Just picked up a copy of Hitler's Generals, and read that Wilhelm Keitel had asked Hitler on 3 different occasions to replace himself as chief of the combined armed forces with Erich Von Manstein, one of these times in particular seemed interesting and I'd be curious for the boards thoughts on the consequences
September 1942: Hitler is furious at the lack of progress with Operation Blue and has fired Bock and List... he is also having open feuds with Jodl and Halder over Africa and Stalingrad. Hitler drafted a memo to replace both men. Halder ended up getting replaced by Kurt Zeitzler and Jodl was supposed to be replaced with Paulus, with Von Seydlitz taking over the 6th army. Lets instead of Jodl hanging on, Paulus indeed does replace him, and Keitel's resignation is accepted and Manstein is pulled from the 11th army to become chief of combined operations. With this team in place, what the consequences at Stalingrad?; with Africa?; and are they able to fight to a stalemate where the other men failed?