German circling of Stalingrad, possible or not?

Today, I was walking from work to home, and I was thinking...

As we all know, the Germans tried to conquer Stalingrad by directly moving into the city, and driving the Russians out of the city, but accidentally leaving an entrance on the Volga for reinforcements, which left the Russians to eventually circle the Germans in the steppes surrounding the city.

But, what if we take the scenario in consideration that Paulus went on to think of another strategy? To go and focus on his flanks and go beyond the city, encircling Stalingrad, instead of pushing into the city, and denying it of reinforcements and resupply? Could this be possible, or would something like this lead to the inevitable defeat of the Germans in both the Eastern Front, AND the war?
 
Today, I was walking from work to home, and I was thinking...

As we all know, the Germans tried to conquer Stalingrad by directly moving into the city, and driving the Russians out of the city, but accidentally leaving an entrance on the Volga for reinforcements, which left the Russians to eventually circle the Germans in the steppes surrounding the city.

But, what if we take the scenario in consideration that Paulus went on to think of another strategy? To go and focus on his flanks and go beyond the city, encircling Stalingrad, instead of pushing into the city, and denying it of reinforcements and resupply? Could this be possible, or would something like this lead to the inevitable defeat of the Germans in both the Eastern Front, AND the war?
Most likely another lengthy siege like Leningrad, tying down soldiers and much needed resources. The 6th army would most likely meet a similar fate just under different circumstances, maybe some other minor objectives are captured but not enough salvage the campaign.
 
Could the Wehrmacht push the Soviets to and subsequently cross Volga while simultaneously having to deal with a dangerous Soviet bridgehead in Stalingrad? In my opinion, no.
 
Could the Wehrmacht push the Soviets to and subsequently cross Volga while simultaneously having to deal with a dangerous Soviet bridgehead in Stalingrad? In my opinion, no.
At least retrospectively, clearing the soviet bridgeheads before putting most of the forces into the City would seem sensible.
 
It depends on what Germany is trying to do.
If, as the video states at 27-28 minutes in, the intent was not to capture Stalingrad's industry but to stop supply on the Volga, then just sitting south of Stalingrad on the Volga would do the job just fine, with no need to actually take the city. If the job is to take Stalingrad and/or push past it, then encircling the city before moving in is harder, but still a better idea than what Germany did OTL.
 
There is an island on the Volga just south of the city center. Taking it and setting up artillery there would have basically allowed the Germans to shut down naval traffic of anything larger than a dingy brought up at night.

However, by the time you reach that point, it's already too late anyway. Victory in Case Blue requires trapping 62nd and 64th armies before they had a chance to retreat into the city proper
 
To completely encircle Stalingrad would require a German bridgehead on the other side of the Volga. Taking and defending that would be a major operation.
 
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