German soldiers attack a Soviet position with a flamethrower during Operation Barbarossa in 1941
© Getty
When reading the history of Operation Barbarossa, it’s impossible not to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale and numbers involved. Over three million Axis soldiers, across 1,800 miles, took part in what many consider to be the monumental turning point in the Second World War. Of course, it also heralded the most terrible crimes the world has seen. In the 80th year since the Nazi invasion began, we look at not only the events on the frontline but also the horrors that unfolded as a result. They are a sobering reminder that behind the numbers and stats are people who lived and suffered through truly world-changing events, never to be repeated.