Oreshek

from: russia

1 panorama by natalia kovarskay & alexey grif

The Schlusselburg fortress

The Schlusselburg (Oreshek) fortress was the stronghold on the left flank of the Leningrad front and played a significant role in the frustration of Hitler’s plan to surround Leningrad completely. The garrison of the fortress consisted of a rifle company, artillery battery and communication platoon. On the 8th of October, 1941 the garrison was reinforced with the 409th marine artillery battery of the 302nd Baltic Fleet artillery division. In the 498 days of the fortress siege the enemy conducted more than 2000 artillery and air raids; Oreshek was hit by almost 50 thousand shells and by a large number of bombs. The defenders not only held the fortress, but also inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in personnel and ammunition.

In January 1943 the garrison of the fortress participated in breaking through the siege of Leningrad

The Schlusselburg (Oreshek) fortress

[FULLSCREEN QTVR]

© 2005 Natalia Kovarskay, Alexey Grif