West European Studies

Napoleon Bonaparte was an emperor of France and he commanded the French army. Adolf Hitler led the Nazi group. Both Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte attempted to conquer Russia but they both failed in 1812 and 1941 in their conquest. Despite his failures Napoleon had some achievements. French army under Napoleon was reorganized artillery role was reorganized and independent units were formed, instead of attaching artillery pieces in support of troops. Cannonballs were standardized by Napoleon for easier supply of the armys artillery. After a period of serious war, in 1812 Russians evacuated. Napoleons men were well prepared for the war. Napoleon drew success by alliance or conquest until he was invades in Russia in 1812, which led to his exile to Elba Island. Napoleon defeated the Battle of Waterlog he used the best military tactics from various sources.

Napoleon also developed military innovations .He modernized and reformed the French army this led to victory. Napoleon had military strategy that matched his ever broadening ambitions. Napoleon could take risks boldly this was reflected in the French army. The French army improved during French revolution in terms of the tactics, equipment, and morale. Germans invaded Russia or Soviet Union in 1941 during World War II. Adolf Hitler led the Operation Barbarosa group which was the largest military in the history.At the end of 1942, Hitler had not achieved the victory he expected. This led to Hitler making further operations in Russia like the Siege of Leningrad, Battle of Stalingrad all of which failed. Russia was attacked first by Hitler because Russia had more resources and land than Britain.
 
Preparations of the Russia invasion began in 1940. Operation Barbarosa was launched when Finnish, German, Romanian and Hungarian soldiers attacked Russia in 1941.Onset of winter and losses brought German attack to Russia to a halt. Hitler could have learnt from the failure of Napoleon in 1812. Hitler could have concentrated on a single goal. Just like Napoleon Hitler extended his army by ordering invasions that were spread from Leningrad to Stalingrad. Hitler wanted to gain all at the same time. Hitler wanted to gain all the three regions because, Leningrad was the birth place of the communism in Russia, Moscow because it was the capital of the Soviet Union and Ukraine and caucus beyond because it covered sixty percent of the Russia Industry and it had abundant food stuff

Napoleon was overconfident. He had the ability to move rapidly thus surprising his enemies. Hitler though that he would overwhelm the Russians. Hitler underestimated the resistance he would face from the Russians while setting his operation. Overconfidence is also demonstrated by the German soldiers who were ordered to carry limited supplies. Hitler could have learnt from napoleon and improve the quality of roads as poor roads forced the operation Barbarossa to be very sluggish. Poor transportation forced the French army to march at a very slow pace to Russia. Just like Napoleon had miscalculated the value of quality road network this in return led to consequences that were very brutal. Due to employment of the three-pronged attack, the German supplies ran out, Hitler could have supplied his troops with proper food and water to avoid straining of the supply line as was the case with the Napoleon.
 
Hitler failed to predict the effect of the supplies if divided into three.The supply lines became difficult to maintain and the morale of the German soldiers dropped due to lack of food, drinks and ammunition. Scorched earth policy deprived the Germans supplies yet the Germans had carried limited supplies. Hitler could have learned from the Napoleon and order operation Barbarossa to carry enough supplies.

Germans invaded Russia or Soviet Union in 1941 during World War II. Adolf Hitler led the Nazi Germany group which was the largest military in the history. At the end of 1942, Hitler had not achieved the victory he expected.  This led to Hitler making further operations in Russia like the Siege of Leningrad, Battle of Stalingrad all of which failed. Russia was attacked first by Hitler because Russia had more resources and land than Britain. Germans inability to conquer Soviet Union opened up all the possibilities of the Russians to regain their lost land and eventually revenge.

In conclusion, operation of the Russia failed because the harsh weather, peoples tenacity and the terrain conditions. Combination of tactics used by defending Russians and natural obstacles led to failure of Napoleon and Hitler.