Hero City: Leningrad 1943–44

by Prit Buttar

One of the greatest ever sieges is masterfully brought to life by a leading expert on the Eastern Front.

At the height of World War II the people of Leningrad endured a bitter 900-day siege, struggling against bombing, shelling, and starvation. Prit Buttar tells the story of how the siege was finally broken. The Red Army had suffered multiple setbacks in the preceding two years but achieved a partial success by breaking the blockage in early 1943. However, this was followed by further failed attempts to lift the siege completely. But by simply enduring the siege in the face of impossible odds, Russian soldiers and civilians beat the Germans. By the end of 1943 the German forces, themselves broken by deprivations and extreme weather, began to pull back. Here was the opportunity the Soviet forces had been waiting for. The Red Army launched a decisive attack that broke through and ended the siege. Their determination to hold out has become a hugely significant part of Russian history, the echoes of the battle helping to define both a country and its politics.

This compelling history uses original Russian source material to vividly describe the deprivations visited upon those trapped. But it also details the tactical successes and strategic failures of both sides as well as the appalling war crimes that have forever stained the ground in and around this historic city.

Genres: History, World War II, Russia, Nonfiction

464 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2024

About the author

Prit Buttar studied medicine at Oxford and London before joining the British Army as a doctor. After leaving the army, he has worked as a GP, first near Bristol and now in Abingdon. He is extensively involved in medical politics, both at local and national level, and served on the GPs’ Committee of the British Medical Association. He appears from time to time on local and national TV and radio, speaking on a variety of medical issues. He contributes regularly to the medical press. He is an established expert on the Eastern Front in 20th century military history.

Reviews

[Darya Silman · Rating 5 out of 5]

HERO CITY: LENINGRAD 1943-44 by Prit Buttar is a continuation of the book TO BESIEGE A CITY: LENINGRAD 1941-42 by the same author. However, it can be read as a standalone if the reader is a little bit familiar with the events on the Eastern front.

HERO CITY describes decision-making processes and subsequent battles in the sector, controlled by the German Army Group North. The rapid advance of the German forces in 1941 resulted in the almost complete encirclement of the city (in Russian, the encirclement is called Blokada; people who lived through Blokada are called Blokadniki). With no supplies of coal/wood, food, or ammunition, with only frozen 'Road of Life' on Lake Ladoga, an incalculable quantity of Leningraders died in the cold winter of 1941-42. 1942 brought some relief, but it was not until Operation Iskra, a counteroffensive by Soviet forces in January 1943, that lifted the burden. Only a year later, after casualties ran up to hundreds of thousands, Army Group North retreated completely from the area.

The author intertwines descriptions of day-to-day battles in 1943-44 with the analysis of causes: why this or that side lost or won. Based on years of research (and apparently, on sources in different languages), HERO CITY offers the perspective that deepens our understanding of Hitler's and Stalin's motivations revolving around Leningrad. For example, it may come as a surprise for readers that Hitler had never planned to conquer the city, as he foresaw the difficulties of taking care of millions of urban dwellers. From the beginning, Hitler planned to starve citizens to their deaths. In his turn, right after the war, Stalin, who disdained Leningrad for its individuality and independence of thought, downplayed the sufferings of Leningraders, instead praising the all-mighty Communist Party and its infallible leader.

One of the most interesting parts of the book (for me) was Prit Buttar's inspection of the Red Army's constant flaws that the modern Russian Army inherited. Neglect of logistic problems, poor training and reconnaissance techniques, and unwillingness to commit to urban, street-to-street fighting; all could explain the longevity of the present war in Ukraine.

Full of information and insights, HERO CITY is a diverse and open-minded view of the Eastern Front's northern sector during 1943-44.

I received an advance review copy from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Patrick Pillow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting end to Buttar’s two book story of the siege of Leningrad. As with all of his works, Prit Buttar continues to solidify himself as the premier Eastern Front historian of the Western world.

[Phil Curme · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second volume of Prit Buttar's account of the epic 900 day Siege of Leningrad (1941-44). With the siege lines consolidated and the deprivations of the first winter in the past, the battle moved into a period of stasis before the Red Army began a series of offensives designed to push Army Group North back towards the Baltic States.

The author covers the strategic, operational and tactical levels - exposing the reasons for success and failure from both the German and Soviet perspectives. For the former, the author uncovers the shortcomings in logistical support. Partisan activity, diminishing manpower, the loss of experienced officers and indecision at the top level all contributed. For the latter, the Soviet leadership relied on sheer numbers to overwhelm an enemy that in many respects was more capable.

Personal experiences are used to illustrate the experience of war for combatants and civilians. The atrocities committed during the course of the siege are appropriately covered - from individual incidents through to Hitler's plan to starve the city into submission. In addition there is a particularly thought provoking final chapter which covers the post-war remembrance of these events. In the immediate aftermath the population of Leningrad sought to commemorate their unique experience in a way which did not align with the overarching Soviet narrative that put Stalin in the vanguard of victory. In more recent times the story of the Blokadniki (siege survivors) has been allowed to take centre stage.

Recommended.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this incredibly detailed and complex work of historical nonfiction, Prit Buttar dives into the siege of Leningrad during World War II in immense and occasionally intense detail. Featuring maps, acronyms, and lots of relevant images, the book balances the information-dense text with images that demonstrate the various stages and plans of the siege. Closely documenting troop movements and the progression of the siege over several years, Buttar has clearly done the research into this pivotal battle in World War II. Fans of military history and World War II are sure to love this well-researched and complex play-by-play of the battle, but more casual readers might find the military terminology, the dense text, and the detailed maps and visuals a bit overwhelming. Beyond the occasionally overwhelming nature of the text, the prose is engaging and really well organized, moving readers through the various locations and stages of the siege with narrative ease; it is a fascinating insight into this pivotal moment in the Eastern European front of World War II. Complex, fascinating, well-written, and well-researched, Buttar’s exploration of the siege of Leningrad is a must-read for serious history buffs and those interested in World War II and military history more broadly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Osprey Publishing for the advance copy.

[Scott Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A full, in-depth military history of Soviet/Nazi fighting in central/northern Russia around Leningrad from 1942-1944. Buttar is his usual military history analyst, offering first-person source material from both Soviet and Nazi archives to provide as complete a picture as possible of what sometimes can be an overlooked part of the Eastern Front from World War II. The siege of Leningrad proper does get plenty of attention, as does the massive fighting in the South. However, the long-covered up but important Soviet disaster that was Operation Mars is covered here (the Soviet failed Spring offensive against the Nazis in Central/Northern Russia), as does the post-Stalingrad/Kursk actions of the Nazis, as the Soviets started to finally push them back away from Leningrad. Discussions of partisan fighting and Nazi atrocities also fill these accounts, and no, the German military does not escape responsibility/culpability here. Sometimes, the timelines could jump, but generally the work staying within logical timing/action timelines. Worth the read for the military historian in the house.

[John Stults · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding, a touching review of the hero city

Several things I liked about the book,it had what I would consider the “normal” battle descriptions but in addition it detailed what was happening in the war at the same time and also explained how this impacted the siege (especially on the German side). The author also explained what happened to key players later and also showed the impact of decisions during the battle and also how lesson’s learned were not learned. Even today in the Ukraine. (Downplaying logistics, over centralized command and control). I liked the conclusion showing the impact today o& trying to remember the seize on both sides.
As with all o& his work this is a great book and well worth reading. I highly recommend this book.