Stalingrad A Turning Point in World War II
Learning Objective
I can analyze the significance of the Battle of Stalingrad as a turning point in World War II.
Key Concepts
In August 1942, the German 6th Army, consisting of 250,000 men, was poised to strike Stalingrad, aiming to split the Soviet Union and extend the Third Reich.
The Soviet Red Army, under General Vasily Chuikov, defended Stalingrad fiercely, turning the city into an impenetrable maze of bunkers and strongpoints, resulting in brutal house-to-house fighting known as 'rat warfare'.
Operation Uranus, launched in November 1942 by the Soviets, involved a massive counterattack that encircled the German 6th Army, leading to their eventual surrender and marking Stalingrad as a key turning point in World War II.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 3 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. What was the primary strategic objective for the German forces in launching Operation Blue, which included the Battle of Stalingrad?
2. Explain how the intense urban fighting in Stalingrad, often referred to as 'rat warfare,' impacted the German army's initial advantages in mobility and firepower.
3. The video mentions that the Soviet forces launched Operation Uranus. How did this operation contribute to the shift in momentum of the war?
Educational Video
Trapped in Hell: Stalingrad's Epic Resistance | The Lost Evidence (S1, E7) | Full Episode
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