Stalingrad
- Germans want the oil fields of the Caucasus region
- Started Sept. 1, 1942
- Germans capture much of the city in the street to street fighting
- Nov. 23, 1942 Germans get trapped in the city
- Von Paulus ordered to fight to the death
- Between Jan 31 and Feb 2, 300,000 German troops surrender
- Was a major turning point on the Eastern Front on WWII
- Largest battle in human history (2 million casualties)
Summary
Russia and Germany were both fighting for Stalingrad. Both countries knew that this is the "battle that will change everything." If Germany were to be successful in taking Stalingrad, then all of Russia would be in Germany's control. Germany also wanted the oil resources. It was a major turning point in the war for the eastern front in WWII and also became the largest battle in human history with two million casualties.