Eastern front and German gains, from ILN 1942/03/28 - bg
On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded Russia
Oct. 14, 1942 - bloodiest day at Stalingrad; Germans advanced to the Tractor Factory on the Volga
Nov. 19, 1942 - Stalin began his counterattack URANUS from Stalingrad
Jan. 1943 - Russia launched Caucasus offensive
Jan. 31, 1943 - Paulus became the 1st German Field Marshall to surrender an army
Feb. 8 - Russia advanced to Kursk
Feb. 22 - Manstein's German counteroffensive began from south; took Kharkov, encircled Russian troops in Kursk salient
July 12 - Russia launched attack that began the battle of Kursk; largest tank battle of the war (1800 tanks); Russia had amassed army of 5.7 million with 7800 tanks and 21,000 anti-tank guns to face a German army of 3 million with 2000 tanks and 8000 anti-tank guns
Aug. 3 - Russia struck Donets River line and broke through between Kursk and Kharkov, took Belgorod by Aug. 5, created 35-mile gap in German line
Aug. 21 - Russia took Kharkov, Germany retreated to Panther line
Sept. - Russia broke German line, cut off Manstein's Army Group South from Center, advance toward Kiev
Sept. 30 - Manstein retreated across Dneiper River; some Russian troops crossed the river at Dnepropetrovsk on the Steppe front
Oct. 9 - Russia launched major offensive in the Ukraine; took Melitopol by Oct. 25
Nov. 3 - Russia reached the Black Sea and entered Crimea
Nov. 6 - Gen. Vatutin took Kiev, Stalin made special radio broadcast in commemoration of the liberation of the third major city from the Germans.
June 22, 1944- Stalin began BAGRATION offensive into Poland; in 6 weeks advanced 300 mi. to the Vistula
On May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered to the Red Army in Berlin.
