In history there are moments that can not rewrite or modify any historian.Severe in the fall of 1941, when threatened, it seemed the whole world was a question of preserving the integrity of the Soviet Union, a lot of effort has been thrown on the defense of Moscow.And despite the dramatic situation, the forces of the three fronts, 5 December 1941 began a counter-offensive of the Soviet troops near Moscow.From that day on, slowly but surely crowded fascist invaders to the western borders of our state.But not so conceived operation to capture the USSR by the Nazis.
Barbarossa
Summer 1941 was tragic for the Soviet Union.June 22 Nazi troops had violated the state border and moved to the active offensive actions.At the heart of the German offensive lay the famous Barbarossa plan, developed by Field Marshal Paulus.He called for the rapid advance of German troops on the European part of the USSR, the capture of all major cities, including the capital and Leningrad (could he suggest that the battle for Moscow would be a turning point in this terrible war).The highlight of the operation Paulus thought the seizure as soon as possible raw materials Caucasus.After all, the European fuel stocks for the longer campaign Wehrmacht might not be enough.
It should be noted that the main strategy of the plan is at a very rapid advancement of powerful tank groups that were supposed to crack the defense of the Red Army and to cut its transport arteries supply.It was assumed that the motorized German infantry, to move a little slower, will destroy the remnants of the military units of the Red Army who fell under the tank blows.
Infantry ordered to create so-called boilers, as well as to unimpeded access to the supply of attacking armored units.This task was assigned to the Army Group "Center" under the command of Field Marshal Fedor von Bock.It consisted of the 4 th and 9 th Army, carried out the cover for infantry tank group, which was formed from the 2nd and 3rd tank groups.The total number of combat-ready armored divisions in this group exceeds 60. From the air group von Bock covered the 2nd Air Force Luftwaffe, numbering about 1680 combat aircraft.
Heroism guards
Despite the relative Ambush, literally from the very first hours of the Germans were faced with fierce resistance from the Soviet border guards, who, of course, could not hold back the attacking tank wedges invaders.However, those hours, they stood firm defense (a known fact that in some places, pockets of resistance smoldered for months), allow a little easier the current disastrous situation in the Soviet regular parts of the west.
other words, the ratio of "time - loss" from the first minutes of the war began to work against the Germans.These thoughts expressed in the memoirs of some of the German generals of the General Staff.Although in general it did not change the status quo.Germans with difficulty, but advancing, destroying the forces and equipment of the Red Army.However, while they themselves suffered heavy losses.
Promoting inland
War near Moscow that housed the division of the Army Group "Center", was carried out violently.German tank shock wedges seized more and more abroad, but increasingly it is far from gone columns themselves caught in an ambush and fire bags.There are cases when skillfully prepared ambush artillery destroyed in one battle and 20 German tanks.
Hitler's command not to pay attention to such alarming reports from his commanders.It seemed that victory in their pocket.The tragedy of desperate defending Red Army still is to complete air superiority of the Nazis.Armada Junkers leveled to the ground the city of peace, and the fighters did not hesitate even for hunting small groups of refugees.
Soviet Air Force, moved up close to the border, was almost destroyed.So a few weeks the enemy felt pretty comfortable in the sky.But, despite this, some fighters still flew.As in the case of the ground operation, on 22 June the Germans suffered the first loss of aircraft.And August 7th Soviet long-range aviation delivered the first bombing of Berlin.
The objectives of this article does not include the transfer of the names of famous warriors and military units that are fiercely defensive, wore down the German war machine on the road to the capital, thus providing an opportunity to prepare a counter-offensive of the Soviet troops near Moscow.The names of the characters, of course, no one will ever forget.
Operation "Typhoon»
And I want to note is that moment when the Wehrmacht received the first terrible, but according to some experts, a major wound.It's about the day, when the Soviet counteroffensive near Moscow.It was with the capture of the capital of the Soviet Union Adolf Hitler linked the major success of its blitzkrieg.
Early on in the General Staff of the German troops had developed a special operation to capture Moscow, which was code-named "Typhoon".The plan involves the use of the same tank "wedges."Three shock tank group planned to split the Soviet defenses and reach Moscow from several directions, and then to allow the infantry to freely enter the city.
Protracted defensive battles
Day counteroffensive near Moscow was still far, but the Nazi operation began September 30th.Soviet troops surrounded the west of Vyazma, the Nazis planned their complete destruction.However, defenders of the city had a fierce resistance by pulling the German infantry, which was to support the advancing tank group.
And most importantly, protracted battles of Vyazma enabled the Soviet command significantly enhance Mozhayskoye direction by fresh reserves.It should be noted that it was precisely one of the important elements of the entire defense system, which provided the beginning of a counter-offensive near Moscow.
state of siege
From October 13 in all directions leading to the capital sparked fierce fighting.State Defense Committee decides on a partial evacuation of some enterprises and the diplomatic corps in Moscow.Supreme Commander himself, Stalin refused to leave Moscow.
October 19 in the city was introduced a state of siege.Thousands of Muscovites replenished division of the national militia, digging defensive trenches, to install anti-tank obstacles.The grouping of Soviet troops at Vyazma by extreme efforts failed to break out, patting significantly stretched the German rear and significantly strengthening its staff of units that defended the capital.
military parade
In the second half of October, the Germans still remained aggressive pace, continuing to tear Moscow.They took Orel, Kalinin and reached the approaches to Tula.However, the general concept of the operation "Typhoon" was obviously frustrated.The Nazis were not able to before the severe cold to capture Moscow.
At the beginning of November, when the Battle of Moscow about the "abated", the Supreme Commander Stalin an idea to hold a military parade in Moscow.It was a very important and wise political move of the Soviet leadership.November 7 parade took place.All people fiercely resisted the Soviet Union an event made a great impression.
fighters who marched in the parade, saw on the podium of the Mausoleum of Stalin.It became clear to all that in front of the most crucial and decisive battle, which does not shy away from going even higher leadership of the country.The morale of serving on the front of the Red Army was unprecedentedly high.You can safely say that the battle of Moscow, a counter-offensive of the Soviet troops and the liberation of the state from the Nazis began here, on Red Square.
transfer of troops from the Far East
In addition, an unpleasant surprise for the German General Staff was an emergency transfer from the Far East divisions, which were there to prevent the attack union fascists Japan.Soviet secret police had a unique operation of disinformation Japanese command, so fresh and well-armed troops arrived to support the offensive of the Soviet troops near Moscow.
However, the German command knew nothing about it and continue to develop operational success.In some sectors the Nazis managed to come to Moscow at 11 kilometers.But despite the powerful onslaught of the Red Army stood.Exhausted fighting German units could no longer advance.
turning point
On 5 December 6, the Germans launched a surprise offensive to Soviet troops near Moscow, and broken German troops were driven back to 150-200 km from the capital.The losses incurred by the hitherto invincible Wehrmacht were monstrous.One only manpower destroyed more than 500 thousand people.Ahead were fierce battles and many four-year war.But first crack military machine of Nazi Germany had it in the Battle of Moscow.
