Turning Point 1943: Stalingrad, Kursk, El Alamein
Russia, 1942
- The Russian counterattack fizzled outside Moscow, but protected the city
- The Germans regroup and attack to the North (Leningrad) and South (Stalingrad)
- Germans want the oil fields of the Caucasus region
- Begin Sept. 1, 1942
- Germans capture much of the city in street to street fighting
- Nov, 23, 1942 Germans get trapped in the city
- German Commander Von Poulus ordered to fight to the death
- Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, 300,000 German troops surrender
- From Stalingrad onward the Germans were on the defensive
- Russians advance all the way to Berlin
- Largest tank battle in history 5-15 July 1943 at Kursk
- Jan, 27, 1944 Siege of Leningrad broken
- 16 April Berlin offensive begins
- At the same time as Pearl Harbor (Dec. 1941) the Japanese attack Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Dutch East Indies (oil)
- Battle of the Coral Seas (May 1942) First battle where aircrafts carrers do not see eachother
- Battle of Midway June, 1942- Japanese lose 4 carriers to U.S. 1
- A process of Island hopping begins in the Pacific (Guadalcanal)
- Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines) Oct 1944 (Largest naval battle ever in history) Japanese lose half of their remaining fleet and 4 more carriers (kamikazes begin)
Interesting Fact
German tanks had trouble fighting in the streets of Stalingrad. Much of the city was turned into rubble which the tanks could not go around or over.
Quote
"You are talking to dead men here."
-Von Poulus to a Luftwaffe officer sent to Stalingrad.
-Von Poulus to a Luftwaffe officer sent to Stalingrad.
Subjunctive Question
What would have been the outcome in WWII if the Allies had not won these turning points?
Summary
The Allies turning points start in Russia in 1942. Germans group to attck Leningrad and Stalingrad. The next is Stalingrad, 1942-43, possibly the most important turning point for the Allies. Germans troops end up surrendering. The war soon ends on the Eastern front becasue the Germans were on the defensive after Stalingrad. It was the largest tank battle in the world, occuring from July 5th to 15th in 1943 at Kursk. In 1944, the Siege of Leningrad was broken and the Berlin offensive begins. The final turning point was in the Pacific from 1942-43. This turning point occured at the same time as Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Dutch East Indies for oil. In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Seas and the Battle of Midway occur. This is where island hopping beigns. Battle of the Leyte Gulf is the largest naval battle ever in history and occurs in Oct. 1944.