Read main thread: The German invasion of Russia:
February 21st, 2008  
Doppleganger
Tribuni Angusticlavii
 
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Supostat
There's another one (seems to be quite similar with previous), with author known:
http://rkkaww2.armchairgeneral.com/b...rs42_Orlov.htm

And here is original in Russian:
http://www.tellur.ru/~historia/archive/04-00/orlov.htm

I do not consider myself as expert in operation `Mars`, however I do not agree with thesis `Red Army's generals were fools and unable to conduct battles of first half of WW2 properly` ©.
I am no expert either so we'll have to agree to disagree on the reasons for Operation Mars. However, what can't be disputed is that the Red Army failed to dislodge AGC from the Rzhev salient and suffered heavy casualties in the process. They did however, force the Germans to use their depleted reserves to blunt the Soviet attack.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Supostat
I already mentioned my arguments and I do not want to repeat them... basically they are:
1. Giving up initiative (even for while) increases a risk to loose entire war.
2. Time and any delays worked in the benefit of Red Army, not of Wermacht.
3. Thesis about unbreakable German defense lines in winter 1941/1942, located near the Dnieper river, does not hold critics because of points 1 and 2.
So what I can gather from this is that:
  1. You see no difference between the Red Army of 1941/42 and the same army in 1944
  2. The force relations between the 2 sides is of no importance when determining the outcome of a battle
  3. It is better to over-extend yourself, fight on knowing that you have barely enough ammunition, food and fuel, moreover to do this in winter when you know you are not adequately equipped to fight in winter, than to dig-in, reequip and resupply and wait for weather that suits your strengths
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