Map of Operation Barbarossa

Illustration

Simeon Netchev
by
published on 14 March 2025
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This map illustrates the unfolding of Operation Barbarossa, the code name for Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, launched on June 22, 1941 during the Second World War (1939-45). It was the largest military operation in history, involving over three million Axis troops and aiming to quickly defeat the Soviet Union through a three-pronged attack toward Leningrad in the north, Moscow in the center, and Ukraine in the south.

The campaign initially saw rapid German advances, with major Soviet defeats at the battle of Białystok-Minsk, the battle of Smolensk in 1941, and the battle of Kiev in 1941, leading to the capture of millions of Soviet soldiers. However, logistical challenges, stiff Soviet resistance, and the onset of winter stalled the offensive, culminating in the failure to capture Moscow by December 1941. The operation marked a turning point in WWII, as the prolonged German-Soviet war ultimately led to the destruction of the Third Reich.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher passionate about the human stories behind past events. He believes every image should tell a story and spark interaction, while each map leads on a journey, blending imagination with education.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2025, March 14). Map of Operation Barbarossa. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20201/map-of-operation-barbarossa/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Operation Barbarossa." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified March 14, 2025. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20201/map-of-operation-barbarossa/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Operation Barbarossa." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 14 Mar 2025. Web. 14 Mar 2025.

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