Reel 7 of The Battle of Russia (1943) captures the tragic and triumphant moments of the Russian struggle against the Nazi invasion. The reel begins with haunting scenes of the destruction of Tchaikovsky’s home and Leo Tolstoy’s estate, followed by images of Russian women weeping over frozen bodies of civilians killed by Nazi soldiers, including victims of hangings. By the spring of 1942, the Russian counterattack had pushed the Germans back on all fronts, shattering the myth of German invincibility.
The focus then shifts to the city of Leningrad (formerly Petrograd), where residents prepared for the German siege. The people of Leningrad dug trenches, built barricades, and fortified their city against relentless German attacks. Footage shows anti-aircraft guns firing at German planes, bombs falling, and the devastating aftermath of fires and destroyed buildings. A map illustrates the encirclement of Leningrad by German forces, who issued an ultimatum demanding surrender—an ultimatum still unanswered. The reel closes with a striking image of a German helmet pierced by a bullet, symbolizing the unyielding resistance of the Russian people and the ultimate failure of the German siege.
The Battle of Russia (1943) - WWII Eastern Front Documentary