The Outcome and Final Analysis
The Battle of Stalingrad had many consequences, and was a pivotal point in World War 2. The loss of life and damage to the city was staggering. The battle took place from August 23, 1942 to February 2, 1943, and was known as the "Deadliest battle in the history of warfare"2. It halted the German expansion, terminating Hitler's vision of a global empire. After losing the battle, the German army had no more victories in the East. Even elsewhere the Germans began to taste defeat. Without their reputation as an invincible army, opposing forces began to realize that the Nazis could be taken down, and the German army was slowly forced to retreat.
Over 1 million lives were lost in 7 months of fighting. There were over one million Russian soldiers and 500,000 to 850,000 soldiers of the Axis (the Germans and their Allies) who were captured, injured or killed. Many soldiers on both sides were captured and died in prison camps, due to starvation, exposure and general mistreatment. Of the approximate 91 000 German soldiers captured in the Battle of Stalingrad, only about 6 000 survived to be repatriated to Germany. While the German losses were hard to replace, the Russian army was easily replenished with civilians - even Russian women fought. The German army, having been woefully unprepared for the Russian winter, suffered from the loss of artillery because their ammunition and oil froze. They were also greatly affected by the cold and many soldiers died from frostbite, starvation, typhyus and dysentry.
Had the Germans won the Battle of Stalingrad, the Soviet Union may have fallen. There may have been a very different outcome to World War 2, and the world today would be a very different place; however, we can only speculate. People continue to study this battle. Only recently, have archival documents, including first hand accounts and generals' journals, been released by Russian authorities. Analysis of these documents has provided greater insight and understanding of this significant historical event.
*Quote 2 - Youtube The Battle of Stalingrad by Rick H.
Over 1 million lives were lost in 7 months of fighting. There were over one million Russian soldiers and 500,000 to 850,000 soldiers of the Axis (the Germans and their Allies) who were captured, injured or killed. Many soldiers on both sides were captured and died in prison camps, due to starvation, exposure and general mistreatment. Of the approximate 91 000 German soldiers captured in the Battle of Stalingrad, only about 6 000 survived to be repatriated to Germany. While the German losses were hard to replace, the Russian army was easily replenished with civilians - even Russian women fought. The German army, having been woefully unprepared for the Russian winter, suffered from the loss of artillery because their ammunition and oil froze. They were also greatly affected by the cold and many soldiers died from frostbite, starvation, typhyus and dysentry.
Had the Germans won the Battle of Stalingrad, the Soviet Union may have fallen. There may have been a very different outcome to World War 2, and the world today would be a very different place; however, we can only speculate. People continue to study this battle. Only recently, have archival documents, including first hand accounts and generals' journals, been released by Russian authorities. Analysis of these documents has provided greater insight and understanding of this significant historical event.
*Quote 2 - Youtube The Battle of Stalingrad by Rick H.
