The Molotov–Ribbentrop non-aggression pact was shattered on June 22, 1941 when Nazi Germany launched their invasion of the Soviet Union, code named Operation Barbarossa. By the end of June, Germany’s Army Group South had crushed the Soviet Southwestern Front at Brody and was advancing towards Kiev and into southern Ukraine. Army Group North had secured Lithuania and was chasing the Soviet Northwestern Front out of Latvia. Army Group Center had captured the cities of Bia?ystok and Minsk in Belarus and was advancing towards Smolensk in Russia.
In the air, the Luftwaffe achieved remarkable success in its initial attacks on Soviet air bases. Over 3000 Soviet planes were lost in the first 3 days alone, most of them on the ground. Further losses mounted as the VVS threw aircraft into ground attack battles in a vain attempt to slow the advance of the German troops. Organizational problems also led to heavy losses for the VVS, with top line fighters being allocated to units in small batches and their crews receiving little training in the new LAGG’s, MiG’s and Yak’s before the German attack. Reinforcements were drawn in from the Russian interior including two regiments of MiG-3’s, whose pilots were experienced test pilots, that were sent to bolster the defense of Smolensk. But the Luftwaffe had its own combat seasoned experts flying the Bf 109, Most notably was Werner Molders of Jagdgeschwader 51, who began July with 90 aerial victories.
This FSO will recreate the battles in northwest Russia during July 1941 where the Soviet VVS defended against the onslaught of the Luftwaffe.
http://ahevents.net/index.php/fso-setups/86-eastern-european-theatre/1351-barbarossa-blitzFRAME 1: 12 July 2024
FRAME 2: 19 July 2024
FRAME 3: 26 July 2024
