Not Quiet on the Eastern Front

1. Not Quiet on the Eastern Front

2. Directive No 21 • On December 18th, 1940 Hitler issued Directive No. 21 to the German Wehrmacht (military). • The “Barbarossa Plan” called for the: • Steady mobilization of German forces along the border under the guise of precautionary measures • “crush[ing] of Soviet Russia in a quick campaign” using Blitzkreig tactics • Continuation of war against England throughout Eastern campaign • The Wehrmacht replied that captured eastern territory would need to be “depopulated” by 40 million people in order to serve the needs of the German people.

3. Why?? • Lebensraum: Hitler had written in Mein Kampf that if Germany was to achieve its potential, it would require more “living space” and resources which were most readily available to the east (Russia). • Oil Resources: Germany desired the vast oil resources in the South Caucuses. • Destruction of inferior people: Hitler viewed the Bolshevik revolution as a Jewish backed plot, one that the Slav Russian people were too weak to prevent. • Unlike the Western font, this was to be a “War of Annihilation” (Hitler 1940) • “Defeat Londin via Moscow” Hitler believed that knocking the Soviets out of the war would cripple England and force the United States into deep isolation.

4. What was Stalin thinking? • 87 different intelligence reports warned of an impending German attack in June of 1940 (also corresponded to steady buildup of German forces along the border) • Dismissed as counter-intelligence. • Hitler sent two secret letters to Stalin reassuring him that he was merely moving troops east to protect them from British bombings. • Some believe that Stalin had his troops deployed at the border for offensivepurposes (he intended to invade Germany). • It would have made no sense for him to forward deploy his troops for defensive purposes. • Some believe that Stalin did not expect Hitler to attack the USSR until after it had completed its war with Britain.

5. Battle Plan for Operation Barbarossa

6. Attack! • On June 22nd 1941 Germany initiates Operation Barbarossa. • Russian troops are quickly defeated along the border and proceed to fall back into Russian territory. • Despite launching a series of counter attacks, Soviet troops seem unprepared and disorganized.

7. Stalin’s initial response • “Scorched Earth” policy • Counter attacks to slow German progress • Relocate industry • Trade territory for time • It is not until July 3rd that Stalin makes his first radio address. • Facing immense public pressure.

8. “Forward to our Victory” (Stalin, 1941) • Stalin gives a candid and realistic assessment of the situation • “In spite of the heroic resistance of the Red Army, and although the enemy's finest divisions and finest airforce units have already been smashed and have met their doom on the field of battle, the enemy continues to push forward, hurling fresh forces into the attack. Hitler's troops have succeeded in capturing Lithuania, a considerable part of Latvia, the western part of Byelo-Russia, part of Western Ukraine...A grave danger hangs over our country.” • Stalin urges the public to prepare themselves for what will no doubt be a long and difficult war. • Much different assessment than Hitler

9. Siege of Leningrad (Sep 1941-Jan 1944) • Finnish and German troops approached the heavily fortified city on September 8th • German forces were unable to take the city with ground troops so resorted to starvation tactics and constant bombardment. • Hitler is reported to have concluded that following occupation, the German republic would have no need for Leningrad. Thus his generals were ordered to “wipe the city from the face of the earth” • Leningrad implemented a rationing program to stretch resources. • Early estimates suggested that there were only two months of supplies available • People survived on 10% of the recommended caloric intake • Dogs and cats were hunted for food • Some citizens resorted to cannibalism just to survive. • Leningrad was attacked for 827 days. (1941-44) • 1.2 million soviet troops/civilians died • Approximately 150,000 German troops lost • Population reduced from 3million to 700,000

10. Summer Pause • Failure to seize Leningrad and destroy Russian troops caused Hitler to halt his Moscow Offensive (Operation Typhoon). • Fearing that German troops would be unable to sustain their offensive without supplies, Hitler paused his Blitzkreig to regroup. • An action STRONGLY opposed by his Generals • This “pause” gave Stalin time to regroup and defend Moscow

11. Moscow and the Winter Counter Attack • Hitler was determined to seize the Russian capital at all costs. • From October to December the German army launched several failed attacks on Moscow • Coming within 23 km of the city. • By mid December German troops were exhausted and freezing to death. • Having successfully relocated its industry and training facilities east, Russia was renewing its supplies and troops • Fighting throughout the winter, by Spring of 1942, Russian troops had pushed Germany back nearly 400km.

12. Failure has its costs • The failure of Barbarossa leads to a rift between Hitler and his generals • Who resent that a lowly corporal is now giving them orders. • Hitler fires Generals and assumes total command of military. • Looks a little something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7PmzdINGZk#t=19 • German forces prepare for a Summer offensive (weather plays an important role)

13. Stalingrad • August 1942 – February 1943 • During this time Stalin appeals to Churchill to open up a Western front (Hello Dieppe) but the Allies refuse. • The largest battle in human history. • Combined 2 million military and civilian deaths. • After overcoming city defences, by Autumn of 1942 German troops had successfully entered the city. • Upon entering the city, German troops were encircled by Soviet forces. This was now a fight to the death. • Hitler had explicitly forbidden surrender.

14. No, the OTHER kind of “Guerrilla warfare” • German officials referred to Stalingrad as the “Rat War” • As a result of heavy bombing and tank warfare virtually the entire city was destroyed. • The resulting urban warfare was incredibly brutal, often resulting in hand to hand combat. • Tanks were rendered useless by debris. • Snipers targeted officers • Soviet soldiers were shot if they retreated.

15. Aftermath • With fresh supplies and new equipment Soviet troops began to overwhelm German forces outside the city. • 850,000 German soldiers killed or captured • Or 91,000 captured only 6,000 would survive • 1.2 Million Soviet’s killed • Most view Hitler’s defeat at Stalingrad as THE turning point of the war • Bring on the optimism