Which battle marked the beginning of the end for the German invasion of the Soviet Union? A the Battle of Stalingrad B the Battle of El Alamein C the Battle of Leningrad D the Battle of Anzio

A the Battle of Stalingrad is considered the battle that marked the beginning of the end for the German invasion of the Soviet Union. The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the deadliest and most decisive battles during World War II, taking place from August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943. It ended with the encirclement and surrender of a large part of the German 6th Army and marked a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front in favor of the Soviets.

Extra: The Battle of Stalingrad was not only significant because of its scale and the high number of casualties but also because it marked a clear shift in the momentum of the war. Before Stalingrad, the German Wehrmacht had seen a series of victories and had been advancing deep into the Soviet territory. However, the determined defense of Stalingrad by the Red Army, under harsh winter conditions and with the city reduced to rubble, demonstrated the Soviet capability to withstand and eventually repel the Axis forces.

Stalingrad became a symbol of Soviet resistance and the will to fight. The victory boosted the morale of the Soviet people and armed forces, while it dealt a severe blow to German military might and morale. After Stalingrad, the German forces were generally on the defensive on the Eastern Front, facing a resurgent Red Army that was steadily pushing westward. The scale of the defeat also had strategic implications as it diverted German attention and resources, influencing other theaters of the war.

World War II saw many turning points on various fronts, and while the Battle of El Alamein (Answer B), the Siege of Leningrad (Answer C), and the Battle of Anzio (Answer D) were indeed significant, none of them reflected the pivotal change in the Eastern Front's dynamics as did the Battle of Stalingrad.