Читать книгу: «Siege of Leningrad: Diary of the Second World War: by Alexandra Nikiforovna Borovikova»

Name: Siege of Leningrad: Diary of the Second World War: by Alexandra Nikiforovna Borovikova
Author: Андрей Анатольевич Орлов

Андрей Анатольевич Орлов

Шрифт:

Andrei Anatolievich Orlov

Siege of Leningrad: Diary of the Second World War by Alexandra Nikiforovna Borovikova

Fonts provided by ParaType

The book is published by January 27, 2024 – the 80th anniversary of the complete lifting of the German-Nazi Siege of Leningrad.

This book is dedicated to the blessed memory of my grandmother. She lived and worked in Leningrad from 1941 to 1944, being in a besieged city, and who was awarded the honorary medal «For the Defense of Leningrad.»

The diaries have been carefully kept in the archives of our family for almost 80 years, and now the time has come to open them to the world.

18+

Created in the Ridero intelligent publishing system

Table of contents

Siege of Leningrad: Diary of the Second World War

Great thanks for releasing this book

Preface

Chapter 1. June 1941

Volume one

22/VI/1941

28/VI/1941

Chapter 2. July 1941

3/VII/1941

4/VII/1941

25—26/VII/1941

27/VII/1941

28/VII/1941

29/VII/1941

30/VII/1941

Chapter 3. August 1941

1/VIII/1941

2/VIII/1941

3/VIII/1941

4/VIII/1941

5/VIII/1941

6/VIII/1941

7/VIII/1941

8/VIII/1941

9/VIII/1941

10/VIII/1941

11/VIII/1941

12/VIII/1941

13/VIII/1941

14/VIII/1941

15/VIII/1941

16/VIII/1941

17/VIII/1941

18/VIII/1941

19/VIII/1941

20/VIII/1941

21/VIII/1941

22/VIII/1941

23/VIII/1941

24/VIII/1941

25/VIII/1941

26/VIII/1941

27/VIII/1941

28/VIII/1941

29/VIII/1941

30/VIII/1941

31/VIII/1941

Chapter 4. September 1941

1/IX/1941

2/IX/1941

3/IX/1941

4/IX/1941

5/IX/1941

6/IX/1941

7/IX/1941

8/IX/1941

9/IX/1941

10/IX/1941

11/ I X/1941

12/ I X/1941

13/IX/1941

14/IX/1941

15/IX/1941

16/IX/1941

17/IX/1941

18/IX/1941

19/IX/1941

20/IX/1941

21/IX/1941

22/IX/1941

23/IX/1941

24/IX/1941

25/IX/1941

26/IX/1941

27/IX/1941

28/IX/1941

29/IX/1941

30/IX/1941

Chapter 5. October 1941

1/X/1941

2/X/1941

3/X/1941

4/X/1941

5/X/1941

6/X/1941

7/X/1941

8/X/1941

9/X/1941

10/X/1941

11/X/1941

12/X/1941

13/X/1941

14/X/1941

15/X/1941

16/X/1941

17/X/1941

18/X/1941

19/X/1941

20/X/1941

21/X/1941

22/X/1941

23/X/1941

24/X/1941

25/X/1941

26/X/1941

27/X/1941

28/X/1941

29/X/1941

30/X/1941

31/X/1941

Chapter 6. November 1941

1/XI/1941

2/XI/1941

3/XI/1941

4/XI/1941

5/XI/1941

6/XI/1941

7/XI/1941

8/XI/1941

9/XI/1941

10/XI/1941

11/XI/1941

12/XI/1941

13/XI/1941

14/XI/1941

15/XI/1941

16/XI/1941

17/XI/1941

18/XI/1941

19/XI/1941

20/XI/1941

21/XI/1941

22/XI/1941

23/XI/1941

24/XI/1941

25/XI/1941

26/XI/1941

27/XI/1941

28/XI/1941

29/XI/1941

30/XI/1941

Chapter 7. December 1941

1/XII/1941

2/XII/1941

3/XII/1941

4/XII/1941

5/XII/1941

6/XII/1941

7/XII/1941

8/XII/1941

9/XII/1941

10/XII/1941

11/XII/1941

12/XII/1941

13/XII/1941

14/XII/1941

15/XII/1941

16/XII/1941

17/XII/1941

18/XII/1941

19/XII/1941

20/XII/1941

21/XII/1941

22/XII/1941

23/XII/1941

24/XII/1941

25/XII/1941

26/XII/1941

27/XII/1941

28/XII/1941

29/XII/1941

30/XII/1941

31/XII/1941

Chapter 8. January 1942

1/I/1942

2/I/1942

3/I/1942

4/I/1942

5/I/1942

6/I/1942

7/I/1942

8/I/1942

9/I/1942

10/I/1942

11/I/1942

12/I/1942

13/I/1942

14/I/1942

15/I/1942

16/I/1942

17/I/1942

18/I/1942

19/I/1942

20/I/1942

21/I/1942

22/I/1942

23/I/1942

24/I/1942

25/I/1942

26/I/1942

27/I/1942

28/I/1942

29/I/1942

30/I/1942

31/I/1942

Chapter 9. February 1942

1/II/1942

2/II/1942

3/II/1942

4/II/1942

5/II/1942

6/II/1942

7/II/1942

8/II/1942

9/II/1942

10/II/1942

11/II/1942

12/II/1942

13/II/1942

15/II/1942

16/II/1942

17/II/1942

18/II/1942

19/II/1942

20/II/1942

21/II/1942

22/II/1942

23/II/1942

24/II/1942

25/II/1942

26/II/1942

27/II/1942

28/II/1942

Chapter 10. March 1942

1/III/1942

2/III/1942

3/III/1942

4/III/1942

5/III/1942

6/III/1942

7/III/1942

8/III/1942

9/III/1942

10/III/1942

11/III/1942

12/III/1942

13/III/1942

14/III/1942

15/III/1942

16/III/1942

17/III/1942

18/III/1942

19/III/1942

20/III/1942

21/III/1942

22/III/1942

23/III/1942

24/III/1942

25/III/1942

26/III/1942

27/III/1942

28/III/1942

29/III/1942

30/III/1942

31/III/1942

Chapter 11. April 1942

1/IV/1942

2/IV/1942

3/IV/1942

4/IV/1942

Volume two

5/IV/1942

6/IV/1942

7/IV/1942

8/IV/1942

9/IV/1942

10/IV/1942

11/IV/1942

12/IV/1942

13/IV/1942

14/IV/1942

15/IV/1942

16/IV/1942

17/IV/1942

18/IV/1942

19/IV/1942

20/IV/1942

21/IV/1942

22/IV/1942

23/IV/1942

24/IV/1942

25/IV/1942

26/IV/1942

27/IV/1942

28/IV/1942

29/IV/1942

30/IV/1942

Chapter 12. May 1942

1/V/1942

2/V/1942

3/V/1942

4/V/1942

5/V/1942

6/V/1942

7/V/1942

8/V/1942

9/V/1942

10/V/1942

11/V/1942

12/V/1942

13/V/1942

14/V/1942

15/V/1942

16/V/1942

17/V/1942

18/V/1942

19/V/1942

20/V/1942

21/V/1942

22/V/1942

23/V/1942

24/V/1942

25/V/1942

26/V/1942

27/V/1942

28/V/1942

29/V/1942

30/V/1942

31/V/1942

Chapter 13. June 1942

1/VI/1942

2/VI/1942

3/VI/1942

4/VI/1942

5/VI/1942

6/VI/1942

7/VI/1942

8/VI/1942

9/VI/1942

10/VI/1942

11/VI/1942

12/VI/1942

13/VI/1942

14/VI/1942

15/VI/1942

16/VI/1942

17/VI/1942

18/VI/1942

19/VI/1942

20/VI/1942

21/VI/1942

22/VI/1942

23/VI/1942

24/VI/1942

25/VI/1942

26/VI/1942

27/VI/1942

28/VI/1942

29/VI/1942

30/VI/1942

Chapter 14. July 1942

1/VII/1942

2/VII/1942

3/VII/1942

4/VII/1942

5/VII/1942

6/VII/1942

7/VII/1942

8/VII/1942

9/VII/1942

10/VII/1942

11/VII/1942

12/VII/1942

13/VII/1942

14/VII/1942

15/VII/1942

16/VII/1942

17/VII/1942

18/VII/1942

19/VII/1942

20/VII/1942

22/VII/1942

23/VII/1942

24/VII/1942

25/VII/1942

26/VII/1942

27/VII/1942

28/VII/1942

29/VII/1942

30/VII/1942

31/VII/1942

Chapter 15. August 1942

1/VIII/1942

2/VIII/1942

3/VIII/1942

4/VIII/1942

6/VIII/1942

7/VIII/1942

8/VIII/1942

9/VIII/1942

10/VIII/1942

11/VIII/1942

12/VIII/1942

13/VIII/1942

14/VIII/1942

15/VIII/1942

16/VIII/1942

17/VIII/1942

18/VIII/1942

19/VIII/1942

20/VIII/1942

21/VIII/1942

22/VIII/1942

23/VIII/1942

24/VIII/1942

25/VIII/1942

26/VIII/1942

27/VIII/1942

28/VIII/1942

29/VIII/1942

30/VIII/1942

31/VIII/1942

Chapter 16. September 1942

1/IX/1942

2/IX/1942

3/IX/1942

4/IX/1942

5/IX/1942

6/IX/1942

7/IX/1942

8/IX/1942

9/IX/1942

10/IX/1942

11/IX/1942

12/IX/1942

13/IX/1942

14/IX/1942

15/IX/1942

16/IX/1942

17/IX/1942

18/IX/1942

19/IX/1942

20/IX/1942

21/IX/1942

22/IX/1942

23/IX/1942

24/IX/1942

25/IX/1942

26/IX/1942

27/IX/1942

Volume three

28/IX/1942

29/IX/1942

30/IX/1942

Chapter 17. October 1942

1/X/1942

2/X/1942

3/X/1942

4/X/1942

5/X/1942

6/X/1942

7/X/1942

8/X/1942

9/X/1942

10/X/1942

11/X/1942

12/X/1942

13/X/1942

14/X/1942

15/X/1942 – 18/X/1942

19/X/1942

20/X/1942

21/X/1942 – 28/X/1942

29/X/1942

30/X/1942

Chapter 18. November 1942

1/XI/1942

4/XI/1942 – 5/XI/1942

13/XI/1942

16/XI/1942

17/XI/1942 – 19/XI/1942

20/XI/1942

22/XI/1942 – 25/XI/1942

26/XI/1942 – 30/XI/1942

Chapter 19. December 1942

1/XII/1942 – 4/XII/1942

5/XII/1942

6/XII/1942

12/XII/1942

16/XII/1942

23/XII/1942

24/XII/1942

25/XII/1942

26/XII/1942

27/XII/1942

28/XII/1942

29/XII/1942

30/XII/1942

31/XII/1942

Chapter 20. January 1943

1/I/1943

2/I/1943

3/I/1943

4/I/1943

5/I/1943

6/I/1943

7/I/1943

8/I/1943

9/I/1943

10/I/1943

11/I/1943

12/I/1943

14/I/1943

15/I/1943

16/I/1943

17/I/1943

18/I/1943

19/I/1943

20/I/1943

21/I/1943

22/I/1943

23/I/1943

24/I/1943

25/I/1943

26/I/1943

27/I/1943

28/I/1943

29/I/1943

30/I/1943

31/I/1943

Chapter 21. February 1943

1/II/1943

2/II/1943

7/II/1943

Chapter 22. March 1943

14/III/1943

15/III/1943

16/III/1943 – 18/III/1943

19/III/1943

20/III/1943

21/III/1943

22/III/1943

23/III/1943

24/III/1943

25/III/1943

26/III/1943

27/III/1943

28/III/1943

29/III/1943

30/III/1943

31/III/1943

Chapter 23. April 1943

1/IV/1943

2/IV/1943

3/IV/1943

4/IV/1943

5/IV/1943

6/IV/1943

7/IV/1943

8/IV/1943

9/IV/1943

10/IV/1943

11/IV/1943

13/IV/1943

14/IV/1943

Chapter 24. May 1943

1/V/1943

2/V/1943

3/V/1943

4/V/1943

5/V/1943

6/V/1943

7/V/1943

8/V/1943

9/V/1943

10/V/1943

11/V/1943

12/V/1943

13/V/1943

14/V/1943

15/V/1943

16/V/1943

20/V/1943

Volume four

21/V/1943

22/V/1943

23/V/1943

24/V/1943

25/V/1943

26/V/1943

27/V/1943

28/V/1943

29/V/1943

30/V/1943

31/V/1943

Chapter 25. June 1943

1/VI/1943

2/VI/1943

3/VI/1943

4/VI/1943

5/VI/1943

6/VI/1943

7/VI/1943

8/VI/1943

9/VI/1943

10/VI/1943

11/VI/1943

12/VI/1943

13/VI/1943

14/VI/1943

15/VI/1943

16/VI/1943

17/VI/1943

18/VI/1943

19/VI/1943

20/VI/1943

21/VI/1943

22/VI/1943

23/VI/1943

24/VI/1943

25/VI/1943

26/VI/1943

27/VI/1943

28/VI/1943

29/VI/1943

30/VI/1943

Chapter 26. June 1943

1/VII/1943

2/VII/1943

3/VII/1943

4/VII/1943

5/VII/1943

6/VII/1943

7/VII/1943

8/VII/1943

9/VII/1943

13/VII/1943

14/VII/1943

15/VII/1943

16/VII/1943

17/VII/1943

18/VII/1943

19 /VII/1943

20/VII/1943

21/VII/1943

22/VII/1943

23/VII/1943

24/VII/1943

25/VII/1943

26/VII/1943

27/VII/1943

28/VII/1943

29/VII/1943

30 /VII/1943

31/VII/1943

Chapter 27. July 1943

1/VIII/1943

2/VIII/1943

3/VIII/1943

4 /VIII/1943

5/VIII/1943

6/VIII/1943

7/VIII/1943

8/VIII/1943

9/VIII/1943

10 /VIII/1943

11/VIII/1943

12 /VIII/1943

13/VIII/1943

14/VIII/1943

15/VIII/1943

16/VIII/1943

17/VIII/1943

18 /VIII/1943

19/VIII/1943

20/VIII/1943

21/VIII/1943

22/VIII/1943

23/VIII/1943

24 /VIII/1943

25/VIII/1943

26/VIII/1943

27/VIII/1943

28/VIII/1943

29/VIII/1943

30/VIII/1943

31/VIII/1943

Chapter 28. September 1943

15/IX/1943

16/IX/1943

17/IX/1943

18/IX/1943

19/IX/1943

20/IX/1943

21/IX/1943

22/IX/1943

23/IX/1943

24/IX/1943

25/IX/1943

26/IX/1943

27/IX/1943

28/IX/1943

29/IX/1943

30/IX/1943

Chapter 29. October 1943

1/X/1943

2/X/1943

3/X/1943

4/X/1943

5/X/1943

6 /X/1943

7/X/1943

9/X/1943

10/X/1943

11/X/1943

12/X/1943

13/X/1943

14/X/1943

15/X/1943

16/X/1943

17/X/1943

18/X/1943

19/X/1943

20/X/1943

21/X/1943

22/X/1943

23/X/1943

24/X/1943

25/X/1943

26/X/1943

28/X/1943

29/X/1943

30/X/1943

31/X/1943

Chapter 30. November 1943

1/XI/1943

3/XI/1943

4/XI/1943

6/XI/1943

7/XI/1943

8/XI/1943

9/XI/1943

10 /XI/1943

11/XI/1943

12/XI/1943 – 13/XI/1943

14/XI/1943

15/XI/1943

16/XI/1943 – 17/XI/1943

18/XI/1943

Volume five

19/XI/1943

21/XI/1943

22/XI/1943

23/XI/1943

24/XI/1943

25/XI/1943

26/XI/1943 – 27/XI/1943

28/XI/1943

29/XI/1943

30 /XI/1943

Chapter 31. December 1943

1/XII/1943

2/XII/1943

3/XII/1943

4/XII/1943 – 5/XII/1943 – 6/XII/1943

7/XII/1943 – 8/XII/1943 – 9/XII/1943

10/XII/1943

12/XII/1943

13/XII/1943

14/XII/1943

15/XII/1943

16/XII/1943

17/XII/1943

18/XII/1943

19/XII/1943

20/XII/1943

21 /XII/1943

22/XII/1943

23/XII/1943

24/XII/1943

25/XII/1943

26/XII/1943

27/XII/1943

28/XII/1943

29/XII/1943

30/XII/1943

31/XII/1943

Chapter 32. January 1944

1/I/1944

2/I/1944

3/I/1944

4/I/1944

5/I/1944

6/I/1944

7/I/1944

8/I/1944

9/I/1944

10/I/1944

11/I/1944

12/I/1944

13/I/1944

14/I/1944

15 /I/1944

16/I/1944

17 /I/1944

18/I/1944

19 /I/1944

20/I/1944

21/I/1944

22/I/1944

23/I/1944

24/I/1944

25/I/1944

26/I/1944

27/I/1944

28/I/1944

29/I/1944

30/I/1944

31/I/1944

Chapter 33. February 1944

1/II/1944

2/II/1944

3/II/1944

4/II/1944

5/II/1944

6/II/1944

7/II/1944

8 /II/1944

9/II/1944

10/II/1944

11/II/1944

12/II/1944

13/II/1944

14/II/1944

15/II/1944

16/II/1944

17/II/1944

18/II/1944

19/II/1944

20/II/1944

21/II/1944

22/II/1944

23/II/1944

24/II/1944

25/II/1944

Volume 6

26/II/1944

27/II/1944

28/II/1944

29/II/1944

Chapter 34. March 1944

1/III/1944

2/III/1944

4/III/1944

5/III/1944

6/III/1944

7/III/1944

8/III/1944

9/III/1944

10/III/1944

11/III/1944

12/III/1944

13/III/1944

14/III/1944

15 /III/1944

16 /III/1944

17/III/1944

18/III/1944

19/III/1944

20/III/1944

22/III/1944

23/III/1944

24/III/1944

25/III/1944

26 /III/1944

27/III/1944

28 /III/1944

29/III/1944

30/III/1944

31/III/1944

Chapter 35. April 1944

1/IV/1944

2/IV/1944

3/IV/1944

4/IV/1944

5/IV/1944

6/IV/1944

7/IV/1944

8/IV/1944

9/IV/1944

10/IV/1944

11/IV/1944

12/IV/1944

13/IV/1944

14/IV/1944

15/IV/1944

16/IV/1944

17/IV/1944 – 18/IV/1944

19/IV/1944

20/IV/1944

21/IV/1944

22/IV/1944

23/IV/1944

24/IV/1944

25/IV/1944

26/IV/1944

27 /IV/1944

28/IV/1944

29/IV/1944

30/IV/1944

Chapter 36. May 1944

1/V/1944

2/V/1944

3/V/1944

4/V/1944

5/V/1944

6/V/1944

7/V/1944

11/V/1944

12/V/1944

16/V/1944

17/V/1944

18/V/1944

19/V/1944

22 /V/1944

2 3/V/1944

27/V/1944

28/V/1944

29/V/1944

30/V/1944

31/V/1944

Chapter 37. June 1944

1/VI/1944

3/VI/1944

4/VI/1944

5/VI/1944

6/VI/1944

7/VI/1944

8/VI/1944

9/VI/1944

10/VI/1944

11/VI/1944

12/VI/1944

13/VI/1944

14/VI/1944

15/VI/1944

16/VI/1944

17/VI/1944

21/VI/1944

22/VI/1944

23/VI/1944

24/VI/1944

25/VI/1944

28/VI/1944

29/VI/1944

30/VI/1944

Chapter 38. July 1944

4/VII/1944

6/VII/1944

8/VII/1944

9/VII/1944

16/VII/1944

18/VII/1944

19/VII/1944

23/VII/1944

24/VII/1944

26/VII/1944

27/VII/1944

28/VII/1944

Chapter 39. August 1944

1/VIII/1944

4/VIII/1944

6/VIII/1944

10/VIII/1944

11/VIII/1944

16/VIII/1944

27/VIII/1944

30/VIII/1944

31/VIII/1944

Chapter 40. September 1944

2/IX/1944

3 /IX/1944

4/IX/1944

5/IX/1944

6/IX/1944

7/IX/1944

8/IX/1944

9/IX/1944

10/IX/1944

16/IX/1944

17/IX/1944

18/IX/1944

20/IX/1944

22/IX/1944

24/IX/1944

27/IX/1944

Chapter 41. October 1944

25/X/1944

Afterword

Special thanks

Great thanks for releasing this book

The only person I want to specifically thank, and who deserves to have his name preserved on the main page of this book:

Budylin Maksim Aleksandrovich, 1988 y. – sincere gratitude from the author of the book.

Preface

This book is dedicated to the blessed memory of my grandmother, Alexandra Nikiforovna Borovikova, who survived the Great Patriotic War and the Siege of Leningrad. Unfortunately, I did not know my grandmother, but the surviving diaries of the siege allowed me to recognize her as a strong, courageous person who was not afraid of difficulties in life, and who was ready to defend her own opinion and fight any troubles. She is one of those who survived the Siege of Leningrad from 1941 to 1944, being in a besieged city, and who was awarded the honorary medal «For the Defense of Leningrad.»

For many years, her diaries were kept by herself, and then by her daughter, before the diaries turned into a full-fledged book, which is published by a grateful grandson.

I thank my grandmother for the fact that despite the horrors of war experienced for several years – months of bombing, shelling, sleepless nights in a shelter, hunger, and cold, and the horrors of a besieged city – the corpses of people who were killed by the Nazis in their air raids, she she managed to write down everything she saw and experienced on paper, which later turned into 6 volumes of handwritten diaries.

I also thank my mother and father for the fact that over several decades they were able to preserve these historical eyewitness accounts of that time – the terrible period of the war, which was organized by the Nazis, led by Germany.

Remembering every year such events as the Breaking of the Siege of Leningrad and the Complete lifting of the Nazi Siege from Leningrad, we remember everyone:

– And those who bravely fought in the Great Patriotic War against the Nazis and died on the battlefields. It doesn’t matter where exactly.

– And those who fought for the city of Lenin and died without seeing the end of the war.

– And those who died in Leningrad itself from hunger or bombing.

If we count everyone in total, then even the approximate losses are millions of human lives, people who could have lived their lives long and happily, who could have made many incredible discoveries and achievements, but instead they were all overtaken by death.

The book is released by January 27, 2024. The release of the book is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the complete lifting of the Nazi Siege from the city of Leningrad. This book should remind the modern generation that war is not a holiday, it is horror.

Even after 80 years, we must remember and honor all those who died in that terrible, bloody war. Our grandparents fought for a peaceful sky above their heads. The events of those years should never be repeated, people should never see this horror again. Human life is one, and it is priceless.

Happy memory to everyone who is not with us today.

The book was originally written in Russian. But because There are more than 8 billion people on Planet Earth, among whom English is recognized as the international language, so I translated the book from Russian into English. In addition, there are much fewer books in English about the Siege of Leningrad than in Russian.

Chapter 1. June 1941

Volume one

22/VI/1941

22/ VI. The date June 22, 1941 is imprinted for the rest of our lives, not only ours, but also our generation.

The insidious enemy, the presumptuous fascist bastard, in the person of Hitler, disrupted our calm, peaceful, happy life.

22/VI, when I was still sleeping, in the morning they brought me a summons: «Urgently report to the Headquarters of the M.P.V.O. (*Local air defense) Factories.»

Since it was urgent, I had to go.

There was nothing in my mind then, I thought it was just a test of the combat readiness of Com. composition (*Command staff) of the Factory, or simply a P.V.O. exercise. (*Air defense).

People’s Commissar was tasked with sawing 8,500 m³, which was carried out well.

And so, 22/VI, in the morning, suspecting nothing, I received an order from the director of the Factory – to stop the workshop and transfer people to the disposal of the chief mechanic to perform one task.

I remind him over the phone that he must not disrupt the People’s Commissar’s task.

Then they broadcast on the radio that at 12:15 there will be a message from Moscow.

Just at that time I wrote a statement to the People’s Commissar about payment for 1940, but something was not written, there was some kind of excitement in my soul.

And so, at 12:15 Moscow turns on, Comrade Molotov reports that Nazi Germany violated the treaty, and at 4 o’clock in the morning, crossed the borders.

4 cities were bombed, there were killed and wounded.

It was a surprise.

This could not be considered a surprise at all, because we knew that although there was an agreement with Germany, it was not a reliable friend.

Frankly speaking (only from myself), I expected this attack not now, but for some reason later – I don’t know why it happened in my head.

After that, everything became clear: why we were called to Headquarters, why people were transferred from work to another.

(*Text crossed out):

And so it begins with that.

I regret that I didn’t write my diary earlier, where I could have written down in detail all the little things.

All your impressions and moods.

From the first days the mood was the same: although the enemy is strong and cunning (*Text omitted), defeat (*Text breaks off).

(*A piece of the page is missing, there are only a few words) … my diary (*Text breaks off) notebooks (*Text breaks off).

28/VI/1941

28/ VI. So, since June 22, I spent only 7 nights at home, and the rest I was at the Factory all the time.

I have a bed set up here.

I can say I live here.

Now there is no other way – there is war.

It’s war time, we need to be prepared.

Those who have left for the Army must be replaced by others, or sent to defense work upon request.

I keep a separate record of «air alerts» and will place them at the end of this diary.

Chapter 2. July 1941

3/VII/1941

3/VII. On July 3, I had a day off (Thursday), and so, in the morning I was lying on my bed, listening to Comrade Stalin’s speech.

Comrade Stalin’s speech is a historical document that our generations will study in history.

4/VII/1941

4/VII. In response to the call of Comrade Stalin, on July 4, I submit an application as a volunteer, to the rear of the home guard (*Armed formations created from citizens (mostly volunteers), as a rule, not subject to conscription for military service by mobilization).

But this statement, as they say, is still only on paper.

Firstly, this is «Katushka» (*Wood Harvesting Factory named after Volodarsky, which in the period from 1939 to 1946 was subordinate to the Main Directorate of Sawmill and Woodworking Industry of the People’s Commissariat of Forestry of the RSFSR), and secondly, I am wearing a skirt.

The last one fact is killing me.

I don’t know why they look at our brother like that – women, women like me, who are not afraid of anything.

After all, only the Soviet government gave women like me the way to life, when from the dark village Sasha, a housekeeper, a farm laborer (though at one time she was very lively and energetic) – to a technician and engineer (*A farm laborer is a hired worker in agriculture pre-revolutionary and Soviet Russia, often seasonal, from impoverished peasants who had a small land plot or were completely deprived of land).

What is the period of growth, just since 1927?

In the first days of the Great Patriotic War, for some reason I had assumptions that although the enemy was strong and cunning, the war would not last long.

For some reason I hoped that the rear of Germany, and the countries it enslaved, would soon rise up, but it turns out that Hitler firmly holds his people in his hands, and raised them in the spirit of fascism.

But at first, perhaps, his false information also had an influence.

During the first days, songs and marches of Soviet composers were broadcast all the time.

These were my favorite songs.

But how tired they are these days.

My mood was and is always cheerful, but something in my soul is not cheerful.

I remember everything:

How the people near the areas near the front worry, how the bastard Hitler mocks the people who are captured by him.

How villages and cities collapsed.

How the happy (we didn’t notice this happiness before the war), calm life in Leningrad was disrupted.

Evacuation of children: I once saw a bus with wounded at the Moskovsky railway station.

All this left an imprint on my soul.

Then, the workers were sent to defense work – the workshop was left with only old women, but they worked with great enthusiasm.

I will never forget, but everything taken together resonates with me only internally.

No panic.

I was, am, and am going to be calm.

Leningrad will not be touched, fascist boots will not step on its streets and avenues.

Enough forces to protect both from land and sea.

After all, from the land it is guarded by Styopa, Kolya, Petit and others.

From the sea of Mark and Ilya.

I received two letters from Mark: one from Kurgolovo (*Village of Ust-Luga rural settlement, Kingisepp district, Leningrad region), the other from Narva.

«Apostle»… that’s it for me.

I don’t know why, but I haven’t heard from him for a long time.

There was also one letter from Styopa – no more.

I don’t know if he is alive or not.

So a month passed, the second month of the war began.

All the time at the Factory.

Lately it has become boring, but this boredom does not come out.

I experience everything within myself.

On the contrary, I always behave cheerfully.

Especially while on duty.

When I go to Headquarters, I make everyone laugh.

And then they say: «where Borovikova is, it’s always fun.»

One thing that is surprising is that when I started living at the Factory, I got used to drinking beer.

Every day, systematically.

I’ll probably get fat.

Moreover, when sending shift «A» to defense work, I was assigned to sell products.

What a damn job.

I bad bargained for 60 rubles.

25—26/VII/1941

25—26/VII. They sent it and evacuated a train with half of the Factory.

Mostly the so-called «own» went there.

near Akulovka (*Okulovka, Novgorod region).

Probably, they were trembling, «their own».

Especially Isaac and Moses.

27/VII/1941

27/VIII. At Headquarters I made everyone laugh a lot (*Text breaks off) and told me an anecdote with the following content:

Two students are traveling in a carriage, opposite them is a handsome Armenian.

One says to the other: «You know, the holidays will soon be over, soon I’ll study again, etc.»

The other one says: «Oh, how tired of all this. Is there really no other topic of conversation?»

Then the first one says: «Do you want me to tell you three truths?»

«Well, tell me,» says the second.

Here it begins: «Tomorrow is Thursday – true, the day after tomorrow is Friday – true.»

«Why are you talking nonsense?» – the second one speaks again.

Listening to them, the Armenian says: «Do you want me to tell you three truths?» – this is what the students were waiting for.

«Please,» they both say.

«Then,» says the Armenian…

(*Then the text is cut off, crossed out, and erased with a blade).

28/VII/1941

28/VIII. I went to the cinema and spent the night with Nyura Tsvetkova.

I watched the film «Girl with Character» (*Soviet feature film, directed by Konstantin Yudin, 1939).

29/VII/1941

29/VIII. When I go to home, I came in the Headquarters, I was chatting with Nina Ditina.

I told a couple of jokes.

Today’s summary is not bad:

109 enemy aircraft were shot down, our losses were 38 aircraft.

The newspaper dated 27/VII 1941 reported that from 20/VII to 26/VII, German aviation tried to raid Leningrad 12 times, but the planes were driven away.

During this period there were 22 air raid alert / «V.T.» (*Here and below: Air Alert), but we did not see a single enemy aircraft, and did not hear any bombs exploding nearby.

We live calmly.

On the approaches to the city, 41 enemy aircraft were shot down, our losses were 8 aircraft.

In the evening I took a shower.

Nyura Tsvetkova meets me and says that there are two letters from Vasya.

She and I went ashore and she let me read it.

What coldness there is in these letters: «Hello, my wife Nyura,» writes your husband Vasya.»

What kind of letter is this, it gives off a chill.

Before going to bed, I was at Headquarters, told a few jokes and went to bed.

Where I am, they always say it’s fun.

And for me, as they say, cats scratch at my soul (*A deep inner experience, hidden from others), but I don’t show it to anyone.

30/VII/1941

30/VII. Somehow I miss my Apostle this morning, for some reason I haven’t received a letter for a long time.

There’s a mood today that you can’t even describe.

Broadcast transfer on the radio: directions Nevelskoye, Novo-Rzhevskoye, Smolenskoye and Zhitomirskoye.

At 9:26 am the signal «air alert» warning

Anti-aircraft gunfire could be heard, and an order was even given: to occupy a bomb shelter.

The alarm lasted 1 hour. 20 minutes.

The second alarm with departure to the bomb shelter lasted 50 minutes.

Starts at 11:55, lights out at 12:45.

At 4 o’clock I received a report from the Information Bureau:

Fighting is taking place in the Nevelsk, Smolensk and Zhitomir directions.

Individual episodes of hostilities were also reported.

Finally, I cannot understand why the hell the people of Germany and the countries it enslaved are reconciling.

Why don’t they rebel against Hitlerism?

Then it would be easier to achieve Victory.

At 6:31 pm, just about to leave home, they suddenly give you air alert, well, and you sit again, with the receiver to your ear, waiting for orders.

No shooting yet.

Nothing special happened.

The alarm lasted 32 minutes.

Alarm total for 30/VII = 26 hours. 31 minutes.

I went home for two nights.

It was a complete relaxation for me – to take a break from the hustle and bustle of production (*Hustle – with turmoil, disorderly movement, a large number of people walking in a limited space).

But you can’t rest in own room – it’s so damp and dirty.

After airing the room, I went to bed.

On Thursday I took care of my household chores, then went to the city.

I wanted to order a coat.

I want blue, but the material is all black and there are no collars.

In Passage I bought floss (*Yarn, produced in a factory or by hand, produced specifically for embroidery or other types of needlework), but now there is no time to embroider, and there is no reason to.

There were rubber boots, but I didn’t get them.

There were three alarms during the day, with a total duration of 90 minutes.

The alarm, which lasted from 17:50 to 18:25, was not calm; anti-aircraft gun fire was very audible.

At that time, Lenka and I were just having lunch.

It seemed to me that they were already bombing, but it was only anti-aircraft fire.

So far Leningrad is defending itself strongly.

The radio reported that the USSR had entered into an agreement with Poland on a joint fight against Hitlerism.

I received one of the unpleasant letters in part of the world.

In the evening, Nina Ditina reported that there was an order from the Factory to move me to Palevsky (*Palevsky housing estate – built in 1925—1926, and located between Elizarova Avenue and Olga Berggolts Street), to Faktorovich’s apartment.

Let them cut off my head, but I won’t go there.

They will tug and fray my nerves over every trifle.