War Games of 1941

Introduction

          War games were considered the ultimate form of strategic planning by the Soviets, and they relied on them to simulate causes and effects for different tactical moves for both defensive and offensive operations. War games were essentially simulations to test certain proposals for tactics. They consisted of two sides (German and Soviet), both operated by high-ranking generals, and whoever was on the Soviet side would carry out the proposed moves. After a game had terminated, the high command would either confirm or redesign the strategy in order for a Soviet victory.

German vs. Soviet war games

          The Germans, on the other hand, did not place as much importance on their war games as the Soviets did. During the planning for Operation Barbarossa, Nazi General Paulus held a war game that showed that the Wehrmacht did not have enough strength to defeat the Red Army in a short Blitzkrieg campaign (as opposed to Western European countries). However, the notion was ignored by the German high command, and it had devastating effects in the long run of the invasion of the Soviet Union. This attitude contrasts sharply with that of the Soviets, who took things seriously and were more open-minded to new solutions. It was these decisions that determined the outcome of the Eastern Front and the Second World War as a whole.

January — Pavlov vs. Zhukov

          The January war games tested General Pavlov’s theories that the Bialystok salient was adaptable for defence and should later be used as a platform to launch a counteroffensive on the Germans. Pavlov was on the Soviet side, while Zhukov played the German side. The latter succeeded in breaking through Pavlov’s defence at Bialystok and was given the advantage by the referees. Stalin was not pleased at the result; he now knew of the dangers of using the salient for defence.

February — Last-minute planning

          Kept highly confidential, the February war game was the final step to the defence of the Soviet Union. The plan was to initiate a series of counter-attacks on the southern flank of Army Group Center in order to divert its focus from attacking Moscow. Also, this would gain time to bring armies around Moscow and afterwards launch a larger-scale counter-attack against the enemy forces.