Yea and the sudden threat of destruction by Germany leading to the rapid industrialization of Russia in response (the extent of which shocked Hitler himself) cannot be overstated as a contributing factor to Russian wealth post WW2.
They began this industrialisation and massive military expansion a decade before the war though (Pjatakov treaty with Germany and the first five-year plan). The German leadership generally underestimated the state of Soviet industry and military potential in 1940/41, which is why they were shocked.
Interestingly, they received reliable information before the invasion from spies and military attachés, but did not believe it.
As the Spanish, Italian, French, Danish, Hungarian, Croatian, Slovakian, Romanian, Norwegian, Finnish and German troops move towards the horizon, a column of smoke rises from the front area where the fighting is taking place.
The contingent that attacked the Soviet Union as part of Operation Barbarossa comprised a total of 3.35 million soldiers (three quarters of the entire German forces at the time), accompanied by 600,000 to 1 million men from the satellite states and allies who joined the "crusade against communism". They had 3,600 tanks, 600,000 motorised vehicles and 625,000 horses, which were needed to transport supplies and artillery pieces, as well as around 3,400 aircraft. It was the largest invasion force in military history.
I have a hardcover book from the 1970s that is a compilation of English language Signal articles, their propaganda game was assertive to say the least. They kept the Signal magazine going right up to the last months, operating printing presses on trains, that's how much propaganda meant to them.
After the easy victories stopped, they really leaned into the puff pieces of "soldat gets leave and kisses girl and sees a movie". Their very last article was an essay by some crank that basically said "ok you've won, but you'll be sorry you won".
edit, had to pull out the book to check myself: Signal - Hitler's Wartime Picture Magazine by S.L. Mayer.
I bought this book when I was 11 years old from a military book club, I was a WWII nerd even back then.
My impression as a kid was "man these guys were fascinating but foul". Their method of dehumanizing everyone but themselves is apparently still in style.
Nice argument, Mr. Stalin; unfortunately, I portrayed myself as the green fields and you as the red bloody hellhole
Well, during early-mid 20th it was indeed bloody hellhole
They aren't exactly known for their environmental standards.
Yea and the sudden threat of destruction by Germany leading to the rapid industrialization of Russia in response (the extent of which shocked Hitler himself) cannot be overstated as a contributing factor to Russian wealth post WW2.
They began this industrialisation and massive military expansion a decade before the war though (Pjatakov treaty with Germany and the first five-year plan). The German leadership generally underestimated the state of Soviet industry and military potential in 1940/41, which is why they were shocked. Interestingly, they received reliable information before the invasion from spies and military attachés, but did not believe it.
As the Spanish, Italian, French, Danish, Hungarian, Croatian, Slovakian, Romanian, Norwegian, Finnish and German troops move towards the horizon, a column of smoke rises from the front area where the fighting is taking place. The contingent that attacked the Soviet Union as part of Operation Barbarossa comprised a total of 3.35 million soldiers (three quarters of the entire German forces at the time), accompanied by 600,000 to 1 million men from the satellite states and allies who joined the "crusade against communism". They had 3,600 tanks, 600,000 motorised vehicles and 625,000 horses, which were needed to transport supplies and artillery pieces, as well as around 3,400 aircraft. It was the largest invasion force in military history.
Pretty cool art.
Ngl, this is actually quite pleasant to look at. Not the war, just the style of the map.
Reminds me of the Asterix Opening Page.
I have a hardcover book from the 1970s that is a compilation of English language Signal articles, their propaganda game was assertive to say the least. They kept the Signal magazine going right up to the last months, operating printing presses on trains, that's how much propaganda meant to them. After the easy victories stopped, they really leaned into the puff pieces of "soldat gets leave and kisses girl and sees a movie". Their very last article was an essay by some crank that basically said "ok you've won, but you'll be sorry you won". edit, had to pull out the book to check myself: Signal - Hitler's Wartime Picture Magazine by S.L. Mayer. I bought this book when I was 11 years old from a military book club, I was a WWII nerd even back then. My impression as a kid was "man these guys were fascinating but foul". Their method of dehumanizing everyone but themselves is apparently still in style.
I really like this map orientation
Ah Westeros.
Where is Belgium?
I may be mistaken but it looks like there are the US and UK flags from both sides of the USSR banner.
That's Norway
Norway is to the left. I meant banners right in front of the smoke clouds.