Telegram to K.E. Voroshilov and A.A. Zhdanov, 9 September 1941

Source: Tom 18

Source: Tom 18

Leningrad, to Voroshilov, Zhdanov.

We are outraged by your conduct, which consists in your reporting to us only about the loss of this or that locality, while usually saying not a word about what measures you have taken to stop losing cities and stations. You reported the loss of Shlisselburg in the same disgraceful manner. Will there be an end to the losses? Perhaps you have already decided to surrender Leningrad? Where have the KV tanks gone; where have you deployed them; and why is there no improvement at the front despite such an abundance of KV tanks at your disposal? After all, no other front has even half the number of KVs that you have on your front. What is your aviation doing; why does it not support the actions of our troops on the battlefield? Kulik's reinforcement divisions have reached you -- how are you using this assistance? Can we hope for any improvement on the front, or will Kulik's assistance also be reduced to nothing, as the colossal assistance in KV tanks has been reduced to nothing? We demand that two or three times a day you inform us about the situation on the front and the measures you are taking.

STALIN, MOLOTOV, MALENKOV, BERIA

Izvestiya TsK KPSS. 1990. No. 10. P. 217.