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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.