June 22nd, 1941

Dear Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer of the Third Reich

 Today is maybe one of the most important days in German history. Today we begin Operation Barbarossa. Barbarossa will be the largest operation and attack of World War II, and will mark the beginning of German rule in Russia. This plan, which you have constructed in December of 1940, doesn’t have any possibility of failing. The primary attack we’ll be given in the north. This way we convert Leningrad and Moscow in vital targets for invasion. As you said, when Barbarossa commences, the world will hold its breath and make no comment.

 I will be leading the North Army and face the Baltic Special Military District led by Kuznetsov. The Centre Army will be led by General von Bock and the South Army will be led by General von Rundstedt. We will attack by blitzkrieg (with light tanks and the support of planes and infantry). In total we have 117 army divisions, without considering Rumanian and Hungarian troops. As I have already told you, chances of failing are inexistent.

Yours sincerely,

General Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb