Turning Points
The German Offensive in the East in 1942 and Stalingrad
Summer 1942
Hitler is to launch a new offensive Will be codenamed Case Blue Three Phase Campaign
Encircle Soviet troops at the Don River
Dash southward along the Volga toward Stalingrad
Drive deep into the Soviet Union in the South to the Caucuses oil fields
1 The Red Army Acts
Stalin believed that Hitler would continue to move on Moscow. REMEMBER Winter of 1941 was worst in Russia in 140 years. May 12, 1942 General Timoshenko launches counteroffensive at Kharkov. Initial success, but ultimately a failure.
Germany Takes the Offensive
Initial success is almost a replay of Barbarossa a year before.
The Germans assumed this offensive would win the war.
In 8 days, the Fourth German Panzer division drove 100 miles to reach the Don River.
The Red Army retreats to the city of Stalingrad.
The Southern Offensive
Hitler sends most of his troops southward without securing the city of Stalingrad.
He leaves that task to the German Sixth Army under General Paulus and the German Luftwaffe .
The German 1 st Panzer Army dashes to the South toward the oilfields.
2 The Southern Offensive (cont.)
August 9, 1943 German Army reaches the Maykop Oil Fields Hitler Splits forces st 1st Group Heads for Grozny oil fields nd 2nd Group Heads the coast of the black sea Too many objectives
The Offensive Stalls
Problems include:
Stretches in supply limits Shortages of fuel Difficult terrain
Tough resistance from locals
Hitler begins to fire Generals (including Halder)
Battle of Stalingrad
Strategic Importance It is the hinge of the offensive for Germany Air Raids Fires are seen from miles away! City Warfare Early November Germans control 9/10 of the city Miserable conditions
3 Soviet Counter Offensive
November 19, 1943 Led by Georgi Zhukov “Verdun of the Volga” Zhukov masses troops on the northeast and southeast of Stalingrad (Romanian troops) Paulus is encircled and trapped.
The Red Army is Victorious
A second Soviet offensive takes place on December 6 Battle continues until Paulus surrenders on February 2, 1943. Outcomes: German Army in Southern Russia is cut off. Soviets will launch a vast counter offensive and quickly begin moving West.
Documentary
War of the Century: When Hitler Fought Stalin
Episode 3, “Learning to Win”
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