22nd June 1941 - September 1941: The commencing of Operation Barbarossa
With over 130 divisions in total, including Hungarian, Romanian and Finnish troops the Axis invade the USSR on 22nd June 1941.
Germany aims to encircle major Soviet forces in the Pripet Marshes and then adapt to the tactical situation as it progresses. At first it hoped to defeat the USSR by the end of 1941.
This is met with initial success, with victories in Alytus and Lvov on the first day.
The battle for Grodno is won as is the second battle for Lvov two days later.
The losses on both sides after just over a week of fighting are extensive.
The offensive progresses well both in the north and south, with the battle of Orsha being won on 2nd July.
The Heer decides to try and encircle Red Army units in Lithuania, with great success.
Germany is also reminded it is fighting in other theatres, with success in the Mediterranean helping fill the leaders with overconfidence in Germany's abilities.
The campaign becomes ever more costly, with Germany taking heavy losses but are pleased to see the Soviets are taking far heavier casualties.
Another encirclement of the remaining Baltic states succeeds, but at heavy costs in holding Kingisepp. Germany is also surprised to see updated Soviet infantry for the first time, suggesting Germany is in it for the long haul against a well prepared foe.
Axis victories continue in the Mediterranean not only on sea but on land as well as Italian forces appear cautious in their offensive, with the UK's amphibious invasion of Italian Libya completely failing as they cannot supply their forces in the region but Italian forces still to scared to attack to the annoyance of the German High Command.
With the encirclement of the Pripet Marshes complete, Germany starts to close the pocket.
Germany also aims to encircle Soviet units in the south, hoping to reach Melitopol and trap the Red Army behind the Dnieper.
A combination of German, Hungarian and Romanian forces achieve a victory at Mogilev Podoloski while a Romanian attack on Balta has to be called off.
Meanwhile the Heer in central Russia appears to have reached its limit, having to retreat from Bryansk.
After successfully encircling Red Army divisions behind the Dnieper, serious difficulties are encountered when trying to close the pocket as major Red Army forces fight furiously and with overwhelming numbers.
After repeated failings in closing the pocket, the Red Army goes on the offensive with German forces being stretched to the limit trying to maintain the encirclement.
Closing the Dnieper pocket appears to be impossible for the Heer and its allies.
As the war wears on it is clear to both sides that this will be a protracted war, all hopes of a quick and successful campaign have disappeared as the reality of attrition makes itself shown. German intelligence also suggests the Red Army is all but increasing in size regardless of what the Heer does.
Barbarossa has all but failed in achieving the sweeping victory so desired by the German leadership. With the winter on the way, the Wehrmacht hopes it has made adequate preparations and is under constant pressure in trying to maintain the Dnieper encirclement, pouring in more units to make sure it holds but some are already doubting the feasibility of maintaing the pocket as Soviet forces really start to put the pressure on the Heer and its allies.
With over 130 divisions in total, including Hungarian, Romanian and Finnish troops the Axis invade the USSR on 22nd June 1941.
Germany aims to encircle major Soviet forces in the Pripet Marshes and then adapt to the tactical situation as it progresses. At first it hoped to defeat the USSR by the end of 1941.
This is met with initial success, with victories in Alytus and Lvov on the first day.
The battle for Grodno is won as is the second battle for Lvov two days later.
The losses on both sides after just over a week of fighting are extensive.
The offensive progresses well both in the north and south, with the battle of Orsha being won on 2nd July.
The Heer decides to try and encircle Red Army units in Lithuania, with great success.
Germany is also reminded it is fighting in other theatres, with success in the Mediterranean helping fill the leaders with overconfidence in Germany's abilities.
The campaign becomes ever more costly, with Germany taking heavy losses but are pleased to see the Soviets are taking far heavier casualties.
Another encirclement of the remaining Baltic states succeeds, but at heavy costs in holding Kingisepp. Germany is also surprised to see updated Soviet infantry for the first time, suggesting Germany is in it for the long haul against a well prepared foe.
Axis victories continue in the Mediterranean not only on sea but on land as well as Italian forces appear cautious in their offensive, with the UK's amphibious invasion of Italian Libya completely failing as they cannot supply their forces in the region but Italian forces still to scared to attack to the annoyance of the German High Command.
With the encirclement of the Pripet Marshes complete, Germany starts to close the pocket.
Germany also aims to encircle Soviet units in the south, hoping to reach Melitopol and trap the Red Army behind the Dnieper.
A combination of German, Hungarian and Romanian forces achieve a victory at Mogilev Podoloski while a Romanian attack on Balta has to be called off.
Meanwhile the Heer in central Russia appears to have reached its limit, having to retreat from Bryansk.
After successfully encircling Red Army divisions behind the Dnieper, serious difficulties are encountered when trying to close the pocket as major Red Army forces fight furiously and with overwhelming numbers.
After repeated failings in closing the pocket, the Red Army goes on the offensive with German forces being stretched to the limit trying to maintain the encirclement.
Closing the Dnieper pocket appears to be impossible for the Heer and its allies.
As the war wears on it is clear to both sides that this will be a protracted war, all hopes of a quick and successful campaign have disappeared as the reality of attrition makes itself shown. German intelligence also suggests the Red Army is all but increasing in size regardless of what the Heer does.
Barbarossa has all but failed in achieving the sweeping victory so desired by the German leadership. With the winter on the way, the Wehrmacht hopes it has made adequate preparations and is under constant pressure in trying to maintain the Dnieper encirclement, pouring in more units to make sure it holds but some are already doubting the feasibility of maintaing the pocket as Soviet forces really start to put the pressure on the Heer and its allies.
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