6.1 The Great Patriotic War

Question 1

What was Operation Barbarossa in 1941?

Answer 1

This was Hitler’s invasion of the USSR, which was delayed by three weeks to the 22nd of June due to Italy causing crisis in Yugoslavia.

Three huge army groups speared through the Baltics, Ukraine and towards Moscow, aiming to seize control over the Soviets.

Question 2

How did Stalin reacts to Hitler’s invasion of the USSR?

Answer 2

The Soviet Union was unprepared for war as Stalin had ignored warning from foreign states.

Stalin froze, failing the talk over the radio for two weeks. He decided to switch from Terror to propaganda, promoting unity instead.

Question 3

What are some examples of Stalin’s poor leadership at the start of the Great Patriotic War?

Answer 3

• He had a panic attack upon hearing the invasion and intended to move the Government out of Moscow, but changed his mind last minute
• He relied too long on inferior commanders who had gained power during the purges
• He caused a massive defeat in Kiev in Sept 1941 because he refused to let troops retreat until it was too late
• He showed no urgency in defending Leningrad after it was besieged

Question 4

What were the three stages of the Great Patriotic War?

Answer 4

1) June 1941 - Summer 1942: The USSR struggles to survive against successive German offensives, suffering massive losses of people and territory

2) 1942- Summer 1943: The USSR stabilizes it war effort and halts German advances

3) 1943-1945: The USSR goes on the offensive, achieving total victory

Question 5

What was the Grand Alliance?

Answer 5

The alliance between the USSR and Britain (June 1941) and then the US (Dec 1941).

Question 6

What were the events of the Siege of Leningrad? (8th Sept 1941 - 27th Jan 1944)

Answer 6

• Germans begin to shell Leningrad on the 8th of September
• Completely encircled by November with all supply and rail lines cut off, leading to the deaths of 650,000 Leningraders
• Throughout 1942, various different Soviet Offensives failed to penetrate the encirclement
• In January 1943, Operation Spark ruptures the encirclement, allowing the Soviets to supply Leningrad via the shores of Lake Ladoga
• In January 1944, the Leningrad-Novgorod Offensive pushed Germans westward, ending the siege by the 27th.

Question 7

What were the events of the Battle of Moscow? (30th September 1941 - 7th January 1942)

Answer 7

• The Germans intended on capturing Moscow as the climax of Operation Barbarossa and managed to pierce within 15 miles from the city.
• Borodino was captured on the 16th of October, causing Soviet Leadership to flee from Moscow, bar Stalin who stayed for morale support.
• Early winter in November led the freezing of German tanks and guns and ample frostbite among German troops
• A Soviet Offensive pushes Germans west 150 miles, ending the battle.
• By the end of the battle, 250,000- 400,000 Germans were wounded or injured and 600,000 - 1,300,000 Red Army members were dead, wounded or captured
• Many of the German troops regrouped and were assigned to focus on Stalingrad instead (deemed to be easier to capture by Hitler)

Question 8

What were the events of the Battle of Stalingrad? (17th July 1942 - 2nd Feb 1943 )

Answer 8

• Germans bomb Stalingrad in July 1942, and start an Offensive in September of the same year
• Order 227 is issued in July 1942, putting forth the “Not a step back” policy, which raised the morale / loyalty of defending troops
• Operation Uranus acted as a turning point for the Soviets on Nov 19th - 23rd, where the Soviets attacked the weaker flanks of the Nazi armies by surprise, managing to surround 290,000 axis troops
• Hitler refused to let Paulus retreat and promised the Luftwaffe would relieve them with supplies, but this was costly and ineffective.
• By the 2nd of Feb, the last remaining 91,000 troops encircled surrender to the Soviets

Question 9

Why did the tide turn in the Soviets favour in 1943?

Answer 9

• Hitler made the mistake of persisting with defending Stalingrad.
• The USSR had fully mobilised it economy, with a huge production of guns, tanks and aircrafts

Question 10

What were T-34 tanks?

Answer 10

These were Soviet produced tanks, which although less sophisticated than German tanks, it was easy to mass produce, durable and easy to repair.

These tanks led to the victory over the Battle of Kursk.

Question 11

What foreign aid was given to the USSR?

Answer 11

The US sent the USSR huge quantities of armaments, industrial goods and food via the Lend-Lease. This included 300,000 American trucks

Mass bombings by allies had completely destroyed German cities such as Dresden.