Of the German Army Groups that attacked Soviet Russia, Von Leeb's Army Group North, tasked with seizing the Baltic States and Leningrad, was the smallest and weakest. Fortunately, General Kuznetzov's Northwestern Front was in an even weaker state. When Army Group North attacked on 22 June, it soon smashed through the Dvina River Line, and the Stalin Line, and flooded into Latvia. Despite brave counterattacks and defense by the Soviet forces, the Germans pressed on towards Leningrad, which by 9 September was encircled. This book examines the German offensive, and also the courageous Soviet attempts to halt the German spearhead, defending every possible line against overwhelming odds.

Author Biography

Robert Kirchubel is a lieutenant colonel on active duty with the California Army National Guard. He has published numerous articles on military history, and has had a keen interest in the Eastern Front campaigns of World War II, and Operation Barbarossa in particular, all his adult life. His three-volume study of the Barbarossa campaign is the product of several years work and research. Robert lives and works in California. Howard Gerrard studied at the Wallasey School of Art and has been a freelance designer and illustrator for over 20 years. He has won both the Society of British Aerospace Companies Award and the Wilkinson Sword Trophy and has illustrated a number of books for Osprey including Campaign 100: 'D-Day 1944 (1) Omaha Beach', and Campaign 115: 'Operation Barbarossa 1941 (1) Army Group South'. Howard lives and works in Kent.