in vain.
By evening, the entire sky was clouded, and at night it was dark, dark, but very cold in our cabinet, and we sat at the electric stove for up to 12 hours.
Yesterday I knitted 5 gloves.
The artillery fire does not stop.
20/X/1941
20/X. The nesting dolls got enough sleep today and got up at 7 o’clock in the morning.
The weather today is cloudy, nature itself is protecting Leningrad, it’s high time.
Today the day also passed calmly, but frantically, there was not even time to write down a diary.
I knitted hard, and then I washed all the socks and mittens, how cute they became.
A kilogram of such wool, enough for a blouse, would be enough.
But I’ll try, maybe something will come of it.
At 5 o’clock they gave the «air alert» signal, which lasted more than an hour.
Although the weather was cloudy, the bastards did something bad again; they say they dropped several incendiary bombs on Okhta again.
During «air alert» We were sitting in a gap (*hideout), fragments from anti-aircraft guns were constantly buzzing in the air, falling down, very close to us.
The night passed calmly – it was warm and cloudy, but the artillery cannonade did not stop at all ends of the horizon.
Going out to check the weather, I chatted with Adam again.
The night passed peacefully, and our Sasha slept again.
21/X/1941
21/X. I got up at 7 o’clock in the morning, I didn’t listen to the Information Bureau, there was no radio.
I took a shower in the morning and went to the dovecote to prepare our mittens for the soldiers.
It was already 10 o’clock in the morning, I was still collecting mittens and socks, because put a paper with a note in each pair about who knitted them.
In particular, the large socks turned out very well, I don’t know who they will get to, I send them with this feeling – I don’t know who they will get to.
And if they get to a friend, that would be a good thing.
The day passed calmly, the weather was cloudy and drizzling rain.
By nightfall there was even fog.
This is all for the better for us – rest and sleep will be normal.
Today Golubev promised me wool for a blouse.
I knitted mittens the evening before and went to bed at 11 o’clock.
22/X/1941
22/X. Today marks 4 months since the treacherous enemy vilely, thievely attacked our country, disrupting our peaceful and happy life.
How good it was to live, I remember now, before wartime, it seems only a dream sleep.
But let’s hope for the future that we will live well again.
I got up at 7 o’clock in the morning and slept well.
The weather is cloudy, drizzling rain, I don’t know how the day will go.
Today I am on duty at the Headquarters.
I was knitting until 9 o’clock, and now I need to go to the territory and prepare for the «dispatch meeting».
Tomorrow is a day off, and I haven’t been home for a long time, and I’m unaccustomed to it, and I don’t want to ride, except to change my underwear, that’s all.
There was nothing left to cook at home (no desire).
The day passed, evening came.
The weather is still cloudy, which will happen at night.
Only at 16 o’clock there was a strong artillery cannonade, the whistling of shells could be heard.
Today I prepared two couple socks and mittens.
I gave one couple of the socks to Popov, he was very pleased, but they were real ones, down ones, and they turned out the best, I tried them on for myself, but they came out too big, so I gave them to him.
Tomorrow is a day off, but given that I am on duty until 9 am, I was knitting socks.
I probably won’t go home.
I slept well – there were no air alert.
I fell asleep at 0:30, knitting everything.
23/X/1941
23/X. Thursday, got up at 7 am.
The weather is cloudy.
I sat in my office all day, not showing myself, otherwise I wouldn’t have been allowed to rest.
I knitted two pairs of socks and a mitten in one day.
I took another 3 kg wool
The evening and night passed peacefully.
Petya came and sat with me for a long time, oh, and he is a narrow-minded person, has he really not seen life yet?
24/X/1941
24/X. Got up at 7 am.
The weather is cloudy, which is good.
But by lunchtime the weather cleared up and the sun was shining.
In the evening it became cloudy again, but at about 12 o’clock stars began to appear in the sky, but I went to bed.
I think it’s too late, and there won’t be any more raids.
The artillery hit hard, especially from the Finland Bridge, probably from an armored car.
In the afternoon I received a letter from the «M.K. Russkih» and an acquaintance – two of my favorites, and immediately gave them an answer.
25/X/1941
25/X. Got up at 6 am.
The battles in the Taganrog and Makeevsky directions, and in the Mozhaisk and Maloyaroslavsky directions, German attacks were repulsed, with heavy losses for them.
The day and night passed peacefully, I even washed myself in the shower and went to bed at 2 am.
Artillery cannonade was heard, and I thought it was a bombing.
I chatted with Adam for a long time, he handed me a magnifying glass.
He’s an eccentric guy, and you can chat with him.
He reported that V.V. Slesarev was killed, 04/X.
26/X/1941
26/X. I got up at 7 am and started cutting clothes on gifts for the Red Army soldiers.
Then I knitted, then I washed, etc., and so the day passed.
Oh, how tired I am today, my back hurts so much.
I’m sitting, writing a diary, and at 17:30 songs are broadcast on the radio.
The song of the Bohunsky Regiment (*Performed by the song and dance ensemble of A.V. Alexandrov), and the cats are scratching at my soul, something is so boring, even if Adam came to me, from have nothing to do to chat, but I’d rather go there.
The evening and night passed quietly, I sat and knitted for a long time.
27/X/1941
27/X. I got up at 7 o’clock in the morning and immediately went to my room.
Our troops left the city of Stalin (*Now: Donetsk).
I’m sitting here, writing, and I’m very nervous, I don’t know why, but I’m in a bad mood.
Or for the city of Stalin, or for anything else.
The weather is damp, snow has fallen in my cabinet, so I’m nervous about everything taken together.
Yes, if I were still in a good mood, God knows how life turns out, it’s empty there and empty elsewhere.
From what have fun?
28/X/1941
28/X. 6 pm, dark, but the day was so busy that there was no time to write a diary.
I knitted, ironed, etc. all day, in general, there was no time.
The weather is snowy, so I wore felt boots.
I think the night will pass peacefully.
In the evening there was a snowstorm, I had just come to the drying room and sat down to knit, suddenly there was a signal «air alert».
Somehow I can’t even believe it – in this weather.
The alarm lasted 1 hour 17, it was very restless, many high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped.
Bomb explosions were heard somewhere nearby, it turns out, on Smolensky Avenue 24 and 26.
Then there was a strong fire at the Woodworking Factory, on the right bank.
The glow was huge, so that our entire territory was illuminated, but it was quickly extinguished.
After lights out, I went to my room and started knitting.
At about 10 pm we heard shell explosions, when we went out into the street, we could see flashes from guns, it turns out our artillery was working.
In the evening, Sokolov informed me that I had been appointed to the delegation to the front.
Oh, how happy I am, I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time, let’s see what fate offers.
29/X/1941
29/X. I slept peacefully that night.
I listened to the Information Bureau, but didn’t understand anything; they didn’t say anything about the Leningrad Front.
To get to a friend when I go to the front.
Today we could hear shooting on the front lines, small guns, including machine guns.
At 17:55 ET, several incendiary bombs were dropped.
At 20:15 «air alert», lighters were also dropped, the land mines were not heard, but the barrage of fire from the anti-aircraft guns on the planes beat like a drum.
After all this there was strong artillery fire, but we went to sleep, which we, Leningraders, are accustomed to everything.
At Popov still managed beg for it two packs of «Northern Palmyra» cigarettes (*The packages depicted the silhouettes of the Spit of Vasilievsky Island of Leningrad, a fragment of the Rostral Column, and the Exchange building, as well as the Neva River, and a steamship).
30/X/1941
30/X. It’s a day off, but I’m at the Factory and don’t have time to go home.
I haven’t heard the information bureau, but they say that our troops have left the city of Kharkov.
The weather is cold, snow has fallen, but the sky is gray, I don’t know how the day will go.
Today I am again busy preparing gifts for the soldiers.
I sewed 9 kiset (*a pouches) and embroidered several pieces.
I gave Popov gloves.
The evening and day passed quietly.
31/X/1941
3I/X. Back at work early in the morning.
I continue with the kiset (*a pouches).
Things are going well, I have cut out 25 kiset (*a pouches).
I didn’t listen to the Information Bureau attentively, I just listened to the Tula direction.
Bastard it, it’s rushing along the southern sector of the front.
The day passed again in work, all day I sewed, knitted, washed, etc.
I sewed 52 kiset (*a pouches) and sat there for up to 3 hours. nights.
In addition to this, at 23:00 they gave «air alert», which lasted up to 24 hours, I had to sit in the gap (*hideout).
Well, it should be noted that Adam, the guy is going crazy, and even dared to propose yesterday, and not in some roundabout way, but directly, reasonably, what an eccentric guy.
Chapter 6. November 1941
1/XI/1941
1/XI. Got up at 7 o’clock morning, my head is cracking, I haven’t gotten enough sleep, and there’s more than enough work to do.
I need way go tomorrow, but I still have a lot of work to do.
I really want to eat, but my Matryoshka is not there, and she has the keys to the closet.
The weather is warm, but snow has already fallen.
I spent the whole day fiddling with letters.
In the evening I was at the Party District Committee, at a meeting of delegates, where they gave instructions on how to behave at the front.
The meeting was very good, there was a kind of elevated, excited mood.
I wonder how, I’ll be happy with the trip.
At night there were 2 «air alert», they passed quietly.
2/XI/1941
2/XI. I got up at 8 o’clock in the morning and decided to get some sleep, because maybe I wouldn’t have to sleep soon.
I ate well today, drank cocoa and one chocolate bar.
Now I’ve started knitting, maybe I’ll still have time to take an extra pair with me.
I’ve been knitting all day, there’s been a hurricane of battle all day, the air isn’t entirely calm either, but there’s no time to listen, and besides, this is because I’m going to the front.
In the evening I knitted some mittens and then went out to check what the weather was like.
The sky is clear and the moon is shining, a little frost, the most pleasant weather for peacetime.
At one o’clock in the morning I went to bed.
3/XI/1941
3/XI. Got up at 7 o’clock morning.
After breakfast, I went to my dovecote to prepare gifts again.
Yes, it’s interesting how the soldiers and commanders will somehow meet us at the front, whether they will be pleased or not – I don’t know.
In general, I’m in high spirits now.
Although we were warned at the meeting that even if there is a little cowardice, it is better not to go, but I am burning with a passionate desire to go.
Does it really matter, to live, to live like this, to die, to die like this, but at least to die there, not in the outskirts, as a coward, but it is better to die on the advanced, and brave.
Yes, there is 1 day left, and there is still a lot of work, at the same time I need to write letters home and to a friend.
I need give a note to the newspaper, I need to cut some linen, etc.
The day passed calmly.
In the evening there were 2 «air alert», we went through calmly.
I gave Adam socks, let him remember.
4/XI/1941
4/XI. I got up at 7:30 in the morning, additional preparations, and now, 9:30 in the morning, I’m waiting for the team when we’ll leave.
I dressed very warmly, I don’t know how I’ll manage with my knapsacks.
Here’s the merchant.
The command was given: at 12 o’clock leave, i.e. to be in the District Committee of the Party.
I’m in very high spirits, I want to go, because… I was already getting ready, well, what will happen, «pan ili propal» (*pan or gone – it about the need for a choice that can lead either to significant success or to very serious troubles)
I’ll go and see what happens.
I’m putting an point to this, let’s go.
We went to the District Committee at 12, but stayed until 3 am.
It took a very long time to assemble the Economizer (*Leningrad State Machine-Building Plant «Economizer» (LZE), since 1939 – Leningrad Iron Foundry, Mechanical and Pipe Plant «Economizer») with the machine.
We got there well, to the Army Headquarters.
We was let’s go to the Karelian Isthmus.
We were traveling by two delegations, from the Telman Plant and Economizer.
The impression of the trip is the best, for the first time, and will be imprinted for the rest of my life.
The main thing is that I don’t feel that the front is close.
At Army Headquarters we had a substantial snack, a sandwich with butter and cheese, and held a meeting with us.
The senior political instructor of the Army Headquarters distributed us to our destinations.
Our delegation went 15 km from the Army Headquarters, to the fortified Headquarters area, where we were met very, very well.
The place is reminiscent of Siverskaya, a holiday home.
When we entered the dugout (*earthen shelter), it was something amazing.
Steam heating, electric lighting, the room is covered with oil paint, there is a red corner, and a installation for cinema (*a movie machine for reel of film with cinema).
Here, the silence in the air, in general, the best impression that cannot be expressed in words.
After dinner – pasta, milk, tea with round bread, we went to Headquarters.
The major general and the regiment commissar had a conversation with us.
We got acquainted with the purpose of our visit and gave instructions for our work at the front.
They assured us that the enemy would not be allowed in any further.
Leningrad, for our part, let him be calm, here the border is closed from the enemy, and closed with a strong lock.
It inspired us all, us, and this warm welcome.
Then, until 2 o’clock in the morning, we sorted the gifts into brigade, and at 2 o’clock we went to bed in the dugout.
The impression of the first day is amazing.
5/XI/1941
5/XI. I got up at 9 am – because I’m visiting.
We was let’s go have breakfast with buckwheat porridge and milk.
The dining room is clean and tidy, white oilcloths, flowers on the tables.
There is silence all around, although it is 4 km from the front.
In Leningrad for us are more restless.
Well, now we need to get ready for our further journey, pack our things.
The command is preparing for the holiday.
The walls and ceiling are being whitewashed.
After drinking tea, we began to pack our things.
We divided into 7 plot.
I went to the furthest one, from Headquarters – closer to the front.
I went with one guy from the Volodarsky Trumppark.
They brought gifts to Commissar Gorteshin:
1. Sets 35 pcs.
2. 9 pairs of gloves
3. Scarf 1 pc.
4. Papers 14 packs.
5. Envelopes 5 pack.
6. Cologne 10 bottles
7. Pencils 50 pcs.
8. Felt boots 2 pairs
9. Cigarettes 20 packs.
Etc., and so on.
First of all, Aleshin left, a site close to Viktorov.
The Command Headquarters then asked to bring «podvopotnichkov» (*a collar guards – a narrow strip of white fabric that is sewn for hygienic purposes on the back of the standing collar of a tunic, cotton and woolen jacket of a uniform and fits around the neck), because… they are valuable to fighters and commanders.
The command very much praises the fighters, their fighting spirit, and says that there are very few casualties on our side, which is good.
We left at 3 o’clock in the afternoon for the Pul’bat Headquarters (*Separate Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion), we had to take a roundabout route, it was 50 km.
It’s boring because… we didn’t have lunch.
We were greeted just as friendly at this Headquarters.
The commissioner greeted us like old acquaintances, almost hugging them.
In the evening, at about 9 o’clock, we had a hearty dinner, and then the command staff gathered and talked until 1 am, somehow quickly getting to know everyone.
Commissioner Gorteshin (*Further illegible) where dedicated.
Then they brought a button accordion and made us laugh.
After everything, the commissioner took me to bed with the telephone operators, where he and I sat until 3 o’clock in the morning, talking about all sorts of topics.
The mood of the front-line command is cheerful.
They were located 1.5 – 1.8 km from the front, they lived in dugouts, quiet, dry, light, and clean, such structures that at first you would get lost without a guide.
You walk as if along prospect’s.
I fell asleep instantly.
6/XI/1941
6/XI. I got up at 9 am, slept thoroughly, and also had a thorough breakfast of Ukrainian lard.
Oh, are food as holiday.
I’m sitting with the doctor now, decorating the portrait of Comrade Stalin.
In general, I feel at home.
I’m very pleased with the trip.
We got acquainted with what they have in their arsenal.
And how warmly the soldiers spoke to us.
After all, these are mostly Leningraders.
The fighters are all dressed cleanly, everyone has a clean collar
We spent the day in the dugout at Headquarters.
We had a hearty dinner, and in the evening we gathered again – the commissar, political instructor Smirnov, and others.
In the evening we went to the rear to the concert for the second session.
Leningrad artists came.
If you tell it at home, many Leningraders won’t believe it and will be jealous.
Not everyone probably attended the concerts.
But the mood is such that I would gladly stay here if only I could do some good.
I had dinner and went to bed.
7/XI/1941
7/XI. The holiday (*24th anniversary of the October Revolution, in honor of this a Parade was held in Moscow on Red Square) is the first holiday in a war situation, and even at the front, on the front line.
I slept until 9 o’clock, suddenly they called and invited me to breakfast, in one company of soldiers, i.e. to a caucus, and to visit – this is my dream, to be at the battlefield.
At night there was a small firefight, as ours were conducting a small offensive.
Now we’ll have breakfast at Headquarters and go to visit the company of soldiers.
In the afternoon, at about 11 o’clock, we went to the company of soldiers, we had just arrived during the meeting.
They greeted us very warmly and friendly, well, what can you do, the majority are Leningraders, and they greeted us as if they were their own family.
It was 100—150 meters from the front line, the one who runs over in battle could be seen with the naked eye, and with binoculars, just before your eyes.
On the way there were two wounded soldiers, one with a wounded arm, and the other with a bandaged head, going to the Field Hospital.
To the right you could hear and see mine explosions 15—30 meters away.
The right flank was under fire.
Then we went to another house, where the junior political instructor greeted us very friendly.
Then we went to the field kitchen to have lunch, such a fatty and delicious lunch that you could eat such a lunch once a day and you would be full.
I will never forget this lunch.
Then we rode horses to Headquarters.
We went to look at the Finns through the periscope, but the weather was snowy and nothing was visible.
Then we went to the commandant’s office and talked for more than two hours, then we went at the chemists are specialists, so the whole evening we passed through the dugouts, we were invited everywhere, there was a warm, good meeting everywhere.
The telephone operators were offended that we didn’t come to them, but we didn’t have enough time.
Today I personally gave Tarasova gloves, and the second ones – to Smirnov.
At about 5 o’clock we were again dragged to the dining room.
At first we didn’t go, but the doctor said that the cook was offended, so we had to go.
In the evening I wrote a farewell letter with the following content:
Soldiers, commanders and political workers!
Comrades, fighters, commanders and political workers!
Leaving you, allow me to convey farewell greetings and a lot of best wishes for your front-line and personal life, from the bottom of my heart.
We sincerely thank you for your warm welcome.
We felt like we were in your own family, like old acquaintances who had known each other for several years.
Comrade soldiers, commanders, and political workers, the purpose of our visit is clear to you.
This is the connection, between the military rear, and the front.
Although in the current situation, Leningrad cannot be called the rear.
You yourself often see, in the direction of the city, the explosions of shells from anti-aircraft guns, and then the glow of fires.
We did not hide this, even in our conversation with you.
The enemy is attacking Leningrad from the air, firing long-range fire, but the residents of the city of Lenin, workers, office workers, and ITR (*Engineering and technical workers – they were allocated in the USSR to a separate category of specialists, abbreviated in ITR), this is a single monolithic family, are already accustomed to everything.
The rally of Leningraders is increasing every day.
The unanimous opinion of the residents of Leningrad is to smash the enemy where he appears, to destroy him at every step.
When leaving here, the staff of the Volodarsky district asked you to convey ardent greetings, and stated that we would do everything for the front, despite the temporary difficulties created, and asked to call on you to repel the enemy.
Leningraders are now confident that the enemy will not see the city of Lenin, but this confidence is in your hands, together with us.
So be persistent, fearless, and vigilant, master the knowledge of a Red Army soldier, and Leningraders will support you.
We ask you to write to us about your requests to us, we will answer with great pleasure.
Insert №32. Note «Loved Ones and Relatives!».
Insert №33. Note «All the forces of the people are to defeat the enemy».
After this we exchanged addresses:
Leningrad region.
P/o Vartemägi
P.O. box 80/66
Toropov AA
Chershenin
Kosyrev
Smirnov
The following sheets of paper were included in each gift:
Insert №34. Note «From the workers of the Volodarsky district».
8/XI/1941
8/XI. Got up at 9 o’clock morning, had breakfast, and soon they gave us a van with artists, and we went with them.
All the Headquarters commanders came out to see us off, this is our own family, a close family to which we have become accustomed these days.
This is our dear, close family.
On the way we ran out of fuel.
We stood for about 35 minutes, then they carried fuel on our shoulders, and we set off.
We drove the straight route, along the front line; we could hear mine explosions nearby, but we arrived calmly.
Then we got lost with our guides and accidentally found our other delegation.
Then we went straight to Army Headquarters, having previously had lunch in the camp canteen.
A farewell conversation was held at Army Headquarters. The Colonel General is a rather nice person.
Then we had dinner, went to Leningrad, and at 8:30 I was already at the Factory.
This trip impressed me for the rest of my life and I took it as the best encourage.
There was a great desire to visit more soldiers, and the command also invited us, since these trips and meetings with the delegation raise the morale of the soldiers and commanders.
Thank you, comrade soldiers and commanders, for the warm meeting and warm welcome.
After this, I will work even more for the front, and better, wherever necessary, regardless of anything, neither sleep nor food.
At 11 o’clock in the evening I went to the director, talked with him, and he treated me to a bottle of festive beer.
Then I went to my room, took a shower, then chatted with Adam, and at 3 o’clock I went to bed, it was warm.
It’s interesting, when I was driving home, through Leningrad, it was dark, damp, empty all around, perhaps where you would see firefighters with their sleeves loose.
This bastard, Hitler, again created fires in the city.
When I was driving near the Moskovsky station, I thought about staying overnight on Borovaya, but then I thought, maybe there’s no living home anymore, it’s better to go to the Factory, and there, somewhere, there’s somewhere to stick in and warm up, since I’m very cold.
This is how my November holiday of 1941 passed.
9/XI/1941
9/XI. So my working day begins.
At 7 o’clock «Iv. Anakin» is already calling me in the morning, I wish that the devil long-legged him took it away, too main engineer – chicken boiled in water, he missed the accident, 60 cubic meters of wood were carried away.
They slammed (*overlook), well, they couldn’t secure it, damn them.
I went to the control room, a military man met me and asked for «churki» (*Wood stumps, logs).
I don’t know why, but he wanted to let go of the «churki».
Then I had an unpleasant home-cooked lunch, received the money, and put my diary in order.
The time is already 14:30, the day is passing.
The weather is cloudy, I don’t know what will happen in the evening.
During my absence there were 14 alarms, the devil gives no rest, and they say that the city was shelled again.
I need to write letters to my acquaintance and Toropov today.
In the evening I received a letter from a friend, it’s good that I didn’t send mine, this letter otherwise it was touchy.
Then I started tangling the threads (*Tweezing the yarn, twisting the threads) with Adam.
Something is unlucky, I don’t like him, he swears very obscenely, well, to hell with him, the guy.
10/XI/1941
10/XI. I got up at 7:30 in the morning and began to return to normal life.
I walking of the entire territory and found jobs for the workers.
The workers are really asking me to tell them about my trip.
At the control room I was a little nervous, because of the orders of our Directors, they were sitting, damn it, their pants were already shining from the seat, and the switchman always was to blame (*that’s what they say when directors do nothing, all day long, but if something will happen, then ordinary workers are put to blame, i.e. there is no use from directors)
Damn it, they will give the firewood to anyone – the father-in-law or the dishwasher, but not to their workers.
Yesterday they even gave me a reprimand about why I gave the firewood to Shamshev.
Well, okay, someday I’ll take them on, oh, and they’ll get it, I’ll strip them naked, and whip them.
During the day I was nervous about the workers, because without a signal they ran into a shelter, into a boiler (*Dryer), for which I left them, like schoolchildren, after school.
Let them be «poizvedutsya» (*Ozhegov’s Explanatory Dictionary: to be produced – to be produced; to be worked out).
I was also angry with the military man, the devil deceived me, oh well, for this I will also revenge him so that he will be there for a long time spend the whole day in my Factory.
It’s not easy to fool me.
I sent a letter to an acquaintance and Toropov, so they will laugh at Headquarters at my letter.
During the day I was very nervous, because of the deaf man, damn him, he pretend like a fool.
I also argue with Adam all the time.
11/XI/1941
11/XI. I got up at 7:30, and was already nervous in the morning, as they reported that Nina Volkova had been lying without a coffin for three days.
We came to the Factory and nothing was done here.
The human worked for 11 years, and now he has earned, they are will provide better for his father-in-law.
Yes, management with this «Iv. Anakin» – he values only his belly and the screen (*curtain) in the dining room.
I’m already in the mood to express everything openly.
The day went so-so, the only bad thing is that they are moving us to the Fabupravlenie (*Factory Administration), they want to turn off the forestry and drying plant from the steam.
In the evening I was at a meeting of front delegates.
I learned a lot more.
It was a good meeting; there were representatives from the City Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, as well as from the political department of the Northern Front.
Tomorrow we will provide information about the trip to the front at a general factory meeting.
I really want to go to the front again on Constitution Day (*Constitution of the USSR of 1936. Until 1977, December 5 was celebrated as an official state holiday: Constitution Day).
Somehow I became fearless and indifferent to life.
This, in my opinion, is noticeable in my diary.
If from the first days in this diary I wrote down the slightest details of explosions, anti-aircraft guns, etc., now this is not the case.
Now the anti-aircraft guns are hitting much more, making continuous fire.
Artillery is firing all around, for a long time, and so that the glass is shaking.
There are flashes all over the horizon at night, illuminated by a glow, I don’t write this down, because you already consider all this natural.
I think that this is all as it should be.
Still, the bastard, Golubev, ate 10 kg of meat, he is a little ashamed, for this he spins around like a thief.
12/XI/1941
12/XI. I got up at 7:30, slept with Lena together, since yesterday the trams did not run due to damage to the network from shelling.
Yesterday – soup began to be issue only on ration cards.
Yes, case are becoming unimportant.
I would like to at least, as they say, go to the front and personally destroy the fascists.
In the evening I held an open meeting and went home.
I refreshed myself a little, even had a small drink with Lenka, and went to bed.
I don’t know how long «air alert» was there, but I went to bed, since there was nowhere to run from the first floor, but around 2 am the shelling of the area, including Borovaya, began.
The shells landed somewhere nearby, and so that our house and my basement kennel shook, but I never came out.
If they kill, that means they will kill, who cares?
For some reason I don’t believe in fate, if it’s fate, you can’t run away from death.
13/XI/1941
13/ X I. I got up at 10 a.m. and quickly jumped out of bed because a shell landed somewhere very close, so much so that glass fell down.
One shell hit a nearby house.
Lenka and I went to the store, but didn’t have to buy anything.
From 13/XI they give 300 grams of bread.
So the day passed, boring, boring.
In the evening, «air alert» started again, but I was asleep, I didn’t even get out of bed.
14/XI/1941
14/XI. Got up at 5:30 a.m., with the «air alert» signal.
Then I went to the Factory and barely got there.
It’s freezing – there are a lot of people on the tram.
Today we are living at a housewarming party.
The new apartment is very restless, everyone is walking and walking, I don’t know what kind of people they are, they don’t give any peace.
There was a meeting in the evening and it was very active.
I started knitting a sweater for Popov.
In the evening there were again several «air alert», but I was sleeping, they say, and at night there were «air alert», but I didn’t hear anything.
15/XI/1941
15/XI. In the morning, workers began walking around, partly on vacation, to mark cards.
We are sitting at 300 gram, but the mood is cheerful.
For some reason you expect the best, and soon.
The day passed restlessly.
The devil knows what’s wrong with him, he flies and flies, but for now it’s calm here.
16/XI/1941
16/XI. Sunday, in the morning I slept thoroughly.
The day went so-so.
Today I was on duty at the tower, they disturbed me 3 times during the day.
Before I have time to go down, «air alert» again.
In the evening I tried horse meat and ate it with great appetite.
Afterwards, however, it was unpleasant, well, nothing can be done.
For some reason, Lenka was summoned to the NKVD (*People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs), I don’t know, well, okay, it’s time to knit, otherwise they will soon start bothering us again.
I sat until one in the morning, in the evening there were two air alarms, the second one was very restless.
Bastard, he made 5 waves, and by the end of the wave the entire horizon was illuminated.
During «air alert» the artillery hit hard.
During the day, climbing the tower, my legs will give out, it’s good that Nyura Romanova fed her horse meat.
It’s interesting, you go up to the third floor, and then you can barely drag your feet up the stairs.
Well, okay, duty remains duty, I returned to my base and got some sleep.
17/XI/1941
17/XI. I got up at 8:30 and woke up after listening to the bulletin.
The reports haven’t been bad lately.
The bastards Nazi, freezing, climbed into the ladies’ warm scarves.
Yes, when I was on duty at the tower yesterday, I remembered one moment: once a month ago, standing here on the tower, there were 7 fires, the entire suburb was burning.
My legs refuse to walk, I try to sit more, but sitting also hurts.
Frankly speaking, it is very difficult to walk up the stairs.
In the evening I ate horse meat again, well, and I felt okay.
In the evening there was «air alert» again, there was a continuous barrage of fire, but we sat in the room and knitted a sweater.
The bastard, dropped two pieces of high explosive bombs somewhere.
Every day I still want to sleep, and today especially.
It turns out that as soon as I come to the housewarming party, I immediately want to sleep, so without thinking twice, I walk around the territory and go up to my place, and at the same time, continue other work.
I don’t know what will come of these works.
18/XI/1941
18/XI. I slept so much today that I didn’t hear anything, they tell me that there were «air alert» at night.
Anti-aircraft guns and long-range guns were firing, but I didn’t hear anything until Musya Blinova woke me up at 7 o’clock.
There are fewer and fewer people every day, and fewer remain; only alone loafers, from the team.
A day has passed, the century has decreased, and death is closer (*Phraseologism).
During the day it was calm, but in the evening there were 3 «air alert», one after another, but now, after everything, we have settled down so well, and we are sitting at home, not taking refuge anywhere.
Today I received a letter from a stranger, Sergei Ivanovich Belyaev, thanking me for the gloves.
Today I answer him, well, I wrote a big, big letter as if I were an acquaintance, let him read it, it’s a pity, or something, the paper will hold up.
Or maybe the guy is nothing.
Today Popov said that they would give me another drying shop.
There’s nothing to do anyway, at least go again and quickly visit the soldiers and bring gifts.
Okay, Sasha, it’s already 10:30 pm.
Here is the second letter from Sergei Belyaev, and I lost the first letter with the move.
Insert №35. «Letter dated 22/XI/41».
Hello Shurik!
With warm army greetings, if you allow me to be so, your friend and comrade Sergei Belyaev. Shura, I received your letter on November 21, 1941, for which I am grateful with all my heart, and especially because our people, the Soviet people, are bound by such friendship that they are doing miracles both at the front and in production…
Shurik, I want to tell you that the previous letter was not written by me, but by my friend. For I myself was not able to write it, but now I have returned to duty again as a cheerful commander and, moreover, received a letter written by my stranger. My boys feel very good, cheerful and cheerful. In a word, fair wars of our beloved homeland…
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