Download Lecture 13: Topics for discussion Fichier

Hitler’s Decision
• The question of Bukovina.
• Hitler orders to evaluate the consequences of
Soviet’s expansion to Bukovina.
• The result of evaluation: Soviets occupied Bukovina
to become closer to the Ploesti oil fields and reach
them in one day in case of need.
• Hitler orders to prepare plan to attack the Soviet
Union.
• December 18, 1940 – the original plan of attack on
the USSR was adopted and given name
“Barbarossa” – in honour of Friedrich I Barbarossa –
the Emperor of Holy Roman Empire (1155-1190)
German and Soviet Plans
• Three main directions of “Barbarossa”
– Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev.
• The Soviet preparations.
• The Soviet military games and their
results.
• Stalin’s speech in military academy –
May 5 1941.
• Operation “Thunder” – May 15, 1941.
• The last preparations in military
planning.
Churchill’s Soviet Policy
• Churchill’s letter to Stalin – June 25,
1940 – asking alliance. Stalin did not
answer.
• Change of ambassador in Moscow.
• Churchill’s notification to Stalin about
Hitler’s intentions – April 1941. Stalin is
silent again.
• Churchill’s policy in the last days
before the German attack.
The Last days before the War
• “The case of Rudolf Hess”. Churchill’s
silence about this matter.
• Some signs of tension between Germany and
the Soviet Union.
• The Soviet Declaration that everything is fine
between the USSR and Germany – June 14,
1941. German Ministry of Propaganda says
nothing.
• Germans spread rumours about the possible
invasion to Britain.
Intelligence Issues
• German intelligence failure.
• Soviet intelligence gives the correct date of
invasion. Stalin did not believe them.
• Stalin’s reasons for not believing the
intelligence reports:
1. German disinformation;
2. No signs of changes in German oil structure;
3. No signs of price changes on sheepskin;
4. The Soviet technical superiority over
Germany;
5. The Soviet superiority in armed forces.
Disposition of Forces of Forces
and Last Preparations
• German disposition – good for attack only.
• The Soviet disposition – good for attack only.
• Germany cuts the barbed wires on the
border.
• The Soviets cut the barbed wires on the
border.
• Mines cleared on the German side.
• Mines cleared on the Soviet side.
• Total amount of troops for each side.
German Surprise Attack
• The surprise attack – dawn of June 22, 1941.
• Why Germany did not declare war before the
beginning of attack?
• The Stalin’s reaction on news.
• No defensive plans in the Soviet Staff.
• Soviets try to seize initiative: Stalin’s order to
attack German positions. Impossibility to
fulfil this order.
• World’s reaction on the beginning of the
Soviet-German war.