Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which three German army groups invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Operation Barbarossa
German soldiers fighting in the Soviet Union as part of Operation Barbarossa, 1941.
In June 1941, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa, was executed by three distinct army groups:12
- Army Group North: Commanded by Gen. Wilhelm von Leeb, this group struck from East Prussia through the Baltic states with the objective of reaching Leningrad.2
- Army Group Centre: Commanded by Gen. Fedor von Bock, this group delivered the main blow north of the Pripet Marshes, thrusting northeastward toward Smolensk and Moscow.2
- Army Group South: Commanded by Gen. Gerd von Rundstedt, this group advanced from southern Poland into Ukraine toward Kiev, with the goal of reaching the coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.2