Mussolini's Resignation and its effects

After Mussolini resigned, the allies rethought their strategies and decided to invade the Italian peninsula. This decision disappointed the Americans who had previously intended to attack France. German soldiers began fighting in northern Italy due to the announcement of Mussolini's dismissal. The Italians signed a secret armistice with the allies, leaving everyone against the Germans. The Italian attack strategy was relevant to the trench fighting from WWI, which seemed really successful. This led to the destruction of the Gustav line, the strongest German line of defense and the Battle of Cassino.

The Battle of Stalingrad

The battle environments was in a very poor state due to the melted snow that turned into mud. The Germans were struggling to get their war machines and tanks to move through the mud. As the Germans weakened , it bought time for the Russians to gather up supplies sent from Britain and America. The Russians outnumbered the Germans by at least a million soldiers.Hitler ordered army groups to encircle the Russians in the city of Stalingrad. The Germans bombed the city with their dive bombers and in hours street fights were initiated. While the Russians were surrounded, they came up with a plan to revolt against the Germans. The Russians had to defeat the Rumanian soldiers that stood guard at the German flanks. In only days, the Russians had control over Hitlers's 6th army and it was Germany's first major defeat in WW2

What problems did the Germans face after their great success? 

Most Germans would think...lets keep expanding...when really they are just getting themselves into bigger and more complicated consequences. German forces had expanded so fast that they left their whole infantry behind them, which consisted of soldiers and most of the supplies that were needed to recharge or fix the weapons/tanks. Tanks and the luftwaffe had no where to go until the infantry that was tens of miles away caught up with fuel and made themselves useful in battle. The Germans had been unevenly spread with their forces after having such a huge success in conquering lands. Food for soldiers were also behind so it made them starve for hours until the infantry with resources arrived alongside with the rest of the German army.

Why did Russia fail in the beginning against Germany?

The main question I'm asking after today, is why did Russia fail in the beginning? Russia was the red army, the big army and they were so strong, but how could they lose to Germany? I know Germany was very strong and undefeated at the time, but Russia had homeland advantage, and they should have prepared better. They have vast land, and they probably could have made alliances with the allies for backup, but instead they took no help and got utterly destroyed by Germany. Why hadn't Germany prepared better? Was it really necessary for Stalin to complete the purge on his army officials? Russia had lost its power when it lost its army leaders, and it could not fight Germany. Why did no one help Russia when they were in trouble, they could have used Russia for even an ally?! Russia was hopeless once Germany took over, half their military gone, and half the country now in Germany's possession. My biggest question is why didn't Russia ask for help?

The New Schlieffen Plan

Germany and their Blitzkrieg warfare was unstoppable at this time in world war 2.  No country had a chance to catch up and get close to stopping Germany even if they had the chance and were right in front of them; Germany was too fast.  Were the countries scared of Germany or did they simply know they were no match to them?  Germany had decided to ignore the French and the British when they lined up along the river, and they ended up going through the Ardennes forest which was unexpected. France thought since Germany has big tanks that they would not go through the forest and they would go through France instead.  Germany had put its tanks close together once they got into Belgium without a problem. France and GB had spread its army apart thinking Germany wouldn't be  tight together. Why did they think Germany would be so spread out? They were all coming out of the same place and they weren't going to separate, so why would France and GB think Germany would be in multiple groups? Germany had been able to get away once again due to a stupid and idiotic mistake by the cowardly allies.

1/15- Russia and Germany

In class, we had watched a video that talked about Germany and its rise on becoming the strongest force on Earth.  Why had no one stopped them? Why couldn't all the other countries come together as one and beat Germany? France and Britain had cowered and stayed behind, not attempting to fight Germany as they had disobeyed the treaty of Versailles three times. Yes I understand that the U.S., France, and GB all had wanted peace, but Germany was slowly tearing apart Europe again and taking over countries.  My biggest question would have to be is why Russia, just as strong as Germany, not stopping Germany?  Russia  had its own problems and they must've felt that trying to fight Germany would have drained their country of their army.  Instead of fighting Germany, they signed a treaty with them declaring peace between the two for ten years.  Russia had been mostly passive before this, but they secretly made an agreement that the two countries could split Poland. Why did Russia want Poland, and what was Russia thinking this would do for them?  Russia was very strong but also very disadvantaged at times when it came to war in other countries (Finland Winter War).  Russia ended up fighting Germany in the end!  I am mostly confused that Russia did not become active until later in the war and why had they not attacked Germany sooner.