ABSTRACT
When the Germans attacked the Russians on 22nd June, 1941, the Red Army was completely taken by surprise. Nobody was more surprised about the surprise of the Russians than the Germans themselves. For weeks there had been rumours about the coming German attack, and the Germans had been anxiously watching Stalin’s reaction. In the beginning of December, 1941, the German operations came to a halt. Shortly before this the Soviets had begun their counter-offensive, starting in the south and then, on 6th December, opening up in the centre before Moscow. The Soviets’ Japanese network transmitted to Moscow intelligence of very much greater importance, intelligence which made it possible for the Russians to transfer their Siberian reserves to the European theatre of war. Hitler’s strategy suited the Soviets down to the ground; their victories so far had been won in counter-offensives.
