University of Exeter: by the time of D-Day, Red Army could have probably won the war against Germany on its own

In a closer look at the developments of the WWII, it seems for the scientists the D Day was not really necessary for Russia’s victory over Germany.

The turning point of WWII was Stalingrad 1942/43, the total destruction of a German and coalition army. After Syalingrad, by 1943, the Russian army had liberated most of Ukraine and Belarus, of course, also Leningrad. The German army fought in retreat.

Other historical scientists consider also the Battle of Kursk as the major turning point, 1943. After Kursk, the Germans were running. The war was lost. The Russian army on its way to Berlin.

Stalin, as history teaches, since 1941 asked the Allies to open a Western front, to land in Northern Europe, to give a relief to the advancing Russian army. Neither Churchill nor Roosevelt wanted to take the risk.

Only on 6 June, 1944, the D Day invasion started, and by that time, the Russian army already stood in front of Warsaw (which the Germans burned down). Warsaw to Berlin: only 516km, and the Russians moving forward with millions of soldiers.

By that time, D Day was not necessary, and by that time, Stalin did not further ask for a opening of a Western Front.

Why the allies still decided to invade the shores of France may have good reasons: to get their piece of victory in a fast and easy manner. So the analysis of the UK Exeter University. But for Exeter the D Day invasion was necessary:

“The troops who waded ashore under heavy fire on the morning of 6 June were doing more than fighting the Germans. They were opening the prospect of a revived and democratic Western Europe, free of German domination and able to confront any possible Soviet threat.” Indeed, even if not with the same Russian hardship, blood and losses, D Day was important for Western Europe not to become a suppressed, unfree Soviet continent. The liberation of D Day was rather a protection against Communism.

What followed then was a speed contest for who would reach first Berlin. The Russians did it and occupied half of Germany, and half of the liberated Eastern part of Europe. The Germans, knowing of the end, preferred Western occupation,  fighting to the last man against the approaching Russian hordes and letting the Western troops advance easily into Germany (with a little challange in the Ardennes).

In so far, thanks God, the Western allies liberated Europe and West-Germany! And stopped the Russian advance.