This plan was constructed in December 1940. The third and final variant was Hitler’s plan which he codenamed Barbarossa. After Kiev had fallen, he envisaged a drive into the Don/Volga region. After taking Moscow and Leningrad, Halder wanted a move north to Archangel. He changed Marcks plan by having three thrusts a major one against Moscow, a smaller attack on Kiev and a major attack on Leningrad. The next version of the plan was completed in December 1940 by Halder. The attack on Leningrad was also a secondary issue. After Moscow had fallen, Marcks wanted a drive south to link up with the attack on Kiev. He also wanted a secondary attack on Kiev and two masking attacks in the Baltic towards Leningrad and in Moldavia in the south. He envisaged a massive attack on Moscow – his primary target. The first version of the plan was done by Marcks in August 1940. It is now thought that Hitler lost interest in the Battle of Britain as he was far too focussed on his desired attack on Russia. Plans for the attack on Russia had been around since 1940. In total, Russia amassed 132 army divisions for the defence of the ‘motherland’, including 34 armoured divisions. In total, Germany amassed 117 army divisions for the attack excluding Rumanian and Hungarian units. Totalled 14 divisions including 2 armoured divisions. The Odessa Special Military District led by Tyulenev which faced Army Group South Totalled 56 divisions including 16 armoured divisions The Kiev Special Military District led by Kirponos faced Army Group South Totalled 36 divisions including 10 armoured ones. The Western Special Military District led by Pavlov faced Army Group Centre Totalled 26 Divisions including 6 armoured ones.
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