The Battle of Russia (1943) Reel 6: Moscow Counteroffensive & German Retreat

Reel 6 of The Battle of Russia (1943) captures the Soviet counteroffensive in December 1941 that marked a turning point on the Eastern Front. After halting the German advance at the gates of Moscow, the Red Army launched a massive offensive using tanks, artillery, cavalry, aircraft, and infantry to push the enemy back. The campaign drove German forces from towns and villages including Volokolamsk, Yepifan, Tarussa, Venev, Rogachev, Klin, Mozhaisk, Borodino, and Kaluga. As the Germans retreated, they left behind widespread destruction, burning homes and demolishing communities. Civilians emerged from hiding to find their villages in ruins, yet their determination remained unbroken. This reel documents both the resilience of the Russian people and the beginning of Germany’s retreat from Moscow in World War II.

Soviet counteroffensive launches with tanks, artillery, cavalry, aircraft, and infantry. German forces retreat from key locations like Volokolamsk, Yepifan, Tarussa, Venev, Rogachev, Klin, Mozhaisk, Borodino, and Kaluga. Villages left in ruins by retreating Germans, with burned homes and devastated communities. Russian civilians emerge from hiding, resilient amid the destruction.