Dismissed (December 1941)

General Heinz Guderian

26^th December 1941

I was informed that Hitler had transferred me to the OKH officers’ reserve pool. My successor was to be General Rudolf Schmidt.

Heinz Guderian

Befuddled HQ (December 1941)

General Heinz Guderian

December 1941,

During Rastenburg airfield’s conference with Hitler, I described the situation of the 2^nd Panzer Army and 2^nd Army to Hitler and the officers of his entourage and about my decision for the withdrawal on 5^th December. When I spoke of my intention to withdraw both armies to the Susha-Oka position – which has already commenced and was approved by then Field-Marshal von Brauchitsch – Hitler shouted, “No! I forbid that!” I was certainly taken by surprise by his outburst of anger. I told him straight that the withdrawal has already commenced and reiterated the reasoning for withdrawal. He certainly did not get it. Here’s the conversation that ensued.

Hitler: “If that is the case they must dig into the ground where they are and hold every square yard of land!”

I: “Digging into the ground is no longer feasible in most places, since it is frozen to a depth of five feet and our wretched entrenching tools won’t go through it.”

Hitler: “In that case they must blast craters with the heavy howitzers. We had to do that in the First World War in Flanders.”

I tried to explain to him the shortage of ammunitions we are facing at the front but he failed to comprehend. He insisted on his order that we remain where we are.

Here stands a man who had never attended military school and does not understand the situation up front…

Heinz Guderian

Dire Situation (December 1941)

General Heinz Guderian

December 1941

I could not sleep well for the past few weeks. The situation here is grave.

December 5^th was the first time in this war that I gave the order for the advance units to withdraw and go into the defensive. Our flanks were exposed and the troops were immobile in this god-forsaken weather. Worse of all things, our attack was unsupported. I gave the orders and we withdrew to the general line of Upper Don-Shat-Upa.

Those ***German Vulgarities*** at the OKH and OKW, have totally no idea what’s going on up in the front. They keep sending us ridiculous orders and ignore all our requests and suggestions. Our attack on Moscow has come to a complete halt. All the sacrifices and endurance of our brave troops are in vain…

Heinz Guderian

Winter Approaches (November 1941)

Friedrich Paulus

November 1941

From the letters I have been receiving from the fields, the situation is not going very well for us. The weather is of no help and is turning from bad to worse as winter approaches. The Russians seem to have an inexhaustible amount of manpower and every Russian killed is taken over by 3 more. Our supplies are also running dangerously low.

Here are some letters I received from friends in the fields, the situation looks grim.

From Lieut-General Himer

5 October 1941

…The Russians are resisting with unparalleled tenacity. Strong point after strong point has to be captured individually. As often as not, we cannot get them out even with flame-throwers, and we have to blow the whole thing to bits… As soon as we get some reinforcements, we’ll push through the last inch on the map and we’ll be in the Crimea.

From General Rudolf Schmidt

13 November 1941

…Boots are torn to shreds and are a disgrace. Many of the men are going about with their feet wrapped in paper, and there is a great dearth of gloves. As far as winter clothing is concerned, the Quartermaster-General deserves every sing curse that can be hurled at him… This total lack of foresight and care makes even these splendid fellows of ours dispirited and rebellious… Then in the newspapers they read wonderful speeches – “come what may, this winter our brave soldiers need not fear the cold”!...

From Buerker, GSO I, 10 Panzer Division

17 November 1941

…I am worried about this aspect, simply because I realize how hard put to it we shall be in the spring to muster a sufficient number of good Panzer divisions, ready for the next offensive…

I hope it will all go well for my friends out in the fields. Push on my friends!

Heil Hitler

Friedrich Paulus

Counter-offensives. (November 1941)

Zhukov, Moscow

November 30 1941

Heavy losses from our counter offensives and defensive strategy, unpreparedness for combat under winter conditions and the stubborn resistance of the Soviet troops has greatly affected the enemy's combat ability. Up till now, it seemed the Germans had the upper hand. But their inablity to breach our defensive front have allowed us time to consolidate and strategise. The Soviet counter-offensive was born of defensive fighting. Throughout this entire month, we have been defending the advances of the enemy. The weaknesses of the German forces over time have allowed us to consider finally, a full scale counter offensive. The Germans are finally exhausted. They never expected us to hold on for so long, winter has certainly paralysed them. Stalin had to be convinced of the need of a full scale counter-offensive. We have reformed armies and a strengthened and reinforced front, we are about to turn the tables firmly against the Germans, who have begun so terrifyingly successful in all their conquests.

Zhukov, Moscow

Corporal Parkinson Diary: Stalingrad (November 1941)

Great to hear the Ivans have the Nazis trapped at Stalingrad, wherever the hell that is. Seems like Ivan really does know winter. So do we. Wish they would use us in Norway or somewhere; hell why not Russia. We are all sick of training here in bloody Aldershot. Only things we've done so far are lose a force in Hong Kong and let the 2nd Div get chopped to pieces in that fiasco at Dieppe. Are we going to let Ivan do all the fighting? May as well go home then...

Aldershot, 28 November 1941

Is It Over? (November 1941)

Stalin, Moscow
November 22 1941

The situation in the Western Front has reached its peril.22 German divisions have broken into Kiln, north of Moscow. They are within 20 miles of Moscow. I'm not so sure we can hold Moscow now. I telephoned Zhukov and demanded an honest opinion on the matter, a communist opinion. As much as it seems that everything is over, Zhukov states that we will hold Moscow. He has requested for no less than two armies and two hundred tanks. His confidence is what I'm depending on now.

Stalin, Moscow.

We Remind Ourselves of Lenin (November 1941)

Stalin, Moscow

November 12 1941

Holding the traditional celebration of the Moscow Party and workers' organization can only be good for us. I've consulted Zhukov and he is certain that the Germans are in no condition to start any big push within hte next few days. They will be busy regrouping and reinforcing their units. The people need to be reminded that we have been through tougher times before. We have abandoned Kaluga, German tanks are in all of our main approaches to Moscow. Danger to Moscow has been increasing hourly since. Marching past Lenin's tomb will rekindle the remaining sparks of life into these troops. The Germans are and will be in a much worse state. We have allies now unlike the times of 1918, we are fighting for our own freedom. I need to inspire my people for this war. The Germans will not take Moscow. We will make them collapse under the weight of their own crimes. Zhukov has suggested a counter attack plan. This may just turn the tide for us.

Stalin, Moscow

Winter Celebration? (November 1941)

ZHUKOV, Red Square, Moscow

November 7 1941

The winter clearly brought the German offensive to a startling halt. The cold was definitely too much for the Germans to bear. Hitler was losing his forces to the cold. Moscow was already under siege. The Nazis were so close to our city. It was impossible not to think of the worst, that we may have lost this war from the start. Nevertheless, we press on. The defense of the capital had been entrusted to me after all. Our defense organisation have received assistance from civilians that have been mobilized into battalions of homeguards. Other Russians who have seized the opportunity to undermine the Soviet State have been dealt with accordingly.

In the midst of the winter gloom, I sensed a possible turning of the tide. As much as the Germans are suffering from the cold, so are our people. Stalin's idea of for a military parade only embolded the Red Army further. Stalin held it on the eve of the October Revolution. It was an event of great domestic, political and international significance. As for the Red Army, in terms of morale, we were definitely ahead of the Germans. Their winter equipment never arrrived. This could be the start of the end for the Germans.

ZHUKOV, Red Square, Moscow

Defend and Destroy (October 1941)

Stalin, Moscow

October 7 1941

Zhukov is key in my plans for the defense of Moscow. Leningrad is considered lost for now. Moscow will not be taken by the Nazis. Winter will work in our favor, as with our ferocious defensive capabilities. I need to know how the Fronts are doing. Zhukov shall be in charge of gathering these important pieces of information regarding the Western Front first, followed by the Reserve and finally the Bryansk Front. The Stakva has to take urgent steps to defend the capital.

The task that I will give Zhukov is clear, defend and concentrate on the defensive line in Moscow. Zhukov will ensure that a strong defense line will be created through Volokolamsk, Mozhaisk, Maloyaroslaverts and Kaluga and form Front reserves. He will need to utilise to his advantage, a system of road and rail communications that will enable troops to maneuver in all directions. This will be known as the Moscow Reserve Front!

Hitler has already lost six weeks in consolidating his forces from Leningrad towards Moscow, the rain has helped us in slowing them down. We have to exploit this advantage to the fullest. For now, 40% of our troops should be concentrated at the western approaches of Moscow. The Mozhaisk Defense Line is our priority! I need the troops to be withdrawn from the other fronts and focus on defending this 136-mile-wide line. we cannot afford a loophole or a slip up that the Germans can use to their advantage.

I will not be forced by Hitler and his tyrant ways to give up Moscow, as I had to do with Kiev and Leningrad. They are at the footsteps of our capital. I must repel them. Moscow will not be another Leningrad. I will, with all the power vested in me, ensure that that would not happen.

Stalin, Moscow

Leningrad Objective Abandoned, Moscow is next. (October 1941)

ZHUKOV, Leningrad

Commander of the Reserve Front

October 7 1941

Winter will be upon us soon. Leningrad is under siege but not lost. Hitler has lost his patience and will focus on Moscow now. Army Group North had largely surrounded the city, cutting off all supply routes to Leningrad. Leningrad is in a dire situation. But the Nazis have left the city and have joined Army Group South and Centre in their final push towards Moscow. The city is still being bombarded with artillery fire and from the air. However, Soviet air reconnaissance had earlier, already detected the transfer of troops, mechanized and tank columns towards the South and away from Leningrad and some are already in Moscow.

Our fronts are in danger of becoming severely exposed. We have suffered immense casualties and strategic losses. A portion of the Western and Reserve Front have just been surrounded west of Vyazma. Comrade Stalin will not be pleased about this. We need to rectify the situation if we are to survive another intended onslaught by the Germans in Moscow. I'm returning to Moscow immedidately. Fedyuninsky will take my place in Leningrad.

ZHUKOV, Leningrad

Commander of the Reserve Front

Battle of Kiev (September 1941)

General Heinz Guderian

September 1941

I failed to pursade Hitler to change the decision of turning my panzer group around and going for the Kiev. He reasoned that the raw materials and agriculture of Ukraine are more important for the future of the war, and added, “My generals know nothing about the economic aspects of war”. There’s no turning back now. The order had been made and the advance of Army Group Centre on Moscow will stop.

Our task now is to destroy the Russian Fifth Army and help Army Group South with the crossing of the Dnieper. After a month of bitter fighting, we were finally able to bring an end to the Battle of Kiev, destroying or capturing much of the enemy forces, on 26^th September.

About 665,000 Red Army soldiers were capture, among which was the Commander of the Fifth Army (Hereby referred to as FAC). I had a conversation with this officer.

I: “When did you learn that y tanks had penetrated behind you?”

FAC: “About the 8^th of September.”

I: “Why did you not evacuate Kiev at once?”

FAC: “We had received orders from the Army Group to evacuate the area and withdraw eastwards and had already begun to do so, when we received contrary orders to turn about and to defend Kiev in all circumstances.”

Undoubtedly, we achieved a great tactical victory at Kiev.

Heinz Guderian

End of Phase 1 (September 1941)

General Friedrich Paulus

September 1941

The development of the Eastern campaign went well thus far, but did not go exactly as we planned it. The Supreme Headquarters decided to hold the attack on Leningrad to avoid the high amount of losses that come with the capture of a big city. For the time being, we will seal it off.

Army Group Centre advanced so deep into enemy territories that its south flank is exposed and is ordered to halt to wait for Army Group South to advance. In the meantime, it is decided that Army Group Centre should turn south and go after enemy forces in the east of the Dnieper. In the north, Army Group North is reported to be having some difficulties dealing with its task and needed reinforcement from Army Group Centre.

Finally on 10^th September, the Kiev fell, but bitter fighting continued in Smolensk throughout. The Russians are fighting harder that we had thought they will. The headquarters ordered Army Group North to take Tikhvin and Volkhov to seize the bauxite mines, establish an eastern screen to seal off Leninggrad and establish contact with the Finnish Army.

The weather is getting from bad to worse and the winter is fast approaching. We must now decide whether to go on the defensive and hold our ground until spring next year. It is clear that the campaign will not be concluded within the timeframe we set ourselves.

Heil Hitler

Friedrich Paulus

Advancing through Russia

Summoned. (September 1941)

ZHUKOV, Moscow
Commander of the Reserve Front

September 8 1941

I commend the Soviet Army for making known to the Germans who exactly they have decided to invade! My comrades have fought an excellent and resilient offensive against the Germans off Smolensk. We've forced the German Fourth Panzer Army to evacuate from the Yelnya salient. We are responsible for Guderian's misery. Our vacillation between offensive and defensive strategies worked marvelously. We've managed to absorb much of the shock our of Hitler's Blitzkrieg warfare and finally turned the tables on them in terms of casualties and strategic advantage. Our shield is the 'Smolensk Line'! Curse to the Germans for attempting to hold onto Yelnya. We've manged to claim as many as five divisions of the German Army in the salient alone! Everything has gone as planned, save for that minor glitch with Stryana. We won't need to be on the offensive for now,

Stalin summoned me back to Moscow right after that minor success in Yelnya. He acknowledged I was right and that the Yelnya victory would be instrumental in defendingMoscow. Leningrad however, is now in peril danger. Voroshilov has lost his plot and the Leningrad Front would be hard to defend against the surrounding German forces. The priority remains with Stalingrad. Army Group Center will have to consolidate her forces and positions. I predict that the Germans will not begin an offensive towards Moscow just yet, but we have to be prepared nonetheless. Stalin seemed to listen to my opinions and took them into consideration. I was able to warn Stalin about the dangerous situation in Ukraine and the Southwestern Front. Once again I had to emphasize the need to abandon Kiev as there was simply no other way out. Army Group South would overwhelm our 21st Army and may break into the rear end of our Southwestern Front. I hope Stalin takes my word for it.

ZHUKOV, Moscow

Commander of the Reserve Front

Move of Soviet Union factories (September 1941)

Alexander Yakovlev, Soviet aircraft designer

1st September 1941

Orders from above, Gosplan, the state planning agency for the economy. We have been ordered to move, together with our factory, further into the depths of Western Siberia, a harsh place of extremely cold weather. Once production of the last Yak planes are completed, we are instructed to pull apart and bring every single part of our factory aboard trains, to be reassembled once we reached our final destination. We must leave Moscow before September is over.

It is clear why we are ordered to move. The war does not seem to be going well for us. Those German dogs draw closer to Moscow, their tanks staining the land of the mother Russia with each passing day. Every day, the threat of war to our beautiful capital becomes a reality, as German planes continue to bomb our glorious city to frightening our civilians into submission, and attempt to destroy our Army’s morale.

Though I much rather be anywhere else other than the cold of Siberia, a desolate place where one hardly sees deadlight, it seems a straight forward enough choice once the alternative of facing the German bombs is considered. Once we are back up in production in Siberia, I believe the planes we will produce will help pay the Germans back in kind the same type of misery they have heaped onto us.

Barbarossa Phase 1 (August 1941)

General Heinz Guderian
August 1941

On 22nd June 1941, the first dive-bomber went in and the war with Russia finally, began. The panzer divisions successfully crossed the river with the waterproofing we tested during Operation Sea-lion and I made my way across on an assault boat in the neighbourhood of Kolodno. Prior surveillance has shown that they knew nothing about our plans and indeed, the Russians did not put up a fight and ran when they saw us coming. Undoubtedly, we had taken them by surprise.

During the Fuhrer conference back in June, I was asked how long it would take me to reach Minsk, and I answered, five to six days. General Hoth occupied the city on the 26th of June and on the next day, I arrived at Minsk. From the information provided by General Hoth’s panzer group, we were told that a large number of Russian forces were completely surrounded by our encircling pincers. The foundations were being laid for the first great victory of the campaign.

Army Group Centre’s objective in the month of July was to take Smolensk. On the month of July, my panzer group crossed the Dnieper, suffering only some light casualties. I see signs of the enemy strengthening its resistance and the battles are getting tougher, but nonetheless we were able to overcome the enemy. On 15th July, the 29th motorized Infantry Division reached the southern outskirts of Smolensk and General Hoth’s panzer group north of Krasnyi. We were making good progress on our objective, but the number of casualties was increasing greatly. Requests for replacements were made, both in terms of men and equipment. We captured Smolensk on the 16th of July. For the rest of the month, we encountered fierce enemy resistance but were able to complete the encirclement. On the 26th of July, we completed the encirclement and a large number of Red Army soldiers were captured. The enemy in our rear was also successfully eliminated.

The very next day on the 27th of July, I flew to Borissov for a conference to receive my next instruction. There I had the unpleasant surprise of learning Hitler’s new plans. I was expecting to be told to continue my advance on Moscow, but was told to go Gomel to help the Second Army. **** German Vulgarities**** It meant that I will be turning around and head in a south-westernly direction! Back towards Germany! Hitler believes in encircling small enemy forces which will be easier to destroy without suffering heavy casualties. This is nonsense! All the officers in the conference were of the opinion that this is incorrect! It will be giving the Russians time to strengthen their defenses! The primary task at hand is to finish this campaign quickly.

On 29th July, Colonel Schmundt, brought me the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross. From him, I heard that Hitler had three objectives in mind. The north-east (Leningrad), Moscow and south-east (Ukraine). I urged Schmundt to do all in his power to advise Hitler to go for the 2nd option (Moscow) and avoid any other operations that will slow us down. I also requested for him to bring the new tanks online as soon as possible.

Heinz Guderian

Tanks spearhead of panzer group 2

Kiev Has To Be Forsaken (July 1941)

ZHUKOV
Chief Of The General Staff
July 28 1941

Just got sent out of Stalin's office for suggesting what was apparently the 'impossible' and' unthinkable' He's probably replacing me as Chief of the General Staff after that bold remark.

We have no choice but to surrender Kiev if we want to protect Moscow and prepare for the Nazi offensive into our capital city. Hitler is aiming for Moscow. He has already diverted his forces towards our capital city.We need all the time we can get to concentrate our forces behind the junction of the Central and Southwestern fronts. Kiev will have to be abandoned. Stalin was appalled at my proposal. I had no choice. I could not be sentimental at this point, we have to stop the Germans realistically and we will be foolish to hold onto Kiev.

We need to consolidate on the Western Direction and organize a counterstrike to liquidate the Yelnya salient which the Germans could use against Moscow.

Stalin is too emotionally attached to Kiev. I need to make a strategic stand about my decision. He can't trust me nor the position he entrusted me with. What use is the post of the ' Chief of the General Staff'. We need to stop the Nazi advance and ironically we need to give Kiev up, in order to protect Moscow.

Yelnya will be our chance to strike a counter offensive. Army Group Centre will be deprived of the Panzers. We have the opportunity to render their forces static and engage in multiple counterattacks and prevent the Nazis from using Yelnya. We will lose Kiev but we may not lose Leningrad. Moscow must remain the priority to defend at all costs. Stalin needs to hear this instead of sending me out!

ZHUKOV
Chief Of The General Staff

Strength of The Nazis' Betrayal (July 1941)

STALIN, Moscow

July 28 1941

The Nazis are obliterating us. Army Group North is poised to make it's final drive into Leningrad. Army Group Centre has taken Smolensk, Army Group South is in Kiev.

All is not looking good at all for our people. What the hell does Zhukov thinks he's playing at, giving up Kiev is certainly out of the question! He will no longer be the Chief of General Staff. Shaposhnikov shall replace him. We have managed without Lenin and we can all the better manage without Zhukov! This is no time to lose another foothold in this war.

According to Zhukov, either I lose Kiev or I lose Moscow in the end. We can't lose Moscow. I won't be the one who loses the Soviet Union to a bunch of Nazi barbarians. I'll see what Zhukov has to offer. If he wants a counteroffensive at Yelnya, he shall be in charge of it as Chief of The Reserve Front. We have to stop this losing! Time to get him back into my office.

STALIN, Moscow

Out Of My Coma (July 1941)

STALIN, Moscow

July 4 1941 

I've just addressed the Soviet Union and her people. We will retaliate and make Hitler pay for violating the agreement. The betrayal did take it's toll on me. Hitler's betrayal is not just a mortal threat to the Soviet Union but a direct threat to me. The Red Army will fight to the death and repel this treacherous invasion by the Nazis.

After meeting with Comrade Zhukov and my other comrade generals on several occasions, plans have been drawn up to counter this invasion. Counter attack on all fronts is imperative. We can't afford to lose any more time, ground or men. No more discussions are needed, things instead need to be done.

I have already shown that I have no qualms executing and removing incompetence from my Army. We cannot lose another city to the Germans.

I've already lost Minsk to incompetence coupled with the immense forces of the Nazis. Lithuania, Latvia and Belorussia have also been abandoned. Estonia, Ukraine and Moldavia have now been invaded. 15 divisions lost in a matter of days and the Nazis have already reached the Western Dvina River. Army Group South are heading towards Kiev. Something drastic needs to be done before we lose these territories to Hitler as well. I do not care for the specifics, be it Army Group South or North, I just want him halted and destroyed.

STALIN, Moscow

Stalin's Statism (June 1941)

ZHUKOV, Moscow

Chief Of the General Staff

1941 June 28

Currently in Moscow. Chief Stalin finally snapped out of his 'coma' and didn't waste anytime in devising his plan to destroy the Nazis. Bombing German cities were definitely out of the question since the Western Military District alone had lost 738 aircraft.

Every function of the state dealing with defense was turned over to military command by Stalin. Districts were converted into fronts. The Baltic, Western and Kiev districts were now military fronts. Stalin demanded a counter attack by all fronts. Too little was known of the German forces, a general counter attack would not be feasible nor possible. We need more air support and another corps or two.

We have now three fronts against the Germans; Northwestern, Western and Southwestern. we are still at a disadvantage nonetheless.

Many mistakes had already been made, and we are continuously giving Germans the advantage in this war. Standard procedures for alerting the troops would have been much more efficient in preparing the Red Army to face the Nazis. I'm now in the Western Front after being recalled from the Southwestern Front by Chief Stalin, the western front is in an exceedingly grave state.

ZHUKOV, Moscow

Chief Of the General Staff

Peace Destroyed by The Nazis (June 1941)

STALIN

June 23 1941, Moscow

It is impossible. I can't believe the Germans have broken the pact. I refused to believe it even till the point Molotov came back with the announcement that the German government had declared war on us. War is upon us prematurely. There is nothing much that we can do with the might of German forces and the infant nature of our own in comparison. The invasion has developed on all strategic directions. Maybe we can reverse this. Somehow I still hope to escape this war with the Germans. Hopefully by restricting our army and navy from violating the German borders. The Germans will think twice about this mistake. Maybe the Germans will reconsider this treacherous decision to invade us when we've agreed prior to non- agression. This must a mistake. Setting up the Stakav is secondary at the moment. We have to face the german forces head on now. Timoshenko is to command the Western Direction. Voroshilov to command the Northwestern and Budenny, the Southwestern. Failure is not an option.

STALIN

22 June 1941

Getting Allies (June 1941)

General Friedrich Paulus
June 1941

The transit of troops to their assembly areas for the Eastern campaign began since July 1940. We had also taken the necessary steps to encourage active participation from our allies. In February this year, we established contact with the Finnish General Staff to discuss the conduct of joint operations in Russia. After a joint reconnaissance tour, the final details of this operation were settled in Oslo on 3rd March.

The Fuhrer worked hard to secure the participation of Hungary. With Germany’s help, she can regain and extend the land she lost during the Great War, and with a Rumania which is growing stronger every day, allying with Germany will ensure that she is not left out.

With the recent developments in Jugoslavia, the Fuhrer decided to invade Jugoslavia to protect the flank of the offensive in Greece. Representing the Army Headquarters, I was deployed to Budapest to negotiate for the participation of Hungary, of which agreement was quickly reached.

With the Balkans campaign now behind us, we can at last focus on the Eastern campaign lying ahead of us. Moscow is our primary objective. The elimination of enemy forces in the Baltic States and capture of Leningrad and Kronstadt is the key to the protection of our advance to Moscow. Leningrad is the main base for the Baltic Fleet, a key industrial city and at the same time, a strategic assembly area for a counter-offensive. Thus, the capture of Leningrad is our first objective in this campaign.

Heil Hitler

Friedrich Paulus

An Immense Task Ahead (June 1941)

General Heinz Guderian

June 1941

Looking at the immense task lying ahead of me, I concentrated my efforts on training and equipping my division. Unfortunately, German vehicle production below our required level and the Fuhrer ordered the use of inferior French vehicles for the new divisions. I fear the quality of these vehicles may not stand up to the challenge of the eastern front.

Complications in Belgrade in March caused some delays in our Russian plans, but those were quickly dealt with and the troops involved now withdrawn and relocated for Barbarossa. In addition, the rainy spring season of May flooded the Bug and made it almost impassable, causing us further delay in our plans. The delay is worrying as it pushes us nearer to the Russian winter. Nonetheless, the high command is unshaken in the faith of completing the campaign in eight to ten weeks.

On June 14^th, the Fuhrer held a speech to all commanders of Army Groups in Berlin. He explained that the reason for attacking Russia was due to the stalemate in the battle of Britain. In order to defeat England, he believes that we have to dominate the Continent, and our position will only be unassailable when Russia had been defeated. In my opinion, the arguments were unconvincing. As long as the war with England remained unconcluded, any new campaign will result in a two front war.

From the available information, I estimate the strength of the German Army to be as follows.

• Total: 205 divisions
• West: 38 divisions
• Norway: 12 divisions
• Denmark: 1 division
• Balkans: 7 divisions
• Libya: 2 divisions

And therefore, 145 divisions available for operation Barbarossa.

After the Fuhrer’s speech, I flew to Warsaw to prepare for the opening attack. My panzer group – panzer group 2 – belongs to Army Group Centre, the only group with two panzer groups allotted to it. General Hoth’s panzer group 3 will be positioned to my immediate north.

Our group’s mission will be to cross the Bug on either side of Brest-Litovsk and break through Russian positions. We are to advance to the area Roslavl-Elnya-Smolensk and prevent the enemy from regrouping and forming a new front. From there we will receive further instructions of our next objective. The main problem of my panzer group will be one of geography. While the fortifications of Brest-Litovsk are obsolete, the combination of the Bug, the Muchaview and water-filled ditches makes them immune to tank attack. The infantry will have to lead the attack.

Heinz Guderian

Hero of The Soviet Union and more.(January 1941)

ZHUKOV

Chief of the General Staff

January 1941, Moscow

It is my great honor and duty to be awarded another promotion under Commander Stalin. Commander Stalin has just appointed me Chief of the General Staff. After being Commander of the Kiev Special Military District, I have realized that there is a more urgent need to prepare the Red Army in the event of an invasion. Strategy is key. Studying the geographic and strategic loopholes is of utmost importance, if we are to survive an attack on Mother Russia. Britain and the Nazis have fought a long hard battle. As much as we hope for them to wear each other out, we can never know what the Western Powers are up to. Our trust in the Nazis cannot be idealistic as well. We have to prepare for possible war by enhancing our war making capabilities, refining our strategic deployment of troops, and mobilizing our industries for war production. It is my honorable duty to defend what Commander Stalin has entrusted me with.

ZHUKOV

Chief of the General Staff