Checking an atlas, I get the impression that the Greater Caucasus main ridgeline could be several hundred metres higher than the main Alps ridgeline. I don't know if it's enough to make a difference to a 1942 bomber hauling a full bomb-load but a potential issue could be there.You need to get the oil both West and North from the Maikop fields, let alone the ones on the Caspian Sea. Local use is ideal but you don't have that much need for that in the area once they are secured, you have other places that need the fuel also, remember oil is not just used by the aircraft, tanks and trucks on the Eastern Front. You have lots of need from the Bay of Biscay all the way to the front lines in the East and have to provide it in a timely manner.
Flying there to attack the area is not a problem because of the mountains. The 15th Airforce flew missions all the time to Austria, Central Germany and Northern Italy that crossed the different Alp ranges among others. You don't have to have a full airforce hitting the area, even bomber command with night mission should be able to find the area that is need to be hit. This is a classic area strategic attack and you would force the Luftwaffe to transfer their fighter aircraft to the area to defend it. Remember the Allies are adding more bombers a month than the Germans are adding fighers and pilots.
Baku, however, is not only south of the Caucasus main ridgeline but also on a rather prominent coastal peninsula that even a 1942 Bomber Command navigator should be able to find.Checking an atlas, I get the impression that the Greater Caucasus main ridgeline could be several hundred metres higher than the main Alps ridgeline. I don't know if it's enough to make a difference to a 1942 bomber hauling a full bomb-load but a potential issue could be there.
You also don't have to fly the straight route to the target but are able to go over Soviet territory, or even cut through Turkey if needed, to attack from different directions.Checking an atlas, I get the impression that the Greater Caucasus main ridgeline could be several hundred metres higher than the main Alps ridgeline. I don't know if it's enough to make a difference to a 1942 bomber hauling a full bomb-load but a potential issue could be there.