Originally posted by Tshern
[quote=WrathfulDwarf]When you think about it....Hitler's attack on Russian wasn't really stupid. See, he knew history...and he new Napoleon had suceed invading Russia. He knew once inside Russia he would have conquer the eastern front which was the most bloodiest of the war.
The idea itself was not that stupid, but the way of carrying it out sucked big time. I can explain it briefly and simplyfying.
Firstly, Hitler didn't have a main goal that would be the top priority which would get the main support of the army. Instead of setting a definitive goal, like reaching and capturing Moscow, his opinions changed all the time and that made organising the attack extremely difficult.
Secondly, he let his racial prejudice to step in between of him and the victory. During the first months of Operation Barbarossa many soldiers of the USSR surrendered and asked permissions to help German soldiers to overthrow Stalin. Hitler disregarded them and sent them to work in labour camps. Some historians estimate that out of 3 million Russians working in the labour camps perhaps 2 million would have helped Germany.
Thirdly, at first he accepted the plan made by Erich Marcks, who had created a great plan consisting of two main objectives: 1. Destroying the main weapon facilities of the USSR, these factories were located around Moscow, Leningrad and Ukraine. 2. Conquering Moscow. The big H and Germany's military management accepted the plan and regarded it magnificent. Later Hitler decided to carry out a worse plan and the results were explained already...
Fourthly, Stalin managed to turn his people against Hitler. That's what you get for not taking them along, Mister H. They fervently fought against the Nazis even though most of their officers sucked.
Fifthly, the Soviet Union had more resources, soldiers and possibilities to make more military equipment. Germany was simply outproduced.
Russia's advantage in resources was easy to see in the battle of Stalingrad as Germans were simply outlasted. [/QUOTE]
Yeah Hitler pretty much sucks.