Adolf Hitler31 July 1940
Originally intended to last 5 months. Announces Russian invasion plans to his military commanders
Germany · Warfare / World War, 2nd. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Originally intended to last 5 months. Announces Russian invasion plans to his military commanders
Involved in planning the invasion of Russia
Sets Spring 1941 for an invasion of Russia which should last no longer than 5 months
A memo is issued to increase the Army from 143 to 180 Divisions
Army Groups A, B & C, are moved to the Eastern Front
The XIX Corps is expanded for the invasion of Russia
Issues Directive 21 finalizing orders for the invasion of Russia. Hitler signed War Directive No. 21 to the German High Command for an operation now codenamed "Operation Barbarossa" stating: "The German Wehrmacht must be prepared to crush Soviet Russia in a quick campaign". All preparations for the invasion of Russia are to be completed by 15th May 1941
The operation was named after Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire, a leader of the 3rd Crusade in the 12th century
Warns Hitler about underestimating Russia
Tries to convince Hitler to defeat Britain before the Americans join the British
Negotiations begin for passage of troops through Bulgaria to reach Greece & Russia
Outlines the General Staffs invasion plans to Hitler, the OKW & OKB
"When Barbarossa commences, the world will hold its breath & make no comment". The starting date for Barbarossa will be 15th May. The Red Army will have 155 Divisions against 116 German Divisions. Hitler reviews the plans for Barbarossa
The Bulgarian General Staff allow German troops to pass through Bulgaria
German Army Units cross the Danube from Romania & take up positions in Bulgaria
Paul of Yugoslavia is invited to the Berghof & offered Salonika for German support
Summons chiefs to the Chancellery saying the Belgrade coup endangered Barbarossa. Delayed up to 4 weeks so Yugoslavia can be invaded after a pro-Allied coup in Belgrade
At a General Staff meeting orders destruction of the Red Army & the Soviet State
Operation Barbarossa was to combine a northern assault towards Leningrad, a symbolic capturing of Moscow, and an economic strategy of seizing oil fields in the south beyond Ukraine. Hitler repeated his order: "Leningrad first, the Donetsk Basin second, Moscow third"
Sets the date for the German invasion of Russia, June 22
The original day planned for operation Barbarossa
Kesselrings concentration of Luftflotte is completed. In the 1st raid 2,500 enemy aircraft are destroyed
The 4th Army reaches the outskirts of Moscow
First day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the 5 divisions of the 1st Panzer Group
1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group North
Serves under General Erich Hoepner
1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group South consisting of 52 Divs
Responsible for capturing the Ukraine & the Caucasus
Temperatures in Russia begin to drop below zero
Progress on Moscow is stopped due to the weather & Russian resistance
1st cases of frostbite are reported in the German Army
Convinces Hitler that the Russian resistance is on the verge of collapse
Kleists leading divisions begin to reach Rostov-on-Don
Kleists Panzers seize a bridge over the Don, the last barrier before the Caucasus. Crooses the Don but is forced back by Timoshenko
Reports to Hitler that the Russian weather has brought his forces to a standstill
The remains of 3 panzer groups are forced to continue against the Russian resistance
A reconnaisance battalion is driven out of a Moscow suburb
All German forces are held back by 70 degrees of frost
Placed in charge of the economic exploitation of Russia
Ordered to provide air support for Army Group Centre under von Bock
Captures the Bug Bridge leading to Brest Litovsk
Appointed Commander of the Army Group South
The Kerch Peninsular, Kharkov, Crimea & Sebastopol are captured
Holds the Corps bridgehead on the east bank of the Dneiper River
The German Armies are split at the Pripet Marshes
Soviet forces surround the mouth of the Dneiper
Soviet forces surrond 650,000 German troops in the Crimea
From July 1943 to May 1944 the Germans lose 41 Divisions in the East
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