So I've always wondered why the German invasion of Russia was called Operation Barbarossa. I figured he was some German Knight who had led the Eastern Crusade against the Baltic peoples.
But then I read that he was actually the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. And while he help lead an invasion, it was of Italy, not eastern Europe. (and the Crusades- forgot to mention that...)

So, what's the connection between Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union and an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire?

I wouldn't think that there's more to this than German imperial history and the crusader motif.

Old 'Redbeard' to Jerusalem to liberate the Holy Sepulchre.
The Nazis to stamp out Soviet communism.

one also wonder why they would name it after the most successful german "emperor" who got beat up up bad by a bunch of Italian city-states ;)

The only connection between Emperor Freidrich Barbarossa (Barbarossa is medieval Latin for "red beard," which Freidrich had) and the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1940 was the name.

Do I need to explain the concept of code words?

one also wonder why they would name it after the most successful german "emperor" who got beat up up bad by a bunch of Italian city-states ;)

I also tought about that,

I dont think they had any reasn, they just gave it a name :9

The only connection between Emperor Freidrich Barbarossa (Barbarossa is medieval Latin for "red beard," which Freidrich had) and the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1940 was the name.

Wrong. Barbarossa was the first Emperor to significantly encourage ethnic German settlement and Imperial domination east of the Elbe at the expense of Slavs; in choosing this as a codename the Germans (Or more specifically Hitler - the operation was originally called Fritz, but was changed on Hitler's orders.) actually did risk revealing the nature of the operation.

Barbarossas great achievement was getting some measure of direct Imperial control over the German lands. It rested on his personal authority though, and eroded pretty rapidly after his death.

He was unable to stop the north Italian city states of the Lombard League, led by Milan and supported by the Pope, to break away from Imperial controll. None of his successors did better either, and northern Italy became this patchwork of city states we all know and love from history.;)

It's been said there was another reason for the name "Operation Barbarossa" There's an old legend about Frederick Barbarossa which maintains that he did not die, but is sleeping within Kyffhaeuser Mountain, and will one day return to lead the German people to greatness (sort of like the story about King Arthur). One account I've read advanced the opinion that the name "Operation Barbarossa" was intentionally chosen to tap into this legend and evoke these feelings of national pride and destiny (and perhaps even to convince the simple-minded that old Fred would be coming back to help them out)

(as a side note, the very same "sleeping king" legend is also told about Barbarossa's grandson, Frederick II)

Ah, blast! I wanted to say that!

Isn't there a similar legend about Genghis Khan?

Power of association Operation Red Barbarian

The legend was originally dedicated to Frederic II. but not to Barbarossa. Later this changed. However it is said that in a time of great danger for Germany Barbarossa will awake and lead the Germans out of this danger. There are some different legends all over Europe: King Arthur of Britain who rests in Avalon, King Harold Bluetooth, who rests in Helsingör for example.
Until now none of them returned.

Adler