The Battle of StalingradAlso known as the World War 2 Turning

PointKristi

HearnePratt, 2a

One of the bloodiest battles ever fought

* Over 1.5 million men were killed

Soviet Union vs. Germany

Purpose

Control of Stalingrad in Southwest Russia

Fought from July 17, 1942 until February 2, 1943

Why Stalingrad?

Two possible reasons: 1) Hitler felt it would have been unwise to leave a major city unconquered 2) Hitler ordered the attack because it had Joseph Stalin’s name

“The world will stand still for us”-Hitler

Center for communication in southern Russia

In early September, 1942 Germany advanced to Stalingrad

For moral reasons, Russians couldn’t let the city fall

Stalin’s orders were simple, “Not a step backwards!”

Welcome to the Most Brutal Battle of World War 2

Individual streets were being fought on using hand-to-hand combat

Germans took majority of the city Failed to assert authority Most areas once taken by Germany were

quickly recaptured

Russian Counter-Offensive

Launched on November 19, 1942

Using six armies of 1 million men, Russia had Germany surrounded

Unable to retreat, Germany faced freezing Russian temperatures

Germans only option was to surrender

February 2, 1943 the surrender took place

Disastrous for Germany

Complete German army was lost at battle

91,000 Germans were taken as prisoners

Lack of manpower and equipment, Germany couldn’t stop Russia when they attacked in Germany

“The God of war has gone to the other side”-Hitler

Hitler ordered a day of mourning not for the loss of soldiers, but for the “shame” von Paulus had brought

Paulus was stripped of his rankings

Works Cited

"Battle of Stalingrad: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article." AbsoluteAstronomy.com. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Battle_of_Stalingrad>.

"The Battle of Stalingrad." History Learning Site. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_stalingrad.htm>.