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How Harrowing Were Moscow’s Winters During World War II?
The End for Countless German Lives
In the winter of 1941, the German forces breached the non-aggression pact to invade the Soviet Union, initially sweeping through the frontlines with ease.
The tables turned when persistent autumn rains softened the earth, bogging down German tanks and cavalry, much to the distress of the invaders. The mucky roads trapped the German advance, effectively aiding the Soviet defense, which the Germans ruefully referred to as “mud saving the nation.”
The Germans eagerly awaited the freeze, hoping it would solidify the muddy terrain and allow them to capture Moscow. Little did they realize, the severe winter they longed for would seal their fate.
1. Why did the Germans eagerly anticipate the winter?
As of October 1941, the roads retained the dryness of autumn, allowing the Germans to advance jubilantly towards Moscow. This changed drastically with the onset of the rainy season, which transformed the soft soil into impassable mud pits that stalled the armored units.
The tanks struggled to navigate through sludge worse than porridge, and the infantry were literally stuck.
