The Battle of Russia Reel 3 - Germany’s Balkan Conquests and Russian Resistance

From the Balkans to the Eastern Front: Germany Targets Russia


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Reel 3 of The Battle of Russia (1943) details the expansion of Nazi Germany across Europe and its eventual assault on the Soviet Union. Beginning with a map of German-occupied territories in the late 1930s, the reel illustrates Hitler’s dominance by March 1941, with Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria under German control. It highlights Italy’s failed invasion of Greece, followed by Germany’s devastating air and ground assault on Yugoslavia and Greece, completing the conquest of the Balkans.
The focus then shifts to Russia’s preparation for war, with scenes of its robust industrial production of weapons and the training of its soldiers. The reel culminates in the German invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. Hitler launched a massive attack with 200 Axis divisions (200 million men) advancing in three directions: Leningrad in the north, Moscow in the center, and Ukraine in the south. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of a brutal conflict on the Eastern Front and Russia’s monumental resistance against the Nazi onslaught.

Part of this Complete Film

The Battle of Russia (1943) - WWII Eastern Front Documentary

License: Royalty-Free