When are we talking here? 41-42-43-44-45?

If Von Manstein was in charge in 41, there might be possibilities. But nothing would have had a more profound impact on the campaign than the German army beeing viewed as liberators rather than the bestial butchers that they were.

In 42 the Soviets had played catch-up long enough.

From that point there was no other 'victory' than keeping the war going for the nazis.

I have to agree with Za. The Generals have placed a lot of blame on the Fuhrer, but steal all the glory. If these generals were so brilliant why is it that all allied generals beat the crap out of them ??? The Germans were defeated on the battlefield werent they? I mean Hr. Hitler did not tell his soldiers to retreat from Russia, North Africa, Italy, France and the Low Countries did he ?? No the German Army was defeated. Every nation had meddeling bosses. Churchill was on the blower constantly to every commander in the 8th Army. His requests for instant action was accepted by most commanders. Monty played it his way and won. There are many American paralells too. Stalin had the sense to give his generals a bit of leeway and make competition between them to ensure that they did not relax. Point is that it wasn't just the German generals that had to fight with one hand tied to their back from time to time.

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'We march. The enemy is retreating in transport. We follow on foot.' Lt.Neil McCallum 5/7 Gordons 19th November 1942