Operation Barbarossa
- Initial attack on Russia (Breaking Non-Agression Pact)-- June 22, 1941- Led by Von Paulos
- Stalin was warned, did nothing- caught off guard
- First attacked masterful. Soviets pushed back
- Captured Leningrad/Keiv, 50 miles from Moscow-- Russians retreat to Moscow, sorched earth policy
- Russian winter hits. Coldest in 50 years-- German Machines all freeze. Germans not ready for winter. Thousands died to cold.
- Attack on Moscow failed (50miles)-- Siberian soldiers and weather primary reason
Interesting Fact
- The T-34 was a complete surprise to the Germans during the summer of 1941. It was fast and virtually indestructible with its sloping armour. The 76.2mm cannon was a match for the German armour.
Quote
“We are deciding the fate of Europe for a thousand years.”
-Hitler to his staff, November 1941
-Hitler to his staff, November 1941
Subjunctive Question
If the Germans did not have to help Italy in Operation Marita would they have been successful in Operation Barbarossa?
Summary
Von Paulos led an attack on Russia on June 22, 1941 which broke the Non-Agression Pact. Stalin was warned about this attack, he did nothing and was caught off guard. Their first attack was a success and they caputured Leningrad, 50 miles away from Moscow. The coldest Russian winter in 50 years hit and all the German machine guns froze. They were not prepared for winter, as they expected to attack earlier but Operation Marita delayed their timing. Thousands of Germans die. The attack on Moscow failed due to the Siberian soldiers and the freezing winter.