The purpose of this study is to describe German planning and operations in the first part of the campaign against Russia. The narrative starts with Hitler's initial plans for an invasion of Russia and ends at the time of Germany's maximum territorial gains during the battle for Stalingrad.

Part One. Planning -- Strategic Planning -- Operational Planning -- Part Two. Operations in 1941 -- The Initial Operations (22 June-31 July 1941) -- Planning for Future Operations -- The Diversion and Reassembly -- The German Attack on Moscow -- Part Three. 1942-The Year of Indecision -- The Russian Counteroffensive (December 1941-February 1942) -- Preliminary Planning for a German Offensive in the Caucasus, 1942 -- Preparations for the German Summer Offensive -- Initial Operations and New Plans (July 1942) -- The Period of Stagnation (August-October 1942) -- Critical Analysis of the German Summer Offensive in 1942 -- Appendix A. List of German Military Leaders (July 1940-November 1942) -- Appendix B. Chronology of Events -- Appendix C. Bibliographical Note.