Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doppleganger The problem for Germany in 1941 wasn't a lack of manpower, it was a flawed operational plan that underestimated many facets of invading Russia. |
And one of these flaws was the manpower which was planned for quick victory, not for heavy fighting. So the manpower under `Barbarossa` was not enough for such success/unsuccess of `Barbarossa`, as it was, and reinforcements come too late for offensives under `Barbarossa` and helped only to save front line from further breakdown due to Soviet counteroffensive.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doppleganger If the Germans controlled Moscow they would seriously disrupt the Red Army's ability to move their forces north to south. |
We again return to problem that Germans did not have forces enough for success in all of the directions. As we already discuss - decisive assault to Moscow without defeating of the Soviet South fronts could be rather high risk. Moreover, the fight for Moscow wouldn't end in couple of weaks, but much longer since Moscow is a giant city. While fighting in Moscow, Germans would have quite long front line in South, attacked by Soviet South forces. If this front fell, Soviets could cut all the main communications to Moscow Germans could loose the war already in 1942 or 1943 since all the Moscow sturming forces would be encircled just like under the Stalingrad.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doppleganger You also need to realize that that the main reason why the Russian people fought was not their hatred of the German invaders but their fear of Stalin and his political and military apparatus. |
That is not true. Soviet people just defended their homeland just the way Germans did it in 1945 but more successfuly. I am not sure that Germans that defended Berlin and Selow(?) heights fighted for fascism or nazi ideology or because of fear from SS and Gestapo. They just defended they Faterland.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doppleganger If Stalin and his power is seen to be gone (and indeed he himself by many accounts was in a state of panic for a few weeks when the Germans were scoring victory after victory) then the Russian people in the main will panic and flee, as when it comes down to it concern for personal safety and the safety of loved ones becomes the primary goal. It's human nature. |
If You are talking about defeat of Soviet forces during first two weaks of war near Soviet-German border, then I must say that Soviet forces were simply outnumbered and outgunned there due to force proportion.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Doppleganger That is why it was so vital that Stalin chose to remain in Moscow during the darkest days of October/November. Had he relocated to Kuibyshev there was a real danger that Moscow would not have held. |
It was vital because in case of war state should have a government in place and this government
must believe (or at least show to public that they do believe) in victory (or at least in stabilizition of the front). If government flees the endangered sector, it gives a non-verbal signal to all the people that government does not believe in victory (or stabilization of front), which means, there will be no victory. Therefore people will flee either. It's as simple as it is and has no connection with `fear factor`.