1. Shape of the Day Hook: Enemy at the Gates
A Brief Introduction to the War in Russia
Research Time
Presentations
Conclusion

2. Movie Questions What do you notice about the battle?
Why would they send out men without guns? What does this mean?
What are the people at the back of the Russian lines doing?

3. The War Moves East

4. Hitler’s Decision to Attack the Soviet Union
With the Battle of Britain at a standstill, Hitler decided it was time to attack the Soviet Union, but why?
With Europe under control, Hitler could focus on his main target the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union had the “Lebensraum” (Living Space) that Hitler thought was necessary for Germany
Hitler believed that the Soviet Union was full of Jews

5. Why It Was the Wrong Decision
Hitler was now fighting a two front war, something he has said was “suicidal” in his book Mein Kampf
Hitler had greatly underestimated the strength, leadership, and ferocity of Stalin and the Soviet Union
The winters of the Soviet Union were extremely critical and forced the Soviet’s enemies to not only fight them, but winter as well

6. How Was the Soviet Union Different?
Every man and woman was involved in some way or another in the War
80% of Soviet men born in 1923 did not live past World War Two
800,000 women fought during the War against the Nazis
More Russians lost their lives during the Siege of Leningrad (Soldiers and Citizens) than all American and British Soldiers in World War Two

7. How Was the Soviet Union Different?
Order No. 270 and 227
In August 1941 Stalin passed Order No. 270 which stated that anyone who surrendered would be executed if they made it back to Russia
In July 1942 Stalin passed Order No 227 which stated that if any soldier took “one step back” they would be executed
Special blocking units were created that would be responsible for killing as many as 150,000 people

8. Did You Know? Antitank Dogs
The Soviet Union trained dogs to crawl under German tanks in the belief there would be food there
These dogs had enough explosives on them to blow up tanks
The explosives would be triggered as the dogs crawled under the tanks leaving German tanks destroyed
It is estimated the 300 tanks were destroyed using this method

9. Results
While the War on the Eastern Front started heavily in favour of the Germans, this would soon change
By the end of the War the Soviets would have a larger and more effective army than the Nazis
Despite their victory, the Soviets would suffer 10,651,000 deaths while the Axis would lose just over 5,000,000

10. Activity: Presentations on 5 Important Events
Operation Barbarossa
(June 22, The Battle of Moscow)
Siege of Leningrad
(8 September 1941 – 27 January 1944)
Battle For Moscow
(2 October 1941 – 7 January 1942)
Stalingrad
(23 August 1942 – 2 February 19430
Kursk
(5 July 1943 – 23 August 1943)