On this day in 1944, the siege of Leningrad by German forces was finally broken. Here is a British Movietone report showing the damage that was caused by the German forces. The raising of the long and terrible siege of Leningrad was one of the greatest of all Soviet victories. The City suffered ghastly privations and continuous bombardment, but work went on despite everything. Towards the end of 1943 forces under General Vatutin captured Kiev. The people of the city greeted their liberators joyously, for they had suffered torture and massacre by the Germans. Cut story - General pan of city of Leningrad, AA gun in fore. Couple of Russian sailors march through streets, sign indicates that it is dangerous to walk on one side of the road, GV of people walking on one side only. Shot of ships at moorings on the river Neva. Interior shots of workmen welding bows of small craft, shot of craft being launched by crane. GS of it at speed on Neva. Aerial shot of Dnieper, also aerial pan of Kiev. Vatutin with other officers, troops advance over fields & ruins, charging through streets, fires burning, shots of buildings well alight. Cavalry through streets, artillery horse drawn through streets. Women crying with grief, other stand & watch, while other embrace Red troops. Women cry & looking at their dead. Pan of City shows ruined University, Railway Station, Power Station, wrecked Kiev-Pochersky Monastery, demolished Ouspensky Cathedral, various shots of Cathedral. Shot of copper utensils in street. German signs on restaurants etc. torn down. Night shot of Moscow firing salute. SEE STORY NUMBER 44631/2, 44631/3 Disclaimer: British Movietone is an historical collection. Any views and expressions within either the video or metadata of the collection are reproduced for historical accuracy and do not represent the opinions or editorial policies of the Associated Press. You can license this footage for commercial use through AP Archive - the story number is BM4463. #wwii #Lenigrad #siege Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: Tumblr: Instagram:
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