As we all know, during World War 2, China was the main force in the fight against Japanese imperialism. The 14-year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression caused tens of millions of Chinese soldiers and civilians to suffer casualties. In fact, in addition to our country, there is another country that suffered very tragic casualties during World War II, and it is the Soviet Union. Several major Soviet battles suffered more than one million casualties.
And the next small editor to talk to you is also an important battle in the Soviet-German war, it is the Defense of Leningrad. Leningrad is known as the second capital of the USSR, the largest industrial center of the USSR and the second largest transportation hub. More than a dozen railway lines also connected Leningrad to Moscow and other important economic regions.
Not only that, Leningrad is also an important port, so from these points of view, the strategic significance of Leningrad is self-evident. If the German army could capture Leningrad, it would be of great help to the frontal form. Thus, beginning in late August 1941, Hitler mobilized 40 divisions to besiege Leningrad. From September 9, 1941 to January 27, 1944, the entire leningrad was besieged for 871 days.
As we all know, the most difficult thing for the besieged side is the shortage of resources. So how fierce was the defense of Leningrad at that time? According to statistics, a total of 1.5 million Soviet soldiers and civilians died during the siege. Civilians in cities were constantly threatened with starvation, especially during the period from January to February 1942, when more than 7,000 people died of starvation every day. Not only that, but during the siege, all the rats in Leningrad were eaten.
According to later estimates, the Battle of Leningrad was one of the bloodiest battles in the history of World War II, as it caused more losses than major battles such as the Battle of Stalingrad. The German siege was not until January 1944, when survivors in Leningrad saw hope of victory. At that time, the soviet three fronts launched a large-scale offensive against the German army besieging Leningrad. Eventually, under the offensive of the Soviet Union, the Germans retreated.