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In June 1941, Nazi Germany commenced Operation Barbarossa, a large-scale military invasion of Russia. At that point, it was the largest military offensive in recorded history, involving over 3 million troops.  

In June 1941, Nazi Germany commenced Operation Barbarossa, a large-scale military invasion of Russia. At that point, it was the largest military offensive in recorded history, involving over 3 million troops.  

http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/world-war-2/ww2-focus/flashpoints/operation-barbarossa/?cc=US

[http://www.yourdiscovery.com/web/world-war-2/ww2-focus/flashpoints/operation-barbarossa/?cc=US]

Nazi forces gained ground quickly, advancing over 300 miles (321 kilometers) within a week. Part of that territory included the city of Smolensk and the surrounding area, where the bulk of the executions took place. However, the murders remained undiscovered another two years.

Nazi forces gained ground quickly, advancing over 300 miles (321 kilometers) within a week. Part of that territory included the city of Smolensk and the surrounding area, where the bulk of the executions took place. However, the murders remained undiscovered another two years.

In April 1943, German troops unearthed a mass grave of over 4,000 Polish officers.[http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/poland/p/katyn-massacre.htm] Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels quickly seized the opportunity to use this news to discredit Stalin and unbalance the already-delicate alliance between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union. German radio revealed news of the atrocity,[http://www.warsawuprising.com/paper/time_042643.htm] and the Germans garnered further publicity by convening a panel of forensic experts to examine the bodies. Numerous photos of the mass graves were published as well.

In April 1943, German troops unearthed a mass grave of over 4,000 Polish officers.[http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/poland/p/katyn-massacre.htm] Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels quickly seized the opportunity to use this news to discredit Stalin and unbalance the already-delicate alliance between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union. German radio revealed news of the atrocity,[http://www.warsawuprising.com/paper/time_042643.htm] and the Germans garnered further publicity by convening a panel of forensic experts to examine the bodies. Numerous photos of the mass graves were published as well.

Russian authorities quickly denied any responsibility, instead blaming the Germans for the atrocity. The Soviets clung to this position even after forensic examinations quickly established the bullets to be of Russian manufacture and that the executions took place in 1940, when the area was still under Russian control. The Soviet Union denied responsibility for the murders until 1990.[

Russian authorities quickly denied any responsibility, instead blaming the Germans for the atrocity. The Soviets clung to this position even after forensic examinations quickly established the bullets to be of Russian manufacture and that the executions took place in 1940, when the area was still under Russian control. The Soviet Union denied responsibility for the murders until 1990.[http://www.anti-communist.net/katyn.html]

http://www.anti-communist.net/katyn.html]

 

== In popular culture ==

== In popular culture ==