Soldiers at War: German Propaganda and Soviet Army Morale During the Battle of Leningrad, 1941-44

Abstract

These words, spoken by Stalin at a victory celebration in the Kremlin, may be true, but the main question-why the Russian people "did not take this path"-remains to be answered. Indeed, what was behind this choice: Patriotism? Security agents ready to shoot down their own troops if they turned and retreated? German policy which made Russians fight against the Wehrmacht? Was the Soviet regime truly close to political collapse in 1941? Why did the great losses in the beginning of war and the severe situation during the siege of Leningrad not result in revolt?