century
Owing to the Voronezh Admiralty Wharf, for a short time, Voronezh became the largest city of South Russia and the economic center of a large and fertile region. In 1711, it was made the seat of Azov Governorate, which eventually morphed into Voronezh Governorate.
In the 19th century, Voronezh was a center of the Central Black Earth Region. Manufacturing industry (mills, tallow-melting, butter-making, soap, leather, and other works) as well as bread, cattle, suet, and the hair trade developed in the town. A railway connected Voronezh with Rostov-on-Don in 1868 and Moscow in 1871.
During World War II, Voronezh was the scene of fierce fighting between Russian and combined Axis troops. The Germans used it as a staging area for their attack on Stalingrad, and made a key crossing point on the Don River. In June 1941, on Voronezh excavator factory were built two artillery installation BM-13 (Fight machine #13 Katyusha). In July, the construction of Katyusha was rationalized so that its manufacturing became easier and the time of volley repetition was shorten from five minutes to fifteen seconds. More than 300 BM-13 units manufactured in Voronezh were used in counterattack near Moscow in December 1941. In October 22, 1941, the advance of the German troops prompted establishment of the committee of defense in the city. On November 7, 1941, there was parade of troops devoted to anniversary of the October Revolution. Only three such parades were organized that year: in Moscow, Kuybyshev, and Voronezh. In late June 1942, the city was attacked by German and Hungarian forces. In response, Soviet forces formed the Voronezh Front. By July 6, the German army occupied the western river-bank suburbs before being subjected to a fierce Soviet counter-attack. The city was completely under Axis control by July 24. This was the opening move of Case Blue.
Until January 25, 1943, parts of the Second German Army and the Second Hungarian Army occupied
