Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River. Situated 360 km (220 mi) west-southwest of Moscow, this walled city was destroyed several times throughout its long history since it was on the invasion routes of both Napoleonic France and Nazi Germany. Today, Smolensk is noted for electronics, textiles, food processing and diamonds faceting.
Smolensk in Southern Victory
Smolensk was an industrial center of the Russian Empire. In 1943, during the Second Great War, Smolensk suffered heavy aerial bombardment by the German Empire.[1]
Smolensk in The War That Came Early
By January 1941, the combined forces of Germany, Poland, France and Britain had advanced so far into Soviet territory that plans were being made by the invaders to encircle and capture Smolensk.[2] It was assumed that once Smolensk fell, Moscow would fall in short order.[3]
Smolensk in A World of Difference
Sergei Tolmasov grew up in Smolensk, living in a two-bedroom flat with a brother and three sisters. Their father Konstantin was in fact quite well off by Soviet standards.[4]
References
- ↑ The Grapple, pg. 566.
- ↑ The Big Switch, pg. 403-407.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 407.
- ↑ A World of Difference, p. 8.
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