OT:US don't qualify for EU membership, don't spank children, WW2 history.

[oleg]

Originally posted by Thermodyne:

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Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
It was a symbol, thats why.

Stalingrad was the historic gateway to Asia. This is why it was fought over so many times in the past. And with ½ a million people, it was a major city by anyone’s standards. A quick look at the map will show that once the Volga was crossed, there were no natural defensive lines on the way to Moscow. Originally, the mission was to continue on and secure the resources of the region. But this had changed, 6th was going to be sent north to the capital in the spring. This was known in exacting detail by the Russians because of Lucy. The Germans had no intention of taking the whole country; they expected a negotiated peace on their terms. This was how war was fought in Europe at that time.

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I don't remember correctly, but think it is more than 1500 miles from Stalingrad to Moscow. In fact, German army fas moving AWAY from Moscow when it pushed from Kharkov to Stalingrad. It was never meant to turn back and go north toward Moscow. The whole 1942 compain was focused on securing Norh Caucasses with its oil fields. Germany had a very big problem maintaining armies so far away from Romania oil. Rail road were constantly sabotaged. After 41 disaster Stalin was very afraid of another attack on Moscow. He kept most of the army in the center. The south front was defended only by armies Stalin wanted to spare. I read in Marshal Zhukov memmoirs generals begged Stalin many times to send reserves to Stalingrad but he refused. It is only in deep Autumn he finally became convinced there would be no attack in the Central Front and send Zhukov and two armies to South front. Stalin was a bloody coward.