Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), leader of Nazi Germany, attacked the USSR on 22 June 1941 with the largest army ever assembled. The Axis offensive of June-December 1941 was code-named Operation Barbarossa ('Redbeard') after Frederick Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor (r. 1155-90). Despite Axis victories, the Red Army, with larger reserves and better supply lines, remained resilient.
More about: Operation BarbarossaDefinition
Timeline
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Jun 1941 - Dec 1941Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's failed attempt to conquer the USSR.
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Jun 1941 - Jul 1941Battle of Białystok–Minsk during Operation Barbarossa. Axis victory over the USSR.
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22 Jun 1941Launch of Operation Barbarossa where Axis troops attack the USSR.
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Jul 1941 - Aug 1941Battle of Uman during Operation Barbarossa. Axis victory over the USSR.
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Jul 1941 - Sep 1941Battle of Smolensk during Operation Barbarossa. Axis victory over the USSR.
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Jul 1941 - Sep 1941Battle of Kiev during Operation Barbarossa. Axis victory over the USSR.
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Sep 1941 - Oct 1941Battle of the Sea of Azov during Operation Barbarossa. Axis victory over the USSR.
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Sep 1941 - Jan 1944The Siege of Leningrad begins during Operation Barbarossa. USSR victory over Axis forces.
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Oct 1941Battle of Bryansk during Operation Barbarossa. Axis victory over the USSR.
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Oct 1941 - Jan 1942Battle of Moscow during Operation Barbarossa. USSR victory over Axis forces.
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Oct 1941 - Jul 1942Siege of Sevastopol begins during Operation Barbarossa. Axis victory over the USSR.
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Nov 1941 - Dec 1941Battle of Rostov during Operation Barbarossa. USSR victory over Axis forces.
