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On the 18th December 1940 Hitler issued formal orders to the German armed forces to begin the detailed planning for the invasion of Russia, known as Operation Barbarossa. -
Directive No. 21 – Case Barbarossa
The German Armed Forces must be prepared, even before the conclusion of the war against England, to crush Soviet Russia in a rapid campaign.
The Army will have to employ all available formations to this end, with the reservation that occupied territories must be insured against surprise attacks.
The Airforce will have to make available for this eastern campaign supporting forces of such strength that the Army will be able to bring land operations to a speedy conclusion and that eastern Germany will be as little damaged as possible by enemy air attack. This build up of a focal point in the east will be limited only by the need to protect from air attack the whole combat and arsenal area which we control, and to ensure that attacks on England, and especially upon her imports, are not allowed to lapse.
The main efforts of the Navy will continue to be directed against England even during the eastern campaign.
In certain circumstances I shall issue orders for the deployment against Soviet Russia eight weeks before the operation is timed to begin.
Preparations which require more time than this will be put in hand now, in so far as this has not already been done, and will be concluded by 15th May, 1941.
It is of decisive importance that our intention to attack should not be known.
Directive No. 21 – Case Barbarossa
The German Armed Forces must be prepared, even before the conclusion of the war against England, to crush Soviet Russia in a rapid campaign.
The Army will have to employ all available formations to this end, with the reservation that occupied territories must be insured against surprise attacks.
The Airforce will have to make available for this eastern campaign supporting forces of such strength that the Army will be able to bring land operations to a speedy conclusion and that eastern Germany will be as little damaged as possible by enemy air attack. This build up of a focal point in the east will be limited only by the need to protect from air attack the whole combat and arsenal area which we control, and to ensure that attacks on England, and especially upon her imports, are not allowed to lapse.
The main efforts of the Navy will continue to be directed against England even during the eastern campaign.
In certain circumstances I shall issue orders for the deployment against Soviet Russia eight weeks before the operation is timed to begin.
Preparations which require more time than this will be put in hand now, in so far as this has not already been done, and will be concluded by 15th May, 1941.
It is of decisive importance that our intention to attack should not be known.