The Battle of Moscow started on October 2nd, 1941. The capture of Moscow, Russia's capital was seen vital to the success of Operation Barbarossa. Hitler believed that once Moscow had been cut out of Russia and captured, the whole nation would collapse. The initial stages of Barbarossa have been seen as a massively successful attack for the Germans and a depressing loss for the Russians. Blitzkrieg had ploughed through the red army. Hitler's belief that the Red Army would crumble seemed to be coming true. The Germans had lost over 100,000 men and 50% of their tanks and over 1,200 planes. The battle critically held up the advance of the Germans.