1. The Soviet-German War
1941 – 1945
By Krieger

2. "Business Partners"
August , Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact ensures non-aggression between Hitler and Stalin
Secret condition dictates division of territory including Poland, Finland and Baltic States
Shortly after pact is signed, Nazi Germany invades Poland, prompting France and Great Britain to declare war
Soviet Union invades Poland on Sept. 17, 1939

3. Misplaced Trust?
Following the conquest of mainland Europe, Hitler starts to look East
Despite reports from Soviet spies and captured German soldiers announcing the date of the invasion, Stalin refuses to believe reports of any German threat

4. Operation Barbarossa
June 22nd, 1941 – Over three million soldiers of the Wehrmacht invade the Soviet Union
Divided into Army Groups North, Center, and South
Soviet soldiers caught off guard are either killed, captured or found deserting

5. Initial Success On the surface invasion is a massive success
Luftwaffe virtually unchallenged, able to routinely bomb Soviet cities
Underlying problems such as supply lines help slow the advance, creating problems in the future
Initial Success

6. Faltering Blitzkrieg
Stavka (Soviet High Command) makes plans to move Soviet factories towards the Ural Mountains in the east
Lack of long-range bomber puts targets out of Luftwaffe’s reach
Fighting in areas such as Smolensk and Sevastopol slow German advance even more

7. The Gates of Moscow
After freeing up route to Moscow, Army Group Center dashes to the capital in late 1941
advance halts 30 km outside of the city
Soviet counter-attack commanded by Georgy Zhukov pushes Germans back
Counter-attacks continue through January 1942

8. Leningrad
Beginning in Sept. 1941, Army Group North besieges the city of Leningrad
Siege lasts over 900 days, lifted by the Soviets in Jan. 1944
Over 1 million Soviet citizens perished from bombardment or starvation

9. A New Objective
After failing to capture Moscow, Hitler orders the Wehrmacht to strike south with aims to reach the oilfields in the Caucasus Mountains
Wehrmacht appears revitalized, pushing the Red Army to the Volga River by August 1942

10. War of the Rats
In August 1942, the Wehrmacht begins attack on Stalingrad starting with massive bombardment
The ruined city plays to Soviets’ advantage, supplying many areas to hide
Bitter street fighting ensues, leaving the Germans virtually stranded in the city through the Russian winter

11. War of the Rats cont.
In November 1942, Soviets counter-attacked in Operation Uranus
Trapped the German 6th Army
By Jan they were forced into surrender
Battle of Stalingrad proved to be the turning point in the war
Costliest battle in history; up to 2 million casualties overall

12. Citadel
In July 1943, Wehrmacht attempted encircling 3 Soviet armies in salient near city of Kursk
The Soviets, well aware of the plan for some time, built up elaborate lines of defense
The resulting clash would end up as largest armored engagement in history
Also included most costly day in aerial combat history

13. The Gates of Hell
In January 1944, 56,000 elite German soldiers are encircled at Korsun-Cherkassy
The original rescue plan was altered by Hitler to attempt to outflank the attacking Soviets
About 35,000 of the soldiers were able to escape
Though mostly a success, the incident served as an example of the increasing Soviet threat in both size and skill

14. Retaking the Motherland
Throughout 1944, the Soviet Union starts to regain the last of the territory lost since the war started in 1941
Local resistances in German-occupied countries inadvertently help the Soviets retake territory

15. Operation Bagration
June 22nd, 1944 (3 years after Barbarossa), the Soviets launch a secret massive attack against Army Group Center
The Germans expected an attack on the weakened Army Group South
This offensive combined with another operation brought the Soviets within reach of Warsaw by the end of July

16. Beginning of the End
Vistula-Oder Offensive, Soviets take Baltic States, East Prussia, etc.
60 mi. east of Berlin by end of offensive
Enter Austria on March 30, 1945
Capture Vienna by April 13

17. Der Untergang
April 20, 1945 (Hitler’s birthday) – Soviets begin shelling center of Berlin
Don’t cease until city surrendered
Hitler commits suicide 10 days later
German High Command surrenders unconditionally May 8, 1945
V-E Day celebrated globally the next day

18. Endgame Post-War Germany divided into four zones
Eastern half occupied by Soviets for 4 decades
Axis forces deaths more than 4 million
Soviet military/civilian deaths over 20 million
War covered more land than all other WWII fronts combined

19. Bibliography Books Website
Glantz, David and Jonathan House. When Titans Clashed. University Press of Kansas: Lawrence, Kansas 1995.
Bonn, Keith E. Slaughterhouse: Handbook of the Eastern Front. The Aberjona Press: Bedford, PA 2005.
Pleshakov, Constantine. Stalin’s Folly. Hougthton Mifflin Company: New York, NY 2005.
Website