When the campaign started both parties had already understood that active combat along the whole front was impossible, so they decided to develop an offensive in one crucial direction.
German officership aimed at total destruction of the Soviet forces, they wanted to cut the USSR army from vital economic centres. The main operation was decided to start on the South part of the front and was meant for destruction of the Soviet army standing west from the Don river. Then they were going to conquer Caucasus oil fields and cross the mountains. Army Group South stretched along 900 kilometres from Kursk to Crimea.
But the Soviet Supreme Command also had a plan for summer 1942, they shifted from attack to defence.
Late 1942 - early 1943 Soviet-German conflict reached the climax of confrontation - the Battle of Stalingrad. On 12th of July the Soviet Supreme Command Headquarters issued Order No. 227. Not a step back... stand up for each patch of the ground... if you retreat, you are a betrayer... unconditionally eliminate all cowards.
The Battle of Stalingrad lasted 200 days and nights. Several units and formations from Bashkiria were there ready to sacrifice their lives in that violent battle.