22nd of June 1941 Germany invades USSR

Before dawn on June 22, 1941 German forces invaded the Soviet Union with 134 Divisions at full fighting strength and 73 more divisions for deployment behind the front. That was the biggest WWII German operation. Three army groups, including more than three million German soldiers, supported by 650,000 troops from Germany's allies (Finland and Romania), and later augmented by units from Italy, Croatia, Slovakia and Hungary, attacked the Soviet Union across a broad front, from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south. Germany and its Axis partners thus achieved almost complete tactical surprise. Much of the existing Soviet air force was destroyed on the ground; the Soviet armies were initially overwhelmed. German units encircled millions of Soviet soldiers, who, being cut off from supplies and reinforcements, had few options other than to surrender. As the German army advanced deeper into Soviet territory, Einsatzgruppen (mobile killing units) followed the troops and implemented mass-murder operations.

War on the Eastern front was the most devastating war in human history.

This day we mourn all those who died fighting, were killed in captivity, died behind  of starvation and deseases. We remember those who payed the ultimate price defendig their Motherland, proud of the courage and heroism of the soldiers, officers, we should never forget the dedication of homefront workers — women, old men and children. We most profoundly grateful to all those who scarificed their lives.

Lest we forget.

War Thunder Team