Description:

Joseph Stalin
Moscow, Russia, September 21, 1941
Stalin Twice-Signed Document Redirecting Forces 13 Days Into Siege of Leningrad
DS

A twice-signed, war-dated military document from Joseph Stalin during the Siege of Leningrad. 1p, measuring 8.25" x 11.5", Moscow, dated September 21, 1941. Signed twice by Stalin in blue pencil, once at the conclusion "J. Stalin" and once near the top left "Agree J. Stalin." No. 0363, on Order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR letterhead, marked "Secret". The document is an order to disband the Leningrad Military District and names General Zhukov to appoint a commission in connection to disbanding the Command. With flattened folds and some creasing at the corners. Minor show-through from notations on reverse. There are a few chips to right edge and a few small notations or partial stamps. Boldly signed.

A full translation reads:
"I COMMAND:
1. The Leningrad Military District is to be DISBANDED
2. In order to carry out all the activities in connection with disbanding of the Command, the Commander of the Leningrad Front, General of the Army Comrade Zhukov, is to appoint a commission, which is to finish its work by 30 September and to submit a report to the People's Commissariat of Defense.
3. Personnel and property should be used to reinforce the units and the Command of the Leningrad Front."

This amazing document was issued just thirteen days into the Siege of Leningrad, which began on September 8, 1941. Stalin was clearly trying to reorganize and redistribute his forces in order to protect the city borders from invading forces. On June 22, 1941 the Leningrad Military District comprised the 7th Army, the 14th Army, the 23rd Army, the 1st Mechanized Corps, 177th Rifle Division, 191st Rifle Division, 8th Rifle Division, the 21st, 22nd, 25th, 29th Fortified Regions, Air Forces (six aviation divisions, including the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 39th, 41st, and 55th), and other formations and units. Two days after the German invasion of the Soviet Union, on June 24, the District was reorganized as the Northern Front, and two months later, on August 23,1941, it was split into the Leningrad and Karelian Fronts. The Front's forces efforts played a major part in resisting the German attacks during the Siege of Leningrad.

Following the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Nazi German armies sought to destroy the city of Leningrad. Occupying the city was ruled out "because it would make us responsible for food supply". From September 8, the city was bombarded by the German and Finnish armies. Leningrad's entire able-bodied population was mobilized to build antitank fortifications along the city's perimeter in support of the city's 200,000 Red Army defenders. Leningrad's defenses soon stabilized, but by early November it had been almost completely encircled, with all its vital rail and other supply lines to the Soviet interior cut off. The ensuing blockade and siege claimed 650,000 Leningrader lives in 1942 alone, mostly from starvation, exposure, disease, and shelling from distant German artillery. The siege was the most destructive and deadly in history, lasting for 872 days, and did not officially come to an end until January 27, 1944.

Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1896-1974) was a Soviet military leader who served as a top commander during World War II and achieved the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union. During World War II, Zhukov served as deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces under leader Joseph Stalin, and oversaw some of the Red Army's most decisive victories. On September 10, 1941, Zhukov was made the commander of the Leningrad Front and oversaw the defense of the city.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 11.5"
  • Medium: DS

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