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Originally Posted by Supostat They still needed to make those 300 miles over. Moreover, despite of beginning of assault on Kiev started in July, Germans took Kiev only in 26 september.
On other hand, if leave the Kiev and turn to Moscow in full force already in July, Germans risked to have a powerful Soviet group (Kiev group, which wouldn't be defeated, if no assault on Kiev) in their South flank.
They had two chances:
1) attack Moscow as soon as possible with less exhausted and more numerous forces in more friendly climatic circumstances, but having treat of undefeated Soviet Kiev group in their South flank.
2) To eliminate at first treat to South flank and only then attack Moscow with secure flanks. It resulted in delay of attack as well as increasing of exhaustion and decreasing number of combat-capable manpower right in first lines.
They choosed the second one decision, which was quite logical and right. |
Sure, it eliminated a potential powerful threat on the right flank of AGC and was a great tactical success, but it did little to improve their strategic position. The only chance for Germany to win was to either a) plan Barbarossa as a 2 season campaign or b) go straight for Moscow as quickly as possible. Anything else would see Germany being sucked into a war of attrition that favoured the Soviet Union's greater manpower reserves. This is what happened historically of course. The main reason why the Red Army defeated the Wehrmacht was the ability of the former to field a large strategic reserve throughout the war.
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Originally Posted by Supostat Moreover, capture of Leningrad could give them chance to transport supply and reinforcements directly to Leningrad by sea, and use Leningrad as platzdarm to assault on Arhangelsk and Murmansk, where lend lease cargos arrived... |
The capture of Leningrad would undoubtedly have helped the Germans. Aside from the benefits you mention it would also have freed up much needed troops for operations directed towards Moscow. However, capture of Leningrad in itself would not have been decisive as the capture of Moscow would have been.