In the summer of 1941, the German attack on the Soviet Union, code-named Operation Barbarossa, began with a surprise attack. Huge armies mobilised for the largest campaign ever.

Stalin’s armies were positioned very west of the German army, which offered the opportunity to encircle them. This could have decided the war at an early stage.

The army group north (Heeresgruppe Nord) also had to attack quickly in depth and destroy the Red Army before the river Düna. It would turn out differently....