Preparations. . .

(Preparations. . .)

Today in 1941, Germany launched Operation BARBAROSSA, the invasion of the Soviet Union. It was the largest land campaign in history with almost four million men, over three thousand tanks, hundreds of airplanes and thousands of artillery. In Hitler's words, "when BARBAROSSA, opens, the world will hold its breath." And that perhaps was initially true. Then the world exhaled. BARBAROSSA was halted at the gats of Moscow when stiffening Soviet resistance and the worst winter in many years halted the Ostheer (Eastern Army) in its tracks. There were renewed German offensives in 1942 and 1943 but those resulted in the disasters at Stalingrad and at Kursk. The Battle of Berlin was only a matter of time.

Whole libraries have been committed to BARBAROSSA and its failures. Now there is insufficient space here to match a library, but one can make certain conclusions as the operation failed in the end. Hitler was distracted in May when he had to take a rebellious Yugoslavia, delaying the start of BARBAROSSA till June 22nd. While there were over three thousand tanks, many were older models deficient in armor and main gun. The infantry was not well motorized as it was still at the speed of the horse or just marching. Thousands of Red Army soldiers were able to escape because "pockets" that the tanks had created by encirclement operations could not be fully closed. Finally, Hitler could not make up his mind what was BARBAROSSA's objective, diverting forces north and south instead of a thrust against the Soviet capitol. By the time that the forward units could see the Kremlin, BARBAROSSA was a spent force and when the Soviets launched their own offensive, the Germans were forced back.

How prepared is the U.S. in facing China ? German efforts in the East were a strategic failure but when looks at Washington's efforts against Beijing, one does not necessarily discern any pattern. Why was Blinken in China ? What good does it do for President Biden to say that Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is a dictator ? Why was the Administration hesitant to shoot down that spy balloon until it was out over the Atlantic, after having overflown several sensitive military installations ? And what about the Chinese base in Cuba but influence in Central and South America ?

It has been a recurring theme that the Biden Administration does not show strength with regards to China. An anemic visit by the American Secretary of State, and other policies of non-confrontation indicate that the Administration has no interest, much less ability, to confront the most dangerous adversary. One can look at that Red Army conscript manning the line that June morning as thousands of German guns opened up. The Red Army was caught un-prepared. The same for the Biden Administration ?