Prior to the operation, Stalin had made many decisions that damaged his country's ability to respond to the German attack. First, during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. If you were found guilty or threatened, you were sent to work in Siberia or executed. With this policy, Stalin executed 81 of 103 generals and admirals. At this point in the war, the Red Army's leadership was less experienced than before. Second, Stalin ignored his military leader's recommendations to mobilize more forces to protect the border (BBC, 2013). On the other hand, the German army grew. They had one of the best armies in the world.