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Soviets invade Poland
Warsaw falls to the Soviets on 29/09/39. It is divided into zones with the Nazis. This gave Stalin a buffer zone against Western attack (which he feared in light of an alliance with Germany) as well as great prestige as leader. -
Soviet invasion of Finland
The Soviet Union send 5 armies into Finland, beginning the Winter War. What should of been an easy victory with 760,000 soldiers, 6,541 tanks compared to Finland's 32 and 3880 aircraft's in comparison to Finland's 114;the war lasted 3 months with 381,000 casualties.
First sign of Russian weakness due to the purges, but ended with the Treaty of Moscow (11/03/40) conceding 10% of land to Russia. -
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Nazi-soviet pact
The Russians enjoyed significant territorial and economic gains initially from the pact. This is due to the Soviets attacking Eastern European countries from the east in tandem with Germany from the West. Geographically, it was difficult for the West to intervene in Stalin's aim of creating a buffer zone, while expanding Soviet influence in Europe. -
Finnish invasion continued...
As a consequence of the struggle, Russia was expelled from the league of nations prompting conscription for all males aged 19 and 20 in light of heightened fears of a Western attack from the allied forces, who had agreed to come to the aid of Finland and Norway. -
Kursk and Smolenesk
The German high commanded destroyed Soviet forces around Kursk, with 300,000 Soviet prisoners, 3,200 tanks and 3,100 artillery guns being captured. This had a long term strain on resources for Russia and along with Kiev being captured, exemplifies just how unprepared they war for war and conversely how they can be commended for succeeding in a war of attrition. -
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Siege of Leningrad
By the end of the siege, 1 million people are said to have died with 632,000 people in 1942 alone. Hitler presumed the city to blow over like a life and so opted for a siege, however, the 3 years which included extraneous winters, reduced rations and constant bombardment was a testament to the spirit and resilience of the Soviet people who in light of the purges, WW1 and Civil war, carried on life as normal meaning the Germans could not take the city to use for their own gain. -
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Operation Barbarossa
Germany launch their all out invasion of the Soviet Union and advance until being halted at Moscow, primarily due to the extremes of the Russian winter. They're advance through European Russia was rapid with Russia facing 665,000 in losses and losing Baltic states such as Latvia and Estonia, The extent to this is exemplified by Hitler rejecting a peace offering, emphasising both Hitlers confidence and the desperation of Stalin. The time span showed tactical incompetence from Stalin. -
Siege of Moscow
Key for showing the transition of Stalin from cowering away at the start of the war, to becoming a great war leader. His role in refusing to leave the city despite the relocation of government in tandem with giving radio broadcasts despite his limited skills as an orator, was another key turning point in the war with the Germans once again halted, unable to take a city of key strategic importance in European Russia, despite losing 1 million people. -
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Soviet recovery
In light of the initial German advance, the Soviets manged to string a chain of key victories at key industrial centres such as Leningrad, Moscow and Stalingrad in order to fuel recovery in the later stages of war. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
The city was not of much strategic value, but the fact that it bore Stalin's name made it an up most priority for Stalin. The battle signalled a turn in tide of the war with 200,000 German troops dying in battle after being forbidden to retreat, also 1 million Soviets. The battle showed that Hitlers forces (esp 6th army) were not invincible as well as the skill of Zhukov as general and resilience of the Soviet people who despite once again facing high losses, fought in Stalin's name. -
Battle of Kursk
Example of tank warfare lasting just 12 days with Russia having 1000 more tanks than Germany.By re-taking Kursk it reflects the turning of the tide in the war. Although it was simply superior numbers which assured victory, it was hailed as a propaganda victory due to tactical superiority of the Nazi's 'Operation Citadel'. -
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Operation Bagration
Saw the defeat of 1.2 million strong German army and opened the way for the Soviets to invade Germany itself and head for Berlin. The ruthless of the operation was a direct response to the treatment of the Russians by the Germans at the start of the war. It significantly enhanced Stalin's prestige despite that the main reason for the operation's successes were the resilience of the people in tandem with the weaknesses of the German army. -
Battle of Berlin
Affirmed Soviet victory with Berlin being taken in merely 2 weeks. The Soviet armies were vengeful in their approach, looting, raping and murdering civilians in retribution for German treatment of the Slavic people at the start of the war. The subsequent treaty restored all territory lost via Operation Barbarossa as well as ultimately winning governance over East Germany, enhancing their position in Europe after years of Combat after the dissolution of the Reichstag.