Survival and Starvation: What People Ate During the Siege of Leningrad (1941-1944)

During the Siege of Leningrad from 1941 to 1944, the city was under a relentless blockade by German forces, leading to extreme food shortages and widespread famine. The conditions during this period were horrific, and the survival of the population hinged on their ability to find and consume unconventional sources of food.

The Conditions and Rationing System

When the German forces laid siege to Leningrad, the city faced severe food shortages. The rationing system, which was already strained, became nearly impossible to manage. The primary food sources during this time included:

Bread: As the staple food, bread was essential, but the quality and quantity drastically declined. Rations often consisted of bread made from sawdust or other fillers. Porridge: People consumed porridge made from whatever grains were available, such as barley or oats. Often, these porridges were mixed with other ingredients to stretch the portions. Vegetables: Potatoes, cabbage, and beets were common but became scarce as the siege continued. By the end of the siege, these vegetables were almost nonexistent. Fish: Some individuals resorted to catching fish from the Neva River, but this was a limited resource. Meat: Meat rations were extremely minimal, and people had to resort to eating pets or scavenging for whatever they could find.

In addition to these conventional food sources, people turned to dandelions and other wild plants to supplement their diets. These plants, which were edible, provided a vital source of nutrition as food became increasingly scarce.

Extreme Measures and Cannibalism

Under the dire circumstances, people had to resort to eating anything available. Sawdust was often added to the bread to bulk it up. Stray dogs were sometimes consumed due to hunger. In the most extreme cases, cannibalism occurred. While such incidents were relatively rare given the population, they were well-documented, notably by the NKVD.

Impact on Civilians and Soldiers

The impact of the siege on civilians and soldiers was severe. People faced a daily struggle to survive, and many civilians, including the elderly, had to subsist on a mere 300 calories per day. This is less than the caloric content of a typical ham sandwich. Soldiers who did not escape the city often received more rationed food than civilians but still faced severe shortages.

Conditions were so harsh that people searched for unconventional sources of food. For example, the bones of animals were used to make soup broth, and some individuals even turned to cannibalism in the direst circumstances.

Personal Accounts and Survival Stories

The siege of Leningrad was not just a historical event but a personal tragedy for many families. For instance, the author's mother and father survived the siege. They were fortunate to be evacuated via the 'Road of Life' from Ladoga in March 1942. The author's mother, as a young girl, worked to get some bread rations, while her father defended the city in the army and later ended up in a military hospital with distrophy.

His father's condition worsened, but he managed to transfer to the Finnish front at Kemi Joki, where conditions were relatively quiet. This transfer was a turning point in his survival story, and he would not have survived without it.

The resilience of the Leningrad population during this time is remarkable. Despite the dire circumstances, many found ways to endure, and life-saving efforts often involved risking everything they had. This tragic period remains a somber reminder of the horrors of war and the human struggle for survival.