military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (06/22/91)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Sunday, 22 June, 1941 German troops attack the Soviet Union. Germany masses some 3.2 million men in 151 divisions, with 3350 tanks, 7184 guns, and 1945 aircraft. Also on the attack are 18 Finnish, 14 Rumanian, and 2 Hungarian divisions. The Red Army consists of about 2.5 million men in 132 divisions, over 20,000 tanks, and 7700 aircraft. The offensive breaks at 0415 hours with artillery barrages and infantry advances. At dawn, the Luftwaffe begins its attacks on Soviet airfields; by noon, 1200 Soviet aircraft are destroyed, and by nightfall, 1800, including 300 shot down, against 35 German planes lost. The Germans are equally successful on the ground; Army Group North advances over 40 miles, while Army Group Center seizes vital Bug River bridges intact. The Soviet forces quickly begin to retreat along the length of the front, but local forces make scattered stands. A garrison at the fortress of Brest-Litovsk manages to hold the citadel despite determined German attacks. Italy and Rumania join Germany in her declaration of war. Churchill promises to send aid to the USSR. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "The government appeals to you, men and women, citizens of the Soviet Union, to unite more closely than ever round the glorious Bolshevist party, the Soviet government, and our great leader, Comrade Stalin. Our cause is just. The enemy will be defeated. Victory will be ours." - Soviet Foreign Commissar Viachyslav Molotov