I just found a sketch of idea burried for some time in my archives;though the idea must have been often discussed, I've not seen it for a while and this finding in my archives makes me curious again.
I'm under no illusions that these oilfields would be of any use since the retreating Soviets would have methodically sabotaged them, neither that it would in the long run alter the war's outcome, but the alternate developments are interesting.
First, the South Caucasus campaign which would see British and American forces from Iran to engage more actively into support of cut off Soviets, at a time when Rommel just got defeated at El Alamein and Allies landed in North Africa on his back.
Second, under the pod, we would have Army Group B under von Weichs in better position to fight Zhukov counter-offensive.
I guess the pod must involve the panzers not diverted from Army Group A, or at least in a time frame not disadventaging List.1942
During Autumn, German Army Group A under General List conquers North Caucasus and reaches Caspian Sea, then crosses Caucasus into Azerbaijan through the heavily defended Caspian Gates (near Derbent) and takes Baku oil fields.
He prepares for the next year to clean Soviet pockets in southern Caucasus, but in Iran, an British-American expeditionnary corps is gathered to relieve the Soviet forces in Azerbaijan (including the Iranian part).
North of Caucasus, the capture of Baku Oil fields coincide with the launch of Soviet counter-offensive in the Don-Volga area, which is fought by Army Group B under von Weichs.
I'm under no illusions that these oilfields would be of any use since the retreating Soviets would have methodically sabotaged them, neither that it would in the long run alter the war's outcome, but the alternate developments are interesting.
First, the South Caucasus campaign which would see British and American forces from Iran to engage more actively into support of cut off Soviets, at a time when Rommel just got defeated at El Alamein and Allies landed in North Africa on his back.
Second, under the pod, we would have Army Group B under von Weichs in better position to fight Zhukov counter-offensive.