Defending a River line: The Soviet World War II Experience

ABSTRACT Large rivers, canals, and lakes dominate Eurasia and serve as major arteries of commerce and industry, defensive barriers, lines of communication, and avenues of advance. During the Great Patriotic War (the Soviet Union’s War with Germany during World War II), the Soviets conducted defenses that integrated large rivers. During the defensive phase of the War (1941–1942), they defended along the Don, Northern Donets, Volga, and Neva Rivers, as well as smaller rivers. The most famous is the Volga-Don River defense, which incorporated the Battle of Stalingrad. In the Russian view, the river is often the determining factor in selecting the forward line of defense when establishing a durable and stable defense. Engineer preparation of the battlefield in front of that forward line is critical, as is a well-organized and integrated system of fire. Both banks of the water obstacle are usually prepared for the defense. Forces permitting, the operational defense of a water obstacle is conducted in two echelons or by maintaining a strong combined arms reserve.