The beginning of Total war operation Barbarossa

[Saxondog]

The shear number of men and equipment make this the ultimate confrontation of World War II. The vast expanse of Russia and the delays caused by the Italian defeat by the Greeks has delayed this action 6 weeks,those 6 weeks will be sorely missed when the first snows of Winter find the Germans at the door step of Moscow and a supply line stretched to thin.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Barbarossa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Operation Barbarossa
Part of the Eastern Front of World War II
Date
22 June 1941 – 5 December 1941
Location
European part of the USSR, including present-day Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Western Russia
Result
Axis conquers vast areas of the Soviet Union and inflicts heavy losses on the Red Army, but fails in its overall strategic goal of defeating the USSR in a Blitzkrieg campaign
Belligerents
Germany
Azerbaijan
Romania
Finland
Italy
Hungary
Slovakia
Croatia

Soviet Union

Commanders and leaders
Adolf Hitler
Franz Halder
Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb
Fedor von Bock
Gerd von Rundstedt
Walther von Brauchitsch [1]
Ion Antonescu
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
Giovanni Messe

Joseph Stalin
Georgy Zhukov
Aleksandr Vasilyevskiy
Semyon Budyonny
Kliment Voroshilov
Semyon Timoshenko
Markian Popov
Fedor Kuznetsov
Dmitry Pavlov
Ivan Tyulenev
Mikhail Kirponos †

Strength
~3.9 million (including reserve),
3,600 tanks,
4,389 aircraft[2]
46,000 artillery pieces

~3.2 million initial (later 5 million more)
12,000-15,000 tanks,
35,000-40,000 aircraft (11,357 combat ready on 22 June 1941)[3]
Casualties and losses
Total casualties:
775,000 men

250,000 killed[4]
500,000 wounded
25,000 missing[4]
2,093 aircraft destroyed
2,758 tanks lost
Total casualties:
7,102,191 men
802,191 killed[5]
3,000,000 wounded
3,300,000 captured.[6][7]
21,200 aircraft destroyed[8][9][10]
20,500 tanks lost




Operation Barbarossa (named for Frederick Barbarossa, the medieval German ruler) was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941.[11][12] Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a 2,900 km (1,800 mi) front.[13] In addition to the large number of troops, it also involved 600,000 motor vehicles and 750,000 horses.[14] Planning for Operation Barbarossa started on 18 December 1940; the secret preparations and the military operation itself lasted almost a year, from spring to winter 1941. The Red Army repelled the Wehrmacht's strongest blow, and Adolf Hitler did not achieve the expected victory, but the Soviet Union's situation remained dire. Tactically, the Germans had won some resounding victories and occupied some of the most important economic areas of the country, mainly in Ukraine.[15] Despite these successes, the Germans were pushed back from Moscow and could never mount an offensive simultaneously along the entire strategic Soviet-German front again

[Saxondog]

The death of 2/3 of the 3 million Russian POW's would have far reaching effects in the Last Months of the war,and after for the German People.

Operation Barbarossa's failure led to Hitler's demands for further operations inside the USSR, all of which eventually failed, such as continuing the Siege of Leningrad,[17][18] Operation Nordlicht, and Battle of Stalingrad, among other battles on the occupied Soviet territory.[19][20][21][22][23]

Operation Barbarossa was the largest military operation in human history in both manpower and casualties.[24] Its failure was a turning point in the Third Reich's fortunes. Most important, Operation Barbarossa opened up the Eastern Front, to which more forces were committed than in any other theatre of war in world history. Operation Barbarossa and the areas that fell under it became the site of some of the largest battles, deadliest atrocities, highest casualties, and most horrific conditions for Soviets and Germans alike — all of which influenced the course of both World War II and 20th century history. The German forces captured 3 million Russian POWs, who did not enjoy the protection stipulated in the Geneva Conventions.[25] Some 2/3 of them never returned alive.

[FreakyDude]

the sheer numbers of men and equipment is amazing.
I have oftened wondered what would have happened if Germany did not attack Russia and instead put all that manpower in to the fight with the UK? Thank God they didn't.

[Saxondog]

The shear numbers of men and equipment,what if all that effort had been used for medicine,food production,space travel. And the the production of all the common wealth countries and the USA.

[Saxondog]

I have an affection for the Eastern Front as well, notice all my tanks I model after Grossdeutschland units, the "FIRE BRIGADE" these guys were the best professional soldiers and they used their equipment well, the highest kill ratio per Tiger credited to Grossdeutschland.

Here are a few links you may find interesting, my S13 Tiger is a good example of the long term survival of many of their first generation Tigers,first day 20/1 kill ratio. These guys had value in unit cohesion,the support units and the front line guys had unique comradeship.

They understood how to fight,and when to fight often their units were called in to hot spots as you have outlined moving great distances and being thrown into the fight,turning the tide time after time. But the attrition eventually began to take a toll. But the true crime was the end,they were given over to the Russians for disposition at wars end and many after fighting for their country never saw Germany again.

The last link describes their first Tiger company and my S13 Tiger is modelled after this unit.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/overview.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.members.shaw.ca/grossdeutsch ... ehicle.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/vehicle.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/vehicle.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Saxondog]

Tactical overview of Operation Barbarossa source Wikipedia

Operation Barbarossa Jine - August 1941 opening phase