Battle Of Stalingrad Essay
The Second World War was marked by a series of some of the bloodiest battles in history, having immense effects on civilian populations and infrastructure. The war was so deadly in large part due to the advance in air warfare, weaponry, and military tactics. Some battles lasted for days, and others years. Of the list of significant battles that altered the tides of the war in favor of the Allied powers, the Battle of Stalingrad takes precedent. This five month, one week, and three day battle that saw a near two million casualties has gone down in history books as one of the most bloodiest and greatest battles of the entire conflict, because it halted the German advance into the Soviet Union and it marked the turning point of the war, in favor
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In the summer offensive known as Fall Blau, the Nazis marched south towards the Soviet oilfields in the Caucasus. Army Group South, which included the German 6th, 17th, 4th Panzer and 1st Armies, was selected to carry out this pivotal mission for the Fatherland. The journey to conquer Soviet oilfields was going swiftly, until Hitler intervened. Hitler had his eyes on Stalingrad, the city that bore the name of the Soviet leader and Germany’s biggest rival in the East. Conquering Stalingrad would serve great in Nazi propaganda and it would ultimately crush the morale of the Soviet people. Hitler mistakenly split Army Group South into two. Army Group South A would push south and conquer the Caucasus, as planned, and Army Group South B would push east, towards Stalingrad. After another intervention by Hitler and some delays on the road, Army Group South B, which was composed of the German 6th Army, finally commenced their attack on Stalingrad in August 23rd, 1942. The battle began with heavy bombing and shelling of Stalingrad. It is reported that over 1,000 tons of bombs were dropped on the city within 48 hours, which is more bombs dropped than in London during the Battle of Britain. German strategic bombing commenced on August 23rd as well, killing thousands and turning Stalingrad into a wasteland of dirt, rubble, and ruin. Unfortunately, Stalin did not allow the
In the summer offensive known as Fall Blau, the Nazis marched south towards the Soviet oilfields in the Caucasus. Army Group South, which included the German 6th, 17th, 4th Panzer and 1st Armies, was selected to carry out this pivotal mission for the Fatherland. The journey to conquer Soviet oilfields was going swiftly, until Hitler intervened. Hitler had his eyes on Stalingrad, the city that bore the name of the Soviet leader and Germany’s biggest rival in the East. Conquering Stalingrad would serve great in Nazi propaganda and it would ultimately crush the morale of the Soviet people. Hitler mistakenly split Army Group South into two. Army Group South A would push south and conquer the Caucasus, as planned, and Army Group South B would push east, towards Stalingrad. After another intervention by Hitler and some delays on the road, Army Group South B, which was composed of the German 6th Army, finally commenced their attack on Stalingrad in August 23rd, 1942. The battle began with heavy bombing and shelling of Stalingrad. It is reported that over 1,000 tons of bombs were dropped on the city within 48 hours, which is more bombs dropped than in London during the Battle of Britain. German strategic bombing commenced on August 23rd as well, killing thousands and turning Stalingrad into a wasteland of dirt, rubble, and ruin. Unfortunately, Stalin did not allow the