The Great Patriotic War - Symbol of Heroism

(Baonghean.vn) - Exactly 72 years ago, on May 9, 1945, through unparalleled bravery and great sacrifice, the democratic and peaceful forces, especially the heroic Soviet people and Red Army, defeated German fascism and regained peace for the people of European countries.

New recruits leave for the front line during the general mobilization campaign in Moscow on June 23, 1941. Photo: Sputniknews

On June 22, 1941, at 3:30 a.m., Nazi Germany suddenly launched an attack across the Soviet Union's western border from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea, brutally trampling on the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact signed in 1939.

Hitler mobilized 190 divisions with 5.5 million troops, 3,712 tanks, 47,260 artillery pieces, 4,950 aircraft..., divided into 3 armies, under the command of Marshal von Braaoshit, to attack the Soviet Union in 3 strategic directions: From East Prussia through the Baltic towards Leningrad, from Northeast Warsaw towards Minsk, Smolensk, Moscow and from the Liubelin region towards Githmia, Kiev, then to Donbas.

Hitler planned that Germany would “defeat Russia in a blitzkrieg – within 1.5 to 2 months – before ending the war with Britain.” Along with the military invasion plan was the plan to plunder resources and brutally massacre the Russian people.

Air defense forces in Moscow in 1941. Photo: Sputniknews

"The socialist fatherland is in danger!", "All for the front, all for victory", responding to the call of the Party and State, the Soviet people rose up together, old and young, men and women, millions of people as one, charging straight at the invading enemy. The battles to protect the border took place with great courage and heroism. The Soviet army and people held every inch of land, every house under extremely unequal conditions in terms of troops and weapons.

In mid-July 1941, the German fascist army advanced deeper and deeper into the Soviet Union. In December 1941, the Soviet Red Army under the command of General G. K. Zhukov launched a counterattack in Moscow and pushed the German fascist army away from Moscow. Hitler's plan to capture Moscow collapsed.

Nurses help wounded soldiers after a Nazi bombing near Chisinau. Photo: Sputniknews

On January 1, 1942, in Washington, representatives of leaders of 26 countries, including the Soviet Union, the United States and Great Britain signed the "United Nations Declaration" against fascism in the world.

In the summer of 1942, Hitler once again sent all his forces to the Soviet-German front, aiming to capture Stalingrad (now Volgagrat). On August 21, 1942, the Soviet army was forced to move from the outer defense line of Stalingrad to the inner line. From September 13, 1942, fierce fighting took place right in the city of Stalingrad, which at this time had become the "lifeline" of the Soviet Union.

On November 19, 1942, the Soviet army switched to attacking Stalingrad. The German army was defeated on the Soviet front and no longer had enough strength to resist, so they were forced by the American and British forces to the northeastern region of Tunisia and had to lay down their weapons on May 12, 1943.

The Red Army hands over weapons to the Moscow militia. Photo: Sputniknews

On April 16, 1945, the Soviet Union launched an attack on Berlin, the last stronghold of Hitler's fascists. On April 19, the German army was pushed back to the defensive belt on the outskirts of Berlin. On April 21, the Red Army reached the center of Berlin. On the afternoon of April 30, 1945, the Soviet army captured the main part of the German Parliament building, the last stronghold of Hitler's fascists.

Workers and residents build barricades outside Leningrad. Photo: Sputniknews

In desperation, Hitler and Goebbels committed suicide. At 3:00 p.m. on April 30, the red flag was raised on the roof of the Parliament building. On May 2, the Red Army occupied the entire city of Berlin. At 10:43 p.m. on May 8, 1945, before representatives of the General Command of the Soviet Armed Forces and the General Command of the Allied Forces, Marshal of the German Army - Kaiten signed the document of unconditional surrender.

In September 1945, the Soviet army attacked and destroyed the elite Kwantung Army, forcing Japanese fascists to sign the Surrender Treaty, ending World War II.

This victory ended a period of modern world history that saved humanity from the fascist disaster, brought peaceful life to many nations, and created favorable premises for the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress to develop into a new period.

Soviet Red Army raises the victory flag in May 1945 over the German Parliament Building in Berlin. Photo: TL

Although the fascist forces were destroyed 72 years ago, the lessons of Victory Day on May 9th still have practical significance in today's era, that is, plots of invasion and war must be stopped promptly and resolutely, in order to avoid the terrible consequences that fascism once caused. And when having to face it, it is necessary to uphold the strength of the spirit of solidarity and cooperation between nations, in order to eliminate war from human life.

Peace

(Synthetic)