Operation barbarossa
- red beard was the code name german attack on Russia June 941
- surprised russia despite warnings
- broke non-aggression pact
- now a 2000 mile front
- blitzkrieg surprised the red army and was hugely successful in taking major territory initially
- scorched earth policy (peasants burned crops and shelters)
Summary
The Nazi empire spread quickly as they were a far more advanced army. The red army was not equipped to handle the German attack and it was beginning to appear that Germany would win the war.
"When operation barbarossa begins, the world will hold it's breath" -Hitler (1941)
How far into Russia would the Germans have gotten if the red army was aware of the operation?