This operation was a major military blunder by Hitler, which severely strained his troops and recources. He not only opened a two front war, but a two front war with a massive country, eventually resulting in the Allied victory. It also led to, and was the beginning of the war on the Eastern Front, which was to be host of some of the most bloody and brutal battles and worst atrocities of World War II. This front would have the most casualties by far as it is estimated that around 26,000,000 Soviets died alone as the result of the German invasion while some historians had estimated the number to be up to 47 million Soviets.