Russia'a winter proved too much for Hitler's Nazis. Getty
America’s arrival into the fray of World War II in the winter of 1941 spelled doom for Hitler. But it was a failed German offensive that laid the groundwork for his defeat: Operation Barbarossa. That summer Germany launched one of the largest offensives in history upon the Soviet Union. The Nazi leader committed more than 3 million troops along a front running roughly 1,800 miles. Hitler pledged that “When Operation Barbarossa is launched, the world will hold its breath!”
The brutal campaign saw more than 1.5 million casualties between both sides and many more wounded. Here’s the story of how Hitler’s arrogance and greed led to his defeat in a Russian winter.
What was supposed to be a quick victory turned into a drawn out failure.
Setting The Table
Leading up to Germany’s invasion of Czechoslovakia and eventually Poland, they signed nonaggression agreements with the Soviet Union, France, and Britain. Obviously, they were worth about as much as Fuhrer's failed paintings. Nevertheless, those worthless agreements caught too many countries flat-footed. Hitler’s blitzkrieg offensive toppled the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and France over just six weeks beginning in May 1940.
The Soviet Union remained confident in its pact despite Germany’s duplicity, thanks to a secret stipulation that promised to divide Poland between the two of them. Stalin himself ignored signs of an imminent attack, choosing to trust Hitler rather than Winston Churchill. Churchill remarked around that time, “If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons.”
German tanks during Operation Barbarossa, October 1941. Britannica
Another Country Caught Off Guard
The Wehrmacht or German Armed Forces struck hard, laying waste to an unprepared Red Army. Strikes toward Leningrad, Moscow, and Ukraine by the vaunted Panzer (tank division) and Luftwaffe (air force) bought Germany territory in bunches. On the first day alone more than 1,000 Soviet aircraft fell to superior forces. Hitler declared, “Moscow must disappear from the earth's surface as soon as its riches have been brought to shelter.”
Moving through Russia in summer or fall compared to winter made all the difference.
Overconfidence
In August, brimming with confidence over his early victories, Hitler delayed the march on Moscow just 220 miles from the capital to strike the resource-rich Ukraine. He did this against the counsel of his generals, taking Kyiv in September. However, while Germany dithered, the Soviets fortified their defenses with more than a million troops and 1,000 fresh tanks. As fall came, the roads became a quagmire, dubbed Rasputitsa by the defending nation.
Soviet prisoners are marched to an internment camp by their Nazi guards, 1941. Getty Images
Operation Barbarossa Stalls
Suddenly, heading into Soviet territory became a slog for the Germans where every yard was paid for in blood. The brutal tactics of killing civilians and POWS immediately upon capture inspired the Soviet forces to fight with vicious desperation. A German General reportedly said, “The enemy is putting up a fierce and fanatical fight.” Stalin successfully inspired his troops to defend “Mother Russia”, promising that "no one foot of our land will be given to the enemy. If they want a war of extermination, they will have one.”
One final push toward the capital brought it within 12 miles but timely Siberian reinforcements beat back the attack before the famous Russian winter froze any chance for a German victory. When the Soviets launched a counteroffensive in December, Hitler finally retreated, tail between his legs.
Hitler brutal tactics inspired the Soviets to fight even harder.
Poor Planning
In the end, Hitler blamed the surprising arrival of winter, but in truth his own arrogance cost him. By assuming he could take the Soviet Union in the same manner he overran Western Europe, he sowed the seeds for colossal failure. When his self-assured quick victory never came to fruition, the poorly planned supply lines crumbled under the weight of the massive army.
The roads once easily traveled in summer became impassable in winter. Hitler's hopes “to crush Soviet Russia in one rapid campaign” turned the tide of WWII against him.
