"Clams Canino" wrote in message news:RzGOb.83926$nt4.128065@attbi_s51...

2. Attacking Russia when he did. Also failing to consult with or get
support from his Ally Japan in going after Russia. Russia wasn't a player
till he made them a player. Russia could have waited, it was *imperative*
however that he either take England or force it into a treaty.

3. Declaring war on U.S. after we declared war on Japan. Hitler had enough
problems without ****ing us off. And Japan didn't declare war on Russia to
follow Hitler, no need to be reciprocal there. That little move is what led
us to a "Europe 1st" decision.

The Japanese and Russians fought a little known war in 1939.

http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/jay...tjapan1939.htm

Apparently, the Russians delivered the Japanese such a setback (that
and the fact the Japs soon had their hands full with US, British,
Chinese, and various "homegrown" forces (Philipino, Vietnamese, ect))
that the Japanese were never again in any position to help their
German ally with another attack on the USSR or even to tie down
Russian forces. The last Russian reserves, which stopped the Germans
on the outskirts of Moscow were these same troops who had defeated the
Japanese.

Also, I believe CaliBill is refering to the siege of Leningrad.
Stalingrad was not a Russian retreat but, a victory which led to
elimination of over 250,000 German troops (killed and captured).
--
SJM