Crimea was a critical asset to hold for Germany’s plans for its summer 1942 offensive. Especially its best harbour, and the base for the Soviet Black Sea Fleet: Sevastopol. / The Battle of Sevastopol, 1942
Season 1
The plan for 1942: Fall Blau—Episode 26
As the first anniversary of Operation Barbarossa approaches, the Soviet high command knows that the Germans are planning another major offensive. But the Germans have a way of surprising their enemies. Map 1: The Soviets push back the Germans, winter 1942 Map 2: German Case Blue objectives, 1942 Map 3:…
Season 1
David Stahel: A clear perspective on the Eastern Front, part 2—Episode 24
David Stahel reveals the real reason that Operation Barbarossa failed, a conclusion he reached after the deepest research into wehrmacht records. Author of Operation Barbarossa and Germany’s Defeat in the East, as well as several other books on the Second World War in the east, he’s a Senior Lecturer in European History…
Season 1
The Soviet Winter Offensive, 1942: Beyond Barbarossa, episode 22
Stalin orders a general counter-offensive designed to drive the Germans back to Berlin by the end of 1942. Does it work? Map 1: The Soviet counter-offensive, Winter 1941–1942 Map 2: The Rzhev salient Map 3: The Lozovoya-Toropets offensive Sources: David Glantz, Operation Barbarossa: Hitler’s Invasion of Russia, 1941. Stroud, Gloucestershire,…
Season 1
The death of Barbarossa: Episode 18
In December 1941, the German army meets its match: General Winter arrives. So do huge Soviet reinforcements, and the Wehrmacht’s advance on Moscow halts and has to back up. Map 1: The Moscow Counter-Offensive, December 1941 Map 2: Tikhvin and Leningrad, Nobember 1941 Sources: David Glantz, Operation Barbarossa: Hitler’s Invasion…