OPINION:
Victor Davis Hanson’s “Remembering Stalingrad 75 years later” (Web, Nov. 7) is an excellent narrative about a critical event in history. However, it leaves the impression that Germany’s dividing its army between Stalingrad and the Russian oil fields caused its defeat and marked the turning point in World War II. Other historians differ.
Europe at the time was completely demoralized. Country after country had been conquered by what appeared to be an invincible Axis blitzkrieg, or lightening war. This emboldened Italian leader Benito Mussolini to seek some glory for himself.
Without consulting with his ally Hitler, Mussolini issued an ultimatum to Greece and amassed a large army on its Albanian border. The Greek government rejected his demand to surrender and rushed elements of the mountain brigades to engage his elite Third Alpine Division. The fighting was fierce. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. The battle turned in the Greeks’ favor and the Third Alpine Division was destroyed.
Five thousand of Mussolini’s best troops surrendered and a complete rout ensued. Mussolini panicked and called on Hitler to rescue what was left of his army. Hitler, responding to his ally’s cry for help, postponed Operation Barbarosa, which was the plan to invade Russia. When Germany finally invaded Russia, a severe winter awaited.
Russian leader Josef Stalin stated, “I am sorry because I am getting old and I shall not live long enough to thank the Greek people, whose resistance decided World War II.” As important as it is to honor and remember the huge sacrifices the Russian people made to turn the tide against the Axis forces, the little Greek army won the first victory for the Allies.
JAMES P. CRASSAS
Silver Spring
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