History is 20/20 in hindsight, and especially if its written by German Generals.
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Originally posted by Richard Murphy:
Not gone all out for Kiev in the late summer!!
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This was not only in accordance to the BARBAROSSA war plan, but also perfectly in sync with any “traditional” strategy goal of destroying the enemies’ forces. Going for Moscow (which was only, if even, a secondary target) with an open southern flank was realized as being too dangerous.
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After the offensive had failed and the Russians began to counter attack, the Germans should have been able to fall back to warm, well equipped fortifications,
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...which couldn’t have been built exactly because of TYPHOON. The transport capacity was a given, unchangeable parameter. German General staff decided to transport ammunition and fuel instead of winter equipment, and to let his soldiers run against Moscow instead of building defensive lines. Again, this wasn’t Hitler’s fault, but those of German Officers, namely Halder.
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..but the Führer refused to even countanance this, considering the suggestion "Defeatist".
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It’s commonly accepted that Hitler’s “No retreat”-order saved AGC in December 1941. German troops showed signs of panic, and there wasn’t a defensive line to fell back to.
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