Original subtitles

Moscow - Kremlin 19 October 1941

Comrade Scherbakov, what is the situation in Moscow?

The provocateurs and alarmists are causing panic among the population.

There have been cases of looting

What do you propose?

The Party Committee considers it necessary to declare a state of emergency in Moscow

Good. Write!

It has been decided, that the defense of the capital some 60-70 miles west of Moscow

will be entrusted to General Zhukov, commander of the Western Front

The defense of all access to the city will be led by the head of the Moscow garrison

Lieutenant General Artyemyev.

In order to guarantee the defense of Moscow and end

spy and sabotage activity by provocateurs and other agents of German fascism

the State Defense Committee announces the following:

1. The implementation of a state of emergency in Moscow as of 20 October 1941;

2. Those found violating public order will be subject to military court martial;

Provocateurs, spies and other agents of fascism will be shot on the spot where caught at work

Do you agree with the text? - Yes.

Babushki! You're wasting your time digging ditches!

German tanks will come and you'll see how useless your work is

Perish, you waste of life!

The Germans are in Mozhaisk and are advancing towards Kuntsevo.

By nightfall, they will be in the capital. Run, before it's too late

Provocateur! Seize the bastard!

He's a spy! Give it to him good!

Party Urban Committee. Moscow, 21 October 1941.

The Muscovites are doing everything they can to stop the enemy

Moscow's provided the front with twelve militia divisions

In these difficult days, each district committee has managed to organize a communist unit

In fact, a total of 25 complete battalions, mostly communists and komsomols

At this very moment, we're forming these so-called units

the 2nd communist Moscow Division, totaling 15,000 men

Also, in the last few weeks, forty storm battalions have been organized in Moscow

They've already taken their places at the approaches to the city

Another 169 detachments have been put together totaling 7,000 men, for street fighting

In these last days of October alone, the capital's mobilized an additional army of 50,000 men

The defense of the city consists of three lines: first, the Moscow ring road

Second: the Ring of the Gardens and third, Circle "A" and the area south of the Moskva River

Comrade Artiemiev, how's the mining of the bridges going?

We've put 22 tons of explosives under 12 bridges.

An extreme measure, I know. But, in case of the worst

We trust you won't have to resort to such measures

The Battle of Moscow entered its decisive stage.

On 29 October, Guderian's tanks advanced on the left flank of the city, on the Mtsensk-Tula road

incurring huge losses, German troops managed to take and occupy Yasnaya Polyana

Yasnaya Polyana 29 October 1941

Count Tolstoy lived in this shithole?

Yes, General. This is where he lived. It's an historical place

We specifically installed your staff headquarters here.

But if you don't like it, we can throw his crap outside - No, it's fine

This was Leo Tolstoy's bedroom

We thought you might prefer staying here while directing the battle against Tula

Take this old piece of garbage out and bring me my cot!

General, Field Marshal Book's on the line for you

Hello, Field Marshal! Yeah, it's been a difficult day; not very successful

I've concentrated more than 100 tanks in the direction of Tula

They were supposed to take the city from its suburbs

The forward tank units got as far as 2 miles from Tula

but the attempt to take the city by assault failed due to a strong anti-tank defense

We must attack again

Fine. I'll launch two attacks tonight with 80 tanks and motorized infantry

against the southern sector of the city.

Tula must be taken tomorrow so we can continue the advance on Kolomna and Serpujov!

This isn't May and we aren't in France

Tula

Supreme High Command 01 November 1941

We wish to solemnly celebrate the anniversary of the October Revolution in Moscow

and also have a military parade.

What do you think? Will the situation at the front permit us to have these celebrations?

The enemy isn't going to launch a major offensive now

They've suffered heavy losses recently and will need to reinforce their units

To neutralize enemy aircraft, I propose concentrating all the fighters from neighboring fronts

I think, we'll be able to have the parade

General Gromadin, commander of anti-aircraft defense in Moscow

Throughout the day, the enemy tried to reach the capital with 250 bombers from Podolsk

but was repulsed by a thick curtain of anti-aircraft fire and by our fighters

The enemy returned to their bases without achieving their objective.

For now, they're trying to reach the city center by using single planes and squadrons

34 Junkers have been brought down today

What steps will be taken if the enemy launches an air raid on Moscow on 07 November?

Moscow's air space is secure. 550 fighters are on Level One alert status on various airfields

Fascist planes must not be permitted to reach the skies of Moscow on that day!

But in case it were to happen, the parade mustn't be canceled for any reason

It won't happen; we will stop them in their tracks

Fine

Moscow 06 November 1941

German troops are advancing towards Kashira.

The city administration is asking permission to blow up the power plant

Impossible.

The power station at Kashira supplies Moscow

So, tell them they're not to blow up the plant under any circumstances!

We'll send them reinforcements

Don't blow the plant! You'll be personally responsible to make sure it doesn't happen!

Do you not understand? Yeah, reinforcements are coming. Hold tight!

and these people without conscience or honor

who have the morals of animals, have the insolence to demand

the extermination of the great Russian nation

The nation of Plekhanov and Lenin

of Chernyshevsky and Belinsky, of Pushkin and Tolstoy

of Glinka and Tchaikovsky of Gorky and Chekhov

of Sechenov and Pavlov, of Repin and Surikov

of Suvorov and Kutuzov!

The German invaders want a war of extermination with the peoples of the USSR

Very well. If the Germans want a war of extermination, we'll give them one

316th Rifle Division 06 November 1941

Commissar Klochkov is to report to the division commander!

May I enter, Comrade General?

I can't salute you; my cap was blown off my head

The important thing is that you kept your head

Comrade Klochkov, for your firmness and the courage you

displayed in the defense of our capital

the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR

decorates you with the Order of the Red Banner.

I serve the Soviet Union!

Give me the medal!

Why?

According to Russian tradition, one must bathe it before battle

so it's not the last one. Drink!

But I don't drink - Well, this is a good reason to start

Besides, it's also the anniversary of the Revolution

I will get drunk.

It doesn't matter. The Germans won't attack anymore today

Yes, I hear you

Understood. When are the girls coming?

Got it.

They're sending us "Katyushas"

We've been ordered to put together a special battalion

The General Staff will send the trucks.

Klochkov, you will go as the battalion commissar

Here's my hat; it's a gift.

Here, where the 316th Rifle Division stood guard

on the night of 07 November, a sabotage detachment crossed the front line

Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya was in that detachment

The Germans! A column of trucks!

Quick, everyone to the forest!

Stop! Take a break!

Friends! Listen closely!

I congratulate you on the 24th anniversary of the Great October Revolution

Moscow 07 November 1941

Comrade Commissar! We've arrived.

Moscow! My God!

Commissar!

What is this? Where do you think you are? Line up in formation!

Yes sir! Come along!

Comrade Red Army soldiers and sailors!

Officers and commissars!

Partisans!

The world sees in you the strength needed to annihilate the German invaders.

The enslaved peoples of Europe see their liberators in you

You have a great mission of liberation ahead of you

Be worthy of this mission!

The war that you fight is a war of liberation; a just war.

Scherbakov. How do things look?

Everything is calm. The parade was a complete surprise to the enemy

Good. Continue monitoring!

May this war inspire you with the courageous image of our great ancestors.

Alexandr Nevsky, Dmitri Donskoi

Kuzma Minin, Dmitri Pozharski

Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov.

May the banner of our great Lenin illuminate the way!

Under the banner of Lenin, forward, to victory!

There are clouds in the sky. It rains in the darkness.

Under an old cart, the workers rest.

And you hear them whisper proudly:

"Within four years, this city will be a garden of paradise!"

Cold causes cramps; there is little to give comfort

They eat a crumb of bread, spoiled by the dampness.

But louder than hunger are the tinkling of the drops, which say

"Within four years, this city will be a garden of paradise!"

"I know that the city will arise. Yes, the garden will flourish.

"Because in our Soviet land, there are people who can do anything"

Zoya, recite another piece!

Enough, guys. It's time.

Break's over. When we return, Zoya will recite something else

You stay on guard!

Give me a task!

Only the boys get battle missions.

Difficulties must be shared. Please!

Fine. You will go to Petrischevo and burn the stable

But afterwards, return to the forest right away, understood?

Acknowledged, comrade commander!

Lieutenant Colonel Ruderer, commander - 332nd Regiment

Who are you?

I'm not telling you

Did you set the stable on fire?

Yes, it was me

What was your intention? - To wipe you out

Who sent you? - I'm not saying anything

Where is your unit?

I don't know.

Gentlemen! Do something; and make it fast!

I'll ask you again: Where is your unit?

I won't tell you!

Comrades! Why the sad looks?

I do not fear death.

It's a privilege to die for your people

You will hang me, but I'm not alone

There are 200 million of us; you can't hang us all

They will avenge me.

Goodbye, comrades! Kill the fascists!

Stalin is with us! Stalin will liberate us!

Upon learning of the death of Zoya Kosmodemyanskava

Stalin ordered the soldiers of the Western Front not to take any soldiers or officers

of the 332nd Infantry Regiment prisoner

Orsha 13 November 1941

Gentlemen, today we will address only one question.

Supreme Command wants to know your opinion as to what we should do.

Should the armies entrench themselves, prepare positions and wait for the Spring?

Or should the Winter offensive against Moscow continue?

Freezing cold is expected for the next few days, making it possible, for a certain period

to perform a quick operation in the East

That is, our tanks and trucks will be able to use the roads

I think we need to go over to the defense in the north and south

But in the center, we should deal a final blow to Moscow

and take it before more severe weather arrives

It is indispensable, both militarily and politically, to take Moscow

Marshal Book's opinions coincide with those of the Supreme Command and the Fuehrer

Berlin - Reichschancellery 15 November 1941

Hear the call of the Fuehrer to the German army!

Soldiers! Moscow is before you!

In two years of war, all the capitals of the continent have bowed before you

You have marched through the streets of the best cities

Moscow remains to be one of them

Force it to submit!

Show them the strength of your weapons!

March through their squares!

Taking Moscow will mean the end of the war

Moscow will mark the start of your well-deserved rest

On 15 November, the second offensive against Moscow began

The German High Command launched 74 divisions

with a total of around one million soldiers

11,670 pieces of artillery and mortars; 1,500 tanks.

Alexandrovs song and dance ensemble has arrived. - What?

That's who they sent instead of reinforcements?

Comrade Alexandrov, we are happy to see you.

We came to give a concert at the front

We're already getting concerts. Listen! I can't let you out there.

But that's why we've come!

I can't allow that. You represent the foundation of the entire army

Comrade Major, bring all the phones you can get!

The ensemble will perform by telephone

The soldiers will listen to them and sing along. Good luck!

Arise, vast country, arise for a fight to the death!

Against the dark fascist forces, against the cursed hordes.

Let noble wrath boil over like a wave!

This is the peoples' war; a sacred war!

Battery! Fire!

The Fifth is on the phone.

The enemy is trying to break through to Dubosekovo. Don't let him!

Halt!

Boys! Twenty tanks is nothing!

Less than one per head.

Fire!

You see? 14 out of action!

It seems, it's time to die.

Brothers!

Russia is vast, but there's nowhere to retreat to.

Moscow is behind us

ls Panfilov still resisting?

They've been defending the highway for 3 days now.

But I don't know if they'll be able to hold out.

They've decorated their division with the Order of the Red Flag

and re-named it the 8th Guard Division

Thank you. I'll pass on the news straight away. I'm sure they'll be thrilled. I'll call them now.

Connect me to General Panfilov!

General Panfilov has been killed -What'?!?

General Panfilov is dead.

Seven armored, three motorized and three infantry divisions

attacked in the direction of Volokolamsk

trying to break the front and enter into Moscow.

Staff HQ of the Western Front 19 November 1941

Comrade Commander!

I came to ask your authorization to withdraw troops to the Istra Line

It's only a matter of six miles

The Istra reservoir and river would be a good line of defense

and would be much more advantageous for us.

The troops have suffered heavy casualties, in both men and materiel

The soldiers won't be able to function with this exhaustion much longer

Give me permission to pull back to the Istra!

To pull back means to retreat, Comrade Rokossovsky

No, not one step back! Resist to the last!

May I go?

Go

Are you sure we will be able to hold Moscow?

I'm asking you this, because I'm very worried

Comrade Zhukov, answer me honestly!

I'm convinced, we'll hold Moscow

But we'll need two armies and at least 200 tanks

Your response calms me quite a bit, Comrade Zhukov

Call the General Staff and give them your demands

The two reserve armies must be placed at your disposal. Your demand isn't unreasonable.

They will be available to you by the end of November

But for now, I can't give you any tanks

Understood. The reserve armies should be concentrated on our flanks.

Farewell, Comrade Stalin.

16th Army HQ 19 November 1941

Zhukov won't accept my plan

I consider my request to pull back behind the Istra to be decisive.

My duty as a commander doesn't permit me to let Zhukov's decision go unchallenged

I will appeal his decision.

Prepare a telegram for the head of the General Staff

Write! To Marshal Shaposhnikov

MOSCOW Supreme Command Center 19 November 1941

Rokossovsky requests permission to withdraw

towards the Istra reservoir.

That's six miles closer to Moscow

However, they'll be in a more advantageous position.

Authorize Rokossovski's request, only if you consider it unavoidable

16th Army Staff HQ 19 November 1941

The Chief of the General Staff has approved your proposal

That's more like it. I should have gone to Comrade Stalin from the beginning.

Write the order for the pullback of the troops to the Istra reservoir line immediately!

To the commander of the 16th Army, Rokossovsky.

Frontline soldiers will take orders only from me!

The order to withdraw to the Istra Reservoir is hereby revoked

I order you to stay in the positions you occupy! Not one step back!

What are we going to do?

Zhukov is right.

You were right, too. You're responsible for your section of the Front.

The only thing he's accomplished with his teletype is to shoulder the responsibility for everything

that happens on every part of the Western Front

I know Zhukov better. We've been friends for over twenty years.

He's assumed a colossal responsibility for the entire Soviet nation

And if it seems he's mistaken, there's one thing you can be sure he's right about:

We cannot retreat a single step. Moscow is behind us.

We must fight till the end

Wolf's Lair 19 November 1941

Field Marshal von Bock is personally directing

the Battle of Moscow from his command post

His display of selfless bravery is giving the needed push to his men

Just as in the Battle of the Marne, a single battalion

can determine the fate of the battle

Tell Bock to halt all frontal assaults and to try and surround Moscow; especially in the north

And that he shouldn't forget the secondary objectives:

Vyazma, Ribinsk and Vologda

Weather permitting

Tell Bock that, in his honor

we plan to give Smolensk the name of Bockburg.

And so, despite huge losses, Army Group Center had to continue its attack on Moscow

There was fierce fighting near Kryukovo; Istra; Naro-Fominsk; and Yakhroma

Next stop: "Red Square"

When's the bus coming? It's running late

It already came. - Let's catch up to it!

Moscow Soviet? Inform Comrade Stalin, that the Germans are in Krasnaya Polyana!

Staff HQ of the 16th Army 24 November 1941

The Supreme Commander asks you to come to the phone

Do you know whether enemy units have appeared in Krasnaya Polyana?

What are you doing to stop the enemy from overrunning the town?

We are aware of the situation. We've sent forces from other sectors of the front there.

Headquarters has arranged to send you reinforcements.

In the morning, Krasnaya Polyana must be retaken!

Field Marshal, heavy artillery's been set up for a bombardment of the Kremlin

Very good, General.

Now, show me Moscow through the binoculars! - By all means!

The Russians will counterattack. We should leave this place.

Yes, but at least, I saw Moscow.

Maybe for the last time.

Army Staff HQ 25 November 1941

Everyone, listen!

Comrades! Brothers!

For our great country, for our Moscow, forward!

Chief of Staff - Western Front 29 November 1941

German troops have been driven out of Dmitrov and pushed back beyond the channel

The time has come to launch a counterattack with the 1st and 10th armies

We'll be able to hit the enemy hard and throw him back from Moscow

Are you sure the enemy is in a critical situation and won't be able to bring up reserves?

The fascists are exhausted. If we don't throw in the 1st and 10th armies now

the enemy will be able to reinforce its troops with new reserves

And then, the situation will really get complicated

The time has come to start the counteroffensive.

I will confer with the General Staff

How do you feel?

Thank you, better. The crisis has passed

Disease is an offensive of microbes. It's like war

When in a crisis, you launch a counterattack and kill the microbes with pills

I have a great reserve of those pills and I'm on the attack

Speaking of war

I must tell you, that Zhukov believes that the crisis on the Western Front is already over

He believes it's time to put the 1st and 10th reserve armies in against the Germans

What's your opinion? - I think, he's right

and it's time to strike back at the Germans and burn their asses.

Understood, Boris Mikhailovich. Get better as quickly as possible! - Thank you, Comrade Stalin

Give the following command: As of today, 29 November

the 1st, 10th and 20th Shock armies will be under Zhukov's command

We should try another attack in the direction of Krasnaya Polyana

It's the shortest way to Moscow.

Ten miles to the river port of Gimki

What do you think? - We have to attack!

Time to crush the last defensive line. The colossus is wobbly. One more strike and it'll fall.

The 7th Armored Corps will launch an attack on 01 December on the Minsk road

Fine. The 20th Army Corps will attack Naro Fominsk on 01 December

Staff HQ of the Western Front 01 December 1941

By dispersing their units on a wide front

and stretching their armored forces on the flanks

the enemy has lost its shock force in its attacks on the access roads to Moscow

Enemy communications are being disrupted by partisan attacks

The large number of German casualties and the bitter resistance of our troops

are having tremendous effects on the Germans' ability to keep fighting

Our troops, too, have suffered heavy losses.

But they're able to count on the aid of their homeland and retain their combat ability

Intending to take advantage of the favorable situation around Moscow at this moment

Staff HQ of the Western Front has decided to split the Germans in two, starting on 06 December

On 06 December 1941, an historic date, we will begin a counteroffensive.

How will the counteroffensive crush and push back the Germans from Moscow?

How do you think we should attack, comrade generals?

The Western Front doesn't have numerical superiority over the enemy

They're able to draw on more tanks

And that will no doubt be the biggest problem in our attempt to carry out the counteroffensive

Well, your ideas?

We believe it necessary to attack at night

A daytime attack by the infantry against German tanks won't turn out well. They'll be wiped out.

The enemy will have a hard time orienting themselves in the dark

The Germans' superiority in tanks and planes must be reduced to zero

We must prevent them from becoming a part of the battle

We must approach the enemy and force him to fight with us in close combat

With machine guns, sub machine guns, the rifle, hand grenades and even knives.

And the night will prove to be a very reliable and helpful ally

And how will the troops be able to keep their orientation in the night, in unfamiliar territory?

Do you have a lighter? - Of course

We will light two fires in the rear of the battalions

on an axis about half a mile away from one another

If the commanders turn and see the two flames merging

then they'll know they're going the right way

If they see they're apart, then they'll know they're going the wrong way

Good. That'll work

The enemy's advancing towards Kubinka!

Eliminate the break in the lines!

This has to be their last attack

The date remains unchanged: 06 December

The 7th Armored Corps attacked in a "rhombus" formation

a classic, German combat tactic

In the vanguard, wedged forward, were the heavy Pzkw IV

My tank army is finished

Follow me! Forward!

On 05 December, the Kalinin Front went on the offensive

On 06 December, at 0600 on the dot, units of the 1st, 20th and 30th armies attacked

The Red Army's counteroffensive began all along the front from the walls of Moscow

At dawn, the enemy's defensive line was broken

On 08 December, the Red Army's left flank also went on the counteroffensive

Golikov's 10th Army; Boldin's 50th Army

and Belov's 1st Cavalry Corps.

Yasnaya Polyana 08 December 1941

Frederick the Great once said that you had to kill Russian soldiers two times

and then stab them. Yeah, he recognized his enemy well.

The Moscow Offensive's failed. All that effort for nothing.

That, because of the High Commands stubbornness, will lead to a catastrophe

General, the Fuehrer wishes to speak with you

Guderian! You will hold at any cost!

I will send you reinforcements by plane! You can count on it.

Hold out, no matter what!

As ordered, my Fuehrer!

I will not give the order to fight to the end, even if I'm brought before a court martial. My coat

The Fuehrer doesn't know the real situation

After suffering heavy losses and having to withdraw continuously

the Red Army dealt the German fascists a demolishing blow before Moscow

Outside of Moscow, the Germans lost more than 50,000 men

1,300 tanks and 2,500 artillery pieces

The Wehrmacht had never experienced such losses before

The Germans were pushed back 100 to 180 miles from Moscow

The Red Army's counteroffensive continued.

Bravo, Dovator!

These Guards units are splendid

During the counteroffensive, the Red Army liberated more than 11,000 localities

Among them, the cities of Kalinin, Klin, Solnechnogorsk, Staritsa, Volokolamsk

Mozhaisk, Borovsk, Yugnov, Maloyaroslavets, Kaluga, Sujinichi.

We will not fall upon Bock for failing to fulfill his mission in Operation Barbarossa

But to retreat now, of all times!

Who gave the order to pull back from Moscow?

Get Bock back here! He's relieved of his command!

We'll put Kluege in his place

Call Guderian! He's to report to me immediately!

Hitler removed Brauchitsch, Bock, Leeb, Rundstedt; Hepner; Roth; Guderian

and 35 other generals were replaced by Hitler

On 16 December 1941, Stalin received a note from the President of the United States

Roosevelt wrote:

"I want to tell you of the great enthusiasm for the victories

"of your armies in the defense of that great nation."

We hear the echo of the distant parade

We imagine the routes of the last attack.

You are my hope, you are my joy.

You are in my heart, beloved Moscow.

Our victory was earned honestly

Faithful to our sacred homeland

In each new house, in each new song

Remember the fallen in Moscow.

In the Battle of Moscow the troops distinguished themselves under the leadership of

General Zhukov

General Koniev

Lieutenant-General Artyemiev and Boldin

Golikov, Golubev, Efremov, Zajarkin, Kuznetsov, Rokos- sovsky, Govorov, Lelushenko

Akimenko, Beloborodov, Beryezin, Lebedenko, Mironov, Panfilov, Petrov, Siiasov

Smirnov, Tarasov, Shvetsov, Erastov; Griaznov, Karamyshev, Korotkov

Lizyukov, Martirosian, Miroshnichenko, Mijailov, Naumov, Polosujin

Sviridov, Chanohibadze, Chernyshev; Katukov, Hetman, Rotmistrov

Kiriohenko, Sajno; Lavrinenko; Zhuravliov; Belov, Dovator; Golovanov, Kravchenko

Sbytov, Klimov; Bezvierjov, and Chistiakov

Eternal glory to the fallen heroes in the fighting for

the freedom and independence of our country