Before the launch of the "Barbarossa" program, the German army carried out comprehensive preparations, and in addition to inspecting and maintaining ** equipment, some soldiers stationed in the east spent the last days before the outbreak of the war by playing football and holding equestrian competitions. At the same time, a large number of tanks and motorized units quietly entered the final assembly area, carefully reconnoitred their approach routes and assembly areas, and hid the assembly areas in the forest as much as possible.
Once in the designated staging area, these fast assault regiments are ready for battle and clear all barriers and obstacles, such as barbed wire. Dr. Alfred Opitz, who served as a private in the 18th Panzer Division, recalled: "On June 21, the roar of engines resounded through the forest, as if tanks and heavy artillery were advancing. From time to time, reconnaissance planes hovered over the river strip. The air was suffocatingly foul, as if it could smell the terrible smell of impending war. ”。
The Germans carried out a final reconnaissance, checking the terrain in front of the border line and the deployment of Soviet troops. Some scouts disguised themselves as local hunters and farmers, and even brought farm tools to enhance their camouflage. When the soldiers finally learned that their mission was to raid the Soviet Union, the commander would issue a final briefing on the mission. On the night of June 21, more than 3 million German soldiers assembled along the eastern border listened to Hitler's proclamation, ending weeks and months of speculation and anxiety about the prospects of war.
In his proclamation, Hitler said: "Soldiers of the Eastern Front!I had been anxious for months, but I had to remain silent. Now I can finally be honest with you, my warriors, ......"At this moment, the soldiers of the Eastern Front are engaged in a military build-up of unprecedented proportions. The point of this campaign was not only to create conditions for the end of this great war, but also to protect the threatened countries and fight to defend the civilization and culture of all of Europe. German soldiers!You will face an uphill and burdensome struggle.
The fate of Europe, the future of the German Empire, and the survival of our nation are all in your hands. May God bless all of us in victory in this fight!Adolf Hitler, Führer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.