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What if rather than diverting forces north, Hitler leaves his armies on the Luga Line in August 1941 and uses the 4th and 3rd Panzer Groups to launch limited attacks to secure the joints between AG-North and Center and wear down Soviet forces East of Smolensk to create breathing room to refit the two groups for a major mid-September offensive while Guderian secures Kiev and then moves up to support them when ready? VIII Air Corps remains with AG-Center too. What can they accomplish in the meantime, does the Staraya Russa offensive happen or do Soviet forces get diverted? What do Soviet forces around Leningrad do in the meantime? How does Finland react? Would this increase chances to reach Moscow prior to the onset of mud? Will it help prevent the wearing down of German forces in August-September East of Smolensk, do the Soviets sit on the defensive, and what happens with Yelnya if Zhukov isn't diverted AND AG-Center retains armored forces?
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