Operation Barbarossa

At its time, Operation Barbarossa was the largest offensive in military history. On June 22, 1941, over 4 million axis troops crossed the border into the Soviet Union. They were supported by thousands of tanks, fighters, bombers and assault guns. Initially, it was a great success, destroying every aspect of the Soviet war machine on the Axis' way to Moscow. The Axis advance was actually quite remarkable, considering the ground they covered in the time they did it. However, like Napoleon's great offensive in the early 19th century, the weather would eventually defeat Hitler's ambitious invasion. By December 2, advancing troops of the German army could see the Kremlin. However, the blizzards that set in would lead to a massive Soviet counter offensive, marking the beginning of the end for Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union.