71 years ago, the first phase of the Battle of Stalingrad began.2 photos

71 years ago
The first phase of the Battle of Stalingrad began

The Battle of Stalingrad became one of the largest battles during the Great Patriotic War.

On July 17, 1942, the first (defensive) phase of the battle commenced with the launch of the Stalingrad Strategic Defense Operation. It lasted until November 18, 1942. This operation was carried out by the troops of the Stalingrad and South-Eastern Fronts, with the support of the Volga Military Flotilla. During the fighting, additional units were assigned to the Soviet forces, including the headquarters of the South-Eastern Front, five army commands, two tank army commands, 56 divisions, and 33 brigades.

In the fierce defensive battles that took place in the wide bend of the Don River, as well as in the area around Stalingrad and within the city itself, the enemy’s offensive strength was shattered, and the main assault group of the German army on the southern flank of the Soviet-German front was neutralized.

At the same time, the conditions were created for the Soviet forces to launch a decisive counteroffensive.

On November 19, 1942, the second phase of the battle began—the Stalingrad Strategic Offensive Operation, which concluded on February 2, 1943. This operation was conducted by the troops of the South-Western, Don, and Stalingrad Fronts, again with the support of the Volga Military Flotilla. During this phase, the Soviet forces encircled and destroyed the main forces of the German 4th and 6th Panzer Armies, as well as the 3rd and 4th Romanian Armies and the 8th Italian Army.

The enemy suffered losses of over 800,000 men; more than 91,000 were captured, including two and a half thousand officers and 24 generals.

The Soviet victory in the Battle of Stalingrad marked a turning point in World War II. As a result of this battle, the Soviet Army seized strategic initiative from the enemy and retained it throughout the remainder of the war.

To commemorate the heroes who fought in the Battle of Stalingrad, a memorial complex was constructed on Mamayev Kurgan between 1963 and 1967.