The retaking of Stalingrad helped turn the tide of the war for the Russians, but I think the actual eastern front was lost as soon as Hitler tried to fight in the winter. The Russians were used to that, Germany... not so much. The Tigers and Panzer tanks couldn't hack the cold, let alone the soldiers, and the Russians knew exactly how to deal with it and took the advantage easily. After Stalingrad the Russians were able to pick up steam and push Germany way back. Hitler lost all the ground it had taken years to gain in months. The Barbarossa offensive, militarily, was a disaster, although it started out just as the axis planned it.
The fight on Russia's front was monumental in winning the war and millions of people lost there lives fighting it between 41 and 44. Regardless of politics, without Russia, the second world war would have turned out a lot different and likely would have taken many more years.
With that said though, the invasion at Normandy is the largest and most impressive landing of any fighting force in Earth's recorded history. Stop and think about that so the scope of it sinks in. The largest invasion force in History! More than the Romans, more than the Mongols, more than any other time. Don't forget that within a year of that landing, the war was over. The British, Canadian, and US lead fight on the western European front caused the Hitler Elite a lot of panic because of how fast they were able to make, and more importantly keep, ground. A major part of that ability was from the underground via the French and Belgian resistance cells.
Bottom line is that all forces played pivotal and remarkable roles in winning the war.
Last edited by ReTox (2006-12-02 19:01:11)
