On the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi fascism in World War II, the heroism of the USSR and the Soviet Red Army remains indelible in history as the principal victors. On May 9, 1945, the Red Army planted the red flag over the Reichstag in Berlin, defeating Hitler’s forces. This victory holds profound significance in today’s global context. The triumph over Nazi fascism was a pivotal moment in history, showcasing the skill, courage, sacrifice, and endurance of the Soviet people, who overcame an almost invincible adversary. Born from capitalism, Nazi fascism was the most violent expression of monopoly capital, causing 75 million deaths, including approximately 27 million Soviet citizens.
The Second World War (1939-1945) stemmed from intensifying inter-imperialist tensions and the intent to destroy the USSR, evident in the support of the UK, France, and the US for Nazi Germany’s rearmament and expansion. On August 23, 1939, the German-Soviet non-aggression pact was signed in Moscow. Following advice from Red Army commander Mikhail Tukachevsky, Stalin heavily invested in armaments, preparing Russia for war. Through its espionage network, including double agent Viktor Sorge, the USSR learned in December 1940 of Hitler’s plan for a swift invasion, prompting massive troop deployments and arsenal buildup.
Fascism was not only supported by domestic bourgeoisie but also by major capitalist nations like the US, UK, and France, with industrial giants such as Ford, Rockefeller, and Coca-Cola backing its rise. Georgi Dimitrov, a leading anti-fascist, defined fascism as the open terrorist dictatorship of finance capital fearing the working class. Western powers, including Churchill, who openly despised communism, hoped Hitler would crush the USSR and refused Stalin’s calls for an anti-fascist alliance. Only after Hitler’s campaigns threatened their own nations did they reconsider, yet they delayed opening a second front, revealing their strategy to weaken the USSR. Churchill’s covert negotiations with Nazi generals, including a 1944 plan with Kesselring in Italy, further exposed Western intentions, forcing Churchill to apologize to Stalin.
Despite immense challenges, the USSR led the fight against fascism, sacrificing over 20 million lives, including nearly 3 million Communist Party members, and suffering vast material losses. The battles of Stalingrad, Leningrad, and Kursk symbolized unparalleled resistance. The Red Army, driven by communist internationalism, liberated Nazi-occupied countries en route to Berlin. Communist partisans in occupied nations also played a heroic role, organizing resistance and guerrilla warfare. Attempts by capitalist powers, including Hollywood’s skewed portrayals, to downplay the Red Army’s role have failed. Russia now commemorates the victory with red flags and displays across Moscow, while the Victory Museum vividly showcases the Soviet people’s sacrifices and bravery.
British historian Max Hastings notes in "Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945" that the Red Army was the main force in Nazism’s destruction, with the USSR bearing an estimated 26 million deaths, including up to 11 million soldiers. The Germans suffered three-quarters of their losses against the Red Army, while the Western Allies incurred only 5% of the major powers’ military casualties. The courage of the Komsomol youth and the plight of Soviet prisoners of war, treated worse than animals, remain etched in history. The USSR could likely have defeated Hitler without Western aid, though it might have taken longer.
The success of the USSR stemmed from the genius of its five-year plans, which built a robust infrastructure and socialist planned economy to sustain the war effort. Literacy among the working class sharpened their resolve, while Marxist-Leninist principles inspired unconventional guerrilla warfare by militias and partisans, including 10,000 people in 1,013 detachments by 1942. Communist Party members infiltrated enemy lines, organized resistance, and trained civilians, with 70% of party members and 90% of Komsomol participating, notably in Kiev and Leningrad. Stalin’s leadership ensured resource protection and an aggressive defense strategy, fostering a liberation spirit that transformed the Soviet people.
Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s invasion of the USSR launched on June 22, 1941, underestimated Soviet industrial and military might. The siege of Leningrad, starting September 1, 1941, aimed to starve the city, with an estimated three million deaths from starvation and other causes. Yet, Leningrad’s people displayed extraordinary resilience, enduring a 2.5-year siege, with only 800,000 of 2.5 million surviving. The Battle of Stalingrad (September 1942–February 1943), the bloodiest in history, marked a turning point. The Red Army’s defense and counteroffensive trapped German forces, leading to 1.5 million Axis casualties, including 150,000 dead in Stalingrad. Stalin’s leadership, uniting generals and energizing strategy, was central to this victory.
On January 27, 1945, the Red Army liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, with soldiers dying under fire from guards concealing their crimes. The Soviet capture of Berlin in April 1945, culminating in the red flag over the Reichstag on May 2, prompted Hitler’s suicide. Stalin’s role as a war leader was indispensable, as confirmed by Russian archives post-1991. Despite early shocks, he maintained command without breaking down, making critical decisions to save Moscow. US ambassador Averell Harriman praised Stalin’s ability to manage details and hold the USSR together, noting his qualities as a vigorous war leader. While debates on Stalin persist, his leadership helped secure victory, ironically preserving democracy.
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*Freelance journalist
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