Key insights

• ⚔️ Formation of the Red Army after the Russian Revolution in 1917
• 📈 Expansion of the Red Army to 1.3 million by 1935
• 🇪🇸 Involvement in the Spanish Civil War for testing new military equipment and tactics
• 🔴 Growth of the Red Army to 4.8 million troops by 1941
• 💣 Purges after Kirov's assassination affected the Red Army's development
• ⚔️ Soviet military tested against Japanese forces and the Winter War with Finland
• 👎 Early defeats heavily weighed on morale during conflict with Hitler's forces in 1941
• 🏆 Red Army's major victories at Stalingrad and Kursk, advancing to Berlin by May 1945

Q&A

• What were some unique tactics and achievements of the Red Army during World War II?

  Stalin ordered scorched earth tactics as German forces advanced, and the Red Army's organization differed from Western armies. Despite initial setbacks, the Red Army held Moscow and achieved major victories at Stalingrad and Kursk. This eventually led to the advancement along the Eastern Front and the push of German forces to Berlin by May 1945. An estimated 34.4 million men and women served in the Red Army, with approximately 6.8 million killed in action.

• How did the Red Army initially fare against Hitler's forces in 1941?

  In 1941, the Red Army faced embarrassing weaknesses in logistics and morale during the early stages of the conflict with Hitler's forces. Stalin's overestimation of the army's capabilities and weak logistics led to early defeats, contributing to a heavy blow on morale.

• What were significant events that tested the Soviet military strength in the late 30s?

  In the late 30s, the Soviet military faced challenging conflicts with Japanese forces at Lake Kisan in 1938 and Galkin Gold River in 1939, as well as the Winter War with Finland, where Major General Zhukov emerged as a capable military leader. The Winter War resulted in a Soviet victory by March 1940.

• How did the wave of purges following Kirov's assassination impact the Red Army?

  The purges, which followed Kirov's assassination, significantly affected the Red Army. They led to lower troop quality and increased ideological influence, with high-ranking officers being disproportionately affected. This rapid growth and influence of the Communist Party weakened the army's readiness and quality.

• What were the key milestones in the growth of the Red Army?

  The Red Army emerged after the Russian Revolution in 1917, expanded to 1.3 million troops by 1935, participated in the Spanish Civil War for testing new military equipment and tactics, and grew to 4.8 million troops by 1941. The conscription age during this period was 18.

• 00:00 The Red Army grew from the Russian Revolution, expanded during the Spanish Civil War, and had 4.8 million troops by 1941.
• 00:44 The wave of purges following Kirov's assassination had a detrimental impact on the Red Army, leading to lower troop quality and heightened ideological influence.
• 01:23 The late 30s saw a test of Soviet military strength in conflicts with Japanese forces and the Winter War with Finland. Major General Zhukov emerged as a capable military leader during these events.
• 02:00 The Red Army faced embarrassing weaknesses in logistics and morale during the early stages of their conflict with Hitler's forces in 1941. Stalin had overestimated the army's capabilities, leading to early defeats.
• 02:36 Stalin ordered scorched earth tactics as Germans got closer. Red Army's organization differed from Western armies. Despite German offensive, Red Army held Moscow.
• 03:14 The Red Army achieved major victories at Stalingrad and Kursk, advanced along the Eastern Front, and pushed German forces to Berlin by May 1945. Many men and women served in the Red Army with 6.8 million estimated to have been killed in action.