German deserters and Barbarossa

Let's say he corrected his ways later on...

 

I wonder if there is another Leader that was so blind to what his enemy had plans for? Hitler comes close.

 

Must remember the Germans usually had some kinda requirement before attacking. Perhaps Stalin was expecting one? Also he could not trust the Western Allied info because they were 100% hopin for a war between Germany and the USSR. As well, Stalin was adamant that if Germany attacked, he had enough forces to beat them back every time. I recall Zhukov won all the fake attack games in Srping 1941.

 

Even before Stalin, and Hitler, should be Franklin D. Roosevelt. Despite the developments from 1934 onwards, he didn't manage to prepare the USA for war till being declared war in 1942.

Regarding German Deserters; The biggest one (in a wider meaning of the term deserter) and necktwister was Fieldmarshal Paulus.

Regards
Kruska

 

I think the isolationism was the main reason. The people did recall that they helped in Europe in WW1 but practically nobody paid back the military debts and after several of their youth dead nobody ever really thanked them for joining and ending the war.So FDR practically dragged the country to the war until Pearl Harbor. I think you can find more here if you search for Lindbergh or isolationism movement.

 

Hello Kai Petri,

I think that I am quite familiar with Lindbergh's liking towards the Nazi's and Roosevelts isolation policy. I am also familiar with the fact of Roosevelts political view of finding US democracy and an authoritarian Hitler as not acceptable/compatible.
With all due respect, but the leader of the #1 Nation on this planet was not able to forsee the developments caused by a madmen like Hitler? No matter if he could envisage the US going to war against Hitler, at least one should get ready to a certain degree. (since it can't be outruled that Hitler might declare or seek war ). or even the Japanese? who were IMO pushed against the wall by US politics and their Manchurian drive.

Regards
Kruska

 

I just read that the first floor of the Fresnes prison (Paris) was reserved for German deserters in 1944. Also among the 20.000 men of the German garrisson in paris there were about 200 agents working for the Resistance, many of whom deserted the German army in August 1944.

 

I dont think that is really true. One of the preparations for war was the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. There were a few others also.

WWII: Mobilization

 

Back to the ORIGINAL subject of the German deserters and thier warnings of imminent invasion of Russia that was disregarded by Stalin. It seems that Stalin was willing to turn a blind eye to the information that was being sent to him. Had Hitler so fooled him as to what was really behind their "Friendship'? Or was it just his Paranoia?