The Second World War
In the late 1930s a new war became inevitable. Germany wanted to take revenge for its defeat in the First World War and step-by-step began to dictate its conditions. Having conquered the significant part of Europe, on June 22, 1941 Germany invaded the Soviet Union. In the beginning of the war the Red Army failed to fight off the enemy and was forced to retreat with heavy losses. But in 1942 the Russian army started the counterattack. The Stalingrad Battle became the turning point in the course of the Great Patriotic War. In January 1945 the Soviet army commenced its final offensive and approached Berlin. On April 30 the red banner of victory was waving over Reichstag. On May 8 in Berlin the German Instrument of Surrender was signed.