The battle of Stalingrad (23 August 1942 – 2 February 1943) was a turning point in the Second World War. The German army was completely destroyed by the Russian Red Army that only a few months before had seemed defeated. Stalingrad (present-day Volgograd) became the symbol of the resurrection of the Red Army and was a heavy blow to German morale. At this point large sections of the population became aware that the war might end badly for Germany.