Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa, also known as 'Red Beard' was the German invasion of Soviet Russia during June of 1941. The Soviets were completely surprised by these attacks, even though they had received information that the Germans were massing their forces near the border. The attacks broke the Non-Agression Pact of 1939, two and a half years after it was stated. The significant thing about this Operation is that it's front was 2000 miles long. The Blitzkrieg tactics of Germany were a total surprise to the Soviets. For a short period of time the Nazi's were seen as liberators of the ruthless Stalin. Soviet peasants began using the 'Scorched Earth' policy, which was a tactic that meant the peasants would burn all their crops and farms as they retreated in an attempt to starve the Germans. Most of the Northern Front was captured or besieged by the Germans before winter, including major cities such as Kiev, Leningrad and Crimea on the outskirts of Moscow. The cruel and unforgiving Russian Winter completely halted Germany's lightning fast assault. During Operation Barbarossa, almost 2 million Red Army troops are taken prisoner.
Summary
Operation Barbarossa was a surprise invasion of the Soviet Union. The Soviets lost territory very quickly, their winter was the only thing that stopped the invasion in the North. The Nazis would look to the South for their next attack.