Lesson 15 WW II – The Axis Advances

Lesson Objectives Describe and analyze the German decision process to attack the Soviet Union in June Describe and analyze the operational and logistic implications of Operation Barbarossa. Understand and be able to discuss the impact of total war within the Soviet Union. Understand how the initial successes of the German invasion of the USSR turned into such a total disaster. Be able to describe the magnitude of the Soviet-German War and its impact on the outcome of World War II.

Battle of Britain Operation Sealion September 17, 1940 Operation Sealion postponed indefinitely Unable to gain air superiority Approach of winter Review

Germany Turns East The Battle for Russia

Hitler Turns East Germany, USSR signed nonaggression pact (August 23, 1939) After German defeat of Poland, Germany and USSR divided Poland USSR invaded Finland November 30, 1939 (“The Winter War”) 250,000 Finnish troops vs. 1,000,000 Soviets By March 1940: 26,000 Finnish dead vs. 126,000 Soviets Soviet military weakness from 1930’s purges noted by Hitler Background British, French considered support via Norway and Sweden In July 1940 Hitler told his generals to prepare for war with USSR within a year

Operation Barbarossa German Invasion of the Soviet Union

Hitler’s Rationale Hitler regarded the Soviet Union and Bolshevism as the greatest threat to Germany He felt that the weakness of the Red Army created the best possible opportunity to eliminate this threat Rejected (or ignored) the possibility of two-front war

Hitler’s Rationale "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch ( 0:14 – 1:30 )

Conquered Nation Support

Overview "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch

Retreat From Moscow In 1812 Illarion Pryanishnikov "I have no army any more! For many days I have been marching in the midst of a mob of disbanded, disorganized men, who wander all over the countryside in search of food." Napoleon Bonaparte, 1812

Why Do We Study War? History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes. Attributed to Samuel Clements ( )

The Impact of Logistics on War Go To

Logistics Case Study The Russian Campaign of 1812

Russian Campaign Why did Napoleon attack Russia? 1812

Strategic Objectives "I have come to finish off, once and for all, the Colossus of Northern Barbarism. The sword is drawn. They must be thrust back into their snow and ice, so that for a quarter of a century at least they will not be able to interfere with civilied [sic] Europe." With Napoleon in Russia: The Memoirs of General de Caulaincourt, Duke of Vicenza (From the original memoirs as edited by Jean Hanoteau. Abridged, edited, and with an introduction by George Libaire) (1935 William Morrow & Co. New York). Quoted in: Richard Orsinger “France During the French Revolution and Under Napoleon Bonaparte” Napoleon I June 1812

Napoleon Enters Russia On 12th June, 1812, the forces of western Europe crossed the frontiers of Russia and war began. In other words, an event took place that was contrary to all human reason and human nature. Narration War and Peace (movie, 1967)

Napoleon Enters Russia On 12th June, 1812, the forces of western Europe crossed the frontiers of Russia and war began. In other words, an event took place that was contrary to all human reason and human nature. Narration War and Peace (movie, 1967) Excerpt War and Peace (movie, 1967)

Konigsberg to Moscow ~ 680 miles (~ 1,100 Km)

Minard’s Graphic Charles Joseph Minard "It may well be the best statistical graphic ever drawn.“ Edward Tufte, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 1983 The Russian Campaign

Operation Barbarossa June 22, 1941

Barbarossa - Background "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch ( 1:30 – 10:01)

Germany Planning Factors

Initial Germany Plan

German Plan "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch

Orders of Battle Germany 3.8 million personnel 4,300 tanks 4,389 aircraft 7,200 artillery pieces USSR 2.7–2.9 million personnel 15,000–25,000 tanks 35,000–40,000 aircraft (11,357 combat 22 June 1941)

Operation Barbarossa Note conquered nation participation

Operation Barbarossa

Siege of Leningrad September January days Soviet Dead:Red Army: 330,000+ Civilian: 1,000,000+

Siege of LeningradBattle of Moscow October January 1942 Germans: 1,000,000 men, 1,700 tanks Soviets: 1,250,000 men, 1,000 tanks

Battle of Moscow Battle of Stalingrad August February 1943

Hitler’s Strategic Dilemma "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch ( 16:15 – 24:00 )

Battle of Stalingrad Situation, November 1942

Battle of Stalingrad November February 1943

Battle of Stalingrad - Overview "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch ( 0:45 – 4:05 )

Battle of Stalingrad August February 1943 Fatal Distraction?

German Grand Strategy

The Grand Strategy for Oil "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch ( 19:34 – 24:15 )

Battle of Kursk July - August 1943

Eastern Front December 1944

German-Soviet War Until June 1944 Soviet Union bore main thrust of German army Stalin pressed for Second Front

Soviet Losses

The Soviet war effort was so overwhelming that impartial historians of the future are unlikely to rate the British and American contribution to the European theatre as much more than a sound supporting role. Norman Davies Europe at War, Quoted by Benjamin Schwarz “Stalin's Gift” The Atlantic, May 2007 Significance

Operation Barbarossa German Invasion of the Soviet Union The classic example of the cost of not learning the lessons of history Summary

Japan Moves to War

Lesson 16 WW II: America Enters the War Next:

Lesson Objectives Understand the Japanese and American strategies for the war in the Pacific and Asia. Analyze the impact of the military revolution during the interwar years on the war in the Pacific theater. Become familiar with the timeline of events in the Pacific war. Understand the significance of the Battle of Midway and the role of signals intelligence in the outcome.

End