Reasons operation Barbarossa failed

Question 1

Supply problems
1)underestimating the length
2)Not stopping
3)Scorched earth

Answer 1

Hitler underestimated the length of the campaign and hence did not logistically account for a long, drawn out campaign.
He said, on the 22nd of June 41- “We have only to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down.”.

When invading a country it is important for an army to stop and gather itself, establish supply lines and then continue forward. Old Adolf did not do that. His supply lines became hopelessly overstretched, and he was unable to adequately supply the Wehrmacht.

Resources that the germans hoped to collect in their campaign were burnt in a scorch-earth policy.

Historian David Glantz said- “The failure to secure adequate supplies was one of the main reasons for the German defeat in the east.” -

Question 2

Equipment

Answer 2

German equipment such as tanks and planes were not designed to withstand the tremendously cold temperatures of around -30 degrees. Mechanical problems.

German troops additionally did not have access to adequate winter clothing

Question 3

Brutalities and the einzatzgruppen

Answer 3

The genocidal campaign of terror that hitler inflicted on the slavs in the captured parts of the soviet union were broadcasted publically by Stalin, who used them to instill fear and inspire bravery amongst the Soviet people.

-It increased patriotism, fortified by the fact that stalin chose to remain in Moscow.

Question 4

Soviet vs German command structure

Answer 4

Stalin decentralized the command structure, allowing generals independence, and restored a more traditional command structure, giving his troops more confidence.

Hitler, on the other hand, chose to control even more of the militaries actions, a grave mistake considering the talent of officers like erich von manstein, and Friedrich paulus(gerd von rundstedt too)
Implications in the German breakout from the kessel in stalingrad- Operation Citadel- mantein wanted to go early- hitler wanted to go late- 800 aircraft destroyed.

Question 5

Irreplicable tanks and aircraft (stat)

Answer 5

328 per division- summer 41
73- per division- summer 43

Question 6

Communications

Answer 6

Richard overy believed that improved radio communications allowed soviet commanders to direct complex ops