Battle of Moscow

The Battle for Moscow occurred between October 1941 and January 1942. The germans considered Moscow a prime target in the war. They believed if they took Moscow, the rest of the Soviet Union would fall quickly. The original blitzkrieg invasion plan was called Operation Barbarossa. The Germans had planned to capture Moscow in three to four months.

Despite initial advances, the Germans were soon slowed by Soviet resistance in the Battle for Moscow. The soviets used cheat and retreat tactics, delaying the Germans till the onset of winter.

The Soviet army eventually stopped the German advance at the Mozhaisk defensive line, just 120 km (75 miles) from Moscow. As winter set in, the Soviet army stepped up there resistence. The extreme cold favoured the Soviets while the Germans struggled.

On December 5, 1941, backed ny fresh Soviet Siberian troops, they went on the offensive. The German forces were overwhelmed and by January 1942, they had been driven back 100 to 250 km (60 to 150 miles).

The battle for Moscow was also one of the largest during World War II. There was more then one million total casualties. The "Defense of Moscow" medal, created in 1944, for soldiers who took part in the battle. Moscow was awarded the title of "Hero City" in 1965, on the 20th anniversary of Victory Day.

World War Two

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