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We have probably been here before and not sure if this one can add any more to it, but... here we go again.

One of the more fascinating aspects of 1942 (in my opinion at least) is Case Blue.

In many ways it still looks to me as the only real option for Germany.

Going for Moscow would not be an option. Stalin had predicted that it would be the target; hence the heavy build-up there.

Leningrad and Northern front could be interesting but it could not produce any knock-out blow as far as I can see it.

It leaves Caucasus and the oil as the most relevant objective.

With Caucasus (Baku, Maikop, etc) producing 80% of all Soviet oil it would be tempting to either capture it - or at least deny Soviet the usage.

If this amount of oil is denied the Soviet, the war might be finished on German terms - maybe.

So, to get to the oil around Baku, Caucasus has to be invested.
To get Caucasus conquered, Rostov and surrounding areas must be occupied.

The flank is Stalingrad, no way out of it.

It leaves the good questions:

1) Was Blue the only option?
2) If Blue was the only option was it faulty in its conception or in its execution
3) Could Blue have been improved enough to get the objective: The oil in Baku denied to Soviet.

It also puts the question up for debate: Should Baku have been the objective in 1941?

Are we 'ploughing the mealie-fields' again?

Ivan
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