---
title: Map of Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s Invasion of USSR: World War II’s decisive 1941 campaign in the East
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20201/map-of-operation-barbarossa-nazi-germanys-invasion/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-06-22
---
# Map of Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s Invasion of USSR: World War II’s decisive 1941 campaign in the East
_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20201.png)
## Image Caption
*[Operation Barbarossa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Operation_Barbarossa/)* (22 June–December 1941) was the codename for Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union during the Second World [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) (1939–1945). Launched by [Adolf Hitler](https://www.worldhistory.org/Adolf_Hitler/) (rule 1933–1945), it was not only a military campaign but also an ideological war of [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/), racial violence, and destruction. Nazi Germany sought to defeat the Soviet state, seize agricultural land, oil, and industrial resources, destroy communism, and impose a brutal colonial order in eastern [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/). More than three million German and Axis troops advanced along three main axes: Army Group North toward Leningrad, Army Group Centre toward Smolensk and Moscow, and Army Group South into Ukraine. In the opening months, the Wehrmacht achieved major operational victories, including the encirclements at Białystok–Minsk, Smolensk, Uman, and Kiev, inflicting catastrophic losses on the Red Army.
Despite these early successes, Barbarossa failed to achieve its decisive strategic aims. German planning underestimated Soviet manpower, industrial capacity, political resilience, and the logistical demands of campaigning across such vast distances. By autumn 1941, supply lines were overstretched, Soviet resistance had stiffened, and the German advance slowed before Leningrad, Moscow, and the deeper objectives in Ukraine. The Soviet counteroffensive before Moscow in December 1941 ended Hitler’s expectation of a short war and transformed the Eastern Front into a prolonged conflict of attrition.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## About the Author
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Netchev, S. (2026, June 22). Map of Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s Invasion of USSR: World War II’s decisive 1941 campaign in the East. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s Invasion of USSR: World War II’s decisive 1941 campaign in the East." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 22, 2026. .
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s Invasion of USSR: World War II’s decisive 1941 campaign in the East." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Jun 2026, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 22 June 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.