1941.08.25 “Janus: Up to Date”
by Max P. Milians (1907-2005)
12 x 14 in., ink of board
Coppola Collection
On June 22, 1941 Germany invaded the Soviet Union in a three-pronged operation, catching the Soviets (it’s former ‘pals’) completely by surprise. The first territories to be conquered included the most productive. Between Baku on the Caspian Sea and Batum on the Black Sea lay the rich oilfields of Transcaucasia, while bordering Poland and Romania was the abundant 'Granary of Russia', Ukraine, and some of the most fertile agricultural land on earth.
During the first six months the Soviets were in almost complete disarray and were pressed to Leningrad. On July 3, Stalin announced a "scorched earth policy"; as Soviets forces and people retreated in the face of the Wehrmacht, everything that could not be moved east was to be destroyed. Factories and oil wells were blown up, crops burnt and animals slaughtered so that nothing would be left for the Germans to use.
On August 2, 1941 the British signed the Atlantic Charter with the US and extended the years-long blockade to cover Finland, which was now fighting on the side of Germany. The Charter was announced on August 14. Churchill embraced Soviet Union as an ally and agreed to send arms to make up the shortfall while Soviet industry reorganized itself for the fight.
