Video Summary

The Battle of Stalingrad, fought between August 23, 1942, and February 2, 1943, was a turning point in World War II. The German Sixth Army, aiming to seize the strategically vital city of Stalingrad (modern-day Volgograd) on the Volga River, launched a massive offensive. The battle became a brutal, urban struggle characterized by house-to-house fighting and immense casualties on both sides. The Soviet defense, initially faltering, stiffened under the leadership of Marshal Zhukov and General Chuikov. The Germans, facing fierce resistance and increasingly stretched supply lines, found themselves trapped in a shrinking pocket as the Soviets encircled them in a counteroffensive. The resulting battle of annihilation saw the German Sixth Army virtually destroyed, representing a catastrophic defeat for the Axis powers. The victory at Stalingrad marked a significant shift in momentum on the Eastern Front, paving the way for the Soviet advance westward and ultimately contributing to the Allied victory in World War II.