22 juin 1941 - Operation Barbarossa

Description:

Operation Barbarossa was the code name for the German invasion of the USSR. The goal was to capture the Russian population and especially the Jewish population. However, the Germans were poorly prepared for the invasion; their industrial preparation hadn't begun. When the German panzers first arrived in Russia, it seemed to be going well, with Germans receiving reinforcements and more supplies, getting about 600,000 prisoners. But when the Germans began their trek to Moscow, they were stopped by Soviet forces in early December. The Germans faced heavy casualties and they were forced to retreat.