On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's code name for invading the Soviet Union.
On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's code name for invading the Soviet Union. By mid­-1942, Hitler had his eyes set on Stalingrad for two reasons. First, Stalingrad was an industrial city on the Volga River that not only produced military supplies, but also served as a key strategic hold in the invasion of Russia. Second, capturing it would secure the German army left flank as they advanced into the oil-rich Caucasus region — the goal was to cut off fuel to Stalin armies.