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History of WWII

Unit 1
Axis Powers
Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, JapanCauses of World War II: The Rise of the Axis PowersIdeologies and Goals of the Axis PowersThe Pact of Steel and the Tripartite Pact: Formation of the Axis
Unit 3 • Chapter 2

The Battle of Stalingrad

Video Summary

The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from August 1942 to February 1943, was a pivotal turning point in World War II. The German Sixth Army, led by Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus, launched an offensive to capture the strategically important city of Stalingrad. The Soviet defenders, under General Georgy Zhukov, fought fiercely to hold the city, suffering immense casualties. The battle became a brutal urban warfare, with both sides engaging in close-quarters combat. The German advance was eventually halted, and the Soviet forces launched a counteroffensive, encircling the Sixth Army. Cut off from supplies and reinforcements, the German army was systematically destroyed, culminating in Paulus' surrender on February 2, 1943. The Battle of Stalingrad marked a decisive strategic defeat for Germany, crippling its military and breaking its momentum on the Eastern Front. It also served as a significant morale booster for the Soviet Union, demonstrating their resilience and determination to resist Nazi aggression.

Knowledge Check

What was the strategic importance of Stalingrad for the Germans?

Which German general led the Sixth Army during the battle?

What was the primary reason for the German defeat at Stalingrad?