Figure 1.-- A surprising aspect of Barbarossa is the extent to which played a decisive element. German commanders were aware of the cold winter weather andc experienced with cold weather. German commanders after the War writing their memoirs often mentioned the weather, finding this preferable to admitting they were beaten by the Red Army which that first year they saw a an undisciplined rabble. Soviet commanders answered with the simple reply, "Even a school boy knows it snows in Russia." So how could the Germans have been so poorly prepared when the weather turned cold.

A surprising aspect of Barbarossa is the extent to which played a decisive element. The Wehrmacht assumed that the staggering victories in the Summer had ireversibly crippled the Red Army. There were thus no preparations made such as winter clothing or assessing the performance of weapons and equipment in extemely cold winter conditions. Hitler had assummed that the camapign would defeat the Soviets in a summer campaign before the onset of Winter. The weather by November had turned cold, but not bitter cold. This changed in late November when Moscow was enveloped in bitter cold, virtually Arctic conditions. German caualties from frostbite began to mout. But it was not just the suffering of the men that afflicted the German advance. Their great advantage had been their mechamized equipment proividing great striking power and mobility. The German equioment was increasingly imobilized by the weather. German lubriucants in particular were not designed to function in severe Winter conditions. Red Army units also suffered in the cold weather, but they were trained and equipped to deal with it. And they had the proper lubricants for their tanks and other vehicles. German commanders after the War writing their memoirs often mentioned the weather, finding this preferable to admitting they were beaten by the Red Army which that first year they saw a an undisciplined rabble. Soviet commanders answered with the simple reply, "even aschool boy knows it snows in Russia." The Wehrmscht's failure to prepare for the Winter is a fascinating aspect of Barbarossa. German commanders were well educated in military campaigns and knew of the imporance of weather. And all were conversant with Napoleon's disasterous 1812 campaign. And Germany is a northern European country acustomed to cold winters. It was not just the cold, the autumn rains and mud were also a factor, but cold and snow proved decisive. So how could the Germans have been so poorly prepared?

Planning

A surprising aspect of Barbarossa is the extent to which played a decisive element. Hitler planed for a quick campaign in the East that would be decided in a matter of weeks during the Summer. Thus the issue before the onset of Winter. The Wehrmacht assumed that the staggering victories in the Summer had ireversibly crippled the Red Army. There were thus no preparations made such as winter clothing or assessing the performance of weapons and equipment in extemely cold winter conditions.

The Weather

The weather that first impact the Wehrmacht was the Fall rains. They turned the unimproved Russian roads into impassble rivers of mud. The weather by November had turned cold, but not bitter cold. This changed in late November when Moscow was enveloped in bitter cold, virtually Arctic conditions.

Impact

German caualties from frostbite began to mount. But it was not just the suffering of the men that afflicted the German advance. Their great advantage had been their mechamized equipment proividing great striking power and mobility. The German equioment was increasingly imobilized by the weather. German lubriucants in particular were not designed to function in severe Winter conditions. Red Army units also suffered in the cold weather, but they were trained and equipped to deal with it. And they had the proper lubricants for their tanks and other vehicles.

Post War Assessment

German commanders after the War writing their memoirs often mentioned the weather, finding this preferable to admitting they were beaten by the Red Army which that first year they saw a an undisciplined rabble. Soviet commanders answered with the simple reply, "Even a school boy knows it snows in Russia."

Planning Failure

Logistical Problem

Another major problem for the front line German soldier was the Wehrmacht's logistical system. The German Army had many strengths. But one of the weakest part of the military was its logistiocal system. German officers interested in building a military career wanted to establish a battle record. There was little interest in logistics. And the rapid drive east had put an enormous strain on an already weak logistical system. Supplying troops in Western Europe with its elsborate net work of developed roads, rail network and canal barges was one mstter. Supplying troops 1,000 mile east with a virualy medievil road system was a very different matter. It was not that winter uniforms did not exist. ikt was jist as they were sitting in German warehouses while the Wehrmscht logistical system struggled o get amunition, food, and petrol to the frontline troops. And thst was before the weather turned bas.

Created: 6:02 AM 3/12/2010
Last updated: 6:02 AM 3/12/2010