On the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, Russia paid tribute to Biju Patnaik, former Chief Minister of Odisha, for his heroic contributions during World War II, particularly in the Battle of Stalingrad. This significant recognition, relevant for competitive exam aspirants, saw the Russian embassy in New Delhi inviting Naveen Patnaik, Biju’s son and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president, to a special reception.
Biju Patnaik’s Role in World War II
Bravery as a Pilot
Biju Patnaik, an accomplished pilot trained at the Delhi Flying Club, joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1936. During World War II, he undertook perilous supply missions to support Soviet troops besieged at Stalingrad, delivering critical supplies under the threat of Nazi forces. In 1995, Russia awarded him a jubilee medal for his wartime contributions.
The Battle of Stalingrad
Strategic Importance
The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from August 1942 to February 1943, was a turning point in World War II. Stalingrad (now Volgograd), a key industrial city on the Volga River, was targeted by Germany to disrupt Soviet transport and access Caucasian oil fields, with added symbolic significance due to its namesake, Joseph Stalin.
Hitler’s Strategy
Under Operation Blue (Fall Blau), Germany’s Army Group South was split into Army Group A (targeting Caucasian oil fields) and Army Group B (targeting Stalingrad). This division strained German logistics and exposed their flanks, manned by weaker Axis allies.
Soviet Defense and Counteroffensive
Stalin established the Stalingrad Front and issued Order No. 227, “Not One Step Back,” galvanizing Soviet resistance. The Soviet counteroffensive, Operation Uranus (November 19–23, 1942), planned by Zhukov, Vasilevsky, and Voronov, encircled the German Sixth and Fourth Armies by targeting vulnerable Axis flanks, completing the encirclement at Kalach on November 23.
Biju Patnaik’s Legacy Beyond Stalingrad
Global Contributions
Biju Patnaik’s wartime efforts extended beyond Stalingrad. He played a vital role in evacuating British families from Rangoon during the Japanese invasion and supported Chinese forces against Japan. His contributions to Indonesia’s independence struggle earned him the title ‘Bhoomi Putra’ (Son of the Soil).
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