What was the most significant turning point of World War II? Operation Barbarossa

3 Army Groups  

 Source:  

 Trueman, Chris. UK History. History learning site. Web. 1 Sept. 2010. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/operation_barbarossa.htm>.  

Amount of Russian equipment and Army  

 Source:  

 Trueman, Chris. UK History. History learning site. Web. 1 Sept. 2010. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/operation_barbarossa.htm>.  

Quoation of Hilter 2  

 Source:  

 Trueman, Chris. UK History. History learning site. Web. 1 Sept. 2010. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/operation_barbarossa.htm>.  

                 Consequences  


Consequences after Operation Barbarossa  

 Source:  

 Streich, Micheal. “Operation Barbarossa June 1941.” Military History (June 2010): n. pag. Suite 101. Web. 1 Sept. 2010. <http://www.suite101.com/content/operation-barbarossa-june-1941-a249242>.  

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What was the most significant turning point of World War II?

 Operation Barbarossa started on the 22nd of June 1941. Adolf Hitler, who created the Operation wanted to invade the USSR. This was the largest military attack of World War II and it had many consequences for the Russian population. Operation Barbarossa covers the major Eastern Front battles during the Cold War. This essay will show the causes, courses and consequences and why it was the turning point of World War II.

The control of Russia from Germany served many goals. The conquered territory would offer lands on which to move the Germans “lebensraum”. Moreover, Hitler wanted oil, wheat and other natural resources from the Russians to extend the war effort. The plan to attack Russia had been decided since 1940. Hitler had lost interest in the Battle of Britain and therefore he focused on his attack on Russia, regardless of the fact that the USSR and Germany had signed an agreement in 1939 saying that they would not interfere. But when the Soviet Union captured Romania in 1940, Hitler was worried about his Balkan oil supply. Therefore, he moved two armored and ten infantry divisions into Poland. Hitler became persuaded that Great Britain was holding out against German attacks and refusing to surrender because it had hit a secret deal with Russia. Hitler created "Directive No.21" which was Operation Barbarossa fearing he would get strangled from the East and the West. “Directive No.21” is one of his many offenses and plans he created throughout World War II. The plan was to invade the nation he had asked to join the Axis only a month before. There were three steps towards the invasion. The first step of the plan was made by Marcks in August 1940. He predicted an enormous attack on Moscow. He also wanted another attack on Kiev and two more attacks in the Baltic towards Leningrad and Moldavia. The second step of the plan was completed by Halder in December 1940 when he changed Marcks plan by having three attacks instead of four. A major attack against Moscow, a smaller one on Kiev and another major one on Leningrad. The last step of the plan was Hitler’s idea “Operation Barbarossa”. This plan was created in December 1940. Hitler was very sure of himself that this Operation will succeed. “When the attack on Russia starts the world will hold its breath.”

The attack started at 03.00 on a Sunday morning, June 22nd 1941. In total the Germans and the Allies used 3 million soldiers, 3580 tanks, 7184 artillery guns, 1830 planes and 750,000 horses. Three army groups attacked Russia on June 22nd 1941. Army Group North, led by von Leeb, Army Group Centre, commanded by von Bock and Army Group South commanded by von Rundstedt. By Day 17 of the attack, 300,000 Russians had been captured, 2,500 tanks, 1,400 artillery guns and 250 aircraft captured or destroyed. This was only in the territory attacked by Army Group Centre. To any military observer, the Russian Army was on the verge of a total collapse and Moscow seemed destined to fall. Hitler was amazed by his accomplishment that he declared: “We have only to kick in the front door and the whole rotten Russian edifice will come tumbling down.” 

        The consequences from Operation Barbarossa were that after the disaster of Stalingrad the Red Army pushed back the Germans. Millions died during the process. Operation Barbarossa made Russia an ally of Britain. They both sent troops into Iran which had supported Germany. By 1945, the Red Army was on the boarders of Germany; even Berlin was taken by the Red Army. This operation had many long term consequences that also included the end of World War II. Therefore this was one of the major turning points in World War II.

        To conclude, I think that Operation Barbarossa was the turning point of World War II because after the invasion Russia became an ally of Britain and the Red Army invaded German cities to a certain extent. Furthermore, Operation Barbarossa made Hitler to commit suicide because Germany got defeated.

Work Cited List

Burke, Ryan. Military History (May 2010). MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 31 Aug. 2010. <http://web.ebscohost.com/‌ehost/‌detail?vid=8&hid=7&sid=ea60eae8-0e0e-41c4-995e-19044ae7a147%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=ulh&AN=45213829>.

Chua-Eoan, and Andrew G. “War in Europe.” War in Europe 2 Dec. 1991: 62. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 31 Aug. 2010. <http://ic.galegroup.com/‌ic/‌ovic/‌MagazinesDetailsPage/‌MagazinesDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Magazines&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&documentId=GALE|A11573615&mode=view>.

“Operation Barbarossa German offensive operations, June 22 - August 25, 1941.” Chart. Century of Flight. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Sept. 2010. <http://www.century-of-flight.net/‌Aviation%20history/‌WW2/‌Air%20Power%20on%20the%20Eastern%20Front%20in%20World%20War%202.htm>.

Streich, Micheal. “Operation Barbarossa June 1941.” Military History (June 2010): n. pag. Suite 101. Web. 1 Sept. 2010. <http://www.suite101.com/‌content/‌operation-barbarossa-june-1941-a249242>.

Trueman, Chris. UK History. History learning site. Web. 1 Sept. 2010. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/‌operation_barbarossa.htm>.

World war II. The History Channel website. Web. 1 Sept. 2010. <http://www.history.com/‌this-day-in-history/‌germany-launches-operation-barbarossa--the-invasion-of-russia>.

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