WWII Eastern Front

1. Beginning - June 22, 1941

1.1. Germany breaks German-Soviet Nonaggression Act and invades Soviet Union.

2. End - May 8, 1945

2.1. Germany's armed forces surrendered unconditionally following the Battle of Berlin and the subsequent defeat of the German army by Soviet forces

3. Results

3.1. The Eastern Front was the largest and bloodiest theater of World War II. It is generally accepted as being the deadliest conflict in human history, with over 30 million killed as a result. The distinctly brutal nature of warfare on the Eastern Front was exemplified by an often willful disregard for human life by both sides. It was also reflected in the ideological premise for the war, which also saw a momentous clash between two directly opposed ideologies.

4. Leadership

4.1. Germany-Adolf Hitler

4.2. Soviet union-Joseph Stalin

5. Players

5.1. Axis Powers

5.1.1. Germany, Romania, Hungary, Italy, Finland

5.2. Soviet Union

5.2.1. Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria fought with Soviets.

6. Important Battles

6.1. Operation Barbarossa: Summer 1941

6.2. Stalingrad: Winter 1942

6.3. Kursk: Summer 1943

6.4. Battle of Berlin: 1945

7. Deaths

7.1. Axis

7.1.1. Germany

7.1.1.1. 4,300,000

7.2. Soviet Union

7.2.1. 10,600,000