Download Russia 4th `07

Russian
Tactics
German-Russian
Relations
Germany signed a non-aggression treaty
with Russia before Germany attacked
Poland. Germany promised not to attack
Russia. After Germany attacked and took
over most of France, Hitler then violated
the treaty and attacked Russia.
Russia (Soviet Union actually) and
Germany were not exactly allies but they
were neutral trading partners.
Decision for the War
Hitler however always intended to renege on the
pact with the Soviet Union and invade
He made his decision of when to do so in spring
1940
Hitler believed that the Soviets would quickly
surrender after an overwhelming German
offensive and that the war could largely end before
the onset of the fierce Russian winter.
Why invade Russia???
Hitler must be seen as
attacking the Soviets to
achieve the National
Socialist
Weltanschauung (world
view) and end the war
in Europe by seizing
European Russia and
smashing Soviet
communism.
Blitzkrieg Strategy
Combine land and air assaults to maximize
destruction to enemy positions.
Use paratroopers to secure important positions
behind enemy lines.
Strike fortifications hard and decisively with
artillery, air raids or paratrooper assaults:
whichever is most appropriate to the location.
Strike quickly and decisively on land using
mechanized divisions.
Support mechanized assault with close air support
from fighter bombers.
Draw enemy attention to areas through feigning
assaults in areas: thus reducing resistance in the
primary intended area of assault.
Assaults to work in pincer movements, encircling
enemy forces and forcing subjugation due to lack of
supplies.
Battles of Russia
Leningrad- The German offense built many defenses
surrounding Leningrad-Overall Leningrad didn’t fight back
Moscow-Adolf Hitler considered Moscow, which was the
capital of USSR & largest Soviet city, to be primary
military and political objective for the invasion of the
Soviet
Union-Soviets were able to successfully prevent the most
serious attempt to capture their capital.
Battle of Stalingrad
It was a major industrial city (a vital transport route
between the Caspian Sea and northern Russia) and its
capture would secure left flank of the German armies as
they advanced into the Caucasus.
The battle was marked by brutality and disregard for
military and civilian casualties
The Nazis lost and eventually were forced to retreat out of
Europe
To the Soviets victory at Stalingrad marked start of the
liberation of the Soviet Union, leading to eventual victory
over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Germans not prepared for war like Russians were-forced to
fight in summer uniforms in below freezing temps.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Stalingrad
Soviets kept front lines close together which
forced Germans to either fight on their own or risk
taking casualties from their own supporting fire; it
neutralized close German air support and
weakened artillery support.
German advantage: mainly technology-tanks,
infantry, engineers, artillery, and ground-attack
aircraft
Soviets counter attacked tanks and aircraft by antifire methods that included geographic location.
Outcome
Because of Russian Wither, Volga River
froze and they trapped many Germans
Allowed Soviets to supply their forces in
the city more easily.
Trapped Germans rapidly ran out of heating
fuel, medical supplies, & thousands died of
frostbite malnutrition and disease
Germans now starving & out of ammunition
GERMANS
LOOSE!!!!
Hitler V.S. Napoleon
Both entered too far into Russia
and lost
Both mistook Russia’s harsh
winters-soldiers were unprepared
and froze
Both lost wars because of Russian
invasion