{"id":275,"date":"2025-01-26T19:07:28","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T19:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/?p=275"},"modified":"2026-05-15T18:33:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T18:33:12","slug":"crushing-blows-episode-66","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/?p=275","title":{"rendered":"Crushing Blows: Episode 66"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first two of ten &#8220;crushing blows&#8221; against the German invaders of the USSR in 1944: Zhitomyr and Leningrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/posts\/crushing-blows-120826708\">Support on Patreon and watch the video!<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartlink.ausha.co\/beyond-barbarossa-the-eastern-front-of-world-war-2\/crushing-blows-episode-66\">Listen to the audio version<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/posts\/crushing-blows-120826708\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EP66-leningradlogo.png?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-276\" style=\"width:587px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EP66-leningradlogo.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EP66-leningradlogo.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EP66-leningradlogo.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first two of ten &#8220;crushing blows&#8221; against the German invaders of the USSR in 1944: Zhitomyr and Leningrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Map 1: The Zhitomyr-Berdichiv Offensive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Zhitomyr-BerdichivMap.jpeg?resize=450%2C341&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Zhitomyr-BerdichivMap.jpeg?w=450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Zhitomyr-BerdichivMap.jpeg?resize=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Map 2: Cherkassy or Kherson Pocket<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Cherkassy-Korsun-pocket-map-01.jpg?resize=640%2C381&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-450\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Cherkassy-Korsun-pocket-map-01.jpg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Cherkassy-Korsun-pocket-map-01.jpg?resize=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Cherkassy-Korsun-pocket-map-01.jpg?resize=600%2C357&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Map 3: Leningrad, 1941\u20131943&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"414\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad_Siege_May_1942_-_January_1943.png?resize=640%2C414&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-455\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad_Siege_May_1942_-_January_1943.png?resize=1024%2C662&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad_Siege_May_1942_-_January_1943.png?resize=300%2C194&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad_Siege_May_1942_-_January_1943.png?resize=768%2C497&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad_Siege_May_1942_-_January_1943.png?resize=850%2C550&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad_Siege_May_1942_-_January_1943.png?resize=600%2C388&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad_Siege_May_1942_-_January_1943.png?w=1058&amp;ssl=1 1058w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Map 4: Leningrad lifeline<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"258\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SupplyRoute-Leningrad.jpeg?resize=640%2C258&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-456\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SupplyRoute-Leningrad.jpeg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SupplyRoute-Leningrad.jpeg?resize=300%2C121&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SupplyRoute-Leningrad.jpeg?resize=600%2C242&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Map 5: Operation Iskra&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Iskra_21-1-43.jpg?resize=640%2C550&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-449\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Iskra_21-1-43.jpg?w=828&amp;ssl=1 828w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Iskra_21-1-43.jpg?resize=300%2C258&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Iskra_21-1-43.jpg?resize=768%2C660&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Iskra_21-1-43.jpg?resize=600%2C516&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Map 6: Operation Polar Star&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Operation_Polar_Star_WW2.png?resize=640%2C403&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-446\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Operation_Polar_Star_WW2.png?resize=1024%2C644&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Operation_Polar_Star_WW2.png?resize=300%2C189&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Operation_Polar_Star_WW2.png?resize=768%2C483&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Operation_Polar_Star_WW2.png?resize=850%2C534&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Operation_Polar_Star_WW2.png?resize=600%2C377&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Operation_Polar_Star_WW2.png?w=1120&amp;ssl=1 1120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Map 7: Liberation of Leningrad, push to Panther Line&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"889\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad-Area-2-MAP.jpg?resize=640%2C889&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-444\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad-Area-2-MAP.jpg?w=652&amp;ssl=1 652w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad-Area-2-MAP.jpg?resize=216%2C300&amp;ssl=1 216w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad-Area-2-MAP.jpg?resize=300%2C417&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Leningrad-Area-2-MAP.jpg?resize=600%2C834&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antony Beevor,&nbsp;<em>The Second World War<\/em>. London, UK: Little, Brown and Co., 2012.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evan Mawdsley,&nbsp;<em>Thunder in the East: The Nazi-Soviet War, 1941\u20131945.<\/em>&nbsp;London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anna Reid,&nbsp;<em>Leningrad: Tragedy of a City Under Siege, 1941\u201344<\/em>. Toronto: Allen Lane Canada, 2011.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anthony Tucker-Jones,&nbsp;<em>Slaughter on the Eastern Front: Hitler and Stalin&#8217;s War 1941\u20131945<\/em>. Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: The History Press, 2017.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prit Buttar,&nbsp;<em>Retribution: The Soviet Reconquest of Central Ukraine<\/em>, 1943. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first two of ten &#8220;crushing blows&#8221; against the German invaders of the USSR in 1944: Zhitomyr and Leningrad. The first two of ten &#8220;crushing blows&#8221; against the German invaders of the USSR in 1944: Zhitomyr and Leningrad. Map 1: The Zhitomyr-Berdichiv Offensive Map 2: Cherkassy or Kherson Pocket&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Map&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[35,31,68,34,33,30,28,42],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-season-3","tag-eastern-front","tag-second-world-war","tag-siege-of-leningrad","tag-soviet-union","tag-ussr","tag-world-war-2","tag-world-war-ii","tag-zhitomyr"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Crushing Blows: Episode 66 - Beyond Barbarossa: the podcast<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The first two of ten \u201dcrushing blows\u201d against the German invaders of the USSR in 1944: Zhitomyr and Leningrad.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/?p=275\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Crushing Blows: Episode 66 - 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