During World War II, Germany's lightning offensive stunned the European powers, and behind this sudden attack was a quiet abrupt change in the situation across Eurasia. When the Germans began to sprint with all their strength and the Soviet Union resisted tiredly, the Battle of Barbarossa gradually began. The war became not only one of the major events in the settlement of European disputes, but also a dark moment in the history of the Soviet Union. This report aims to restore history, reflect on the lessons, and hopefully bring enlightenment to people.
Germany was aggressive, and the Soviet Union was exhausted
From June to November 1941, Nazi Germany's military campaign to conquer the Soviet Union in Europe, codenamed "Barbarossa". However, Hitler's protracted attack on Britain, although it did not have the desired effect, made it clear to him that it would be difficult to defeat Britain without the support of sea power. He resolutely decided to adjust his strategy and set his sights on the Soviet Union in the east. It has to be said that although the Soviet Union was not completely ignorant of Germany's aggressive intentions, it did not react quickly enough in the face of the actual situation, and its defense was not perfect.
In this huge campaign, Germany threw everything it had to press down on the Soviet Union with as many forces as possible. In less than half a month after the start of the war, due to the negligence of the commander Pavlov, the Soviet army in the western direction suffered a defeat in Minsk, nearly 600,000 people were trapped, and the losses were staggering. On the other hand, the German army, the armored forces were unstoppable, and the four armored clusters were like a storm, instantly breaking through the Soviet defense line and pocketing the Soviet troops on the front line. In just half a year, almost all of the Soviet Union's large number of troops deployed on the Western Front were destroyed.
In addition to the defeat mentioned above, the Soviet Union faced a deeper crisis. In just a few months, the Soviet Union lost territories such as Ukraine, Belarus, and the three Baltic states, as well as key regions of western Russia. These occupation areas, which accounted for about 40% of the population of the Soviet Union as a whole, hit the Soviet economy hard, and despite the country's emergency measures to reorient its industrial layout, many facilities could not be relocated in time.
The Soviet Union made great efforts to try to reverse the passive situation, but in the early days of the war, it did not perform well. In particular, in the battle for Kiev, the Soviet Army Group South was firmly surrounded, and almost a million soldiers did not escape. When the news came, Stalin fell into a long deep thought. In the aftermath of this battle, a total of 89 divisions of the Soviet front were destroyed, and even the iron-willed Stalin fell into deep self-questioning.
A profound warning behind the war
Looking back at the Battle of Barbarossa, we can conclude two important points: first, as a country, no matter what kind of challenges and difficulties it faces, it needs to carefully consider its own strength and external environment, and be fully prepared. Second, as ordinary people, we should also be vigilant against the endless suffering and trauma caused by war, cherish peace, and build a better future.
The Battle of Barbarossa was a crucial battle in World War II, which not only had a profound impact on the European landscape at the time, but also served as a profound reminder to future generations to cherish peace and learn from their mistakes. Let us remember history, forge ahead, grasp the pulse of the times of peace, development, cooperation and win-win, and write a more brilliant national chapter!