Operation Barbarossa
Notes
Operation Barbarossa
- This was the Germans attempt to take Russia by surprise and abuse the non- aggression pact.
- This campaign would have worked if the Italians hadn't have stalled the operation by attacking Greece and requiring assistance.
- Due to the German's late start they had to stop the attack in the middle of winter due to the conditions. The Germans could not fight properly because they were still dressed in their summer clothes.
- In turn the Russians were better prepared for the elements and were able to push Germany back.
-Arguably this was one of the key turning points of the war.
- This was the Germans attempt to take Russia by surprise and abuse the non- aggression pact.
- This campaign would have worked if the Italians hadn't have stalled the operation by attacking Greece and requiring assistance.
- Due to the German's late start they had to stop the attack in the middle of winter due to the conditions. The Germans could not fight properly because they were still dressed in their summer clothes.
- In turn the Russians were better prepared for the elements and were able to push Germany back.
-Arguably this was one of the key turning points of the war.
Quote
“The German armed forces must be prepared, even before the conclusion of the war with England, to crush Soviet Russia in one rapid campaign.”
- Hitler, Dec. 18 1940
- Hitler, Dec. 18 1940
Summary
HItlers ultimate dream was to destroy the USSR and to carve out an empire for his master race of Germans. By the summer of 1941, he felt the time was right to fulfill his dream of victory. Germans fiercely advanced into USSR territory and even had Stalin questioning wether or not he should surrender. The Red army (USSR) reorganized in the winter of 1941-1942 and turned this war around to become the most extraordinary defeat of Hitler in history. Hitlers overconfidence and unpreparedness caused him to be defeated by the USSR. ( cold winter,) There defeat was also due to the fact that the US and Britain contribution of food, motor vehicles, raw materials..