BARBAROSSA THROUGH SOVIET EYES: The First Twenty-Four Hours

1-209940

22 June 1941 changed the direction of the Second World War. It also changed the direction of human history. Unleashing a massive, three-pronged assault into Soviet territory, the German army unwittingly created its own nemesis, forging the modern Russian state in the process. Thus, for most Russians, 22 June 1941 was a critical point in their nation's history. After the first day of 'Barbarossa' nothing would be the same again - for anyone.

Apparently caught off guard by Hitler's initiative, the Soviets struggled to make sense of a disaster that had seemingly struck from nowhere. Generals scrambled to mobilize ill-prepared divisions, pilots defied orders not to grapple with the mighty Luftwaffe, bewildered soldiers showed individual acts of blind courage, and civilians dumbstruck by air raid sirens and radio broadcasts told of German treachery.