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This is a wierd idea, probably asb, but just something to think about.

Let's say by October 1941, the Germans realize that conquering the USSR is a no go. So instead of continuing a slug fest with the Russians, they decide to cut their loses and just completely withdraw back to Poland by Spring of 1942.

During this withdraw though the Germans would scorch all of occupied Russia, killing/shooting any civilians they see, taking as much resources/infrastructure as possible, wrecking all of the farmland.

Doing this would do several things. Up to this point, German casualties would be extremely low, while Russian casualties would be high. At the same time, all of Western Russia would be a uninhabited mess, with much of its resources looted and population killed. And to make things worse for the Soviets, by falling back to Poland, German logistics are no longer stretched and without suffering 1943/1944 casualties defending Western Russia in otl, the Germans would have the manpower to defend against any Russian attack and since the Soviet Union is more or less a train wreck the Germans could focus on North Africa and the Middle East.

So basically instead if making Operation Barbarossa into an invasion/occupation of the Soviet Union, turn it into a giant raid meant to temporarily knock the Soviets out for a decade or two and fund the future war effort by temporarily looting Western Russia.

Thoughts? Obviously this is probably asb (unless maybe you kill off Hitler and replace him with a more pragmatic leader), but it's something to think about none the less. Would Germany be better off or worse doing this?
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