What was the first major battle of the Soviet army. The main battles of the great patriotic war

The Great Patriotic War - one of the components of the Second World War - lasted from June 22, 1941 to May 9, 1945. During the war, 3 periods can be distinguished:

1) the initial period (June 22, 1941 - November 1942) - the retreat of the Red Army, the Moscow battle;

2) a radical change (November 1942-end of 1943) - the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Kursk, the Battle of the Dnieper, a turning point in the economy, the rise of the partisan movement;

3) the final period (early 1944 - May 1945) - the liberation of the USSR, the liberation of European countries, the Berlin operation, the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.

After the end of World War II, Soviet troops, loyal to their allied duty, defeated the Japanese Kwantung Army (August 9 - September 2, 1945). Japan signed the act of unconditional surrender.

Initial period. The war began early in the morning on June 22, 1941. The border guards were the first to take the blow. The heroic defense of the Brest Fortress has gone down in history forever. For almost a month, the defenders of the fortress diverted an entire fascist division to themselves. According to the German plan "Barbarossa", the Hitlerite command, based on the tactics of "blitzkrieg" ("lightning war"), planned to reach the line Arkhangelsk - Astrakhan in 1-2 months. From the first days of the war, the Soviet leadership took measures to organize the defense:

1) On June 23, 1941, the Headquarters of the High Command was created, headed by the People's Commissar of Defense S.K. Timoshenko (later the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, headed by I.V. Stalin) for the strategic leadership of the armed forces.

2) martial law was introduced (June 29, 1941). The slogan "Everything for the front, everything for victory!" Was put forward;

3) a Directive was developed on the conduct of war: mobilization of forces to defend Soviet territory, leaving nothing to the enemy, creating an underground and partisan movement, strengthening the rear, fighting alarmists and spies;

4) On June 30, the State Defense Committee (GKO) was created, which concentrated in its hands all the power, headed by Stalin;

5) evacuation of 1,530 large enterprises, 12 million people from the occupied regions into the interior of the country was carried out;

6) the country's economy was rebuilt in a military manner;

7) introduced a normalized distribution of products according to the card system;

8) created a single information center - Sovinformburo.

In the first month of the war, the Red Army left almost the entire Baltic region, Belarus, Moldavia, and most of the Ukraine. Until December 1941, the Red Army lost up to 7 million soldiers and officers, several million ended up in German captivity. To tighten discipline in the army, on August 16, 1941, the Soviet leadership issued Order No. 270, declaring all those in captivity to be traitors and traitors. According to the order, the families of the captured commanders and political workers were subject to repression, and the relatives of the soldiers were deprived of the benefits provided to the families of the participants in the war.

In late summer - early autumn 1941, the battles for Kiev, Odessa, Sevastopol were of great importance. At the end of September, five Soviet armies were surrounded near Kiev. Fierce defensive battles for Odessa went on until October 16. The longest was the defense of Sevastopol - 250 days. Back in August 1941, the enemy established a blockade of Leningrad, which lasted until January 1944.

Historians believe that the reasons for the failures of the Red Army at the initial stage of the war are as follows:

1) the surprise of the fascist attack on the USSR;

2) the moment of the attack, unfavorable for the Red Army: the reorganization and rearmament of the army were not completed;

3) the miscalculations and mistakes of the country's leadership in determining the time of the German attack and in measures to repel fascist strikes;

4) insufficient professional training of commanders due to repressions in the army on the eve of the war;

5) the personality cult of Stalin, which generated fear and fettered the initiative of the military leaders.

On the Moscow direction, a major event in August - September 1941 was the Battle of Smolensk, during which formations of rocket launchers ("Katyusha") began to operate, the Soviet Guard was born, and time was gained to strengthen the defense of Moscow.

The Battle of Moscow is the largest event in the initial period of the war. It took place from the end of September 1941 to February 1942. According to the Typhoon plan, the most powerful group of fascist troops attacked Moscow, aiming to dismember the Soviet armies and, without allowing a retreat to Moscow, to destroy them. By the end of November, the Germans approached Moscow at a distance of 25-30 km. At the cost of incredible efforts on December 5–6, 1941, the Red Army launched an offensive, which lasted until the end of January 1942. GK Zhukov led the defense of Moscow and the Soviet counteroffensive. Along the entire front from Tver to Yelets, the enemy was driven back 100–150 km from Moscow.

The meaning of the Moscow battle:

1. For the first time during the Second World War, German troops were defeated.

2. The plan of "lightning war" finally failed, and it turned into a protracted one.

3. Dispelled the myth of the invincibility of the German army.

4. The formation of the Anti-Hitler coalition accelerated.

However, in the general course of the war, the Red Army was unable to keep the strategic initiative. The Soviet command expected a new offensive against Moscow in the summer of 1942, but in the spring and summer of 1942 the enemy moved in a southern direction - to the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Lower Volga region. This was a major miscalculation by Stalin and entailed huge losses in the Crimea, near Kharkov and in a number of other directions. The defeat led to a new retreat of the Soviet troops: in August, one group of German armies reached the Volga in the Stalingrad region, and the other in the Caucasus. In July 1942, in the area of ​​the city of Lyuban, General AA Vlasov went over to the side of the Nazis, who then created the Russian Liberation Army (ROA) as part of the Nazi troops, which was formed from prisoners of war.

By the fall of 1942, more than 80 million people turned out to be in the territory occupied by the Nazis. The country has lost not only huge human resources, but also the largest industrial and agricultural regions. To halt the retreat of troops, Stalin used the most brutal terror. On July 28, 1942, he signed Order No. 227 (called "Not a Step Back!"). Henceforth, any retreat without an order from the command was declared a betrayal of the Motherland. Penalty battalions and companies, barrage detachments for the execution of retreating ones were created. A punitive counterintelligence body "Smersh" ("Death to Spies") with unlimited rights operated in the army.

A radical turning point during the Great Patriotic War

The beginning of a radical fracture. Battle of Stalingrad. In the middle of the summer of 1942, the enemy reached the Volga, the Battle of Stalingrad began (July 17, 1942 - February 2, 1943). From mid-September 1942, battles took place inside the city. The defense was led by Generals V.I. Chuikov, A.I. Rodimtsev, M.S.Shumilov. The German command attached particular importance to the capture of Stalingrad. His capture would have made it possible to cut the Volga transport artery, through which bread and oil were delivered to the center of the country. According to the Soviet plan "Uranus" (encirclement of the enemy in the Stalingrad area), on November 19, 1942, the Red Army launched an offensive, a few days later encircling the German grouping under the command of General Field Marshal F. von Paulus.

From November 1942 to November - December 1943, the strategic initiative firmly passed into the hands of the Soviet command, the Red Army moved from defense to a strategic offensive, so this period of the war was called a radical turning point.

The 330-thousandth army of the Nazis was surrounded at Stalingrad. According to the "Ring" plan, on January 10, 1943, Soviet troops began to defeat the fascist group, dividing it into two parts - southern and northern. First, the southern part surrendered, and then on February 2, 1943, the northern part.

The meaning of the Battle of Stalingrad is that it:

1) marked the beginning of a radical change in the Great Patriotic War;

2) the liberation struggle intensified in the anti-fascist countries of Europe;

3) exacerbated foreign policy relations between Germany and its allies.

In December 1942, the Red Army launched an offensive in the Caucasus. On January 18, 1943, Soviet troops partially broke through the blockade of Leningrad. The radical change that began at Stalingrad was completed during the Battle of Kursk and the battles for the river. Dnieper. The Battle of the Kursk Bulge (Oryol - Belgorod) was planned by the German command in the winter of 1943. According to the Citadel plan, the Nazis planned to encircle and destroy the troops of the Voronezh and Central Fronts, concentrated on the Kursk salient.

The Soviet command became aware of the impending operation, it also concentrated its forces for an offensive in the area. The Battle of the Kursk Bulge began on July 5, 1943 and lasted for almost two months. Its course can be divided into two periods: the first is the defensive battles, the second is the period of the counteroffensive. On July 12, 1943, a grand tank battle took place near Prokhorovka. Orel and Belgorod were liberated on 5 August. In honor of this event, the first fireworks in the course of the war were given. On August 23, the battle ended with the liberation of Kharkov. By this time, almost the entire North Caucasus, Rostov, Voronezh, Oryol, Kursk regions were liberated.

In October 1943, fierce battles took place on the river. Dnieper, as a result of which the "Eastern Wall" was crushed - a powerful line of enemy defense. On November 3-13, 1943, during the Kiev offensive operation on November 6, the capital of Ukraine was liberated. In the course of defensive battles by the end of December 1943, the enemy was repulsed from the city. The radical change in the course of the war is over.

The meaning of the radical fracture:

1) Hitlerite Germany on all fronts went over to strategic defense;

2) more than half of the Soviet territory was liberated from the invaders and the restoration of the destroyed areas began;

3) the front of the national liberation struggle in Europe expanded and intensified.

The final stage of the war. In January 1944, Soviet troops, with the active participation of partisans, defeated a large German grouping near Leningrad and Novgorod, finally lifting the 900-day blockade of Leningrad.

After the defeat of the Nazis on the Dnieper, the Red Army began fighting for the liberation of Right-Bank Ukraine and part of Moldova. During the Korsun-Shevchenko operation in February - March 1944, the enemy was defeated in the area of ​​Zhitomir and Berdichev and lost ten divisions. In March - May, the Black Sea coast and Crimea were cleared of invaders, the cities of Nikolaev, Odessa, Sevastopol were liberated.

In June - August 1944, during the Byelorussian operation (codenamed “Bagration”), Army Group “Center” was defeated and Belarus, Latvia, part of Lithuania, and the eastern part of Poland were liberated.

As a result of the Lvov-Sandomierz operation (July - August 1944), Lviv, Western Ukraine, southeastern regions of Poland were liberated, the Vistula was forced.

During the Iasi-Kishinev operation (20-29 August 1944), the territory of Moldova and the eastern part of Romania were completely liberated. In October - November, the Baltic states and the Arctic regions were liberated. During the 1944 operations, Soviet troops entered the territory of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Austria and, finally, Germany.

On June 6, 1944, the second front (commanded by the American General Eisenhower) was opened by the landing of the allies in Normandy (northern France). To support the allies, the Red Army launched an offensive in the North on June 10 against the Finnish-German troops. Finland opposed Germany. On August 24, Romania declared war on Hitler. In September Bulgaria went over to the side of the Anti-Hitler coalition. In joint actions with the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia, the Red Army helped liberate Belgrade in October 1944.

In April 1945, after conducting the East Prussian operation, Soviet troops entered Konigsberg and then took Gdansk.

From April 16 to May 2, 1945, the final Berlin operation took place. The 1st and 2nd Belorussian fronts (commanded by Marshals G.K. Zhukov and I.S.Konev) and the 1st Ukrainian Front (commanded by Marshal K.K.Rokossovsky) took part in it. The battle began with fierce fighting at the Seelow Heights. April 25, 1945 on the river. Elbe, the armies of the Allies in the Anti-Hitler Coalition were joined. On May 2, the Berlin garrison surrendered. In the Berlin suburb of Karlshorst, on May 8, 1945, representatives of the German command signed an act of unconditional surrender. On May 9-11, Soviet troops ended the war by defeating a group of German fascist troops in Prague.

War with Japan (August 9 - September 2, 1945). In accordance with allied commitments, on April 5, 1945, the USSR denounced the Soviet-Japanese treaty of neutrality and on August 8, 1945, declared war on Japan. The United States carried out an atomic bombing of Japanese cities: August 6 - Hiroshima, August 9 - Nagasaki. This represented an act of senseless brutality and a show of power. On the night of August 9, the USSR entered the war with Japan. During the battles of Soviet troops against the Kwantung Army of Japan, Manchuria, the cities of Dalny and Port Arthur, North Korea, South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands were liberated. On September 2, Japan's surrender was signed. The Second World War is over.

Heroism of Soviet people during the war

With the outbreak of war, the country turned into a single military camp. At the beginning of the war, the enemy seized a huge territory, where about 80 million people used to live and up to 50% of industrial and agricultural products were produced. The state leadership decided to create a military-industrial base in the east of the country, for which the evacuation (relocation) of enterprises into the interior of the country was carried out. The entire economy was rebuilt for the production of military products. Mostly women, teenagers, old people worked. There was a movement of "dvuhsotniki": the fulfillment of the norm for oneself and for the one who went to the front. By the fall of 1942, military production had restored the power lost at the initial stage of the war, and in 1943 there was a turning point in the production of military products. The highest level of military production was reached in 1944.

Even by the beginning of the war, Soviet scientists had developed new models of military equipment: T-34 and KV tanks, BM-13 rocket launchers, Il-2 attack aircraft. Pe-2 bombers, LaGG-3 and Yak-1 fighters surpassed the best German counterparts (aircraft designers A. S. Yakovlev, S. A. Lavochkin, S. V. Ilyushin, A. N. Tupolev, N. N. Polikarpov). Representatives of the medical service A. N. Bakulev, N. N. Burdenko, A. A. Vishnevsky rendered great assistance to the wounded soldiers. In 1942, the creation of a new national anthem was announced to replace the International (the text of the anthem was written by S. V. Mikhalkov together with G. A. El-Registan in 1943). The creative intelligentsia was together with the people. The singers L. A. Ruslanova and K. I. Shulzhenko went to the fronts with concert crews. The articles by Ilya Ehrenburg, the poems of K. M. Simonov, the poem by A. T. Tvardovsky "Vasily Terkin", songs of the war years had great success. The Seventh ("Leningrad") Symphony by D. D. Shostakovich, created and performed in besieged Leningrad, has become an event in the cultural life of the world. The Russian Orthodox Church played an important role in strengthening patriotism.

In September 1943, Stalin met in the Kremlin with Metropolitans Sergius, Alexy and Nicholas, shortly after which the patriarchy was restored. In 1943 the Comintern was dissolved. However, the official ideology was able to use popular patriotism to exalt Stalin's totalitarianism.

Guerrilla movement

Fascist "new order" in the occupied territory. According to Hitler's plan "Ost" was to destroy 50 million people - representatives of the Slavic peoples and create a "living space" for Germany. In the occupied territory, the Nazis established a cruel terrorist regime, created concentration camps, drove the population to Germany.

Partisan movement. From the first days of the war, a fierce struggle of the Soviet people unfolded in the occupied territory. On the territory occupied by the enemy, 6,200 partisan detachments and underground groups were operating, uniting more than a million patriots. The partisans destroyed the enemy's manpower, carried out sabotage (blowing up trains with military force and equipment, bridges, railways), conducted reconnaissance, and defended residents. Large partisan formations were commanded by S. A. Kovpak, V. I. Kozlov, A. F. Fedorov, and others. In May 1942, the Central Headquarters of the Partisan Movement was created to lead the partisan struggle. In 1943, the highest rise of the partisan movement took place; on the eve and during the Battle of Kursk, a "rail war" was waged.

Anti-Hitler coalition

In the first days of the war, British Prime Minister W. Churchill and US President F. Roosevelt declared their support for the USSR in the fight against Germany. Agreements have been signed between the countries. In August 1941, the Atlantic Charter of England and the United States was adopted on the goals of the war for "the final destruction of fascist tyranny" and the democratic conditions of the post-war world. The USSR joined the charter. On January 1, in Washington, 26 countries signed the United Nations Declaration on its basis. The Anti-Hitler coalition took shape. The United States began to provide material assistance to the USSR under Lend-Lease (a system of loaning or renting weapons, food, medicines, etc.).

During the war, three conferences of heads of state were held - the main participants in the Anti-Hitler coalition.

The Tehran conference, at which the heads of government of Great Britain - W. Churchill, the United States - F. Roosevelt, and the USSR - JV Stalin ("Big Three") met, took place on November 28 - December 1, 1943. The conference adopted decisions on joint military actions against Nazi Germany, about post-war cooperation, about the opening no later than May 1, 1944 of the second front in Europe by the invasion across the English Channel [the second front was opened in June 1944 (Operation Overlord)]. The question of the post-war borders of Poland was discussed. Stalin promised to declare war on Japan after the end of hostilities in Europe.

The Crimean (Yalta) conference of the Big Three was held on February 4-11, 1945. The conference agreed on plans for the defeat of Germany, the terms of surrender, the principles of post-war cooperation, the creation of the United Nations (UN), the question of the trial of Nazi criminals, the post-war borders Poland. After the end of the war, it was planned to divide Germany and its capital Berlin into zones of occupation.

At the Berlin (Potsdam) Conference (July 17 - August 2, 1945), Stalin met, H. Truman - the President of the United States, K. Attlee - the Prime Minister of Great Britain. The decisions of the Crimean Conference were confirmed. The organization of Germany on a democratic basis was proclaimed. East Prussia with the city of Konigsberg was transferred to the USSR. The borders of Poland were asserted, the question of the destruction of the German monopolies, the trial of the main war criminals, and the collection of indemnities from Germany were resolved. The negotiations were conducted from a position of strength, which created the preconditions for the Cold War.

Results of the Great Patriotic War and World War II

German fascism and Japanese militarism were defeated. The international authority of the USSR was strengthened and its borders expanded. The Soviet Union included the territories of Western Ukraine, parts of East Prussia, South Sakhalin, a number of the Kuril Islands, as well as Tuva. A world socialist system and a bipolar world system have taken shape.

The total losses of the population of the USSR are estimated by modern historians at 27 million people, of which irreplaceable losses in the active army - 10 million people. During the war years, whole peoples were subjected to deportation (forcible resettlement): the Volga Germans, Crimean Tatars, Chechens, Ingush, Karachais, Balkars, Kalmyks, Greeks, etc. The totalitarian regime intensified, and repressions were carried out against people returning from German captivity. The economy of the USSR was undermined, losses amounted to about 30% of the country's total wealth, much had to be restored.

Sample assignments

When completing the tasks of part 1 (A), in the answer form number 1, under the number of the task you are performing, put an "x" in the box, the number of which corresponds to the number of the answer you have chosen.

A1. An important event in 1942 was (about)

1) the defeat of the Nazis near Moscow

2) the publication of order number 227 "Not a step back!"

3) completion of a radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War

4) the capture of the army of General F. von Paulus

A2. During the Great Patriotic War, the city withstood the blockade of Nazi troops

1) Sevastopol

3) Murmansk

4) Leningrad

A3. The Tehran Conference of the Leaders of the Three Powers was held in

2) May 1945

A4. A radical turning point during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. was achieved as a result of the defeat of the fascist troops

1) at Stalingrad and on the Kursk Bulge

2) near Moscow

3) in East Prussia

4) on the Vistula and Oder

A5. Indicate the outstanding commanders of the Great Patriotic War

1) A. A. Brusilov, D. F. Ustinov

2) A. N. Kosygin, A. A. Gromyko

3) I. V. Stalin, S. M. Budyonny

4) I. S. Konev, K. K. Rokossovsky

A6. During the Great Patriotic War, an event occurred during Operation Bagration

1) defense of the Brest fortress

2) Tehran Conference

3) exit to the state border of the USSR

4) forcing the Dnieper

A7. Soviet political system of the 1940s. period of the Great Patriotic War characterizes

1) the transition from a unitary to a federal structure of the state

2) the internal party struggle for personal leadership

3) a softening of policy towards the church

4) multi-party system

A8. What is the main significance of the victory of the Soviet troops in the battle for Moscow?

1) the plan of "lightning war" was thwarted and the myth about the invincibility of Hitler's troops was dispelled

2) completed a radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War

3) the offensive initiative passed to the Soviet troops

4) the folding of the Anti-Hitler coalition is completed

A9. Read an excerpt from the People's Commissar of Defense's order and indicate when this document was adopted.

"To the military councils of the fronts and, above all, to the commanders of the fronts:

a) unconditionally eliminate the retreating sentiments in the troops ...

b) unconditionally remove from their posts and send them to Headquarters in order to bring to a military court the commanders of the armies who allowed the unauthorized withdrawal of troops from their positions without an order ...

c) to form within the army 3-5 well-armed barrage detachments ... and in case of indiscriminate withdrawal of units to shoot on the spot alarmists and cowards. "

A10. Read an excerpt from a contemporary historian and include the missing city name.

“Fierce defensive battles were fought near Odessa. By order of the Headquarters, the Odessa defensive region was created. The fighting went on until October 16, after which the Odessa garrison was evacuated to the Crimea. Defensive battles in the Crimea began in September - October 1941. The defense was the longest, it lasted 250 days. The Black Sea sailors held out to the last. "

2) Leningrad

3) Sevastopol

4) Novorossiysk

A11. Read an excerpt from the military command plan and include the name of the plan.

“The ultimate goal of the operation is to create a protective barrier against Asian Russia on the Volga-Arkhangelsk line. Thus, if necessary, the last industrial region of the Russians in the Ural Mountains can be destroyed by the air force. "

2) "Typhoon"

3) "Citadel"

4) "Barbarossa"

The tasks of part 2 (B) require an answer in the form of one or two words, a sequence of letters or numbers, which should be written first in the text of the examination paper, and then transferred to the answer form No. 1 without spaces and punctuation marks. Write each letter or number in a separate box in accordance with the samples given in the form.

IN 1. Read an excerpt from the memoirs of Marshal V.I. Chuikov and write the name of the battle it says about.

“... Despite the enormous losses, the invaders climbed ahead. Columns of infantry in cars and tanks rushed into the city. Apparently, the Nazis believed that his fate was decided, and each of them strove to reach the city center as soon as possible and profit from trophies there ... Our fighters ... crawled out from under the German tanks, most often wounded, to the next line, where they were accepted, united in subdivisions, supplied mainly with ammunition, and again thrown into battle ”.

Answer: Stalingrad.

Set up a correspondence between dates and events related to these dates.

IN 2. For each position of the first column, select the corresponding position of the second and write down the selected numbers in the table under the corresponding letters.

Answer: 5132.

Establish a correspondence between the names of military leaders and the wars in which they participated.

AT 3. For each position of the first column, select the corresponding position of the second and write down the selected numbers in the table under the corresponding letters.

Transfer the resulting sequence of numbers to answer form No. 1 (without spaces and any symbols).

Answer: 5142.

AT 4. Arrange the following events in chronological order. Write down the letters that indicate the events in the correct order in the table.

A) Soviet counteroffensive at Stalingrad

B) Korsun-Shevchenko operation

C) defense of Sevastopol

D) liberation of Prague

Transfer the resulting sequence of letters to answer form No. 1 (without spaces and any symbols).

Answer: WABG.

AT 5. Which three of the following events took place during the Great Patriotic War? Circle the appropriate numbers and write them down in the table.

1) "rail war"

2) repression against various peoples of the USSR

3) the occupation of Vladivostok by Japanese troops

4) the policy of "war communism"

5) Vistula-Oder operation

6) X Congress of the RCP (b)

Transfer the resulting sequence of numbers to answer form No. 1 (without spaces and any symbols).

Answer: 125.

To answer the tasks of part 3 (C), use the answer form number 2. First write down the number of the task (C1, etc.), and then the detailed answer to it.

Read the passage from the historical source and briefly answer questions C1-C3 following the text. The answers assume the use of information from the source, as well as the application of historical knowledge at the rate of history of the corresponding period.

From the memoirs of Marshal G.K. Zhukov.

“Thousands of multi-colored rockets shot up into the air. On this signal, 140 searchlights flashed, located every 200 meters. More than 100 billion candles lit up the battlefield, blinding the enemy and snatching targets from the darkness for our tanks and infantry. It was a picture of tremendous impressive power ...

Hitler's troops were literally sunk in a continuous sea of ​​fire and metal. A solid wall of dust and smoke hung in the air, and in some places even powerful beams of anti-aircraft searchlights could not penetrate it.

Our aviation marched over the battlefield in waves ...

However, the enemy, having come to his senses, began to oppose from the Seelow Heights with its artillery, mortars ... a group of bombers appeared ... And the closer our troops approached the Seelow Heights, the stronger the enemy's resistance grew ...

On April 20, on the fifth day of the operation, long-range artillery opened fire ... The historic assault began ... "

C1. What period of the country's history do the events described in the text refer to? Indicate the chronological scope of this period. What kind of battle are we talking about?

C2. Using the text and knowledge from the history course, name at least two distinctive features of this battle.

C3. What was the significance of the described battle for the general course of the war? What events followed it? (Name at least two events.)

Tasks C4-C7 involve different types of activities: presentation of a generalized description of historical events and phenomena (C4), consideration of historical versions and assessments (C5), analysis of the historical situation (C6), comparison (C7). As you complete these tasks, pay attention to the wording of each question.

C4. What are the main results (at least three) of the radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War?

Topic 5. USSR in 1945-1991.

The Great Patriotic War - undoubtedly the bloodiest war in the history of human civilization, claimed tens of millions of lives and it was at their cost that the victory over Nazi Germany was won.
The Great Patriotic War, like all other wars, was accompanied by a huge number of bloody battles, deciding the fate of armies, peoples and entire states.
This article will discuss the most significant battles of the Great Patriotic War.

Battle of Moscow

The whole of 1941 was disastrous for the Soviet army. The Red Army was unable to win a single significant victory over the armies of the Wehrmacht. And only near Moscow was it possible to stop the German offensive and start a full-scale counterattack, which was accompanied by the liberation of the occupied territories.
The battle should be divided into two phases: defensive and offensive. The first began on September 30 and lasted until December 5, 1941. Red Army forces managed to stop the Nazi army just 30 kilometers from Moscow. It was in the first days of December that the Soviet army for the first time managed to stabilize the front and bleed the German army so much that it could no longer continue to operate actively.
Already on December 5-6, the Red Army launched a decisive counteroffensive. The beginning of the next month began with a powerful offensive against the positions of the Germans near Moscow along the entire front line. In January, the Red Army managed to push its enemy back 100 km, and in some places managed to break through the defenses by as much as 250 km.
The Moscow battle played its role, since it was it that undermined the legend of the invincibility of the German military machine. After this victory, the spirit of the soldiers of the Red Army increased significantly, since everyone understood that it was possible to defeat the Germans, as well as to win the war quite realistically. Along with this, the whole world learned about the victory of the USSR and this, probably, hastened the entry of other countries into the war against Germany.

Battle of Stalingrad

The bloodiest battle in the history of mankind is rightfully considered the battle of Stalingrad, which decided the outcome of the Great Patriotic War and the entire Second World War.
During the battle, one of the strongest armies of the Wehrmacht, the 6th, was defeated and the brilliant commander Pauls was captured. Also at Stalingrad, the Germans lost their strongest tank army - the 4th.
On both sides, more than one million people participated, tens of thousands of units of military equipment. The battles in Stalingrad were distinguished by particular cruelty, a desperate battle was fought for every street, every room and apartment was strewn with machine-gun points that fiercely resisted the advance of enemies.
The losses on both sides can be called colossal, but the Germans, whose morale and efficiency were severely undermined by the severe Russian frosts, lacking good supplies and reserves, were forced to move to the West, and the forces of the Red Army began a decisive counteroffensive, which had already grown into an offensive, to stop which the Germans had no chance.
The Battle of Stalingrad radically changed the course of the entire war and finally turned the tide. The German army practically lost all resources in order to conduct a counteroffensive and was forced to defend itself.

Battle of Kursk

The Battle of Kursk was the last attempt by the Germans to turn the tide on the Eastern Front. The Wehrmacht gathered at the Kursk Bulge most of all tank forces (70%), aviation (65%) and a huge contingent of infantry, as well as other equipment in order to break through the defenses of the Red Army and continue the lightning offensive. But their plans were not destined to come true, the Red Army confidently repulsed the attack of the German army, destroyed their tank army (the battle of Prokhorovka) and, after a powerful artillery strike, launched a decisive counterattack, which finally broke the enemy's morale.
If at Stalingrad a radical change in the course of the Great Patriotic War had just begun, then the Battle of the Kursk Bulge finally completed this change.
The enemy lost more than half a million people, a huge number of units of military equipment, guns and aircraft and, most importantly, lost the strategic initiative, it passed to the Red Army.
After the victory of the USSR at the Kursk Bulge, there was no longer any doubt in the West that the Union alone was capable of destroying the armies of the Wehrmacht. But despite this, the United States and Britain decided to drastically speed up this process, after the Battle of Kursk, active preparations began for the opening of the Second Front.

Operation Bagration

This operation should be called the largest offensive that the forces of the Red Army have only carried out. In its course, a huge contingent of enemy troops was defeated - about 1.2 million people. The forces of the USSR in this sector of the front numbered almost 2.5 million people.
In the course of this operation, the Red Army liberated Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and approached the borders of Germany. In total, the forces of the Wehrmacht lost about 500 thousand people during the bloody battles and almost all of their tank troops.

Berlin operation - end of the war

Victory in Germany was already close, but it was necessary to break the last pockets of resistance and it was Berlin that defended itself most decisively, the enemy fought so fiercely that battles were fought for every centimeter.
The enemy still had a large number of soldiers and equipment at its disposal - more than 1.2 million people took part in the defense of the German capital. However, the forces of the Red Army were more impressive - 2.5 million soldiers, not counting tens of thousands of units of military equipment.
The capture of Berlin lasted 17 days and both sides lost a huge number of soldiers. On May 8, the enemy's defense was broken, the Reichstag was captured, Germany was ready to declare surrender. But even after the surrender, some parts of the Wehrmacht continued to conduct local skirmishes.
Before you was a list of the main battles of the Great Patriotic War. Of course, they all played a significant role and ended the most terrible episode in the history of mankind. Although these battles brought victory, one should not forget that they took away millions of lives and will forever remain in memory as the bloodiest events, which should never be repeated.

The Great Patriotic War began on June 22, 1941 - on the day when the German fascist invaders, as well as their allies, invaded the territory of the USSR. It lasted four years and became the final stage of the Second World War. In total, about 34 million Soviet soldiers took part in it, more than half of whom died.

Causes of the Great Patriotic War

The main reason for the outbreak of World War II was the desire of Adolf Hitler to bring Germany to world domination by capturing other countries and establishing a racially pure state. Therefore, on September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, then Czechoslovakia, initiating the Second World War and conquering more and more territories. The successes and victories of Nazi Germany forced Hitler to violate the non-aggression pact concluded between Germany and the USSR on August 23, 1939. He developed a special operation called "Barbarossa", which implied the capture of the Soviet Union in a short time. This is how the Great Patriotic War began. It took place in three stages

Stages of the Great Patriotic War

Stage 1: June 22, 1941 - November 18, 1942

The Germans captured Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Estonia, Belarus and Moldova. The troops moved inland to capture Leningrad, Rostov-on-Don and Novgorod, but the main goal of the Nazis was Moscow. At this time, the USSR suffered heavy losses, thousands of people were taken prisoner. On September 8, 1941, the military blockade of Leningrad began, which lasted 872 days. As a result, the Soviet troops were able to halt the German offensive. The Barbarossa plan failed.

Stage 2: 1942-1943

During this period, the USSR continued to build up its military power, industry and defense grew. Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Soviet troops, the border of the front was pushed back to the west. The central event of this period was the greatest Battle of Stalingrad in history (July 17, 1942 - February 2, 1943). The goal of the Germans was the capture of Stalingrad, the great bend of the Don and the Volgodonsk isthmus. During the battle, more than 50 armies, corps and divisions of enemies were destroyed, about 2 thousand tanks, 3 thousand aircraft and 70 thousand vehicles were destroyed, German aviation was significantly weakened. The victory of the USSR in this battle had a significant impact on the course of further military events.

Stage 3: 1943-1945

From defense, the Red Army gradually goes over to the offensive, moving towards Berlin. Several campaigns were implemented aimed at destroying the enemy. A partisan war broke out, during which 6,200 detachments of partisans were formed, trying to independently fight the enemy. The partisans used all available means, including clubs and boiling water, set up ambushes and traps. At this time, the battles for the Right-Bank Ukraine, Berlin, take place. The Belarusian, Baltic, Budapest operations were developed and put into action. As a result, on May 8, 1945, Germany officially declared defeat.

Thus, the victory of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War became, in fact, the end of the Second World War. The defeat of the German army put an end to Hitler's desire to gain dominion over the world, universal slavery. However, victory in the war came at a heavy price. Millions of people died in the struggle for the Motherland, cities, villages and villages were destroyed. All the last funds went to the front, so people lived in poverty and hunger. Every year on May 9 we celebrate the Day of the Great Victory over fascism, we are proud of our soldiers for giving life to future generations and ensuring a bright future. At the same time, the victory was able to consolidate the influence of the USSR on the world stage and turn it into a superpower.

Briefly for children

More details

The Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) is the most terrible and bloody war for the entire time of the USSR. This war was between two powers, the mighty power of the USSR and Germany. In a fierce battle, over the course of five years, the USSR nevertheless defeated its adversary worthily. Germany, when attacking the union, hoped to quickly capture the entire country, but they did not expect how powerful and selenium the Slavic people were. What has this war led to? First, let's look at a number of reasons, why did it all start?

After the First World War, Germany was greatly weakened, the strongest crisis overcame the country. But at this time, Hitler came to rule and introduced a large number of reforms and changes, thanks to which the country began to flourish, and people showed their trust in him. When he became a ruler, he pursued a policy in which he informed people that the nation of Germans is the most excellent in the world. Hitler was fired up with the idea of ​​revenge for the First World War, for the terrible one to lose, he had an idea to subjugate the whole world. He began with the Czech Republic and Poland, which later grew into the Second World War.

We all remember very well from history textbooks that before 1941 an agreement was signed not to attack the two countries, Germany and the USSR. But Hitler still attacked. The Germans had a plan called "Barbarossa". It clearly stated that Germany must capture the USSR in 2 months. He believed that if at his disposal all the strength and power of the strange, then he could fearlessly enter the war with the United States.

The war began so lightning fast, the USSR was not ready, but Hitler received not what he wanted and expected. Our army put up a lot of resistance, the Germans did not expect to see such a strong rival in front of them. And the war dragged on for 5 long years.

Now let's look at the main periods during the entire war.

The initial stage of the war is June 22, 1941 to November 18, 1942. During this time, the Germans captured most of the country, as well as Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus. Further, the Germans already had Moscow and Leningrad before their eyes. And they almost succeeded, but the Russian soldiers turned out to be stronger than them and did not allow them to capture this city.

To their great regret, they captured Leningrad, but what is most surprising, the people living there did not let the invaders into the city itself. The battles for these cities took place until the end of 1942.

The end of 1943 and the beginning of 1943 were very difficult for the German army and at the same time happy for the Russians. The Soviet army launched a counteroffensive, the Russians began to slowly but surely recapture their territory, and the invaders and their allies slowly retreat to the west. Some of the allies were destroyed on the spot.

Everyone remembers perfectly well how the entire industry of the Soviet Union switched to the production of military supplies, thanks to which they were able to repulse the enemies. The army grew from retreating to attackers.

The final. 1943 to 1945. The Soviet soldiers gathered all their strength and began to recapture their territory at a high rate. All forces were directed towards the occupiers, namely Berlin. At this time, Leningrad was liberated, and other previously captured countries were recaptured. The Russians were decisively heading for Germany.

The last stage (1943-1945). At this time, the USSR began to take its land piece by piece and move towards the invaders. Russian soldiers conquered Leningrad and other cities, then they proceeded to the very heart of Germany - Berlin.

On May 8, 1945, the USSR entered Berlin, the Germans announce their surrender. Their ruler could not stand it and left on his own.

And now the worst thing about the war. How many people died for the fact that we would now live in the world and enjoy every day.

In fact, history is silent about these terrible numbers. For a long time the USSR hid the number of people. The government hid data from the people. And people then understood how many died, how many were taken prisoner, and how many missing people to this day. But after a while, the data still surfaced. According to official sources, up to 10 million soldiers died in this war, and about 3 million were in German captivity. These are terrible numbers. And how many children, old people, women died. The Germans shot everyone mercilessly.

It was a terrible war, unfortunately it brought a lot of tears to families, the country was in ruin for a long time, but slowly the USSR was getting back on its feet, post-war actions subsided, but did not subside in the hearts of the people. In the hearts of mothers who did not wait for their sons from the front. Wives who have remained widows with children. But what a strong Slavic people are, even after such a war they rose from their knees. Then the whole world knew how strong the state is and how strong in spirit people live there.

Thanks to the veterans who defended us when they were very young. Unfortunately, at the moment there are only a few of them left, but we will never forget their feat.

Report on the Great Patriotic War

On June 22, 1941, at 4 o'clock in the morning, Germany attacked the USSR without first declaring war. Such an unexpected event briefly put the Soviet troops out of action. The Soviet army met the enemy with dignity, although the enemy was very strong and had an advantage over the Red Army. Germany had a lot of weapons, tanks, aircraft, when the Soviet army was just moving from cavalry protection to weapons.

The USSR was not ready for such a large-scale war, many of the commanders at that time were inexperienced and young. Of the five marshals, three were shot and recognized as enemies of the people. Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was in power during the Great Patriotic War and did everything possible for the victory of the Soviet troops.

The war was cruel and bloody, the whole country began to defend the Motherland. Everyone could join the ranks of the Soviet army, the youth created partisan detachments and tried to help in every way. All men and women fought for the protection of their native land.

The struggle for Leningrad lasted 900 days, residents who were in the blockade. Many soldiers were killed and taken prisoner. The Nazis created concentration camps where they mocked and starved people. The fascist troops hoped that the war would end within 2-3 months, but the patriotism of the Russian people turned out to be stronger, and the war dragged on for 4 long years.

In August 1942, the Battle of Stalingrad begins, lasting six months. The Soviet army won a victory and captured more than 330 thousand Nazis. The Nazis could not come to terms with their defeat and began an offensive on Kursk. 1200 vehicles took part in the Battle of Kursk - it was a massive battle of tanks.

In 1944, the troops of the Red Army were able to liberate the Ukraine, the Baltic States, Moldova. Also, Soviet troops received support from Siberia, the Urals and the Caucasus and were able to drive off enemy troops from their native lands. Many times the Nazis wanted to lure the troops of the Soviet army into a trap by cunning, but they did not succeed. Thanks to the competent Soviet command, the plans of the Nazis were destroyed and then they used heavy artillery. The Nazis launched into battle heavy tanks such as: "tiger" and "panther", but despite this, the Red Army gave a worthy rebuff.

At the very beginning of 1945, the Soviet army broke into German territory and forced the Nazis to admit defeat. On May 8-9, 1945, the Act of surrender of the forces of fascist Germany was signed. Officially, May 9 is considered Victory Day, and is celebrated to this day.

• Message Lily of the valley may (red book grade 3 world around)

  May lily of the valley is one of the few plants whose name is associated with many legends and secrets. In the Brothers Grimm's tale, a flower emerged from the necklace of Snow White, who scattered it while fleeing from her stepmother

Mice are small rodents that can be found anywhere. They are considered the most numerous of mammals.

Rostov the Great is one of the most remarkable cities in our country. It is part of the Golden Ring of Russia and is considered the oldest of all the cities that make up this composition.

• Ireland - post report

  Ireland is an island country on the westernmost edge of Europe. It is the second largest island on the continent (after Great Britain)

• Ravens - message report (2, 3 grade Around the world)

  Ravens belong to the representatives of the corvids. They have a body length of about 70 centimeters, weight ranging from 800 to 1500 grams. Unlike other representatives of the crows have a massive beak, its tip is pointed.

Battle of Moscow 1941– 1942 There are two main stages in the battle: defensive (September 30 - December 5, 1941) and offensive (December 5, 1941 - April 20, 1942). At the first stage, the goal of the Soviet troops was the defense of Moscow, at the second stage, the defeat of the enemy forces advancing on Moscow.

By the beginning of the German offensive on Moscow, Army Group Center (General Field Marshal F. Bock) numbered 74.5 divisions (approximately 38% of infantry and 64% of tank and mechanized divisions operating on the Soviet-German front), 1,800,000 people, 1,700 tanks, over 14,000 guns and mortars, 1,390 aircraft. In the Western direction, Soviet troops had 1,250,000 men, 990 tanks, 7,600 guns and mortars, and 677 aircraft in the Western direction.

At the first stage, the Soviet troops of the Western Front (Colonel General I.S.Konev, and from October 10 - Army General G.K. Zhukov), Bryansk (until October 10 - Colonel General A.I. October 17 - I.S.Konev) of the fronts stopped the offensive of the troops of Army Group Center (implementation of the German Operation Typhoon) at the turn south of the Volga reservoir, Dmitrov, Yakhroma, Krasnaya Polyana (27 km from Moscow), east of Istra, west of Kubinka , Naro-Fominsk, west of Serpukhov, east of Aleksin, Tula. During the defensive battles, the enemy was significantly bled. On December 5-6, Soviet troops launched a counteroffensive, and on January 7-10, 1942, they launched a general offensive along the entire front. In January-April 1942, the troops of the Western, Kalininsky, Bryansk (from December 18 - Colonel General Ya.T. Cherevichenko) and Northwestern (Lieutenant General P.A. Kurochkin) fronts defeated the enemy and threw him back 100-250 km. 11 tank, 4 motorized and 23 infantry divisions were defeated. The losses of the enemy only for the period January 1 - March 30, 1942 amounted to 333 thousand people.

The Battle of Moscow was of great importance: the myth of the invincibility of the German army was dispelled, the plan for a blitzkrieg was thwarted, and the international position of the USSR was strengthened.

Battle of Stalingrad 1942 - 1943 Defensive (July 17 - November 18, 1942) and offensive (November 19, 1942 - February 2, 1943) operations carried out by Soviet troops to defend Stalingrad and defeat a large strategic enemy grouping operating in the Stalingrad direction.

In defensive battles in the Stalingrad region and in the city itself, the troops of the Stalingrad Front (Marshal S.K. Timoshenko, from July 23 - Lieutenant General V.N. Gordov, from August 5 - Colonel General A.I. Eremenko) and the Don Front (from September 28 - Lieutenant General K.K. Rokossovsky) managed to stop the offensive of the 6th Army of Colonel General F. Paulus and the 4th Tank Army. By July 17, the 6th Army included 13 divisions (about 270 thousand people, 3 thousand guns and mortars, about 500 tanks). They were supported by the aviation of the 4th Air Fleet (up to 1200 aircraft). The troops of the Stalingrad Front numbered 160 thousand people, 2.2 thousand guns, about 400 tanks and 454 aircraft. At the cost of great efforts, the command of the Soviet troops managed not only to stop the advance of German troops in Stalingrad, but also to assemble significant forces by the beginning of the counteroffensive (1 103 thousand people, 15 500 guns and mortars, 1 463 tanks and self-propelled guns, 1350 combat aircraft). By this time, a significant grouping of German troops and forces of the allied countries of Germany (in particular, the 8th Italian, 3rd and 4th Romanian armies) was sent to help the troops of Field Marshal F. Paulus. The total number of enemy troops at the beginning of the Soviet counteroffensive was 1,011,500 men, 10,290 guns and mortars, 675 tanks and assault guns, 1,216 combat aircraft.

On November 19-20, the troops of the Southwestern Front (Lieutenant General N.F. Vatutin), the Stalingrad and Don fronts went on the offensive and surrounded 22 divisions (330 thousand people) in the Stalingrad region. After repelling an enemy attempt in December to free the encircled grouping, Soviet troops eliminated it. January 31 - February 2, 1943 the remnants of the 6th enemy army, led by Field Marshal F. Paulus, surrendered (91 thousand people).

The victory at Stalingrad marked the beginning of a radical change in the course of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War.

Battle of Kursk 1943 Defensive (July 5 - 23) and offensive (July 12 - August 23) operations conducted by Soviet troops in the Kursk region to disrupt a major German offensive and defeat the enemy's strategic grouping. The German command, after the defeat of its troops at Stalingrad, intended to conduct a major offensive operation in the Kursk region (Operation Citadel). Significant enemy forces were involved in its implementation - 50 divisions (including 16 tank and mechanized) and a number of separate units of Army Group Center (General Field Marshal G. Kluge) and Army Group South (General Field Marshal E Manstein). This accounted for about 70% of tank, up to 30% of motorized and more than 20% of infantry divisions operating on the Soviet-German front, as well as over 65% of all combat aircraft. About 20 enemy divisions operated on the flanks of the strike groupings. The ground forces were supported by the aviation of the 4th and 6th air fleets. In total, the enemy's strike groups numbered over 900 thousand people, about 10 thousand guns and mortars, up to 2,700 tanks and self-propelled guns (most of them were new designs - "Tigers", "Panthers" and "Ferdinands") and about 2050 aircraft (including the latest designs - "Focke-Wulf-190A" and "Henkel-129").

The Soviet command assigned the task of repelling the enemy offensive on the troops of the Central Front (from the side of Orel) and the Voronezh Front (from the side of Belgorod). After solving the defense tasks, it was planned to defeat the Oryol enemy grouping (plan "Kutuzov") by the troops of the right wing of the Central Front (Army General K.K. Rokossovsky), Bryansk (Colonel General M.M. Popov) and the left wing of the Western Front (Colonel General V.D. Sokolovsky). The offensive operation in the Belgorod-Kharkiv direction (plan "Commander Rumyantsev") was to be carried out by the forces of the Voronezh Front (General of the Army N.F. Vatutin) and the Steppe Front (Colonel General I.S. Konev) in cooperation with the troops of the South-West front (General of the Army R.Ya. Malinovsky). The general coordination of the actions of all these forces was entrusted to the representatives of the Headquarters of Marshals G.K. Zhukov and A.M. Vasilevsky.

By the beginning of July, the Central and Voronezh fronts had 1,336,000 men, over 19,000 guns and mortars, 3,444 tanks and self-propelled guns (including 900 light tanks) and 2,172 aircraft. In the rear of the Kursk salient, the Steppe Military District was deployed (from July 9 - the front), which was the strategic reserve of the Headquarters.

The enemy offensive was to begin at 3 o'clock in the morning on 5 July. However, just before its beginning, Soviet troops conducted artillery counter-training and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in the places of its concentration. The offensive of the Germans began only 2.5 hours later and did not carry the originally conceived character. The measures taken managed to restrain the enemy's advance (he managed to advance only 10-12 km in the direction of the Central Front in 7 days). The most powerful enemy grouping was operating in the direction of the Voronezh Front. Here, the enemy's advance was up to 35 km deep into the defense of the Soviet troops. On July 12, there was a turning point in the course of the battle. On this day, in the Prokhorovka area, the largest oncoming tank battle in history took place, in which 1200 tanks and self-propelled guns took part on both sides. The enemy lost here only on this day up to 400 tanks and self-propelled guns and 10 thousand people. killed, On July 12, a new stage began in the Battle of Kursk, during which the Soviet counteroffensive developed as part of the Oryol operation and the Belgorod-Kharkiv operation, which ended with the liberation of Orel and Belgorod on August 5, and Kharkov on August 23.

As a result of the Battle of Kursk, 30 enemy divisions (including 7 tank divisions) were completely defeated. The enemy lost over 500 thousand people, 1.5 thousand tanks, over 3.7 thousand aircraft, 3 thousand guns.

The main result of the battle was the transition of German troops in all theaters of military operations to strategic defense. The strategic initiative finally passed into the hands of the Soviet command. In the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War, the radical change started by the Battle of Stalingrad ended.

Belarusian operation (23 June– August 29, 1944). The code name is Operation Bagration. One of the largest strategic offensive operations undertaken by the Soviet high command to defeat the Nazi Army Group Center and liberate Belarus. The total number of enemy troops was 63 divisions and 3 brigades of 1.2 million people, 9.5 thousand guns, 900 tanks and 1350 aircraft. The commander of the enemy group was Field Marshal E. Bush, and from June 28 - Field Marshal V. Model. It was opposed by Soviet troops of four fronts (1st Baltic, 3rd Belorussian, 2nd Belorussian and 1st Belorussian) under the command of General of the Army I.Kh. Baghramyan, General of the Army I.D. Chernyakhovsky, General of the Army G. Zakharov and Marshal of the Soviet Union K.K. Rokossovsky. Four fronts united 20 combined arms and 2 tank armies (a total of 166 divisions, 12 tank and mechanized corps, 7 fortified areas and 21 brigades). The total number of Soviet troops reached 2.4 million people, armed with about 36 thousand guns, 5.2 thousand tanks, 5.3 thousand combat aircraft.

By the nature of combat operations and the achievement of the assigned tasks, the operation is divided into two stages. On the first (June 23 - July 4), the Vitebsk-Orshansk, Mogilev, Bobruisk and Polotsk operations were carried out and the encirclement of the enemy's Minsk grouping was completed. At the second stage (July 5 - August 29), the encircled enemy was destroyed and the Soviet troops entered new lines during the Shauliai, Vilnius, Kaunas, Bialystok and Lublin-Brest operations. During the Belarusian operation, the enemy completely lost 17 divisions and 3 brigades, and 50 divisions lost more than 50% of their strength. The total losses of the enemy amounted to about 500 thousand killed, wounded and captured. During the operation, Lithuania and Latvia were partially liberated. On July 20, the Red Army entered the territory of Poland and on August 17 approached the borders of East Prussia. By August 29, she entered the outskirts of Warsaw. In general, on a front with a length of 1,100 km, our troops advanced 550-600 km, completely cutting off the enemy's northern grouping in the Baltic. For participation in the operation, over 400 thousand soldiers and officers of the Soviet Army were awarded military orders and medals.

Berlin operation 1945 The final strategic offensive operation carried out by Soviet troops from April 16 to May 8, 1945. The purpose of the operation was to defeat the grouping of German forces defending in the Berlin direction, capture Berlin and reach the Elbe to join the Allied forces. In the Berlin direction, the troops of the Vistula group and the Center group under the command of Colonel General G. Heinrici and Field Marshal F. Scherner took up defense. The total number of enemy troops was 1 million people, 10 400 guns, 1500 tanks, 3300 aircraft. In the rear of these army groups there were reserve units of 8 divisions, as well as a Berlin garrison of 200 thousand people.

For the operation, the troops of three fronts were involved: 2nd Belorussian (Marshal K.K. Rokossovsky), 1st Belorussian (Marshal G.K. Zhukov), 1st Ukrainian (Marshal I.S. Konev). According to the nature of the tasks performed and the results, the Berlin operation is divided into 3 stages: 1st stage - breaking through the Oder-Neissen line of enemy defense (April 16-19); 2nd stage - encirclement and dismemberment of enemy troops (April 19 - 25); 3rd stage - the destruction of the encircled groups and the capture of Berlin (April 26 - May 8). The main objectives of the operation were achieved in 16-17 days.

For the success of the operation, 1,082,000 soldiers were awarded the medal "For the capture of Berlin". More than 600 participants in the operation became Heroes of the Soviet Union, and 13 people. were awarded the 2nd Gold Star medal.

The main battles of the Great Patriotic War

Battle of Moscow 1941 - 1942 There are two main stages in the battle: defensive (September 30 - December 5, 1941) and offensive (December 5, 1941 - April 20, 1942). At the first stage, the goal of the Soviet troops was the defense of Moscow, at the second stage, the defeat of the enemy forces advancing on Moscow.

By the beginning of the German offensive on Moscow, Army Group Center (General Field Marshal F. Bock) numbered 74.5 divisions (approximately 38% of infantry and 64% of tank and mechanized divisions operating on the Soviet-German front), 1,800,000 people, 1,700 tanks, over 14,000 guns and mortars, 1,390 aircraft. Soviet troops in the Western direction had 1,250,000 men, 990 tanks, 7,600 guns and mortars, and 677 aircraft in the Western direction.

At the first stage, the Soviet troops of the Western Front (Colonel General I.S.Konev, and from October 10 - Army General G.K. Zhukov), (Bryansky (until October 10 - Colonel General A.I. Eremenko) and Kalininsky ( from October 17 - 8. S. Konev) of the fronts stopped the offensive of the troops of the Army Group "Center" (the implementation of the frequent operation "Typhoon") at the turn: south of the Volga reservoir, Dmitrov, Yakhroma, Krasnaya Polyana (27 km from Moscow), eastern Istra, west of Kubinka, Naro-Fominsk, west of Serpukhov, eastern Aleksina, Tula. During the defensive battles, the enemy was significantly exsanguinated. On December 5-6, Soviet troops launched a counteroffensive, and on January 7-10, 1942 launched a general offensive along the entire front. January-April 1942, the troops of the Western, Kalininskoro, Bryansk (from December 18 - Colonel General Ya.T. Cherevichenko) and the North-Western Lieutenant General P.A.Kurochkin) of the fronts defeated the enemy and threw him back 100-250 km. 11 tank, 4 motorized and 23 infantry divisions were defeated. The losses of the anti-aircraft gun only for the period January 1 - March 30, 1942 amounted to 333 thousand people.

The Moscow battle was of great importance: the myth of the invincibility of the German army was dispelled, the plan for a blitzkrieg was thwarted, and the international position of the USSR was strengthened.

Battle of Stalingrad 1942 - 1943 Defensive and (July 17 - November 18, 1942) and offensive (November 19, 1942 - February 2, 1943) operations carried out by Soviet troops in order to defend Stalingrad and defeat a large strategic enemy grouping operating in the Stalingrad direction.

In defensive battles in the Stalingrad region and in the city itself, the troops of the Stalinrad Front (Marshal S.K. Timoshenko, from July 23 - Lieutenant General V.N. Gordov, from August 5 - Colonel General A.I. Eremenko) and the Don Front (from September 28 - Lieutenant General K. K. Rokossovsky) managed to stop the offensive of the 6th Army of Colonel General F. Paulus and the 4th Tank Army. By July 17, the 6th Army included 13 divisions (about 270 thousand people, 3 thousand guns and mortars, about 500 tanks). They were supported by the aviation of the 4th Air Fleet (up to 1200 aircraft). The troops of the Stalingrad Front numbered 160 thousand people, 2.2 thousand guns, about 400 tanks and 454 aircraft. At the cost of great efforts, the command of the Soviet troops managed not only to stop the advance of German troops in Stalingrad, but also to gather significant forces by the beginning of the counteroffensive (1103 thousand people, 15,500 guns and mortars, 1,463 tanks and self-propelled guns, 1,350 combat aircraft). By this time, a significant group of German troops and forces of the allied countries of Germany (in particular, the 8th Italian, 3rd and 4th Romanian armies) was sent to help the troops of Field Marshal F. Paulus. The total number of enemy troops at the beginning of the Soviet counteroffensive was 1,011,500 men, 10,290 guns and mortars, 675 tanks and assault guns, 1,216 combat aircraft.

On November 19 - 20, the troops of the Southwestern Front (Lieutenant General N.F. Vatutin), the Stalingrad and Don fronts went on the offensive and surrounded 22 divisions (330 thousand people) in the Stalingrad region. After repelling an enemy attempt in December to free the encircled grouping, Soviet troops eliminated it. January 31 - February 2, 1943 the remnants of the 6th enemy army led by Field Marshal F. Paulus surrendered (91 thousand people).

The victory at Stalingrad marked the beginning of a radical change in the course of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War.

Battle of Kursk, 1943 Defensive (July 5 - 23) and offensive (July 12 - August 23) operations carried out by Soviet troops in the Kursk region to disrupt a major German offensive and defeat a strategic enemy grouping. The German command, after the defeat of its troops at Stalingrad, intended to conduct a major offensive operation in the Kursk region (Operation Citadel). Significant enemy forces were involved in its implementation - 50 divisions (including 16 tank and mechanized) and a number of separate units of Army Group Center (General Field Marshal G. Kluge) and Army Group South (General Field Marshal E . Manstein). This accounted for about 70% of tank, up to 30% of motorized and more than 20% of infantry divisions operating on the Soviet-German front, as well as over 65% of all combat aircraft. About 20 enemy divisions operated on the flanks of the strike groupings. The ground forces were supported by the aviation of the 4th and 6th air fleets. In total, the enemy's strike groups numbered over 900 thousand people, about 10 thousand guns and mortars, up to 2,700 tanks and self-propelled guns (most of them were new designs - "tigers", "panthers" and "ferdinands") and about 2050 aircraft (including the latest designs - "Focke-Wulf-lQOA" and "Heinkel-129").

The Soviet command assigned the task of repelling the enemy offensive on the troops of the Central (from the Oryol side) and Voronezh (from the Belgorod side) fronts. After solving the problems of defense, it was planned to defeat the Oryol grouping of the enemy (plan "Kutuzov") by the troops of the right wing of the Central Front (General of the Army K.K.Rokossovsky), Bryansk (General-Colonel M.M. V.D.Sokolovsky). The offensive operation in the Belgorod-Kharkov direction (plan "Commander Rumyantsev") was to be carried out by the forces of the Voronezh (General of the Army N.F. Vatutin) and Steppe (Colonel-General I.S. Army R. Ya. Malinovsky). The general coordination of the actions of all these forces was entrusted to the representatives of the Headquarters of Marshals G.K. Zhukov and A.M. Vasilevsky.

By early July, the Central and Voronezh fronts had 1,336,000 men, over 19,000 guns and mortars, 3,444 tanks and self-propelled guns (including 900 light tanks) and 2,172 aircraft. In the rear of the Kursk salient, the Steppe Military District was deployed (from July 9 - the front), which was the strategic reserve of the Headquarters.

The enemy offensive was to begin at 3 o'clock in the morning on 5 July. However, just before its beginning, Soviet troops conducted artillery counter-training and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in the places of its concentration. The offensive of the Germans began only 2.5 hours later, and its course differed from that planned. Thanks to the measures taken, it was possible to restrain the enemy's advance (he managed to advance only 10-12 km in the direction of the Central Front in seven days). The most powerful enemy grouping was operating in the direction of the Voronezh Front. Here the advance of the Germans was up to 35 km deep into the defenses of the Soviet troops. On July 12, there was a turning point in the course of the battle. On this day, in the Prokhorovka area, the largest oncoming tank battle in history took place, in which 1200 tanks and self-propelled guns took part on both sides. The enemy lost here only on this day up to 400 tanks and self-propelled guns and 10 thousand people killed. On July 12, a new stage began in the Battle of Kursk, during which the Soviet counteroffensive developed within the Oovsk and Velgorod-Kharkov operations, which culminated in the liberation of Orel and Belgorod on August 5, and Kharkov on August 23.

As a result of the Battle of Kursk, 30 enemy divisions (including 7 tank divisions) were completely defeated. The enemy lost over 500 thousand people, 1.5 thousand tanks, over 3.7 thousand aircraft, 3 thousand guns. The main result of the battle was the transition of German troops in all theaters of military operations to strategic defense. The strategic initiative finally passed into the hands of the Soviet command. In the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War, the radical change started by the Battle of Stalingrad ended.

Belarusian operation (June 23 - August 29, 1944). The code name is Operation Bagration. One of the largest strategic offensive operations undertaken by the Soviet high command to defeat the Nazi Army Group Center and liberate Belarus. The total number of enemy troops was 63 divisions and 3 brigades of 1.2 million people, 9.5 thousand guns, 900 tanks and 1350 aircraft. The commander of the enemy group was Field Marshal E. Bush, and from June 28 - Field Marshal V. Model. It was opposed by Soviet troops of four fronts (1st Baltic, 3rd Belorussian, 2nd Belorussian and 1st Belorussian) under the command of General of the Army I. Kh.Bagramyan, General of the Army I.D. Chernyakhovsky, General of the Army G. F. Zakharov and Marshal of the Soviet Union K. K. Rokossovsky. Four fronts united 20 combined arms and 2 tank armies (a total of 166 divisions, 112 tank and mechanized corps, 7 fortified areas and 21 brigades). The total number of Soviet troops reached 2.4 million people, which were armed with about 86 thousand guns, 5.2 thousand tanks, 5.3 thousand combat aircraft,

By the nature of combat operations and the achievement of the assigned tasks, the operation is divided into two stages. On the first (June 23 - July 4), the Vitebsk-Orshansk, Mogilev, Bobruisk and Polotsk operations were carried out and the encirclement of the enemy's Minsk grouping was completed. At the second stage (July 5 - August 29), the encircled enemy was destroyed and the Soviet troops entered new lines during the Siauliai, Vilnius, Kaunas, Bialystok and Lublin-Brest operations. During the Belarusian operation, the enemy completely lost 17 divisions and 3 brigades, and 50 divisions lost more than 50% of their strength. The total losses of the enemy amounted to about 500 thousand killed, wounded and captured. During the operation, Lithuania and Latvia were partially liberated. On July 20, the Red Army entered the territory of Poland and on August 17 approached the borders of East Prussia. By August 29, she entered the outskirts of Warsaw. In general, on a front with a length of 1100 km, our troops advanced 550 - 100 km, completely cutting off the enemy's northern grouping in the Baltic region. For participation in the operation, over 400 thousand soldiers and officers of the Red Army were awarded military orders and medals.

The Berlin operation in 1945. The final strategic offensive operation carried out by the Soviet troops from April 16 to May 8, 1945. The objectives of the operation were to defeat the group of German forces defending in the Berlin direction, capture Berlin and reach the Elbe for a joint unification with the Allied forces. In the Berlin sector, the troops of the Vistula group and the Center group under the command of Colonel General G. Heinritz and Field Marshal F. Scherner took up defense. The total number of enemy troops was 1 million people, 10 400 guns, 1500 tanks, 3300 aircraft. In the rear of these army groups there were reserve units of 8 divisions, as well as a Berlin garrison of 200 thousand people

For the operation, troops of three fronts were involved: the 2nd Belorussian (Marshal K. K. Rokossovsky), the 1st Belorussian (Marshal G.K. Zhukov), and the 1st Ukrainian (Marshal I. S. Konev). In total, the advancing troops included up to 2.5 million soldiers and officers, 41,600 guns and mortars, 6,250 tanks and self-propelled guns, 7,500 aircraft, as well as part of the forces of the Baltic Fleet and the Dnieper military flotilla.

According to the nature of the tasks performed and the results, the Berlin operation is divided into 3 stages. 1st stage - breaking through the Oder-Neissen line of enemy defense (April 16 - 19); 2nd stage - encirclement and dismemberment of enemy troops (April 19 - 25); 3rd stage - the destruction of the encircled groups and the capture of Berlin (April 26 - May 8). The main objectives of the operation were achieved in 16 - 17 days.

For the success of the operation, 1,082 thousand soldiers were awarded the medal "For the capture of Berlin." More than 600 participants in the operation became Heroes of the Soviet Union, and 13 people were awarded the second Gold Star medal.