Hobby Master Archive

Demiansk (Demjansk - Demyansk) is located south of Leningrad and on February 8, 1942 it became the location of the encirclement of 90,000 German soldiers and 10,000 auxiliary units. Anxious to keep the momentum going the Soviets parachuted 2 brigades into the pocket only to have them annihilated and accomplish next to nothing. With 2 airfields within the Demiansk Pocket Hitler was assured the troops could be supplied by air so he ordered the Germans to hold their position until relief could arrive. In spite of several attempts by the Soviets to eliminate the German forces within the pocket each thrust was beaten back. Finally on March 21st 1942 German forces managed to create a corridor through to the pocket and provide the much needed support. One month later the trapped forces managed to break out but even though the pocket ceased to exist fierce fighting continued in the area and Demiansk wasn’t liberated until March 1, 1943 when the Germans retreated.