A detailed and comprehensive examination of the Barbarossa campaign of June to December 1941.
When Hitler ordered the start of Operation Barbarossa, millions of German soldiers flooded into Russia, believing that their rapid blitzkrieg tactics would result in an easy victory similar to the ones enjoyed by the Wehrmacht over Poland and France.
But the huge human resources at the disposal of the Soviet Union, and the significant distances and overstretched supply lines that the Germans had to overcome, saw the seemingly invincible armored spearheads start to slow.
Finally, in sight of Moscow, the German invasion ground to a halt. Hitler's dreams of a quick victory were shattered and the ensuing war of attrition was to bleed Germany white, robbing her of manpower and equipment in one of the bloodiest episodes in human history.
Fully illustrated with unique Osprey artwork, new maps, and contemporary photographs, Operation Barbarossa tells the story of one of the definitive campaigns of World War II and examines how the failure of the invasion contributed to the final defeat of Nazi Germany.
Autorentext
Robert Kirchubel has had a keen interest in the Eastern Front campaigns of World War II, and Operation Barbarossa in particular, all his adult life. He has already contributed work to World War Two in Europe and World War Two in the Pacific, and The International Military Encyclopedia. His three-volume study of the Barbarossa campaign is the product of several years' work and research.
Inhalt
Preface
Chronology
Introduction
Opposing Plans
Opposing Armies
Opposing Commanders
The Frontier Battles
Three Steps Forward, One Step Back
Barbarossa in the Balance
End Game
Conclusions
Appendix
Glossary
Bibliography
Index