Slide 1

The Battle of Stalingrad (23 August 1942 – 2 February 1943) was a major battle on
the Eastern Front of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet
Union for control of the city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd) in Southern Russia, on the
eastern boundary of Europe.
It is often regarded as one of the single largest and bloodiest battles in the history of
warfare.

Slide 2
June 1941, Hitler launched the biggest military campaign in history – the invasion of the
Soviet Union. The Campaign was named Operation Barbarossa.

Slide 3
For the last 7 months, Germany planned to take Soviet’s key cities include Leningrad,
Moscow, and then take Caucasus area.

Slide 4
Why Caucasus?
This was the most important oil field in Soviet, supplied 90% for the whole country.

Slide 5
First Germany used artillery and aircraft to attack, then they follow up with fast moving
armor to around and destroy the enemy.

Slide 6
German tank was a perfect war machine because of its power, mobility, speed. It was
simply unstoppable.

Slide 7
In just 3 weeks, unstoppable German tank accounted for 2 million Russian.
Despite fear of Russian resistance along the way, the German advanced 1000 km into the
Russian land.
By the summer of 1942, the oilfield of Caucasus on the German sight. Then Hitler
changed the plan, he decided to split the attack. Half of the Army break up and capture
the city of Stalingrad.
Slide 8
Stalingrad is a major industrial center, population of 600,000 thousand.
But for Hitler, not just a significant city, it’s because of the name. and the city of
Stalingrad become more and more important in Hitler mind.

Slide 9 – Slide 18: forces of the two sides.

Slide 19
Russian generals know that they have no chance on the open country because German
tank too strong and powerful compare to Russian tank.
Two options: Stand the line until the last man or retreat to the city of Stalingrad.

Slide 20 – Slide 23: on screen.

Slide 24
When German came into Stalingrad, the got a problem. German tanks so perfect on the
open ground, but in the city, that’s a different thing. The tanks nearly couldn’t move in the
city and getting stuck. They became targets of antiweapon of Russia.

Slide 25 + 26
Soviet tried to keep key defensive positions and changed them to fortresses with anti-tank
guns, snippers, and mortar.

Slide 27 + 28 + 29: on screen

Slide 30 + 31
By November, the troops of both sides had to face a very common and brutal enemy –
Russian winter.
Russian winter uniforms were more comfortable and warmer meanwhile the German
soldiers felt cold and difficult to fight.

Slide 32 + 33 + 34
On November 19, Russian reinforcement attacked German.
The Russian reinforcement closed in Stalingrad from the flank …and 300,000 German
round in a circle.
Hitler ordered to fight the end and used planes to supply food and amination.

Slide 34 2 FEBRUARY 1943, GERMAN SOLDIERS SURRENDERED.