Day of memory Leningrad.

[Susexx]

Many thanks to all Allies who helped meal and the weapon to my city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad

[CCIP]

I can only say the same - wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for those efforts!

[Susexx]

+100

[Dowly]

I'm proud we (finns) had the nuggets to say 'no' and didn't bend over to Hitler's
plans in this operation.

[Jimbuna]

My father was on the Murmansk convoy run and was a part of the only convoy to sail without an escort.

[Susexx]

I at all don't understand, how it was possible to be at war and do the weapon when of meal only 125 grams of bread (components: a flour, garbage, a rye waste) in day. And after all in a blockade city have created submachine gun PPS.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Susexx

Many thanks to all Allies who helped meal and the weapon to my city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leningrad

I've been to the Memorial there.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Susexx

I at all don't understand, how it was possible to be at war and do the weapon when of meal only 125 grams of bread (components: a flour, garbage, a rye waste) in day. And after all in a blockade city have created submachine gun PPS.

Yup.

Tho, one must remember that the siege wasn't complete. The north-east area
was in Soviet hands throughtout the siege so supplies got into the city.

That was the plan Hitler had for Finns, to advance enough to cut the northern
side of the city and block supply routes. As I said, glad we didn't do that.

[Susexx]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

I've been to the Memorial there.

The good fellow. I respect.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

My father was on the Murmansk convoy run and was a part of the only convoy to sail without an escort.

Did he ever record any of his stories? I'd love to hear about them if he did and you're willing to share.

[Susexx]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Yup.

Tho, one must remember that the siege wasn't complete. The north-east area
was in Soviet hands throughtout the siege so supplies got into the city.

That was the plan Hitler had for Finns, to advance enough to cut the northern
side of the city and block supply routes. As I said, glad we didn't do that.

Yes there was "a life Road", but these deliveries were minimum. My grandmother told that in the first months have eaten all cats, birds, dogs and rats... Then there were cannibalism cases.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Susexx

The good fellow. I respect.

I was there in 94. So I found my photos from the trip and I only have one picture of the Memorial. I was there at the very end of my study abroad time, and I was almost out of film. My picture is of the break in the ring and you can see the "900 days and 900 nights."

I wish I had the money to go back, but I think it's out of my price range. I'd love to back with a digital camera.

[kranz]

Originally Posted by Dowly

That was the plan Hitler had for Finns, to advance enough to cut the northern
side of the city and block supply routes. As I said, glad we didn't do that.

I don't get it.
So, were the Finns the good guys when they fought against the Soviets during the Winter War?
Or, were they the good guys when they refused to help Hitler and to help the Soviets?

[soopaman2]

Many thanks to the Russians who held the line against all odds, out-maneuvered a superior enemy, and outlasted an enemy with superior morale.
Leningrad was a huge turning point in the war not appreciated.
[devils advocate]
Regardless that Stalin was as bad as Hitler, as far as murdering people he was fighting for the right side...Therefore he is a hero, and not the maker of a holocaust.
[end smartassery]

War is gross, the only thing that can possibly validate Stalin is the fact he was betrayed.

No excuse for the purges....

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by kranz

I don't get it.
So, were the Finns the good guys when they fought against the Soviets during the Winter War?
Or, were they the good guys when they refused to help Hitler and to help the Soviets?

Of course, my view will be somewhat biased, but here's how I see it:

Winter War: We were the good guys, Soviet Union attacked because we didn't
give them the territory they wanted. It was purely an defensive war from our POV.

Continuation War: Here things get more complex. Finland has always tried to
stay out of offensive war and just defend itself. But, during the CW, Finland
did indeed attack, first to take back the territory we had lost in the peace treaty
after Winter War and then the order was to go a bit further, into Soviet territory
to do what Soviet Union did in WW; establish a buffer zone.

The offensive beyond the territory lost after WW was seen by many as war
of aggression even then and it has been talked a lot in our history ever since.
As for Leningrad, IIRC, the plan was for Germany to secure the southern
area and Finns to secure the northern area, thus making the siege complete.
But Finland refused to continue the offensive war and so the siege was never
complete.

Were we the good guys in CW? Guess that depends on who you ask. If you ask
me, I say yes. We were, like in WW, drawn into the conflict and had no choice,
but to defend ourselves. Keep in mind, Stalin was seeking after conquering
whole of Finland and our fate would have been the same as the Baltian countries.

Anywho, like I said, this might be a biased view point, but that's how I see it.