Stalingrad, now called as Volgograd: the city of tears, loss, resistance and remembrance after the Soviet leader, has witnessed one of the longest and most brutal battles in the history.
Started in the summer of 1942 (23 August 1942), it was the skirmish of World War II in which Germany and its Allies (the countries in opposition to Austria- Hungary, Turkey, and Germany in world war II) fought for control of Stalingrad.
Russians consider it as the bloodiest battles of their Great Patriotic War, which was marked by the fierce scuffle and direct assaults on the civilians in air raids and bombing. The fight raged for over 200 days with the loss of around two million German, Soviet soldiers and civilians. It later deteriorated to house-to-house fighting, and the continued attacks have reduced the city to a dilapidated condition.
200-Day-Long Battle and Stalingrad
The picture was taken in 1942 of Soviet soldiers during the battle of Volgograd. (Photo credit AFP/Getty Images)
Stretching about 50 km along the banks of Volga River, Stalingrad was the largest industrial city producing artillery, tractors and other essential goods for troops. The Volga River was used as the shipping route connecting to the other distant eastern regions of the country.
Hitler and the Wehrmacht had their sight on Stalingrad. Hitler wanted the armed forces to occupy the country, stating that it carry Stalin’s name.
Previously, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, the Russian forces have rebuffed a German attack which aimed to take Moscow. After that, the Stalin and his generals expected another attack to be aimed at Moscow. However, Hitler has plans to occupy Stalingrad and Caucasus.
Hitler also proclaimed that after taking the city, male citizens would be killed while the women will be deported. After this, the Stalin ordered Russians to get a rifle in defense of the city.