Operation Barbarossa, Hitler’s invasion of Russia in June 1941, aimed at nothing less than a war of extermination to annihilate Soviet communism, liquidate the Jews and create Lebensraum for the German master race. Yet, these lofty goals would not come to fruition and instead would lead to the destruction of the Third Reich.
The operation itself saw millions of men killed, wounded or registered as missing in action. It was this colossal mistake – rather than any action in Western Europe – that lost Hitler the Second World War.
In this exciting and wide-ranging discussion, Jonathan Dimbleby and Andrew Roberts will explain the detailed aspects of this operation, from how it came to be envisioned and organised all the way through to how it began and how it came crashing to a halt. Not only will they assess its importance in the history of the Second World War, but they will explore the thoughts of those who organised the operation as well as those who were sent to the front lines on a doomed mission.
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About the speakers
Jonathan Dimbleby is a presenter who has enjoyed a varied career in TV and radio. He was the host of BBC Radio 4’s programme Any Questions? which he hosted until 2019. He has worked on programmes including On the Record, This Week and ITV’s political programme Jonathan Dimbleby. He has written a number of bestselling books: Richard Dimbleby, The Palestinians, The Prince of Wales, The Last Governor and Russia.
Image credit: Matt Austin
Andrew Roberts is a Visiting Professor at the War Studies Department of King’s College, London and the Lerman Institute Distinguished Lecturer at the New-York Historical Society. He is also the Roger and Marther Mertz Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stamford University. He has written or edited 19 books including Leadership in War and George III. Andrew appears regularly on radio and television around the world. He is also on the Council of the National Army Museum.
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