Question

Why do you think Stalin wanted the British and Americans to invade France as soon as possible?
Check any of the boxes that apply.

The Soviet army was suffering terrible losses on the eastern front.

Stalin hoped to defeat the British and Americans by invading France before they were ready.

An invasion of France would draw German troops away from the eastern front.

A cross-channel invasion would force the Germans to fight on two major fronts.

Answer 1

Check 1, 3, and 4.

- The Soviet army was suffering terrible losses on the eastern front — True. Stalin urgently wanted a second front because the Red Army was bearing the main weight of German forces and suffering enormous casualties.
- Stalin hoped to defeat the British and Americans by invading France before they were ready — False. He wanted the Allies to relieve pressure on the USSR, not to be defeated by Germany.
- An invasion of France would draw German troops away from the eastern front — True. Opening a western front would force Germany to redeploy forces westward.
- A cross-channel invasion would force the Germans to fight on two major fronts — True. That strategic two-front pressure was exactly why Stalin pushed for an early invasion.