What is the greatest blunder in military history that took the longest to correct?

If you ask Joseph Stalin, every commander stationed on the western front in 1941 should be shot on sight for military incompetence.

Yes, Military Incompetence.

Which is exactly what he did.

At the opening stage of Operation Barbarossa, Hitler launched an offensive, mechanized campaign never before seen in history, thrusting 750,000 men and 2,000 tanks 460 km into the Soviet Union over 18 days.

Dumfounded, the Red Army’s Western front collapsed like a house of cards.

Four soviet armies were encircled, 5,000 soviet tanks were destroyed, 10,000 mortars and anti-tank guns obliterated, along with 1,700 soviet planes in flames.

I mean, the losses were enormous.

Stalin was infuriated, he had no idea why Hitler’s forces were able to advance virtually unimpeded.

So, who do you blame?

The commanders, obviously.

Dmitry Pavlov, General, Commander of the Western Front.

All in all, Stalin blamed Pavlov and his general staff, the western front staff, for its failure in repelling German forces, with the defensive advantage.

After the staggering losses were tallied up, Stalin ordered every commander to report to Moscow immediately.

After their arrival, and a few handshakes, the commanders walked on over to Stalin’s office expecting a harsh dress-down.

Stalin lashed out, expletives were shouted, miscellaneous insults flowed, and another order was issued.

An order for execution.

The commanders were charged with military incompetence, intentional and malicious command and summarily executed.

Stalin shipped out fresh commanders to reorganize a non-existent command structure in the west, while Hitler likely enjoyed a morphine syringe, reveling over an incredible victory.

How long did it take to correct?

Well, Hitler pushed all the way to Moscow over the next year.

So I’d say it took at least that long to reorganize and repel German forces out of the Soviet Union.

It all came down to their initial defense, or lack thereof.

So that, is an absolute military disaster.

Fun fact: Germany only lost 100 tanks and 10,000 men in the first 18 days, while 300,000+ Soviets were captured. We went over the rest of the numbers above!

Another Fun fact: The first engagements and skirmishes of operation Barbarossa all fall under one battle, unequivocally known as the Battle of Białystok–Minsk

, this battle represents the first 18 days of the invasion, and all loss and casualty statistics on this answer are directly attributed. Link included for those who’d like to know more!