Record of Direct-Line Negotiations with Members of the Military Council of the Leningrad Front, A.A. Zhdanov and A.A. Kuznetsov, 4 October 1941

Source: Tom 18

Source: Tom 18

At the apparatus: Zhdanov and Kuznetsov.

Hello. Here is Stalin.

Hello, Comrade Stalin.

Stalin: I am transmitting proposals from Moscow: 1) To evacuate to the east from Leningrad the machine tools, presses, electrical equipment, foundry equipment, tools, fixtures, dies, and cadres of engineers, technicians, and skilled workers of Plant No. 174 for the production of T-50 tanks in the east. 2) To evacuate to the east from Leningrad the machine tools, presses, electrical equipment, foundry, forging, and rolling equipment, tools, fixtures, and dies, as well as the cadres of engineers, technicians, and skilled workers of the Kirov and Izhora Plants engaged in the production of tanks and tank guns, while leaving for Leningrad 50 finished tank guns. 3) To evacuate to the east from Leningrad that portion of equipment and those cadres of all other Leningrad plants that were engaged in the production of KV tanks and T-50 tanks in cooperation with the Kirov, Izhora, and Plant No. 174. 4) The evacuation of all the above is to be carried out via Lake Ladoga to Volkhov. The execution of the evacuation is to be entrusted to the Leningraders. 5) To rename the Chelyabinsk Tractor Factory as the Kirov Factory, and the Uralmash Factory as the Izhora Factory. Please agree to this. In addition, we ask you to select for us several good Party organizers for tank and armor plants -- four or five people in all.

Zhdanov, Kuznetsov: We agree with your proposals. Within 24 hours we will submit the full evacuation plan for the Kirov, Izhora, and No. 174 Plants, as well as the plants cooperating with them in tank production. All preparatory measures for the evacuation begin immediately. We will select good Party organizers for tank and armor plants.

Stalin: Very good. Goodbye. A handshake. That is all.

Zhdanov, Kuznetsov: Goodbye, we firmly shake your hand.

Izvestiya TsK KPSS. 1990. No. 12. P. 208.