Operation Operation BarbarossaBarbarossa

Hitler’s Invasion of the Soviet Hitler’s Invasion of the Soviet Union Union

The largest military action in The largest military action in the history of the world, ever. the history of the world, ever. (yes, still…) (yes, still…) 4.5 million troops invaded 4.5 million troops invaded

simultaneously along a 1800 mile simultaneously along a 1800 mile frontfront

We have only to kick in the door and

the whole rotten structure will come

tumbling down.

BackgroundBackground Hitler was frustrated in Battle of BritainHitler was frustrated in Battle of Britain Continues Battle of the Atlantic…Continues Battle of the Atlantic…

Has Taken over most of EuropeHas Taken over most of Europe Turns east to pursue Turns east to pursue lebensraumlebensraum and the natural and the natural

resources of the Soviet Union resources of the Soviet Union ‘‘with these resources, the 3with these resources, the 3rdrd Reich will last for 1000 yrs’ Reich will last for 1000 yrs’ Necessary to combat British blockades Necessary to combat British blockades

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

Immense Distances!Immense Distances!

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

Grain in the UkraineGrain in the Ukraine Oil in the CaucasusOil in the Caucasus Mortal enemies Mortal enemies

Incompatible Political systems Incompatible Political systems fascism and communism fascism and communism

Needs constant victory to maintain his Needs constant victory to maintain his authority 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

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

spoils of the British Empire in the Middle Eastspoils of the British Empire in the Middle East Soviets had good equipment but they’d Soviets had good equipment but they’d

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

hoped to have until 1942 to get himself hoped to have until 1942 to get himself ready… ready…

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

lies to take the strain off of the Britishlies to take the strain off of the British

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

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

Mussolini invaded Greece, but was Mussolini invaded Greece, but was stopped and reversed therestopped and reversed there

Hitler rode to his rescueHitler rode to his rescue Unexpected resistance to the Nazis Unexpected resistance to the Nazis

in Yugoslavia ate up more timein Yugoslavia ate up more time 5 weeks closer to Napoleonic Winter 5 weeks closer to Napoleonic Winter

(invasion launched to the day!) (invasion launched to the day!)

The AttackThe Attack The Red Air Force took an incredible beating in the The Red Air Force took an incredible beating in the

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

Three main German thrusts… North, Center, and Three main German thrusts… North, Center, and South… South… North surrounds Leningrad… (siege- but city doesn’t fall) North surrounds Leningrad… (siege- but city doesn’t fall) Center pushes for Moscow… Center pushes for Moscow… South pushes into the Ukraine towards the Caucasus oil… South pushes into the Ukraine towards the Caucasus oil…

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

Counterattack Counterattack Nazis stalled Nazis stalled

Why stop the story of Barbarossa Why stop the story of Barbarossa here (for the time being)? here (for the time being)?

Moscow counterattack occurred 2 Moscow counterattack occurred 2 days after Pearl Harbor… days after Pearl Harbor… (why is this important and why is this (why is this important and why is this

nearing the end of this unit? nearing the end of this unit?

Stalin begins to ask Britain for war Stalin begins to ask Britain for war materials… interesting decision for materials… interesting decision for the British… the British… Arguments in favor of giving aid? Arguments in favor of giving aid? Arguments against?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, but in the end, their numbers will their 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

Hansen Name ____________________World War II Period _________

Unit III Barbarossa Note-Taking Guide

► _____________________ of the Soviet Union • The largest military action _____________________

____________________, ever. (yes, still…) – _________________ troops invaded simultaneously along an

__________________________

► Background • Hitler was frustrated in _______________________________• Continues __________________________________________• Hitler has ______________________________________________• Turns east to pursue __________________ and the

_________________________________of the Soviet Union – ‘with these resources, the 3rd Reich will ________________

_______________________________ – Necessary to combat British _____________________

• Hitler acknowledged that Blitzkrieg might not work in the Soviet Union. Why not?

– _____________________________________

► Why would the Germans attack east? • Ukraine like Britain’s _________ (lebensraum)

– _____________ in the Ukraine• Oil in the ______________________• Mortal enemies

– Incompatible ______________________________ _________________________________________

• Needs constant victory to maintain his authority► Arguments Against Doing It?• _____________ War • Russian ______________• Immense Reserves of ____________________

► Why wasn’t Stalin ready?• Hoped for Peace with Nazis… division of spoils of _______

________________________________________________• Soviets had good ___________ but they’d suffered _______• Stalin believed he’d have to fight Hitler, but hoped to have

until _________________________________________… • Stalin __________________________ Churchill’s warning

that the Soviet Union was about to be attacked…– Thought that Western warnings were _____________

___________________________________________► The Commissar Order• What was it? _____________________________________

________________________________________________

►Critical Five Week Delay in the Balkans• Mussolini invaded Greece, but ________________________• Hitler ____________________________________________• Unexpected resistance to the Nazis in ___________ ate up

_________________• 5 weeks closer to Napoleonic _______________ (invasion

launched _______________________________________!)

We have only to ______________ and the _________________ will

come tumbling down.

►The Attack • The Red ________________ took an incredible beating in

the first few days of the fighting…– Basically ______________________

• Three main German thrusts– North, Center, and South… – North _________________________________… – Center ________________________________… – South _________________________________...

• Stalin shoots ____________________… great ________________

• ___________________________________… similar to Napoleon…

• Nazis make it to the _________________________ Counterattack ________________________________

• Moscow counterattack happened two days after _____________________…

– (why is this important and why is this the end of this unit? _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________

• Stalin begins to ask Britain for _______________… interesting decision for the British…

• Arguments in favor of giving aid? – ____________________________________– ____________________________________

• Arguments against?– ____________________________________– ___________________________________