by klibben » Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:56 am
Just like the Japanese, (only not as desperate of a situation yet) they struck Russia for two things primarily: the huge oil fields and the massive wheat growing regions (primarily ukraine). Had they been a bit more conservative about their blitzkrieg across Russia they may have actually been successful. However, they pushed too far too hard and got trapped on the outskirts of Stalingrad during the winter with only half their army (the panzer divisions had swung south to capture the oil fields). Had they waited for Stalingrad, or took it with their full force... they probably would have succeeded. Still, it's a miracle for the Russians that they didn't succeed... the Germans were extremely successfully in taking Stalingrad but were simply worn down by the wave after wave of Russian soldiers. Had the winter not resulted in supply convoys unable to reach the German forces at Stalingrad I am confident in claiming the Germans would not have been defeated there. By the time the Sixth Army surrendered they no longer a threat anyways... clothes completely disintegrated by lice, starved for months, severe frostbite on nearly the entire body, completely demoralized, and so weak that in many cases rats would chew off parts of their body (fingers, hands, even feet) with the soldiers unable to stop them (so many rats, plus the soldiers were so weak... and often they didn't feel it because they were frostbitten).
I highly suggest reading Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad by William Craig. It's the first book to put a human face on the battle, and goes in depth with all the problems both sides faced (including absurd demands by their leaders). You really get a sense of how out of touch Hitler was with reality and sensibility. The Germans could have easily withdrawn, regrouped, and retaken the city successfully but Hitler demanded no retreat whatsoever.
