When German Wehrmacht units cross the Russian border at dawn on 22 June 1941, an almost four-year-long massacre begins that will cost millions of victims. Hitler had already made it clear to the generals of the Wehrmacht months earlier what he expected from the war against the Soviet Union. It should become a "campaign of extermination", a complete smashing of the Russian state and exploitation of its population until death by starvation.

The Soviet dictator Stalin refuses until the end to take note of the attack of the former alliance partner. Only after half a year did the German troops come to a standstill outside Moscow. Blinded by previous Blitzkrieg victories, the German commanders let the troops advance deep into the country. But the lightning victory fails to materialise. When, on the other side of the world, the Empire of Japan, allied with Hitler's Germany, snatches the USA into war in the Pacific, the hotbeds of conflict grow together - the world war is completely over.

Documentary: On the edge of the abyss – The history of World War II – EP4: The World On the Abyss
Directed by: Nina Adler, Hendrik Behrendt
Production: Spiegel TV

#documentary #freedocumentary #history #worldwarII #germanwesternfront #france #england #europe

свернуть