Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union by the German forces of the Third Reich on 22 June, 1941, was the largest military operation in world history in both manpower and casualties. Its failure was a turning point in the Third Reichs fortunes. Most importantly, Operation Barbarossa opened up the Eastern Front, to which more forces were committed than in any other theater of war in world history. Regions covered by the operation became the site of some of the largest battles, deadliest atrocities, highest casualties, and most horrific conditions. The German forces captured over three million Soviet prisoners of war in 1941, who were not granted the protection stipulated in the Geneva Conventions. Most of them never returned alive.Germany deliberately starved the prisoners to death as part of its Hunger Plan, i.e., the program to reduce the Eastern European population. [Photos: in the wake of the German invasion]
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 15:28:39 +0000
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