Oranienbaum Bridgehead
Encyclopedia
The Oranienbaum Bridgehead (Ораниенбаумский плацдарм in Russian) was an isolated portion of the Leningrad Oblast
in Russia, which was retained under Soviet control during the siege of Leningrad
in World War II. It played a significant role in protecting the city of Lenin.
(formerly Oranienbaum) and centred on the Krasnaya Gorka Fort complex
. The Germans approached Leningrad in early September 1941 and reached the Gulf of Finland on the 7th, isolating an area 65 km long and up to 25 km deep along the Baltic Coast. This area was heavily fortified and defended by the soldiers of the Red Army and Sailors of the Baltic Fleet. An attempt to link up with the main soviet forces around Leningrad, the Strelna Peterhof operation was mounted on 5-10 October but failed.
The garrison included; the 48th, 98th and 168th infantry divisions as well as parts of the Baltic Fleet
which provided gunfire support and supply. The commander between 1942 and 1943 was General Vladimir Romanovsky. He was replaced by Ivan Fedyuninsky
in December 1943.
The area was besieged until January 1944 when troops linked up with the main Soviet forces breaking the siege of Leningrad during the Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha Offensive
.
are located within the former bridgehead
Leningrad Oblast
Leningrad Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . It was established on August 1, 1927, although it was not until 1946 that the oblast's borders had been mostly settled in their present position...
in Russia, which was retained under Soviet control during the siege of Leningrad
Siege of Leningrad
The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last...
in World War II. It played a significant role in protecting the city of Lenin.
History
The area is located near the town of LomonosovLomonosov, Russia
Lomonosov is a municipal town in Petrodvortsovy District of the federal city of St. Petersburg, Russia, situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, west of St. Petersburg proper. Population:...
(formerly Oranienbaum) and centred on the Krasnaya Gorka Fort complex
Krasnaya Gorka fort
Krasnaya Gorka is a coastal artillery fortress west of Lomonosov, Russia on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, opposite Kotlin Island and the Baltic Fleet's base at Kronshtadt...
. The Germans approached Leningrad in early September 1941 and reached the Gulf of Finland on the 7th, isolating an area 65 km long and up to 25 km deep along the Baltic Coast. This area was heavily fortified and defended by the soldiers of the Red Army and Sailors of the Baltic Fleet. An attempt to link up with the main soviet forces around Leningrad, the Strelna Peterhof operation was mounted on 5-10 October but failed.
The garrison included; the 48th, 98th and 168th infantry divisions as well as parts of the Baltic Fleet
Baltic Fleet
The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...
which provided gunfire support and supply. The commander between 1942 and 1943 was General Vladimir Romanovsky. He was replaced by Ivan Fedyuninsky
Ivan Fedyuninsky
Ivan Ivanovich Fedyuninsky was a Soviet military leader and Hero of the Soviet Union .Fedyuninsky was born into a peasant family near Tugulym in the Urals. He finished the village school in 1913 and was apprenticed to a painter and decorator. He joined the Red Army in 1919...
in December 1943.
The area was besieged until January 1944 when troops linked up with the main Soviet forces breaking the siege of Leningrad during the Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha Offensive
Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha Offensive
The Krasnoye Selo – Ropsha Offensive, also known as Operation January Thunder and Neva-2 was a campaign between the Soviet Leningrad Front and the German 18th Army fought for the western approaches of Leningrad in 14–30 January 1944....
.
Monuments
Several monuments from the Green Belt of GloryGreen Belt of Glory
The Green Belt of Glory is a war memorial surrounding Saint Petersburg, Russia, commemorating the Siege of Leningrad of the Second World War. The belt consists of multiple small memorials marking the historical front line.-History:...
are located within the former bridgehead