Course of the Great Patriotic War Flashcards
From what months did Soviet Russia struggle to survive against successive German offensives, suffering massive losses of people and territory?
June 1941-summer of 1942
When did Soviet Russia stabilise its war effort, build a power house war economy and halt German advances?
1942-summer of 1943
The speed of German advancement was astounding with vast distances covered within days. In Kiev how many Soviet troops were captured?
665,000
After how long did the German generals believe that the war was virtually won?
after 2 weeks
When did half a million Soviet troops at Kiev surrender to the Germans ?
Sep 1941
What was Stalins peace offer in October 1941?
this was secret negotiations with Germany- but were ignored by Hitler
What was the German advance strategy based on?
it was based on speed. Hitler knew that the military balance would turn against Germany if it became a long war of attrition (who would die first)
What was one of the lowest moments of the USSR in the whole of the Patriatorc War in July 1942?
the fall of Rostov on the Don after the German Caucasus plan
What was the signincance of the Battle of Stalingrad?
it became a symbolic battle with Stalin putting immense efforts into defining the city; and Hitler obsessing over taking it to lower Soviet morale
Which German army was destroyed and captured by the Soviets in the Battle of Stalingrad in Feb 1943?
the German Sixth Army
When did the German Sixth Army surrender to the Soviet?
Feb 1943
Why did Stalin not evacuate the civilian popluation in Stalingrad?
as he believed that they would fight harder for a live city than a dead one
What was a strategic mistake of the Germans with the persistence of Stalingrad?
it made their defeat into a catastrophic loss psychologically and militarily
By what year was Hitler running out of men, resources and time before the war with the USSR became a war of attrition which they could not sustain?
early 1943
What was the significance of the Kursk t-34 tank battle between the USSR and Germany in July 1943?
Hitler’s retreat led to the battle becoming a springboard for Soviet forces to counterattack and to regain huge terrorise from german occupation- leaving the road to Berlin open
