German troops continue to advance to the outskirts of Moscow. In December 1941, the Soviet Union launches a counteroffensive, forcing a German retreat from Moscow. This time the goals are the oil fields of the Caucasus and the city of Stalingrad on the Volga River. By the beginning of July, German forces cross the Don River and by mid-September reach the suburbs of Stalingrad. The Soviet army command decides to defend the city, no matter what the cost.
Soviet forces fight for every street in the city.
By the middle of November 1942, the Germans gain control of most of the city, but the Soviet defense has not been broken. The Soviet army launches a counteroffensive against the German forces arrayed at Stalingrad in mid-November 1942. They quickly encircle an entire German army, some 250,000 soldiers. The Soviet army launched a counteroffensive against the German forces arrayed at Stalingrad in mid-November 1942. They quickly encircled an entire German army, some 250,000 soldiers.