Why did Stalin want the allies to open a second front in the west?

Answer 1

Stalin did not want to get into World War 2. He entered into a non aggression pact with Germany hoping that it would prevent war between the two countries. Stalin actually had his eyes closed to any thought of Germany attacking the Soviet Union and refused to acknowledge the warning signs before Germany attacked. Stalin was dumbfounded that Germant attacked, but most of Russia's generals were not.

Answer 2

Although Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union had started World War II as allies, in 1941 Germany invaded Soviet territory and opened the "Eastern Front". German forces swept into Russia, and by 1942 the Russians were on the brink of destruction in Leningrad and other crucial battles.

Stalin wanted his new western allies to invade Nazi-held France and Belgium. A new "Second Front" or "Western Front" would cause Hitler to move forces to the west, thereby taking pressure off Soviet targets in the East.

Winston Churchill, the dominant partner in the US-British relationship, advised Stalin in late 1942 that there would be no immediate "Second Front". Stalin was furious; this left the Soviets bearing the greatest military burden against the Nazis until the Normandy invasion of June 1944.

With 30 million dead, more people fought and died on the "Eastern Front" ("Great Patriotic War") than in any other confrontation in history. This was more casualties than all the rest of WWII battles combined.

Answer 3

Because German solders were 20 miles from moskow and if the allies were to invade France then Germany would have to reposition its troops moving many from the eastern front in Russia thereby helping the Russian army.

Answer 4

Although Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union had started World War II as allies, in 1941 Germany invaded Soviet territory and opened the "Eastern Front". German forces swept into Russia, and by 1942 the Russians were on the brink of destruction in Leningrad and other crucial battles. Stalin wanted his new western allies to invade Nazi-held France and Belgium. A new "Second Front" or "Western Front" would cause Hitler to move forces to the west, thereby taking pressure off Soviet targets in the East. Winston Churchill, the dominant partner in the US-British relationship, advised Stalin in late 1942 that there would be no immediate "Second Front". Stalin was furious; this left the Soviets bearing the greatest military burden against the Nazis until the Normandy invasion of June 1944. With 30 million dead, more people fought and died on the "Eastern Front" ("Great Patriotic War") than in any other confrontation in history. This was more casualties than all the rest of WWII battles combined.

Answer 5

Once the German Soviet Non Aggression pact fell apart and Germany invaded the USSR, Stalin realized the error he made by not making an alliance with France and England in the mid to late 1930's. Since Germany occupied France, Hitler could divert his attention and his armies to fight with the USSR. A second front would divert German troops to the west and aid the Soviets. In 1944, with the US now in the war as an ally of Britain, the USSR and the exiled French government, the invasion of Normandy provided the second front that would benefit all of the allies.

Answer 6

To take pressure off the USSR in fighting the Germans on the Eastern Front.

Answer 7

A second front would cause the Germans to divide their forces to fight on two fronts thus relieving pressure on the Russian forces .