Final answer:
The Soviet Union requested a Western offensive during World War II to force Germany into a two-front war, easing the pressure on the Soviet forces and hastening the end of the war in Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
During World War II, the Soviet Union urged its Western Allies to open a military offensive against Germany from Western Europe. The primary purpose behind this request was to force Germany to fight a two-front war, thus relieving pressure on the Soviet forces battling on the Eastern Front.
As the Red Army faced the brunt of the German military might, a Western offensive would require Germany to divert resources and troops, weakening their eastern efforts. This strategic move was anticipated due to the historical conception that Germany, surrounded by potential enemies, would naturally face warfare on two opposite fronts—a concept dating back to pre-World War I strategy.
The Allied invasion, known as Operation Overlord, finally came to fruition with the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. This pivotal moment in history marked the opening of the second front the Soviets had long requested, significantly impacting the course of the war. The German Army, already stretched thin across various fronts, had to contend with the advancing Soviet troops from the east, and now the well-equipped Allied forces from the west, hastening the end of the war in Europe.