battle of stalingrad

Question 1

when

Answer 1

23 August 1942- 2 February 1943

Question 2

why was stalingrad important to the Soviets

Answer 2

Soviet resistance was strong as Stalingrad bore Stalin’s name

Stalin named it “mother russia” - therefore it became a great source of nationalistic pride and preservation for many Russian fighters

Question 3

why does Hitler choose to invade Stalingrad

Answer 3

Gateway to oil supplies (Southern Caucausus)

“Germany’s insatiable need for raw materials”

Hitler needed to finish the war quickly to avoid one on two fronts, which would be a repeat of WW1, ergo his window of opportunity was closing fast

Question 4

Why does Hitler make this mistake?

Answer 4

incorrect assumptions

size of red army underestimated

german logistical problems

the weather

success of soviet resistance

Question 5

what did German generals believe would be the best step forward in invasion of Moscow?

Answer 5

German generals had argued in favour of continuing the all-out drive towards Moscow (centre of arms production, Soviet communications, transportation), but Hitler refuses

Question 6

hitler’s belief

Answer 6

“We have only to kick in the front door and the whole rotten edifice will come tumbling down”

Question 7

stalin’s army

Answer 7

11 million troops - 1941

Question 8

price Stalin has to pay for victory

Answer 8

1.1 million men lost

Question 9

German losses

Answer 9

410,000 German soldiers were killed.

Over 91,000 Germans were taken prisoner. - only 6000 return

Question 10

significance

Answer 10

Stalingrad historian David Glantz, author of five books on the battle, “If you look at the whole operation, the Soviets essentially wiped out the German Sixth Army and a Panzer army…leaving a massive hole in the Eastern Front..The Germans never fully recovered from it.”