Operation Barbarossa

Hitler’s Invasion of the Soviet Union

The largest military action in the history of the world, ever. (yes, still…) 4.5 million troops invaded simultaneously along a 1800 mile front

We have only to kick in the door and

the whole rotten structure will come

tumbling down.

BackgroundHitler was frustrated in Battle of BritainContinues Battle of the Atlantic…

Has Taken over most of EuropeTurns east to pursue lebensraum and the

natural resources of the Soviet Union ‘with these resources, the 3rd Reich will last for 1000

yrs’ Necessary to combat British blockades

Hitler acknowledged that Blitzkriegmight not work in the Soviet Union. Why wouldn’t it?

Immense Distances!Immense Distances!

Why Would Hitler Attack East? Ukraine like Britain’s India (lebensraum) Resources

Grain in the UkraineOil in the CaucasusMortal enemies

Incompatible Political systems fascism and communism

Needs constant victory to maintain his authority Arguments Against Doing It? Arguments Against Doing It?

•Two Front War

•Russian Winter

•Immense Russian reserves of manpower

Grain Supplies in 16Grain Supplies in 16cc EuropeEurope

Churchill’s ThoughtsHitler is a monster of wickedness, insatiable in his

lust for blood and plunder. Not content with having all Europe under his heel, or else terrorized into various forms of abject submission, he must now carry his work of butchery and desolation among the vast multitudes of Russia and of Asia. The terrible military machine, which we and the rest of the civilised world so foolishly, so supinely, so insensately allowed the Nazi gangsters to build up year by year from almost nothing cannot stand idle lest it rust or fall to pieces. . . So now this bloodthirsty guttersnipe must launch his mechanized armies upon new fields of slaughter, pillage and devastation.

Why wasn’t Stalin ready?Hoped for Peace with Nazis… division of

spoils of the British Empire in the Middle EastSoviets had good equipment but they’d

suffered losses Stalin believed he’d have to fight Hitler, but

hoped to have until 1942 to get himself ready…

Stalin refused to believe Churchill’s warning that the Soviet Union was about to be attacked…Thought that Western warnings were desperate

lies to take the strain off of the British

Interesting Anectode

British delegates go to Moscow to discuss why Stalin’s demanded invasion of France was impossible…

“ This is the Eden Hotel, formerly Ribbentrop Hotel. Here is Churchill Street, formerly Hitler street. Here is the Beaverbrook Station, formerly Goering Station. The marine being shown around said, “Thank you comrade, formerly bastard.”

Hitler's Commissar Order to his Generals"The war against Russia cannot be fought in knightly

fashion. The struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be waged with unprecedented, unmerciful, and unrelenting hardness. All officers will have to get rid of any old fashioned ideas they may have. I realize that the necessity for conducting such warfare is beyond the comprehension of you generals, but I must insist that my orders be followed without complaint. The commissars hold views directly opposite to those of National Socialism. Hence these commissars must be eliminated. Any German soldier who breaks international law will be pardoned. Russia did not take part in the Hague Convention and, therefore, has no rights under it."

The Nazi execution of Soviet civilians kneeling by the side of a mass grave at Kraigonev, USSR, following the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Anyone suspected of being a Communist official, along with Red Army officers and male Jews were chosen for execution.

Critical Five-Week Delay in the Balkans

Mussolini invaded Greece, but was stopped and reversed there

Hitler rode to his rescueUnexpected resistance to the Nazis in

Yugoslavia ate up more time5 weeks closer to Napoleonic Winter

(invasion launched to the day!)

The AttackThe Red Air Force took an incredible beating in

the first few days of the fighting…Basically ceased to function

Three main German thrusts… North, Center, and South… North surrounds Leningrad… (siege- but city doesn’t

fall) Center pushes for Moscow… South pushes into the Ukraine towards the Caucasus

oil… Stalin shoots generals who lose… great motivator Scorched Earth Policy… similar to Napoleon… Nazis make it to the gates of Moscow

Counterattack Nazis stalled

Stalin begins to ask Britain for war materials… interesting decision for the British… Arguments in favor of giving aid? Arguments against?

““The German army The German army is like an elephant is like an elephant attacking a host of attacking a host of ants. He will crush ants. He will crush and kill thousands, and kill thousands, perhaps millions; perhaps millions; but in the end, their but in the end, their numbers will numbers will overcome him, and overcome him, and he will be eaten in he will be eaten in the end. “the end. “- German Soldier- German Soldier