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Originally Posted by Doppleganger Had the Germans won the Battle for Moscow they would have:
a) Captured the political centre of the Soviet Union
b) Captured the most important communications and railroad hub
c) Severed the North/South communications/transport link of European Russia. |
It was impossible to take Moscow in conditions of those as in September-December of 1941. At first, German forces were exhausted since fighting already longed much longer than planned. The first reinforcements arrived from Germany only in February of 1942 and were used to stabilize the front during the Soviet counteroffensive. Second, German forces still were not prepared for winter combat since `Barbarossa` was considered to end before winter.
Leningrad was also very meaningful center - `the cradle of revolution`. Germans failed to take it too, mostly due to the same reasons. As well as Stalingrad - it was namesake city of Stalin and very important communication center too.
There are some versions stating that some preparations was made by Soviet government to move to Stalingrad in case Moscow will fall in end of 1941.