Operation Barbarossa

Operation Barbarossa

1. Causes

   • Hitler wanted to conquer soviet union to be repopulated by Aryan Germans (lebensraum)
   • To stop communism in Soviet territories

2. Preparations

   • Hitler moved 4.5 million soldiers to Soviet border
   • Stalin believed it to be unlikely that Hitler would attack as the two had agreed a pact two years previous
   • Hitler's deception plans included making it look like his main target was Britain
   • Stalin has 2.6 million soldier on Western front and 1.8 in far East

3. Invasion

   • Hitler attacked on 22/6/1941
   • Nazi's advantage by Winter time due to Soviet airforces being outdated and pilots being poorly trained
   • Soviets losing 6 tanks to 1 tank being lost to Nazi's 1 on average at the start

4. Middle Phase

   • Scorched Earth tactics - policy where Soviets burnt bridges, crops etc so Germans couldn't use them
   • Hitler uses Blitzkreig until arrival of harsh winter
   • Hitler underestimated Soviet numbers and were out of supplies after 4 weeks but chosen not to slow down operations
   • Russian nationalists encouraged to defend against German invasion

5. Hitler decided to attack Leningrad, Moscow and Kiev with 3m soldiers

   • For final attack on Leningrad by 4th Panzer army and Army group center, Hitler decided Leningrad should be starved into submission