Under Siege! Season 1 Episode 5 Leningrad 1941: The 900 Days

The episode titled "Leningrad 1941: The 900 Days" in season 1 of Under Siege is a historical account of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II. The city of Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, was under siege for almost three years from September 1941 to January 1944. The episode features never-before-seen footage and interviews with survivors and historians who shed light on the horrors and challenges faced by the people of Leningrad during this time.

The episode begins with an overview of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The German army conquered large territories, and Leningrad was one of their primary targets. Nazi forces surrounded the city, cutting it off from the world, and blockaded all supply routes. The people of Leningrad were left with no food, fuel, or medical supplies. The situation was dire, and the city fell into chaos.

The account of this tumultuous time is told through the eyes of those who lived it. We see first-hand accounts of the hardships the people of Leningrad faced during the siege. They were forced to ration their food and survive on meager portions of bread, soup, and whatever they could forage. The lack of fuel led to the freezing of the city's water supply, and people had to melt ice for drinking and cooking. The harsh winters and lack of shelter took a further toll on the city's inhabitants, and many died of exposure.

The episode also explores the emotional toll of the siege on the people of Leningrad. The city's isolation took a psychological toll, and people began to lose hope of ever being liberated. The Germans launched an intense psychological propaganda campaign to demoralize the people and turn them against their leaders. However, the people of Leningrad refused to give up, and their resilience during this trying time is a testament to the human spirit.

The episode also explores the political and military strategy behind the siege. We see the Soviet leadership's attempts to break the blockade and regain control of the city. The Soviet army launched several offensives, but they were unable to penetrate the German lines. The outside world was kept in the dark about the realities of the siege, and it wasn't until the eventual victory that the true scale of the devastation became known.

In conclusion, "Leningrad 1941: The 900 Days" is a moving account of one of the darkest periods in human history. The episode's use of never-before-seen footage and interviews with survivors and historians makes it an essential watch for anyone interested in the human costs of war and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The episode highlights the importance of remembering the past to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.