The Second World War

Gold collection present The Second World War The Stalingrad Battle The Moscow Battle 26,6 million people The Siege of Leningrad Russia has always had the cities which played the most significant part in its history. Stalingrad is one of those cities. It has become the symbol of pain and suffering, the symbol of the greatest fortitude of the soviet nation. The Stalingrad Battle is one of the supreme battles of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945It lasted for 200 days and nights – since July, 17 of 1942 up to February, 2nd of 1943. 200 days and nights The Battle can be relatively divided into two periods: the defensive and the offensive. Stalingrad After three months of slow advance, the Germans finally reached the river banks, capturing 90% of the ruined city and splitting the remaining Soviet forces into two narrow pockets. Ice floes on the Volga now prevented boats and tugs from supplying the Soviet defenders. Nevertheless, the fighting, especially on the slopes of Mamayev Kurgan and inside the factory area in the northern part of the city, continued as fiercely as ever. The victory at Stalingrad rose the world wide authority of the Soviet Union and demonstrated the growing power of the Red Army and the military skills of its commanders. During the Stalingrad Battle for the first time the Red Army carried out the advancing group operation of encircling and destroying a large enemy group The victory has been acquired for a very expensive price. Soviet forces lost more than 1,1 million people. 1,1 million people «Motherland – mother calls!» - is the monument devoted to the heroes of Stalingrad battle. People began to build the monument in May 1959 and it was finished in October 1967. On those days it was the highest monument in the world. It was restored twice in 1972 and 1986. Created by: Aristova Ann Grigorenko Julia