DBWI: Hitler splitts the Army Group South in 1942.

Toraach

Banned
Hi.

I recently read that Hitler was thinking in July 1942 about splitting the Army Group South into two, and giving separate goals for both groups of armies, one as in the original Case Blue, to the Oil Fields and other to Stalingrad. Well, it would be certainly a stupid move, but very "hitlerish". But what if he actually did it?
 
The cross purposes of the assault likely lead to Case Blue stagnating earlier than IOTL, although the Germans paying more attention to their flank might mean that AGS isn't encircled in September. At the very least the attempted breakout would have been more likely to succeed without the bulk off German forces being so far south from Von Manstein's relief forces.
 
The move wouldn't be that stupid if it ensured that there were adequate forces around, or even better holding, Stalingrad to protect the flank of the Caucasus armies. In fact, if they had done this the war would have lasted at least another year. Dropping the Caucasus oilfields completely as an objective in 1942 would have been even better for the Axis.
 
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