By autumn of 1941 the German occupied vast stretches of Russia. But their initial hopes that the country country would fall were dashed, as Russian resistance grew stronger. Lacking the resource to advance along the entire front,the German decided to concentrate on the central push towards Moscow,aiming to complete the campaign before the winter.
The Germany center group had 1,800,000 troops,14,000 cannons, 1,700 tanks,and 1,390 aircraft.
1,250,000 Russian troops,7,600 cannons,990 tanks, and 677 aircraft opposed them.
Large German tank formations managed to break through the Russian defenses. Near Brainsk and Viazma, Russia's main forces were surrounded and destroyed,allowing the German to rush onward to Moscow. The offense was then slowed by small groups of battle-hardened Russian soldiers who miraculously maintained control of many strategic river-crossings and crossroad. Autumn rains then further bogged down German offensive by marking road impassible for resupply,repairs, and artillery that were lagging behined. Insufficient supplies,problems repairs, and heavy losses reduced the efficiency of the German offensive to stop short of Moscow and allowing the soviet to bring in sorely needed reinforcements.