device ‘radar’ for detecting aircraft while still at a distance, the fighter planes of the Royal Air Force were able to inflict severe losses on the German bombers. The raids stopped after October . The Germans dropped their plans to invade Britain because of the failure of the air battle. Royal Air Force Lend Lease – President Roosevelt realized that the United States had to change its policy of isolation, but could not intervene directly in the War in Europe, because it was not politically feasible.
So he started a programme of “Lend Lease” in March . Arms, food, military equipment and other supplies were sent to Britain, disguised as a “loan”, which would be returned after use. This augmented the resources of Britain to a great extent. Between and , the total aid under Lend Lease amounted to $ .
billion. Invasion of Russia - In June the German army invaded Russia. The long-term objectives of this move were to seize prime land for settling Germans, to destroy the communist regime, and also exploit Russia’s natural resources, especially oil. The German strategy of lightning strikes was initially successful and the army penetrated miles into Russian territory very soon.
The German army then marched on Moscow. But ultimately, the resistance by the Soviet army, and the fierce Russian winter defeated the German army. Battle of Stalingrad ( July to February ) In August , the Germans attacked Stalingrad. Stretching about miles ( km) along the banks of the Volga River, Stalingrad was a large industrial city producing armaments and tractors.
Capturing the city would cut Soviet transport links with Southern Russia, and Stalingrad would then enable the invading Germans to have access to the oil fields of the Caucasus. In addition, seizing the city that bore the name of Soviet leader Stalin would serve as a great personal and propaganda victory for Hitler. German war planners hoped to achieve that end with Fall Blau (“Operation Blue”). On June , , operations began with significant German victories.
Russian people suffered not only from bad working and