Which key event led to the military turning point in the Eastern Front of World War II?

The Battle of Stalingrad is recognized as the pivotal military turning point on the Eastern Front during World War II due to its significant strategic and psychological impacts. Launched in the summer of 1942 and lasting until early 1943, the battle marked the first substantial defeat of the German Army, which had previously been advancing through the Soviet Union with great success.

Stalingrad was crucial not only because of its location, which was a vital hub for transport and communication along the Volga River, but also because it symbolized Soviet resilience. The fierce defense by Soviet forces, under General Vasily Chuikov, coupled with counteroffensives like Operation Uranus, ultimately encircled and trapped German forces, leading to their surrender in February 1943. This defeat shattered the myth of invincibility surrounding the Wehrmacht and marked the beginning of a series of Soviet offensives that would push the Germans back towards Berlin.

The significance of Stalingrad extended beyond the battlefield; it was a turning point in morale for both the Soviet Union and the Allies. Following this battle, the Soviet forces began a relentless push westward, changing the dynamics of the war on the Eastern Front and setting the stage for eventual Allied success in Europe.

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