Der Manstein Kommt! (no spoiler)

[Hortlund]

Before we go into any detail regarding the how and why's of the battle, it is important to understand why the Germans ended up in Stalingrad in the first place. Many people tend to believe that the German army basically tried to grab as much land as possible to the east, and that that was a goal in itself. While this might have been true in 1941, it was far from the truth in 1942. Stretched from Norway to Libya, from France to the Black sea, the Whermacht was stretched to its limits and it was clear that the campaign in the east needed to be won soon. Germany was at war with both America and England now, and sooner or later they would strike in the west. When they did, it was vital that sufficient reserves could be transferred from the east to the west. OKW could not afford being tied town in a costly war of attrition in the east, nor could it afford a repeat of the costly defensive battles in the winter.

Fall Blau, the German summer offensive in 1942 had three objectives. To seize Voronezh, Stalingrad and Baku. After the extensive fighting's during the winter outside Moscow, OKW correctly realized that any offensive operations in that area was out of the question. The German units where exhausted, and the Soviets expected a renewed strike for Moscow in 42, and thus spent the entire spring fortifying the area. Instead AG center was given orders to solidify and fortify its holdings. Something that would prove to be a very wise decision (when operation mars struck). An attack in the North was also dismissed due to a combination of lack of strategic objectives and the terrain involved. If you look at it, the only viable targets in the north were Leningrad, which was already surrounded anyway, and Murmansk/Archangelsk, which lay hundreds of miles beyond a complete wilderness. Both objectives would be extremely hard to reach, the supply issues involved in a northern thrust were a pure nightmare for any quartermaster, and, more importantly: Neither of which gave any real benefits to Germany. The Soviets would be hurting alot from the loss of Murmansk/Archangelsk, but not enough to motivate the costs of any such attack.

In the south however lay oil, minerals, important communications hubs, and farmland. If the Soviets could be deprived of these resources, they would have little choice but to sue for peace, or starve. The three objectives was chosen for different reasons. Voronezh because control of this city was vital for any attack to the south. This in order to secure the left flank of that offensive. Baku, because control of Baku mean control of the oil fields in the south. And finally Stalingrad, because German control of Stalingrad would effectively cut the Soviet union in half. All north to south communications passed through or close to Stalingrad, be it railwaylines, phonelines, roads, or the river traffic on the Volga (this river traffic was absolutely vital to the Soviet war effort). So, in the south lay the double price of valuable strategic resources for Germany, and crippling blows to the soviet war economy.

[Sgt Joch]

Franko,

I'm currently on turn 15 of the first battle. So far, I am very impressed by your operation.

[Nidan1]

What really pisses me off is how discussions about the real life inspirations for a computer game for christ sake!!! degenerate into a nationalistic defensive war of words between people who have differing opinions on who was more evil .

These are the very same reasons we get into wars in the first place. As long as there are two people left on earth they will argue with each other (IMHO).

There a places for political discussions, lets keep it there.!!!!

[ November 22, 2002, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Nidan1 ]

[Franko]

Originally posted by JC_Hare:

Franko,

I'm currently on turn 15 of the first battle. So far, I am very impressed by your operation.

Thanks! Get to the Bridge!

Frank