On 1 May 1941, Kharkov had a population of 901,000 and was of great strategic importance to the Soviets due to its vital rail and air connections. The city was also one of the largest industrial centers in the Soviet Union, playing a significant role in contributing to the country’s military capabilities. In particular, the Kharkov Tractor Plant was instrumental in the design and development of the Soviet T-34 tank, which was the mainstay of the Soviet Red Army armored forces throughout the war. In addition to the Tractor Plant, Kharkov was home to other important industrial facilities producing several critical military assets, including Su-2 aircraft, artillery tractors, 82mm mortars, submachine guns, ammunition, and other equipment. Given the strategic importance of Kharkov’s industrial production, German forces set their sights on seizing control of the city’s railroads and military factories. Adolf Hitler himself emphasized the importance of capturing these military installations, recognizing that the region, especially the Donets Basin extending from the Kharkov area, was the foundation of the Russian economy. The Germans believed that control of this vital economic center would inevitably lead to the collapse of the entire Russian economy. The Battle of Kharkov began on 20 October 1941 when the Germans had advanced to the western edge of the city and 4 days later, they were able to take control of the city. By this time, however, most of Kharkov’s industrial facilities had been evacuated or rendered useless by Soviet authorities. A total of 320 trains were used to transport equipment from 70 large factories. In December 1943 the Kharkov trial began during which 4 men – Wilhelm Langheld, Hans Ritz, Reinhard Retzlaff and Mikhail Petrovich Bulanov – were accused of participating in the murders of Soviet citizens. Bulanov was also charged with treason for collaborating with the Germans. Join World History channel and get access to benefits: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKKy_pNKZBX4KcCct8505HA/join Disclaimer: All opinions and comments below are from members of the public and do not reflect the views of World History channel. We do not accept promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on attributes such as: race, nationality, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation. World History has right to review the comments and delete them if they are deemed inappropriate. ► CLICK the SUBSCRIBE button for more interesting clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKKy_pNKZBX4KcCct8505HA/?sub_confirmation=1 #worldwar2videos #worldhistory #history