Operation Barbarossa and the Holocaust

the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

Russian army forces are encircled at key cities across the Soviet Union.

Panzergruppe 2 and 3 now form up as part of General Gunther von Kluge's 4th Panzer Army

Gurderian's army moves south towards Mogliev.

Soviet defenses at Brest-Litovsk, Bialystok, Volkovysk, Gorodishche and Minsk fall to the invading German Army.

The Soviet 20th Army arrives in Smolensk

Marshal Timoshenkko and his 4th and 13th Armies near the Sohz River counterattack the Germans at Smolensk

The German Army begins to tighten the noose around the encircled Soviet forces numbering some 25 divisions.

gives directive calls for the army to complete the destruction of Soviet forces around Smolensk and then head South to tackle forces in Kiev instead of marching on Moscow herself - this decision is viewed as the turning point to Germany's defeat in Russia.

The drive nets a total of 600,00 Russian prisoners of war, 5,700 tanks and 4,600 artillery pieces.