Stalingrad was an important turning point in the Second World War to prove
that the Nazi army was not the invincible war machine they viewed themselves
to be. Stalingrad was the historical turning point as to how the war would
change to the advantage of Russia and its allies, to gain peace and stability
in the world once again, and after the long hellish struggle this was achieved.
Isolated Russian strongholds continued to outmanoeuvre the German assaults
upon Stalingrad. Then appeared the Russian platoon of the 42nd Guards,
taking possession of a three-storey building with a good view on all areas
from the river. Sergeant Yakov Pavlov held the command of this unit, holding
the building for 59 days before being relieved. The bleak burned out shell
of this building was named after hero Sergeant Yakov Pavlov, and today
“Pavlov House” stands monumentally as a grim reminder of the destruction
by the Second World War in Russia.
The modern world can learn a lot in securing peace to nations from the
Second World War, having the broadest possible coalition to defeat the
enemy. It was a coalition between Britain, USA, and USSR with the crucial
role played by the Soviet Union. Today we need the broadest coalition of
nations via the United Nations Security Council to defeat the evil of international
terrorism, providing that there is maximum cooperation and good will among
the civilized nations of this world and that no nation seeks hegemony
for itself. The United Nations must be more alert in ensuring that agreed
resolutions are implemented, and that would mean an effective UN Army under
international supervision.
Alastair Pamphilon, U.K.
In February 1943 I was 14 years of age. We, schoolboys, followed the course
of the war in all its fields with close attention. The city of Kingston-upon-Hull
(referred to in everyday speech as Hull) had been subject to frequent air
raids, but progressively, as the German difficulties mounted in the Soviet
Union, the bombing raids on this country diminished.
James Wilson, U.K.
Your program brought back fond memories of my trip to Volgograd, I remember
Schuman’s music set to the memory of the fallen. At the foot of the winding
staircase, I placed a small bouquet of flowers. I felt I had to honor these
brave soldiers and civilians who had given up their lives in sacrifice
for their country, their Motherland. Their sacrifice also saved the living
of today. In today’s life, there’s another form of Nazism called terrorism,
which must be eliminated at all costs, for it is like a cancer that, if
not operated soon, will spread and kill the patient. We live in troubled
times when solutions are difficult as well as controversial.
Joseph Miranda, USA
Your program brought back wonderful memories of our visit to the Soviet
Union in September of 1977. We visited Stalingrad too. Dottie and I will
forever remember the ‘changing of the guard’, as we made our way to the
war memorial. We saw the statue of Mother Russia with torch in hand atop
of the mountain, and I could not help but see the statue of the sorrowful
mother with her deceased son in her hands. I burst out crying, for it reminded
me of my mom. We had lost our oldest brother John in the war in Europe
in 1944, a war in which I, too, was engaged. The visit to Stalingrad was
so very mournful. Viewing the ruins of a building, which was preserved
for posterity, trying to visualize the wave upon wave of hand-to-hand combat
and fallen soldiers … devastating… so much to give for Mother Russia. The
fallen soldiers of Russia, who made the Supreme Sacrifice to save Russia,
will live forever in the memories of the people who witnessed a war throughout
the world. War is Hell!!!
George Poppin, USA
We should never forget about the brave warriors who gave their lives to
protect their homeland and freedom. The land we live on is a precious gift.
We must honor the courageous women and men who died in the battle of Stalingrad.
Wars can only bring hate and destruction. People’s hearts are filled with
hate for one another.
The battle of Stalingrad must become only a memory of those who sacrificed
their lives for peace and joy of the future world. Peace depicts a sunny
clear blue sky, while war depicts a cloudy dark stormy sky full of thunder
and storms. Do you want to see a beautiful clear blue sky or a black sky
filled with storms and destruction?
Dennis Roberts, Columbus, Georgia, USA
I send my warmest greetings on the 60th anniversary of the Victory of Stalingrad.
Stalingrad was an important strategic, industrial and communications center.
Hitler’s forces were unable to capture either Moscow or Leningrad, and,
therefore, the Fuhrer set his hopes on capturing Stalingrad. Even when
the German 6th Army under General von Paulus was surrounded, he promoted
von Paulus to the rank of Marshal and urged the capture of “Fortress Stalingrad”
at all costs. The encirclement cut off supplies – food, fuel, clothing,
the latter being totally inadequate for the severe Russian winter, as the
Nazi authorities had assumed an early victory before winter weather set
in. Extreme cold, lack of supplies, heavy losses – and the superior fighting
of the Soviet forces, combined with outmanoeuvre, ensured this catastrophic
defeat for the Nazi forces at Stalingrad.
A few months later, after the battle of Kursk, the Nazi forces were in
retreat and finally driven back into Germany. The Soviet forces achieved
brilliant triumphs, which played a great part in the final defeat and downfall
of the Third Reich.
Geoffrey Lund, U.K.
One of my trips to Russia I would like to mention was one to Volgograd.
We flew from Moscow. Our hotel was near a large square. Soon we were taken
to visit a War Memorial with a huge statue on the Mamayev Hill. This was
quite an experience, as it is a mausoleum honoring the defenders of Stalingrad,
now Volgograd. Inside there is a continuous recording of a classical composer,
very appropriate to the theme of the place. On the walls as one slowly
climbs the circular ramp, are the plaques or names of the many victims
who died on this fierce battle at the hill. Having this on video was lucky
for me, as I can watch it again. We were also taken to the river bank,
where a large building or house still was standing, just as it was after
the battle ended. It was a memorial to the tragedy that befell that city.
I saw a diorama of the battle nearby. Inside the building were two photographs
of Joseph Stalin, one of them looking straight to the camera. It was kind
of eerie, as the look was not friendly, almost menacing and almost alive.
On some of the cultural programs of Radio Moscow the theme of World War
II, or the Great Patriotic War, was often mentioned, and on this trip,
when I saw the ruins, photographs of buildings destroyed, I began to understand
how horrible it must have been. Both sides fought bravely, but when one
defends his own land, there’s always that extra zest, courage that wins
the battle in the long run. The Red Army encircles the enemy lines, won
the battle and, in a way, won the war, as Stalingrad marked the turning
point in World War II.
Joseph Miranda, USA
Throughout history governments have sent men to war, and anyone speaking
for peace had a difficult time. In the 20th century war came much closer
to civilian population with bombing from the air and more destructive weapons.
The battle of Stalingrad was a turning point in the war. It was the greatest
defeat the German army had ever experienced. The threat to the Volga and
the Caucasus was lifted, for the German people now realized that the war
with the Soviet Union would be lost.
W.McLeod, New Zealand
It was the crucial battle of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union
in 1941-1945. Hitler suffered a major defeat on the Russian front, the
most important battle front.
Edward Sandberg, USA
The battle changed the course of the war. The Germans were pushed back,
and for the first time the world could see that the Germans could be beaten.
It was also important in that the resolve and belief in Hitler held by
his commanders truly evaporated. He led the Germans to disaster, misread
the issue of conventional warfare around the Russian winter conditions
and underestimated the resilience of the Russian people. The Germans also
lost their expected control of the oil fields, which was a crucial blow
to their objectives.
Ray Fox, U.K.
Stalingrad is one of the most famous cities in the whole of World War II,
and most people in the world have heard of it. The battle of Stalingrad
was a turning point in the Second World War, because it was the first time
that a German army had found itself to be encircled. Then they were to
learn another new thing, how to retreat and be followed by a stronger force
all the way back to Berlin.
I do believe that we can stop wars from breaking out. Some races, even
amongst our fellow Europeans, are not natural born democrats, but it is
something we all must aspire to together, all nations and colors. It will
not be easy, but, when you look at the Hitler 'experiment', for all normal
people it would be the best thing. Only if we all get to know each other
well will we be able to grow together and avert all wars. Ignorance about
other people's cultures starts wars.
Jean Paisley, U.K.
I was watching on TV yesterday, here in England, a series called 'The World
at War'. Featured was the battle for Stalingrad in a documentary containing
a lot of real film footage from actual events. I sat with my songs who
I raise alone glued to the TV with them. What struck us was the terrible
devastation of Stalingrad or Volgograd as it is now and the footage of
Russian soldiers on horseback in the freezing snow. The Germans came with
their machinery and weapons that seized up in the cold, and the Red Army
it appears used one of the oldest forms of transport in war, the horse!
What I cannot imagine is that after the war was over, how people found
the strength and courage to go about rebuilding the city. What a task!
I spoke to my parents during the day. My mother was a German who lived
on the higher side of the dams that got blown up by the British bouncing
bombs. They were piloted from my home city near Lincoln in England. My
dad was a soldier in World War 2 and saw service in Belgium and France.
It seemed ironic they settled where the dambusters came from in England
after the war. When I was a young boy in the 1960's (I'm 42 years of age
now), I recall how many war films seemed to depict how America won the
war. But my dad and my mum always told me, "No, the Russians. If it wasn't
for the Russians, the war may have been lost". My dad maintains that Stalingrad
was the big turning point, and he resents to this day, as an ex-British
soldier, that the cold war seemed to part us from those who he was as our
main allies. I think, however, that many of today's young generation who
think and study for themselves rather than what is fed to them, recognize
the truth a lot more.
The battle changed the course of the war. The Germans were pushed back,
and for the first time the world could see that the Germans could be beaten.
It was also important in that the resolve and belief in Hitler held by
his commanders truly evaporated. He led the Germans to disaster, misread
the issue of conventional warfare around the Russian winter conditions
and underestimated the resilience of the Russian people. The Germans also
lost their expected control of the oil fields, which was a crucial blow
to their objectives.
Ray Fox, U.K.
I would like to compliment the Voice of Russia on its excellent series
about the battle of Stalingrad, which is both interesting and informative.
I am a long-time listener. Rest assured I shall continue listening to the
Voice of Russia.
Paul Neale, U.K.
The battle of Stalingrad was fought between the invading forces of Nazi
Germany and the forces of the Soviet Union who were defending the city.
This was the decisive battle of World War II, because it ended the German
offensive as well as destroyed much of the German army and ultimately resulted
in Germany’s defeat in World War II.
Mr.Ilinden, Canada
I can remember as a young schoolboy the siege of Stalingrad, although the
specifics are gone. I used to study the maps in the newspaper, which
showed the movement of the front lines in Russia, as well as in other war
theatres.
The names of several Russian cities involved have never been forgotten.
I can recall how the Russian authorities anxiously awaited the opening
of the Western Front. I was in high school when the war ended. One
of my brothers was in the Canadian army oversea. Another brother
was in the Canadian Air Force, but spent nearly three years in a German
prisoner-of-war camp. My sister was a nurse in the Canadian army. On the
way to Italy, the hospital ship that she was on was bombed in the Mediterranean
Sea. All aboard were rescued.
Duane Duff, Canada
This battle not only stopped the Nazi advance and saved Stalingrad, but
was tactical as it saved time for mother Russia to build new units for
a great offensive to push Germany back and end the war. The brave men and
women who fought, bled and died there must never be forgotten! Those who
suffered there knew what they did, and we can only stand in wonderment
and say, “Thank God Russia has such men and women”. The might of Russia
lives in her people, not in missiles.
Dennis Coonrod, USA
Adolf Hitler wanted to take Stalingrad so that his armies could control
the Volga River and have access to the Caucasus oil fields. After the siege
began, he could not face defeat. Thus, he caused needless death to his
own army and the people of Stalingrad. At the top of Mamayev Kurgan in
Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad, stands a huge memorial, the Statue
of the Motherland. It commemorates the successful defense of the Russian
city, which is located on the banks of the Volga River. So important was
the stand of the Russian army led by General Chuikov and the citizens of
the city that President Franklin Roosevelt of the United States called
the defeat of the German army under General Paulus the turning point of
the war. One act of bravery, among many, is remembered particularly. Sergeant
Pavlov and his men found a group of people in the basement of a house,
which came to be known as Pavlov House. The soldiers entered, then cut
holes in the wall to make better firing points for their machine guns and
anti-tank guns. The soldiers occupied the basement and top floor of the
house, because that gave them an advantage over the guns of the tanks because
of the limited mobility of those weapons. It is surprising that the Germans
were held up so long by this defense. Eventually, reinforcements arrived
for the occupants of Pavlov House. General Chuikov later made the comment
that the defenders had killed more Germans than the enemy lost in taking
Paris earlier in the war.
Duane and Pamela Duff, Canada
The ‘Pavlov House’ became a symbol of determination of Russians to hold
the city. Completely surrounded by Germans, Pavlov’s soldiers were holding
the constantly attacked house until the relief came. That intensive fighting
was going on for 59 days. There were also many civilians in the basement
who stayed there throughout the fighting.
Jaakko Pitkanen, Finland
This battle was won at a time when the Soviet Union was fighting Hitler
alone. This heroic battle and the victory won meant a lot for strengthening
the fighting spirit and the morale among the freedom loving countries of
the world, many of which were occupied and oppressed by an inhuman Nazi
regime. The news from Stalingrad after February 2, 1943, brought hope for
a final victory, peace and justice to my own country, Norway, occupied
by the Nazis since 1940. I myself was a child, living in the northern part
of Norway with my family, and I can still remember the general admiration
of the Red Army and the people of the Soviet Union among the Norwegians.
Also, I can remember the ill-treated soldiers of the Red Army, kept as
prisoners-of-war, about 100,000 of them working as slaves for their Nazi
masters in Norway. The Norwegians felt sympathy for these prisoners and
tried to help by smuggling bread and other kinds of food into their camps.
Sometimes food was just hidden at their working sites, so they could pick
it up the next day.
Bjorn Tandberg, Norway
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