Invasion of Russia 1941 “When the attack on Russia starts the whole world will hold its breath”

Operation Barbarossa was the name given to Nazi Germany’s invasion of Russia on June 22nd 1941. Barbarossa was the largest military attack of World War II and was to have appalling consequences for the Russian people. Operation Barbarossa

Hitler lost interest in the Battle of Britain as he became far too focused on his desired attack on Russia. On June 22nd he sent over 3million men, 3,580 tanks, 3,000 planes, 600,000 trucks and 750,000 horses into Russia. Apocalypse 5:17 to 6:00 12:38 to 14:50 Apocalypse

The invasion of Russia was a disaster for the German Army and the Russian people. Over 25million Soviet civilians died and the German Army suffered its largest defeat of the war turning the tables of World War II into the Allies hands.

Stalin ordered the scorched earth military strategy which involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area. Scorched Earth Policy

Apocalypse 21:55 to 22:45 – scorched earth policy Apocalypse

Stalin ordered blocking detachments to shoot all Russian deserters who retreated as the Germans advanced into Russia. Stalin had partisan groups patrol the countryside killing and capturing anyone whom they believed were disloyal. 2 million Russian ethnic minorities were suspected of disloyalty and forced into work camps – almost all of them died in these camps. Soldiers retreating from battle were brutally murdered by their captains. Enemy At The Gates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3ez81dGBGE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgRyLz47liM Advance and retreat ‘cowards’ Stalin’s Brutality

The most deadliest battle in history was the Battle of Stalingrad. As the Germans advanced deep into Russia, the Russian soldiers were told to retreat to live and fight another day. They fell back to an industrial city on the Vulga River, Stalingrad. From July 1942 until February 1943, the Soviets and Germans fought over the rubble. Both Stalin and Hitler understood the symbolic importance of the only city to bear the Soviet dictator’s name. The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the bloodiest battles in history, with combined military and civilian casualties of nearly 2 million. Show hyperlink on title Battle of Stalingrad

With a population of 500,000 before the battle, only 1,500 survived With a population of 500,000 before the battle, only 1,500 survived. Stalin refused for the cities civilians to leave and ordered troops to be thrown into the midst of the battle. The life expectancy for a soldier in Stalingrad was a mere 24hours. Enemy At The Gates (2001) Follows the Battle of Stalingrad from the perspective of Vasily Zaytez who was a Russian sniper. Enemy at the Gates Vasily shooting Battle of Stalingrad

Russian Winter 1941 How might a winter help or hinder an army in war? Does the Russian winter of 1941 help German or Russian soldiers more? Russian Winter 1941

Apocalypse 36:00 to 37:20 40:00 to 41:00 Russian Winter 1941

In addition to the might of the Red Army, German troops were also worn down by “General Winter”—the nickname used to describe the deadly Russian frost. Adolf Hitler’s invasion plans called for the Germans to conquer the Soviet Union before the legendary cold could set in, but supply issues and an unexpectedly spirited resistance combined to stall the advance at Moscow’s doorstep in late-1941. Still clad in their summer uniforms, the German Wehrmacht had to resort to using newspaper and straw to insulate themselves against subzero temperatures. They soon faced frostbite in epidemic proportions. Some 100,000 cases were reported by end of 1941, resulting in the amputation of nearly 15,000 limbs. The cold also wreaked havoc on Nazi heavy machinery. Tanks and jeeps refused to start, and guns and artillery often froze and failed to fire. The Soviets were more accustomed to the chill, and used specially designed rifles, skis and camouflage to continue fighting even in some of the most inhospitable conditions. The annual deep freeze proved to be a thorn in the side of the German armies for the rest of the war, but the warmer months were only nominally better. Russian summers were often boiling hot, and spring and fall brought a miserable rainy season known as the “rasputitsa,” which left roads waterlogged and often impassable.

Primary Source Analysis Describe what this cartoon is saying? Explain how did the Russian winter help the Russians beat the Germans? List reasons why the invasion of Russia by the Nazi’s such a big turning point in the war? Summarise the invasion of Russia in 4-6lines using the following events; Scorched earth policy Russian winter Battle of Stalingrad Stalin’s brutality Primary Source Analysis

Resources http://battleofstalingradwwii.weebly.com/index.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc0RLsKMczk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BVF9njIgfQ http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/operation_barbarossa.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/hitler_russia_invasion_01.shtml http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-things-you-should-know-about-wwiis-eastern-front Resources