"The world will hold its breath!" - Adolf Hitler. In this episode we delve into Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's audacious invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The morning of June 22nd, 1941, witnessed four million men surging across the borders between the USSR and the German Reich, beginning the largest land invasion in world history. We explore the backstory of this invasion and uncover why it took Joseph Stalin by surprise. Through the diaries of frontline soldiers, we gain insights into the first few hours of the invasion and the unpreparedness of the Red Army. We also delve into Hitler's twisted worldview, drawing from extracts of his memoir, 'Mein Kampf,' to understand his vision of Lebensraum and his chilling extermination plan for the Slavic people. America's entry into World War II is often see as a turning point, but Operation Barbarossa, often overshadowed, was equally pivotal. This episode is the first of a four-part series, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss part two. ⚡Help support the show on Patreon check out our supporting reels on Instagram, see our sources used for this episode on our website and receive email updates whenever a new episode drops by joining our mailing list.⚡ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices