OPERATION URANUS Meaning and
Definition
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Operation Uranus refers to a military campaign undertaken by the Soviet Union during World War II. It was a major offensive launched by the Red Army against the German Army in November 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad.
The objective of Operation Uranus was to encircle and trap the German forces that had besieged the city of Stalingrad. The operation consisted of a two-pronged attack from the north and south, with the aim of cutting off the German Sixth Army and parts of the Fourth Panzer Army from their supply lines and surrounding them.
The northern attack was carried out by the Soviet armies of the Kalinin and Western fronts, while the southern attack was conducted by the armies of the Southwestern and Don fronts. The speed and coordination of the Soviet offensive caught the Germans by surprise, and within days, they found themselves encircled and cut off from reinforcements and supplies.
The encirclement of German forces in Stalingrad, also known as the Stalingrad Pocket, ultimately led to a decisive Soviet victory in the battle. The operation marked a turning point in the war, as it not only ended the German advance into the Soviet Union but also signaled the beginning of a series of defeats for the Axis powers on the Eastern Front.
Operation Uranus is considered a crucial strategic success for the Soviet Union and is often regarded as one of the most significant military operations of World War II.
Etymology of OPERATION URANUS
The word "Operation Uranus" has a military origin and is associated with an important World War II strategic operation. It was a Soviet offensive launched on November 19, 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad against the German forces. The operation involved a large-scale encirclement and subsequent annihilation of the German Sixth Army.
Regarding its etymology, "Operation Uranus" was named after the planet Uranus, which is the seventh planet from the Sun in our solar system. The Soviet Union often used celestial names for its military operations during World War II. These names were chosen to maintain secrecy and make it difficult for the German intelligence to decipher their true intentions. The celestial reference for this operation, Uranus, likely symbolized the unexpected and sudden nature with which the Soviet forces struck against the German army, surrounding and ultimately defeating them.
