alternatehistory.com

Okay, we all know about the Battle of Stalingrad and how the Soviets encircled the German 6th Army in the city.

What most people did not know is that the Red Army was on the verge of cutting off all the formations South of the Rostov-Stalingrad line.

For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, here is a helpful picture(showing the German advance up to November 18th):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Eastern_Front_1942-05_to_1942-11.png

As you can see, Rostov lies right on the Black Sea.

Historically, the Soviets concentrated too much on Stalingrad and didn't realise what they had until it was to late to exploit. Also, Erich Von Manstein ran some defensive manuevering even after the Italian Eigth Army disintergrated and managed to get Hitler to withdraw the Army Group before it was too late.

But, let's say the Soviets either realise what they got or Hitler remains his stubborn old-self. And thus, they capture Rostov, effectively cutting off Army Group A(about 400,000 men). They then proceed to demolish both the 6th Army and Army Group A.

Now, after that, how fast does Germany lose the war?
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