Operation Barbarossa, 22nd June 1941
3 million German troops, 3500 tanks, 7100 large artillery units, and 2000 aircraft moved into USSR along eastern front + FInland joined on 25th to reclaim territories
-> complete surprise to USSR leading to destruction of territory, factories, cities - 1st day 25% of USSR airforce was destroyed
-> by July, main G army was only 325km away from Moscow
-> mid nov only 32km from moscow but due to counter-attack unable to capture
USSR - 3 million killed, 3.5 million captured, 20,500 tanks losts
G+Allies - 250,000 killed, 500,000 wounded,2750 tanks lost