4.+The+Battle+of+Stalingrad+as+a+Turning+Point

Battle of Stalingrad by: Ty Cranden

__[|__http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/ stalingrad2.jpg__]__

http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/uniforms4/stalingrad.jpg

http://www.odinclan.no/Album%20-%20WWII/Bilder/Allies/Russians_fighting_in_stalingrad.jpg

Just yesterday, the Soviets finally defeated the Germans in the Battle of Stalingrad. This is the greatest turning point of the war so far and could eventually be the greatest turning point at the end of the war (Battle 1). The Germans began their attack on the city of Stalingrad in August last year and seemed to be tearing apart the Soviet defense. The Germans kept pushing and “By the end of September, they controlled nine-tenths of the city – or what was left of it” (Danzer et al. 571). It seemed like there was no hope left for the Soviets and their city. But luckily for them, the weather was on their side. The Germans were not used to the harsh winter conditions in Stalingrad and the Soviets used it to their advantage. Soviet tanks and troops surrounded the city, trapping the Germans inside and cutting off all their supplies (Danzer et al. 571). The Germans could not fight back against the rugged Soviets because most of them were starving and all of them were freezing. They eventually lost all hope and “The German commander surrendered on January 31, 1943. Two days later, his starving troops also surrendered” (Danzer et al. 571). The Soviets lost over one million troops in the struggle for the city, but in the end it payed off. This great victory over the Germans not only boosted the morale of the Soviets, but it boosted the morale of all the Allies (results 6). Our Soviet men are now moving towards Germany to keep gaining ground on the enemy.

**Works Cited** “The Battle of Stalingrad.” __“History Learning Site.”__ 2009. 

Danzer, et al. __The Americans__. Boston: McDougal Littell, 2003

“The results of the battle of Stalingrad.” __“The Battle of Stalingrad.”__ 