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