The War Continues

During the pre-Tehran period of 1942-1943 there was a shift in the war between the Axis and the Allies. Due to the Soviet victory in the battle of Stalingrad (September 1942-February 1943) the strategic initiative changed from the German to the Red Army in Russia. Meanwhile, British and American forces also changed the balance of power in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Taken together these moves represent a turning point in the war. Another important event of the period is the bombing campaign conducted by the Allies. Even though it is highly criticized today (due to the large number of civilian victims), it did weaken Germany through the damage inflicted to German industrial production, transportation system, and synthetic oil industry. It was during this period when Stalin issued his repeated demands for a Second Front in France. Stalin thought that the actions taken by the Allies in North Africa and Italy were not enough. He insisted that only an invasion of Northwest Europe would ease the tremendous pressure on the Red Army. The endless postponement by the Americans and the British of the opening of the Second Front led to the crisis in the relationships between the Anglo-Americans and the Soviets.