Chapter 6- The Campaign in Russia Summary and Analysis

There is tension with the Soviet Union, which in 1940 has occupied numerous border territories. Hitler begins to plan Operation Barbarossa, an attack on the Soviet Union. In the meantime, Mussolini of Italy attacks Greece in October 1940, which is a military failure. The Italians are defeated at Tobruk in Africa, and strong German forces have to be sent to fight in the Balkans and Africa. Guderian feels that German tank production is insufficient for the coming Russian campaign. German tank production is only 1,000 tanks a year.

Preparations- Guderian is given the command of Panzer Group 2 in Army Group Centre of the Russian front. Three army groups attack Russia on June 22nd, 1941. The plan is to seize the Smolensk area in Central Russia. Guderian plans to capture the city of Minsk in the...