The Soviet Union launched its counteroffensive operation, called Operation Uranus, beginning on November 19, 1942. The Germans had launched their invasion of Soviet territory in 1941, and the USSR had been barely able to hold on. By a year later, the Soviets were ready to go on the counterattack.
The Allies began their counteroffensive in Western Europe, to liberate territories that had come under German control, beginning with the invasion of Sicily in July, 1943. More famous than that beginning was the massive "D-Day" invasion to retake France, coming ashore at the beaches of Normandy in June, 1944.
