> * when [the U.S.] finally joined (when Germany's defeat was already a foregone conclusion due to Barbarossa)* Germany's defeat was hardly a foregone conclusi

> * when [the U.S.] finally joined (when Germany's defeat was already a foregone conclusion due to Barbarossa)* Germany's defeat was hardly a foregone conclusion in December 1941. Sure, in hindsight it now appears that way. But all the history books indicate that things looked mighty different at the time.