A few minutes later, the Nazi hordes invaded the USSR. Simultaneously with the invasion ground forces hundreds of enemy planes began to bomb airfields, naval bases, nodes and communication lines, railway stations, military camps and other military facilities. Many were subjected to massive air raids. Soviet cities: Libava, Riga, Kaunas, Minsk, Smolensk, Kyiv, Zhitomir, Sevastopol, etc. Enemy aircraft operated throughout the western border strip - from Gulf of Finland to the Black Sea. First of all, she sought to destroy fighter aviation border military districts at airfields. As a result of sudden air strikes, the enemy succeeded in putting out of action a significant part of the fighter planes, mainly of new designs, which greatly facilitated the struggle for air supremacy for fascist German aviation.
So Nazi Germany, treacherously violating the non-aggression pact concluded in 1939, suddenly attacked our Motherland. Together with it, the armed forces of Finland, Romania, Italy, Slovakia, Finland, Spain, Bulgaria and Hungary began military operations against the Soviet Army. Rogue attack Nazi Germany in the USSR became a fait accompli. However, those people who were not directly exposed to the first blows of the enemy and did not receive combat orders from higher headquarters did not yet believe that the war had begun. And it is no coincidence that, having received the first reports from the border posts about the enemy's invasion, some commanders gave instructions to the troops not to cross the border and not to open fire on enemy aircraft. But this did not last long. Soviet troops began to rapidly advance to the border, towards the invading enemy. Soon, together with the border guards, they entered into battle with the enemy.

Combat operations on the ground and in the air assumed an exceptionally tense character. Fierce and bloody battles unfolded on the entire front. Despite the incredibly difficult situation in which Soviet soldiers, officers and generals had to fight from the very first hours of the war, they showed high courage and mass heroism.

Military-political goals Soviet Union in the war with Nazi Germany were defined in the directive of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks of June 29, 1941. The goal of the Great Patriotic War against fascist invaders was not only the elimination of the danger hanging over our country, but also help to all the peoples of Europe, groaning under the yoke of German imperialism.
The situation for the Soviet Army in the first days of the war was difficult. Due to the delay in taking measures to bring the troops of the border military districts to combat readiness, our formations were not deployed in time to repel the attack of the aggressor, entered the battle separately, in parts, and as a result often suffered setbacks. Moving forward along various routes to the front line and meeting with the enemy, they fought him in separate areas. Therefore, the defensive actions of the Soviet troops were of a focal nature. Since there was no solid front, enemy formations, especially tank formations, had the opportunity to strike at the flanks and from the rear. Under these conditions, the Soviet troops had to fight in encirclement and retreat to the rear lines.

The enemy occupied a significant part of the country, moved inland up to 300-600 km, while losing 100 thousand people killed, almost 40% of tanks and 950 aircraft. Our losses were even more horrendous. border battles and initial period wars (until mid-July) generally led to the defeat of the Red Army. She lost 850 thousand people killed and wounded, 9.5 thousand guns, St. 6 thousand tanks, approx. 3.5 thousand aircraft; approx. 1 million people. On June 23, the Headquarters of the High Command was created (from August 8 - Headquarters Supreme High Command). All power was concentrated in the State Defense Committee (GKO), created on June 30. From August 8, I. V. Stalin became Supreme Commander. The main military events of the summer-autumn campaign of 1941 were Smolensk battle, the defense of Leningrad and the beginning of its blockade, the military catastrophe of the Soviet troops in Ukraine, the defense of Odessa, the beginning of the defense of Sevastopol, the loss of Donbass, defensive period Moscow battle. The Red Army retreated 850-1200 km, but the enemy was stopped in the main directions near Leningrad, Moscow and Rostov and went on the defensive. The winter campaign of 1941-42 began with a counteroffensive of the Soviet troops in the western strategic direction. In the course of it, a counteroffensive was carried out near Moscow, the Luban, Rzhev-Vyazemskaya, Barvenkovsko-Lozovskaya and Kerch-Feodosiya landing operations. Soviet troops removed the threat to Moscow and the North. Caucasus, facilitated the situation of Leningrad, completely or partially liberated the territory of 10 regions, as well as St. 60 cities. The blitzkrieg strategy collapsed. It was destroyed ca. 50 enemy divisions.

On the occupied territory of the USSR, the enemy established occupation regime. The territories of the Byelorussian SSR were subjected to German occupation, Ukrainian SSR, Estonian SSR, Latvian SSR, Lithuanian SSR, 13 regions of the RSFSR. Moldova and some regions of the south of the Ukrainian SSR (Transnistria) were included in Romania, part of the Karelian-Finnish SSR was occupied by Finnish troops.
More than 10 million victims of the invaders Soviet citizens.
As the Russian historian G. A. Bordyugov points out, in the affairs of the Emergency state commission"for the establishment and investigation of atrocities Nazi German invaders and their accomplices” (June 1941 - December 1944) recorded 54,784 acts of atrocities against civilians in the occupied Soviet territories. Among them are crimes such as "use of civilian population during hostilities, forcible mobilization of the civilian population, executions civilians and the destruction of their dwellings, rape, the hunt for people - slaves for the German industry.

In the summer-autumn campaign of 1942 Soviet troops had an unrealistic task: to completely defeat the enemy and liberate the entire territory of the country. The main military events unfolded in the southwestern direction: the defeat Crimean Front, a military disaster of the Soviet troops in Kharkov operation, Voronezh-Voroshilovgrad, Donbass, Stalingrad defensive operations, battle in the North. Caucasus. In the northwestern direction, the Red Army conducted the Demyansk and Rzhev-Sychevsk offensive operations. The enemy advanced 500-650 km, went to the Volga, captured part of the passes of the Main Caucasian Range. The territory was occupied, where before the war 42% of the population lived, 1/3 of the gross output was produced, and more than 45% of the sown area was located. The economy was transferred to the war footing. IN eastern regions countries were rebased a large number of enterprises (only in the second half of 1941 - 2593, including 1523 large ones), 2.3 million heads of cattle were exported. In the first half of 1942, 10,000 aircraft, 11,000 tanks, approx. 54 thousand guns. In the 2nd half of the year, their output increased by more than 1.5 times. Soviet-British agreement of July 12, 1941, Moscow conference of representatives of the USSR, USA and Great Britain (September 29 - October 1, 1941), Declaration of 26 states of January 1, 1942 on the military alliance of countries fighting against fascism, Soviet-American agreement of June 11, 1942 designed the core anti-Hitler coalition.

In the winter campaign of 1942-43, the main military events were the Stalingrad and North Caucasian offensive operations, the breaking of the blockade of Leningrad. The Red Army advanced 600-700 km to the west, freeing the territory of St. 480 km2, defeated 100 divisions (40% of enemy forces on Soviet-German front). Favorable conditions were created for the completion of the Allied offensive in the North. Africa, Sicily and South. Italy. In the summer-autumn campaign of 1943, the decisive event was Battle of Kursk. Important role partisans played (operation " rail war"). During the battle for the Dnieper, 38 thousand people were liberated. settlements, including 160 cities; with the capture of strategic bridgeheads on the Dnieper, conditions were created for an offensive in Belarus. In the battle for the Dnieper, the partisans carried out Operation Concert to destroy enemy communications. The Smolensk and Bryansk offensive operations were carried out in other directions. The Red Army fought up to 500-1300 km, defeated 218 divisions. An important milestone in the development of international and inter-allied relations has become Tehran conference(November 28 - December 1, 1943).

During the winter campaign of 1943-44, the Red Army carried out an offensive in Ukraine (10 simultaneous and successive front-line operations united by a common plan), completed the defeat of Army Group South, reached the border with Romania and transferred military operations to its territory.

Almost simultaneously, the Leningrad-Novgorod offensive operation unfolded; Leningrad was finally released. As a result of the Crimean operation, Crimea was liberated. Soviet troops advanced 250-450 km westward, liberated approx. 300 thousand km2 of territory, reached state border with Czechoslovakia. In June 1944, the Allies opened a 2nd front in France, which worsened Germany's military and political situation. During the summer-autumn campaign of 1944, Soviet troops carried out the Belorussian, Lvov-Sandomierz, East Carpathian, Iasi-Kishinev, Baltic, Debrecen, East Carpathian, Belgrade, partly Budapest and Petsamo-Kirkenes offensive operations. The liberation of Belarus, Ukraine and the Baltic states (except for some regions of Latvia), partially Czechoslovakia was completed, Romania and Hungary were forced to surrender and entered the war against Germany, the Soviet Arctic and northern regions Norway. On February 4-11, 1945, the Crimean Conference of the leaders of the USSR, Great Britain and the USA took place in Yalta.

The 1945 campaign in Europe included the East Prussian, Vistula-Oder, completion of the Budapest, East Pomeranian, Lower Silesian, Upper Silesian, West Carpathian, Vienna and Berlin operations, which ended in unconditional surrender Nazi Germany. After the Berlin operation, Soviet troops, together with the 2nd Army of the Polish Army, 1st and 4th Romanian armies and the 1st Czechoslovak Corps carried out the Prague operation. On June 24, the Victory Parade took place in Moscow. At the Berlin Conference of the leaders of the three great powers, which took place in July-August, an agreement was reached on questions of the post-war order of peace in Europe. On August 9, 1945, the USSR, fulfilling its allied obligations, began military operations against Japan.

During the Manchurian operation, Soviet troops defeated Kwantung Army, liberated Yuzh. Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the unconditional surrender. On the Soviet-German front, 607 enemy divisions were defeated and captured, 75% of it was destroyed. military equipment. According to various sources, the losses of the Wehrmacht ranged from 6 million to 13.7 million people. The USSR lost approx. 27 million people, including 11.3 million people at the front, 4-5 million partisans, many people died in the occupied territory and in the rear of the country. In fascist captivity was approx. 6 million people. Material damage amounted to 679 billion rubles. In severe bloody war Soviet people made a decisive contribution to the liberation of the peoples of Europe from the fascist yoke. Victory Day (May 9) is celebrated annually as a national holiday and a day of remembrance for the dead.

Bordyugov G. A. Wehrmacht and the Red Army: on the nature of crimes against the civilian population. Report at the International scientific conference"The experience of world wars in the history of Russia", September 11, 2005, Chelyabinsk.
Anfilov V.A. The beginning of the Great Patriotic War (June 22 - mid-July 1941). Military history essay. - M.: Military Publishing House, 1962.
http://cccp.narod.ru/work/enciklop/vov_01.html.

With the beginning of September 1939, the short period of peace between the two big wars XX century. Two years later, under the rule of Nazi Germany was most of Europe with a huge production and raw material potential.

A powerful blow was brought down on the Soviet Union, for which the Great Patriotic War(1941-1945). A summary of this period in the history of the USSR cannot express the scale of the suffering endured by the Soviet people and the heroism they displayed.

On the eve of military trials

The revival of the power of Germany, dissatisfied with the results of the First World War (1914-1918), against the background of the aggressiveness of the party that came to power there, led by the possessed Adolf Hitler, with its ideology of racial superiority, made a threat new war for the USSR more and more real. By the end of the 1930s, these sentiments more and more penetrated the people, and the all-powerful leader of a vast country, Stalin, understood this more and more clearly.

The country was getting ready. People went to construction sites eastern part countries, in Siberia and the Urals, military factories were built - understudies of industries located near the western borders. IN defense industry significantly more financial, human and scientific resources were invested than in the civilian one. To increase the results of labor in cities and in agriculture ideological and harsh administrative means were used (repressive laws on discipline in factories and collective farms).

The reform in the army was the adoption of a law on universal military service(1939), introduced the ubiquitous military training. It was in shooting, parachute circles, in flying clubs at OSOAVIAKhIM that future soldiers-heroes of the Patriotic War of 1941-1945 began to study military science. New military schools were opened, developed newest species weapons, formed combat formations progressive type: armored and airborne. But there was not enough time, the combat readiness of the Soviet troops was in many respects lower than that of the Wehrmacht - the army of Nazi Germany.

Stalin's suspicion of the power ambitions of the highest commanders. It resulted in monstrous repressions that wiped out up to two-thirds officer corps. There is a version of a planned provocation by the German military intelligence, which jeopardized many heroes civil war victims of the purges.

Foreign policy factors

Stalin and the leaders of countries that wanted to limit Hitler's European hegemony (England, France, the USA) were unable to create a united anti-fascist front before the start of the war. Soviet leader in an effort to delay the war, he tried to contact Hitler. This led to the signing in 1939 of the Soviet-German non-aggression pact (agreement), which also did not contribute to the rapprochement of the anti-Hitler forces.

As it turned out, the country's leadership was mistaken about the value of a peace agreement with Hitler. On June 22, 1941, the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe, without declaring war, attacked the western borders of the USSR throughout. This was a complete surprise for the Soviet troops and a strong shock for Stalin.

tragic experience

In 1940, Hitler approved the Barbarossa plan. According to this plan, three summer months were allotted for the defeat of the USSR, the capture of its capital. And at first the plan was carried out with precision. All participants in the war recall the almost hopeless mood of the middle of the summer of 1941. 5.5 million German soldiers against 2.9 million Russians, total superiority in armaments - and in a month Belarus, the Baltic states, Moldova, almost all of Ukraine were captured. Losses of Soviet troops - 1 million killed, 700 thousand prisoners.

The superiority of the Germans in the skill of command and control was noticeable - the combat experience of the army, which had already passed half of Europe, had an effect. Skillful maneuvers surround and destroy entire groups near Smolensk, Kyiv, in the Moscow direction, and the blockade of Leningrad begins. Stalin is dissatisfied with the actions of his commanders and resorts to the usual repressions - the commander was shot for treason Western Front.

people's war

Still, Hitler's plans fell apart. The USSR quickly embarked on a war footing. The Headquarters of the Supreme High Command was created to control the armies and a single governing body for the whole country - State Committee Defense, headed by the all-powerful leader Stalin.

Hitler believed that the Stalinist methods of governing the country, illegal repressions against the intelligentsia, the military, wealthy peasants and entire nationalities will cause the collapse of the state, the emergence of a "fifth column" - as he is used to in Europe. But he miscalculated.

The invaders were hated by men in the trenches, women at the machines, old people and small children. Wars of this magnitude affect the fate of every person, and victory requires a universal effort. Sacrifices for the sake of a common victory were made not only because of ideological motives, but also because of innate patriotism, which had roots in pre-revolutionary history.

Battle of Moscow

The invasion received its first serious rebuff near Smolensk. By heroic efforts, the attack on the capital was delayed there until the beginning of September.

By October, tanks with crosses on their armor come out to Moscow, with the goal of capturing the Soviet capital before the onset of cold weather. The most hard time during the years of the Great Patriotic War. A state of siege is declared in Moscow (10/19/1941).

The military parade on the anniversary will forever remain in history October revolution(11/07/1941) as a symbol of confidence that Moscow will be able to defend. The troops left Red Square directly to the front, which was located 20 kilometers to the west.

An example of the resilience of Soviet soldiers was the feat of 28 Red Army soldiers from the division of General Panfilov. For 4 hours they delayed a breakthrough group of 50 tanks at the Dubosekovo junction and died, destroying 18 combat vehicles. These heroes of the Patriotic War (1941-1945) are only a small part Immortal Regiment Russian army. Such self-sacrifice gave the enemy doubts about victory, strengthening the courage of the defenders.

Recalling the events of the war, Marshal Zhukov, who commanded the Western Front near Moscow, whom Stalin began to promote to the first roles, always noted the decisive importance of the defense of the capital for achieving victory in May 1945. Any delay of the enemy army made it possible to accumulate forces for a counterattack: fresh parts of the Siberian garrisons were transferred to Moscow. Hitler did not plan to wage war in winter conditions, the Germans began to have problems with the supply of troops. By the beginning of December, there was a turning point in the battle for the Russian capital.

Root turn

The offensive of the Red Army (December 5, 1941), unexpected for Hitler, threw the Germans back a hundred and fifty miles to the west. The fascist army suffered its first defeat in its history, and the plan for a victorious war failed.

The offensive continued until April 1942, but it was far from irreversible changes during the war: major defeats followed near Leningrad, Kharkov, in the Crimea, the Nazis reached the Volga near Stalingrad.

When historians of any country mention the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), a summary of its events is not complete without the Battle of Stalingrad. It was at the walls of the city that bore the name sworn enemy Hitler, he received a blow that eventually led him to collapse.

The defense of the city was often carried out hand-to-hand, for every piece of territory. Participants in the war note an unprecedented number of human and technical means, attracted from both sides and burned in the fire of the Battle of Stalingrad. The Germans lost a quarter of the troops - one and a half million bayonets, 2 million - our losses.

The unprecedented resilience of the Soviet soldiers on the defensive and the irrepressible fury on the offensive, together with the increased tactical skill of the command, ensured the encirclement and capture of 22 divisions of the 6th Army of Field Marshal Paulus. The results of the second military winter shocked Germany and the whole world. The history of the war of 1941-1945 changed the course, it became clear that the USSR not only withstood the first blow, but would inevitably strike the enemy with a powerful retaliatory strike.

The final stage of the turning point in the war

The Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) contains several examples of the military talent of the Soviet command. A summary of the events of 1943 is a series of impressive Russian victories.

The spring of 1943 began with Soviet offensive in all directions. The configuration of the front line jeopardized the encirclement of the Soviet Army in the Kursk region. The offensive operation of the Germans called "Citadel" had exactly this strategic goal, but the command of the Red Army provided for reinforced defenses in the places of the alleged breakthrough, while preparing reserves for a counteroffensive.

The German offensive in early July managed to break through the Soviet defenses only in sections to a depth of 35 km. The history of the war (1941-1945) knows the date of the start of the largest oncoming battle of self-propelled combat vehicles. On a sultry July day, on the 12th, in the steppe near the village of Prokhorovka, the crews of 1200 tanks began the battle. The Germans have the latest "Tiger" and "Panther", the Russians have the T-34 with a new, more powerful gun. The defeat inflicted on the Germans knocked out the offensive weapons of the motorized corps from Hitler's hands, and the fascist army went over to the strategic defense.

By the end of August 1943, Belgorod and Orel were recaptured, and Kharkov was also liberated. For the first time in years, the Red Army seized the initiative. Now the German generals had to guess where she would start the fighting.

In the penultimate military year, historians single out 10 decisive operations that led to the liberation of the territory occupied by the enemy. Until 1953, they were called "10 Stalinist blows."

The Great Patriotic War (1941-1945): a summary of the military operations of 1944

1. Withdrawal Leningrad blockade(January 1944).
2. January-April 1944: Korsun-Shevchenko operation, successful battles in the Right-Bank Ukraine, March 26 - access to the border with Romania.
3. Liberation of the Crimea (May 1944).
4. The defeat of Finland in Karelia, its exit from the war (June-August 1944).
5. The offensive of four fronts in Belarus (Operation Bagration).
6. July-August - fighting in Western Ukraine, the Lvov-Sandomierz operation.
7. Iasi-Kishinev operation, the defeat of 22 divisions, the withdrawal of Romania and Bulgaria from the war (August 1944).
8. Help to the Yugoslav partisans I.B. Tito (September 1944).
9. Liberation of the Baltic states (July-October of the same year).
10. October - the liberation of the Soviet Arctic and the north-east of Norway.

End of enemy occupation

By the beginning of November, the territory of the USSR within the pre-war borders was liberated. The period of occupation for the peoples of Belarus and Ukraine has ended. The current political situation forces some "figures" to present German occupation almost like a blessing. It is worth asking Belarusians about this, who have lost every fourth person from the actions of “civilized Europeans”.

It is not for nothing that partisans began to operate in the occupied territories from the first days of the foreign invasion. The war of 1941-1945 in this sense became an echo of the year when other European invaders did not know peace on our territory.

Liberation of Europe

European liberation campaign demanded unthinkable expenditures of human and military resources from the USSR. Hitler, who did not even allow the thought that a Soviet soldier would enter the German soil, threw all possible forces into battle, put old men and children under arms.

The course of the final stage of the war can be traced by the name of the awards established Soviet government. Soviet soldiers-liberators received such medals of the war of 1941-1945: for (10/20/1944), Warsaw (01/07/1945), Prague (May 9), for the capture of Budapest (February 13), Koenigsberg (April 10), Vienna (13 April). And finally, military personnel were awarded for the storming of Berlin (May 2).

... And May came. The victory was marked by the signing on May 8 of the Act of unconditional surrender of the German troops, and on June 24 a parade was held with the participation of representatives of all fronts, types and branches of troops.

a great victory

Hitler's adventure cost mankind very dearly. ABOUT exact number loss of life are still arguing. The restoration of the destroyed cities, the establishment of the economy required many years of hard work, hunger and deprivation.

The results of the war are now being assessed differently. The geopolitical changes that took place after 1945 had different consequences. Territorial acquisitions of the Soviet Union, emergence socialist camp, the strengthening of the political weight of the USSR to the status of a superpower soon led to confrontation and increased tension between the allied countries in World War II.

But the main results are not subject to any revision, do not depend on the opinion of politicians who are looking for immediate benefits. In the Great Patriotic War, our country defended freedom and independence, a terrible enemy was defeated - the bearer of a monstrous ideology that threatened to destroy entire nations, the peoples of Europe were delivered from him.

The participants in the battles go down in history, the children of the war are already elderly people, but the memory of that war will live on as long as people are able to appreciate freedom, honesty and courage.

The Great Patriotic War, without exaggeration, can be called biggest event XX century, which made a real explosion in the history of our country and left an indelible mark on the history of the whole world.

Today in the literature you can find conflicting opinions about the beginning of hostilities. Some researchers argue that Hitler's attack was a complete surprise for the Soviet Union, which was one of the reasons severe lesions during the first months of the war. Others are inclined to believe that Stalin was aware of the prospect of a German attack and was sure that the 1939 Non-Aggression Pact would not be respected.

On June 22, 1941, the peaceful early morning was interrupted by explosions and shots that thundered with terrible clarity in the predawn silence. The German army crossed the borders of the USSR, immediately setting foot on the territory stretching from the Black to the Baltic Seas.

During 1941-1942. the situation continued to be extremely dangerous for the Soviet Union: the troops of Nazi Germany occupied the Baltic states, blockaded Leningrad, and captured Ukraine. The capital was under threat: the Germans rushed to Moscow.

In 1942, in many places, through superhuman efforts and at the cost huge losses soldiers of the army of the Soviet Union launched a counter-offensive, but they quickly bogged down: terrible defeats followed in the Crimea and near Kharkov.

November 19, 1942 became turning point during the course of the war. On this day, the Battle of Stalingrad began, which lasted until February 2, 1943. Result: the Nazis were defeated and began to retreat. July 5-12, 1943: Battle of Kursk, which ended with the victory of the Soviet troops and the defeat of the Nazis. During the battles of 1943, Orel, Kharkov, and Kyiv were liberated by our troops.

From November 28 to December 1, 1943, a conference was held in Tehran, at which a decision was made to open a second front. From that moment on, we could count on help allied forces(The main members of the anti-Hitler coalition, in addition to the USSR, were the USA, England, China).

1944 is already a year of victories for the USSR. From December 1944 to April 1945 the lands were liberated right-bank Ukraine; by March 1, 1944 - the blockade of Leningrad was lifted; in May 1944 Sevastopol was recaptured.

July 18, 1944 The Soviet army enters Poland. Now the war is being fought outside the USSR, from whose lands the invader was expelled. In January 1945, the Nazis capitulate near Warsaw. From 4 to 11 February was held Yalta Conference, discussing the post-war structure of the world.

On May 2, 1945, an event took place that for many meant the end of the war: the fall of Berlin and the surrender of Germany. The Soviet flag flew over the Reichstag. On May 9, Prague was liberated.

Today, a lot is said and written about the war. The events of those years cause fierce controversy. Be that as it may, one thing is certain: our people got the hardest test that they could withstand with honor. A low bow to our grandfathers and great-grandfathers: if not for them, none of us simply would not be in the world!

Brief information about the Great Patriotic War (WWII).

The initial period of the Great Patriotic War:

June 22, 1941 Germany and some of its allies (Italy, Hungary, Romania, Finland) declared war on the USSR. German troops were already near Minsk and Bialystok, occupied Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, part of Ukraine. The USSR failed due to poor preparation.

September 1941 - Germany captured Kyiv, blockaded Leningrad.

September 30, 1941 - the battle for Moscow (Operation Typhoon). The Red Army in the cauldron near Vyazma.

December 5-6, 1941 - counter-offensive of the Red Army near Moscow. The victory of the USSR, the German troops retreated hundreds of kilometers. In addition, they were defeated near Tikhvin, Rostov, Kerch.

May 1942 - the defeat of the Red Army near Kharkov and Kerch.

September 1942 - fighting begins near Stalingrad. German troops took half of the Caucasus.

July 12, 1941 - ratification of the Anglo-Soviet agreement on the fight against the enemy.

September 29 - October 1, 1941 - Moscow conference with the participation of the USSR, England and the USA. Lend-lease parameters have been determined.

January 1, 1942 - Declaration of the United Nations to fight the enemy without a separate peace is signed.

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Turning point during the Great Patriotic War:

November 19, 1942 - the offensive of the Red Army near Stalingrad. The result - the Paulus group was surrounded and blocked.

February 2, 1943 - the Pualus group surrendered to K.K. Rokossovsky. Rostov, Voronezh, Kharkov, Belgorod taken by the Red Army.

January 1943 - the blockade of Leningrad was broken.

July 5, 1943 Battle of Kursk. The troops of E. Manstein and X. Kluge used the Tiger tanks.

November 6, 1943 - Kyiv was taken, the offensive continued with the liberation of Belarus with the participation of partisans.

November 28 - December 1, 1943 - Tehran Conference An agreement was signed on the opening of a second front in France. Plus, the USSR promised to enter the war against Japan. Questions of the post-war structure of the world received an image.

Third period:

Winter campaign of 1943-1944 - the offensive of the Red Army on the Right-Bank Ukraine. Group "South" is broken

April - May 1944 - Crimean offensive operation. The goal was achieved - Crimea was liberated.

In June 1944, the Second Front was opened. Entry of the Red Army into the territory of Poland.

October 1944 - Budapest and Debrecen operations, during which Hungary made peace with the USSR. By this time, the Slovak national uprising led by Tissot. The purpose of the uprising is to get rid of the pro-Hitler policy.

January 1945 - East Prussian operation. The Red Army occupied East Prussia, liberated part of Northern Poland.

May 2 1945 - Berlin capitulated, and on May 9 - capitulated German soldiers on the island of Bornholm in Denmark, where the Soviet troops landed.

When on western border USSR Sun rays just about to illuminate the earth, the first soldiers of Nazi Germany set foot on Soviet soil. The Great Patriotic War (WWII) has been going on for almost two years, but now a heroic war has begun, and it will go not for resources, not for the domination of one nation over another, and not for the establishment of a new order, now the war will become sacred, popular and its price will be life, real and life of future generations.

Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. The beginning of the Second World War

On June 22, 1941, four years of inhuman efforts began to count down, during which the future of each of us hung practically in the balance.
War is always a disgusting business, but The Great Patriotic War (WWII) was too popular to be attended only by professional soldiers. All the people, from young to old, stood up to defend the Motherland.
From the first day Great Patriotic War (WWII) the heroism of the simple Soviet soldier became a role model. What in the literature is often called "to stand to death" was fully demonstrated already in the battles for the Brest Fortress. The vaunted soldiers of the Wehrmacht, who conquered France in 40 days and forced England to cowardly huddle on their island, faced such resistance that they simply could not believe that ordinary people were fighting against them. As if they were warriors from epic tales, they stood up with their breasts to protect every inch native land. For almost a month, the garrison of the fortress fought off one German attack after another. And this, just think, 4,000 people who were cut off from the main forces, and who did not have a single chance of salvation. They were all doomed, but they did not succumb to weakness, did not lay down their arms.
When the advanced units of the Wehrmacht go to Kyiv, Smolensk, Leningrad, in Brest Fortress the fighting is still going on.
Great Patriotic War always characterize manifestations of heroism and perseverance. Whatever happened on the territory of the USSR, no matter how terrible the repressions of tyranny would be, the war equalized everyone.
A striking example changing attitudes within society, Stalin's famous address, which was made on July 3, 1941, contained the words - "Brothers and Sisters". There were no more citizens, no more high officials and comrades, it was a huge family, consisting of all the peoples and nationalities of the country. The family demanded salvation, demanded support.
And on eastern front fighting continued. German generals first encountered an anomaly, there is no other way to call it. Designed by the best minds of Hitler general staff, lightning war, built on quick breakthroughs of tank formations, followed by encirclement large parts enemy, no longer worked like a watch mechanism. Getting into the environment, the Soviet units fought their way through, and did not lay down their arms. To a serious extent, the heroism of soldiers and commanders thwarted the plans German offensive, slowed down the advance of enemy units and became a turning point in the war. Yes, yes, it was then, in the summer of 41, that the offensive plans were completely thwarted german army. Then there were Stalingrad, Kursk, the Battle of Moscow, but all of them became possible thanks to the unparalleled courage of a simple Soviet soldier, who, at the cost of own life stopped the German invaders.
Of course, there were excesses in the leadership of military operations. It must be admitted that the command of the Red Army was not ready for WWII. The doctrine of the USSR assumed a victorious war on the territory of the enemy, but not on its own soil. And in technical terms, the Soviet troops were seriously inferior to the Germans. So they went into cavalry attacks on tanks, flew and shot down German aces on old planes, burned in tanks, and retreated without giving up a shred without a fight.

Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. Battle for Moscow

The plan for the lightning-fast capture of Moscow by the Germans finally collapsed in the winter of 1941. A lot has been written about the Moscow battle, films have been made. However, every page of what was written, every frame of footage is imbued with the unparalleled heroism of the defenders of Moscow. We all know about the parade on November 7, which passed through Red Square, while german tanks went to the capital. Yes, this was also an example of how the Soviet people are going to defend their country. The troops went to the front line immediately from the parade, immediately entering the battle. And the Germans could not resist. The iron conquerors of Europe stopped. It seemed that nature itself came to the aid of the defenders, severe frosts hit, and this was the beginning of the end of the German offensive. Hundreds of thousands of lives, widespread manifestations of patriotism and devotion to the Motherland of soldiers in encirclement, soldiers near Moscow, residents who for the first time in their lives held weapons in their hands, all this stood up as an insurmountable obstacle on the enemy’s path to the very heart of the USSR.
But then the legendary offensive began. German troops were thrown back from Moscow, and for the first time they knew the bitterness of retreat and defeat. We can say that it was here, in the snowy areas under the capital, that the fate of the whole world, and not just the war, was predetermined. The brown plague, which up to that time had engulfed country after country, people after people, found itself face to face with people who did not want to, could not bow their heads.
41 came to an end West Side The USSR lay in ruins, the occupying troops were furious, but nothing could break those who ended up in the occupied territories. There were also traitors, what can we hide, those who went over to the side of the enemy, and forever stigmatized themselves with the rank of “policeman”. And who are they now, where are they? Doesn't forgive Holy war traitors in their own land.
Speaking of Holy War. The legendary song very accurately reflected the state of society in those years. The People's and Holy War did not tolerate the subjunctive declension, and weakness. The price of victory or defeat was life itself.
d. allowed to change the relationship between the authorities and the church. Exposed long years persecution, during WWII Russian Orthodox Church helped the front with all her might. And this is another example of heroism and patriotism. After all, we all know that in the west, the Pope simply bowed to with iron fists Hitler.

Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. guerrilla war

Separately, it is worth mentioning the guerrilla war during WWII. The Germans first met with such fierce resistance from the population. Regardless of where the front line passed, military operations were constantly taking place behind enemy lines. Not a moment of peace could the invaders get on Soviet land. Whether it was the swamps of Belarus or the forests of the Smolensk region, the steppes of Ukraine, death awaited the invaders everywhere! Whole villages went to the partisans, together with their families, with relatives, and from there, from the hidden, ancient forests, they attacked the Nazis.
How many heroes spawned partisan movement. Both old and very young. Young boys and girls who went to school yesterday have matured today and performed feats that will remain in our memory for centuries.
While fighting was going on on the ground, the air, in the first months of the war, completely belonged to the Germans. Great amount aircraft of the Soviet army was destroyed immediately after the start fascist offensive, and those who managed to take to the air could not fight on equal terms with German aviation. However, the heroism WWII manifests itself not only on the battlefield. A low bow, all of us living today, give to the rear. IN harshest conditions, under constant shelling and bombardment, plants and factories were exported to the east. Immediately upon arrival, on the street, in the cold, workers stood at the machines. The army continued to receive ammunition. Talented designers created new models of weapons. They worked 18-20 hours a day in the rear, but the army did not need anything. Victory was forged at the cost of the enormous efforts of each person.

Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. Rear

Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. Blockade Leningrad.

Blockade Leningrad. Are there people who would not hear this phrase? 872 days of unparalleled heroism covered this city eternal glory. German troops and allies could not break the resistance of the besieged city. The city lived, defended and struck back. The path of life that connects besieged city with the mainland for many became the last, and there was not a single person who would refuse, who would chicken out and not take food and ammunition to Leningraders along this ice ribbon. Hope never really died. And the credit for this belongs entirely to ordinary people who above all valued the freedom of their country!
All history of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 written by unprecedented feats. Close the embrasure of an enemy pillbox with your body, rush with grenades under the tank, go to ram into dogfight– only real sons and daughters of their people, heroes could.
And they were rewarded! And let the sky over the village of Prokhorovka turn black from soot and smoke, let the water northern seas accepted dead heroes every day, but nothing could stop the liberation of the Motherland.
And there was the first salute, August 5, 1943. It was then that the countdown went to salutes in honor of new victory, the new liberation of the city.
The peoples of Europe today no longer know their history, true history Second World War. Thanks to Soviet people they live, build their lives, give birth and raise children. Bucharest, Warsaw, Budapest, Sofia, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, all these capitals were liberated at the cost of the blood of Soviet heroes. A last shots in Berlin commemorating the end of the worst nightmare of the 20th century.