Why did 1st Panzer Army go into the Caucasus? Why not the Italian Alpini? And more... Stalingrad Q&A

A couple of questions from my Patrons today -
Alexander Kerscher asked - why did the OKW use badly equipped troops of its Axis Allies to secure the flanks of the 6th Army while sending a Tank Army into the Mountains of the Caucasus?
And Christopher Scarpino asked - Did any of the German General Staff try to talk Hitler or Paulus out of going into Stalingrad? Did anyone realize that (As I mentioned in my very long post) there are plenty of other places to cut the river traffic along the Volga (if that is all the Germans wanted to do)? Why did they lose focus on the true strategic goal: capturing Soviet oil for Germany and denying the (same) oil to the Soviets? How did they get so far off track?
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This video was edited by Terri Young. Check out her website www.terriyoung...
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BIBLIOGRAPHY / SOURCES
Full list of all my sources docs.google.co...
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ABOUT TIK
History isn’t as boring as some people think, and my goal is to get people talking about it. I also want to dispel the myths and distortions that ruin our perception of the past by asking a simple question - “But is this really the case?”. I have a 2:1 Degree in History and a passion for early 20th Century conflicts (mainly WW2). I’m therefore approaching this like I would an academic essay. Lots of sources, quotes, references and so on. Only the truth will do.
This video is discussing events or concepts that are academic, educational and historical in nature. This video is for informational purposes and was created so we may better understand the past and learn from the mistakes others have made.

[@TheIfifi]

That opening... Hehe, Halder is a meme at this point.

[@androcles6276]

Halder is a meme at this point but we're still not clear on the elephant in the room, the real geopolitical objective of operation Barbarossa, which is encoded very cleverly in the name. We focus on tactical maneuvers, gradual military accomplishments etc. but we can't see the forest for the trees. What would happen next if Fall Blau had succeeded?

[@vonhohenstaufen7321]

@@androcles6276 its pretty clear now, nearly 80 years after, that there was no way, his fall blau could have worked in any case. so why speculating and wasting precious time with "what if" scenarios - which, i hope you see the point - are absolutely obsolete. to direct respond on that, i ask you: "what would happen next if operation seelöwe had succeeded" - or way better: "what if plan gelb had failed"? i hope you see that this "what if" question wont lead to anything, because simply no one now can tell, not even close to, how anyone of those individuals would have reacted.

[@RGC-gn2nm]

@@androcles6276 The Nazi leadership believed the USSR would collapse in front of an all out blitz. Facing losses never seen before in modern warfare and by every measure the Soviets really should have. Paulus was the only German general to put his concerns about the 'true operational depth' of the USSR on paper. Even Stalin believed he would be replaced by the Politburo and went home for 10 days waiting to be shot. Only after the Politburo visited him and gave him full confidence and control did he return to Moscow. German Intelligence was very very very poor. Doctor Glantz repeatedly says they operated on 'Hopes and Prayers' instead.

[@jonathanbaron-crangle5093]

@@RGC-gn2nm Per Wiki You'd have thought OKW would've paid attention to him: Interwar period After the Armistice, Paulus was a brigade adjutant with the Freikorps. He was chosen as one of only 4,000 officers to serve in the Reichswehr, the defensive army that the Treaty of Versailles had limited to 100,000 men. He was assigned to the 13th Infantry Regiment at Stuttgart as a company commander. He served in various staff positions for over a decade (1921-33). In 1920s, as part of the military cooperation between Weimar Republic and Soviet Union to escape Treaty of Versailles, Paulus presented guest lectures in Moscow, Soviet Union. He would've learned a lot about core Russian strategies then, & seen with his own eyes even more than that.

[@diegonatan6301]

0:44 For some reason I almost thought that you were going to start a joke here in the style of three men are in a bar: "three Axis armies enter the Caucasus, one was German, another was Italian, the third was Romanian..."

[@Yora21]

It turned out to be a joke.

[@Fruzhin5483]

@@Yora21 hahaha, holy shit dude, you fucking killed it

[@emiliobazzarelli4270]

Reminds me of a teacher in high school who said the Italians had a good army, it was just always in the wrong place and without supplies

[@Perkelenaattori]

Like at the southern end of the El Alamein front left to be sacrificed.

[@Maeda_Toshiie]

They had good and brave soldiers, just shit equipment, shit supplies, shit leaders, and insufficient industry to back them up.

[@lysanderxiii2335]

There are tactical and operational reasons that make the taking of Stalingrad NOT a dumb idea as hindsight leads one to believe. The city itself sits on the western side of the river. To not take the city means leaving Soviet forces on your side of the river, worse, these forces can be supplied and/or re-enforced reasonably unmolested. That would require a larger blocking force to keep the Soviets contained in their small beachhead. If, on the other hand you take the city, then the Soviets have to force a river crossing, which is more difficult, in order the launch an offensive. I am sure Halder, Paulus, and the OKW saw this, and that is why no objections were made to Paulus' attempt to oust the Soviets from the city.

[@reginaldmcnab3265]

I agree! And some people like to say Hitler wanted to tske Stalingrad because it was named after Stalin! But that is not correct, Stalingrad was of great strategic importance.

[@stevep5408]

The Germans bombed Stalingrad to rubble, who could make your plan work under those conditions?

[@LivebythecodeVJLEE]

They destroyed the city and could have bypassed it

[@ridderwimdegrote]

it still amazes me, as Citino said, how close they actually came. Half an hour ride by an armored car to Alexandria, couple of 100 yards from the Volga in Stalingrad itself and only a few miles outside the oil cities. On top of all this they already stretched their logistics to a maximum at Rostov and then proceded into the Caucasus extending their frontline with somewhat a 1000 miles(?) with their units at 50% strength an later 33% strength.. quite impressive. foolish though. but still impressive.

[@sansoucci5394]

Even if they actually would have taken Stalingrad just around the time of the Soviet counter attack the result would have had been the same. They would have had to have taken it much earlier before the Soviets could build up the Armies on their flanks. Soviet men and materiel + resources were drip fed into the defenders.The Soviets held the city till they could spring the trap on the Germans.

[@DagarCoH]

I think there is a certain inertia to such a complex machine as a front at war. Even if the supply chain is strained to the point where tgey cannot bring more than the units consume, they still have reserves, they ration, they pillage what they can get and so on. That way, they can stretch a bit further before the real breaking point is reached.

[@fazole]

Marc Felton channel shows the actual spot marking the farthest advance in Moscow. He contends it's too far away to see the Kremlin golden onion top buildings, which were camouflaged back then anyway.

[@davethompson3326]

The last step is often the doozy Paris 1914, 1870, Vienna 1529, Constantinople 378, 626, 674, 717, 813, 860, 907, 941, (before things went downhill)

[@sansoucci5394]

@@benjaminbritsch1749 I,m not clear as to what you mean or are alluding to.But say for saying sake that the Germans HAD captured immense quantities of crude oil. did they have the ability to refine it?Did have have sufficient oil refining facilities to produce enough to keep their own Armed forces going?. Alternatively could the USA have supplied Soviet Russia with enough fuel to do the same?Tik would know the answers to that one and if he could reply that would be great.!!.Or if any other poster could enlighten us all regards oil. fuel and the fighting armies that would be good also.

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

The story of the Italian Alpine unit is so typical. At some point you should tell the story of the British 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division which was trained as a Mountain division. Here's a quote from Wiki, "Ironically, the first operation of the division would not be in mountainous terrain or being deployed by air, but fighting below sea level on the flooded polders around the Scheldt Estuary of Belgium and the Netherlands."

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

I love your sustained attack on the legacy of the Nazi generals. So few channels show them as they were, instead too many just accept their self written legend... great stuff. Thanks.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Yes, but somehow, despite doing this, people continue to call me "pro-German" and whatnot... I don't get it

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

@@TheImperatorKnight you are unreservedly critical of both armies, as every good historian should be. Great stuff mate and your view count proves it. A lot of people enjoy your content a great deal.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

"German efficiency" is a myth. I used to work for a large company that had a number of German suppliers, and when I took a delivery from any of them the first thing I did was to look for the mistakes, because sure as hell there'd be at least one, usually more. Some were real "How in God's name do you get that wrong ?" type howlers. And this was from "world class" companies. No nation has a monopoly on brilliance or the right way to do things, and if something goes wrong with the German way, it stays wrong because no-one questions it - "orders are orders".

[@dreamcrusher112]

I've seen some historian channels take blatantly political historical documents at face value. One was completely unquestioning regarding the interrogation report of Stalin's son branding him antisemitic, even though his wife was Jewish.

[@Tuning3434]

@@Kevin-mx1vi My (2nd-tier) experience with (reputable) German companies is an overemphasis on seniority, and less flexibility to implement feedback of lower ranked (engineering levels). While on lower level both parties might agree on what actions should be taken, it might take quite some politics to find the appropriate seniority level to persuade the German senior levels. (and you might not even be aware senior levels are blocking, because the lower levels are cooperative out of politeness). I guess that if management isn't convinced of quality issues themselves, it can take quite some effort to get them corrected and makes up for a rigid system in case senior management is just proven to be flat out wrong. In some way it is applaud able that German / Prussian doctrine was to focus on mission tasks and local initiative, cause that isn't necessarily the German (commercial/ cultural) approach.

[@gavinhaywood9983]

Just read a great little book on the Italian Alpini Regiment during Stalingrad called "sacrifice on the Steppe" by Hope Hamilton, good insight into how and why they failed but doesn't portray them as cowards the total opposite in fact.

[@variszuzans299]

Stalingrad was a major industrial center, tanks etc, as well as major rail hub and transportation hub. So it made a lot of sense to take it.

[@MrRappy999]

Roamian Mountain Troups have been the best on eastern front among the axis mountain troops. Operation München, Battle of Azov, Battle of Crimea, Rostov, Caucasus, Nalchik operation and others. Mountain troops commanders awarded Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross - Mihail Lascar Romanian 1st Mountain Brigade (Crimea operation) later awarded Oak Leaves in battle of Stalingrad. Ioan Dumitrache 2nd Romanian Mountain Division, awarded to him for capturing Nalchik/ Leonard Mociulschi 3rd Romanian Mountain Division. Gheorghe Manoliu 4th Romanian Mountain Division.

[@voliticity912]

There are no major city and railway junctions between Stalingrad and Astrakhan. It is very difficult to supply large amount of troops. Also Stalingrad is the narrow point between Don and Volga, if German get the city, it will be easier to defend, otherwise, let us say German go to Astrakhan directly, then Red Army can easily select attacking point along the left flank using Stalingrad as a bridgehead. Stalingrad is city German troop has to have.

[@hjalmar4565]

Yes, I agree with you there. Historians always said Stalingrad wasn't a strategic important city, but they forgot the railway to the south goes through Stalingrad.

[@lotus95t]

The Germans did use their own mountain troops in the Caucasus (Edelweiss) operation. Both the 4th Gebirgsdivision and XLIX Gebirgskorps units were used.

[@mibamoeba]

Yes, and Hitler went ballistic when they captured Mt. Elbruz. Total waste of men and material. He wanted the Oilfields, not mountain tops.

[@jussim.konttinen4981]

@@mibamoeba He was wrong. The Afghans showed how to defeat the Red Army without material superiority. It's a matter of willpower.Result: Mujahideen victory en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet-Afghan_War

[@lotus95t]

@@mibamoeba Taking Mt. Elbruz wasn't really the issue. Unless the Germans were able to control from Rostov on Don to Stalingrad to Astrakhan and essentially cut the Soviets off from the Caucasus, it's unlikely Edelweiss would ever work. Hitler was correct that Stalingrad was the linchpin to the operation. Unless he could take and hold Stalingrad he knew he could never hold the Caucasus. And once the Soviets broke out of Stalingrad and could hold a line from there to Rostov on Don, they'd have cut off the Germans in the Caucasus. Whether you look at it for the German or Soviet perspective - Stalingrad was the key.

[@coachhannah2403]

Ian Caldwell - Better ways to accomplish goals than get stuck in house to house fighting...

[@jussim.konttinen4981]

@@lotus95t To my understanding, the Germans destroyed more than they initially calculated (248/240). According to the Germans, 60 divisions would remain, but the Soviet Union had 100 extra divisions of its own, and another 60 divisions thanks to lend-lease. It's not possible to destroy 220 Soviet divisions without unconventional warfare.

[@pimpinspartan]

Hell yeah, I recently found out that my great grandpa served in the 347th rifle division in the Caucasus (Soviets), would love if you could cover more of the soviet perspective on some of these battles

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I don't know if I'll cover the Caucasus specifically, but the reason I'm not doing as much from the Soviet perspective is simply because of limited sources

[@pimpinspartan]

@@TheImperatorKnight fair, I don't wanna tell you what to do. Are Soviet sources limited becasuse of lack of translation or limited because of Soviet Sovietness?

[@nottoday3817]

@@pimpinspartan Well, basically, no one would take him serious if he cited official soviet sources because everyone is satisfied by the propaganda that only the Soviet sources lie, all the others somehow tell the truth. Without official Soviet sources put up for translation, the only thing left is independent historians or first hand sources (aka going for the Archives). Unfortunetly, they might not give that much interest in translating into English (since Russian historians tend to be shamed whenever they say something that doesn't fit the Western narrative against them)

[@richardmaccagni8690]

5 seconds in, already deserved my like. Good job as always Tik. Bless you.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Dangerous strategy liking a video without watching it. You might hate it!

[@richardmaccagni8690]

@@TheImperatorKnight Fair warning and justified, I admit I couldn't resist the opening, it's great . Still well deserved like after I watched the video though, interesting as always.

[@NathanMulder]

It would be so interesting to just look into Halder's head and see what he thought of his own actions.

[@DavidK-uv8oe]

Italians were deployed on the Don to separate the Romanian and the Hungarian armies. Romanians and Hungarians were bitter enemies.

[@sansoucci5394]

Yes they were bitter enemies because Hungary had been awarded Romanian territory of the Old Hapsburg Austrian empire.

[@michealohaodha9351]

@@sansoucci5394 It was older an more complicated than juts that, for instance te Romanians had also invaded Hungary as recently as 1919

[@changcheng73]

That sounds odd but it could be the real reason.

[@grueadn5429]

@@michealohaodha9351 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4moc62ne7Nme7M

[@Cristiano95ify]

Alpine Corps was moving to the front for the last part of the journey on foot: I assume the high command divert the unit on the Don front simply because there it could be used right away (and they were severly over-stretched, needy of new unit on front). Moreover there is to consider the command and control problem (furthemore in a offensive operation and not in a static and defensive operation as on the Don front): is much simple concentrate all the Italian units in a single army, without (for example) the problems of language barrier whitin a army (even if, better to point out in this regard, the CSIR was previously insert of the Kleist panzerarmee)

[@WARLOCKIKITCLAW]

This is honestly the first time I laughed out loud when watching a TIK video, amazing intro. Cheers TIK.

[@douglasstrother6584]

The distances are staggering: the distance between Stalingrad and Maykop (~400+ miles) looks to be about the same as Los Angeles, California to Reno, Nevada. LA to Reno is a long enough drive without T-34's, IL-2's, etc along the way.

[@andybas5521]

TIK, can you comment: what German generals were thinking about guys like Zhukov? It seems they were not interested in them so much to analyze.

[@brainyskeletonofdoom7824]

The italian line broke when they were outnumbered multiple times, with almost no capable anti tank equipment in 1943, dubious winter protection, and some of them even managed to break the consequent encirclement. For what they had they did even too well in my opinion.

[@matrixnorm6672]

Muh, outnumbered. Maybe Axis should have guessed better where the Soviets were going to strike.

[@brainyskeletonofdoom7824]

@@matrixnorm6672 I don't see how this changes the fact that they faced a vastly superior enemy

[@urbanwarrior3470]

@@brainyskeletonofdoom7824 vastly superior in numbers

[@tomasznieckula2605]

Hi TIK, I have wondered if could create an episode about epidemics on Eastern Front. We hear about Rzhev Meat Grinder or Battle of Stalingrad but not much focus is put into that more "medical" side of it. As Spanish flu gained momentum due to First World War trench warfare with constant reinforcments, what was the impact epidemics had on operations in Second World War ? Thanks for great videos in that hard times!

[@TheImperatorKnight]

That's a really interesting topic I hadn't considered. Not sure if there's much written on it, but will write it down on my list of subjects to cover at some point. Thanks for the idea!

[@nottoday3817]

On the Eastern Front? One word: Dissinteria ( I believe that's how it's spelt in English), you basically puke and shit till you die. (Sorry for the bad language)

[@MoosePolo]

The amount of knowledge Tik has without even opening a book is unbelievable. Knows each division and where it went and who commanded it. Very bright man

[@eslembelabed7148]

amazing work! keep it up

[@RussianThunderrr]

TIK, idk if anyone already let you know, but Aleksey Isaev in life stream with Mike Timin(well known YT channel on Russian language for professional historians, it is very amusing that you and them (Timin and Isaev) doing battle of Stalingrad at the same time parallel to each other, but different styles, I love both channels!) dedicating to VE Day mentioned you when someone asked him a question you as a recommended source of the Battle of Curland, congrats! Keep up a good job! Waiting for next Stalingrad series, and perhaps followed by Kursk series! And, Thank YOU for all the hard work that you do!

[@vassilizaitzev1]

Careful Tik, Halder may come back from the dead to cherrypick the archives to make himself look better. ^^'

[@TheImperatorKnight]

The ghost of Halder still haunts the archives to this day, crying out - "It vas all Madman Hitler's fault, not mein!"

[@vassilizaitzev1]

@@TheImperatorKnight Scary thought! On serious note, good job with the Battlestorm. I'm pecking away at "Taste of War." And it's pretty detailed though the technical writing slows me down a bit.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I'm kinda surprised you think it's technical. Then again, I read quite a lot of technical books, so I guess I'm getting used to the 'mildly' technical ones

[@vassilizaitzev1]

@@TheImperatorKnight Well my background was mostly reading narrative military history. I can understand troop movements and tactics more than nutritional content of food and policy regarding food production and distribution. I can understand it, just takes me a bit longer. Though the political wrangling behind the scenes is just as fascinating as the armies clashing. A range of people stepping up to make sure groups didn't starve, to those gaming the system to make money at the expense of others. I did not realize the US had an issue with supplying meat overseas, nor trying to get the citizenry to reduce domestic meat consumption so more could be sent via Lend-Lease.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

"I did not realize the US had an issue with supplying meat overseas, nor trying to get the citizenry to reduce domestic meat consumption so more could be sent via Lend-Lease." Yes, and how Britain was the best-fed country in Europe, which came at the cost of the whole world (pretty much) having to bend the knee and cut back their own consumption (USA, New Zealand etc). Also partly the reason so many Indians starved to death during the war.

[@--Dani]

1984...Thank you. The past is the past and it happened damn it.

[@douglasstrother6584]

Looking at a map, the Volga River is much wider (a couple miles) north of the city, and the terrain south all the way to Astrakhan looks very marshy. It seems that the Germans' philosophy of "war of movement" was stopped by the geography of the Volga River around Stalingrad.

[@walt1999walt]

Yes, and no. No because it was the Soviets and their stiffer resistance during the 2nd yr of the war that "really" stopped the Germans (this and the German's own gasoline shortage, too). When they allowed the Russian armies to get across the Volga, though, they never recovered from that.

[@douglasstrother6584]

Agreed: it's never just one element. The Red Army was retreating, but no longer the reeling mess that it was a year before. But looking a Google Map (FWTW), the best place to cross the Volga is through Stalingrad; that's probably why Tsaritsyn was first established there. There was no clever way for the Wehrmacht to circumvent this obstacle.

[@TheGrinbery]

not even 5 seconds in and I am already losing it XD you're the best TIK, keep up the great work!

[@cmdrflake]

It seems to this historian (me) that the experience of Army Group Center with the winter weather outside of Moscow, did anyone think of digging in to wait out the winter and both mud seasons? Taking Stalingrad was still doable, but not in time to be avoid being mired in mud and later, snow and arctic cold, then the spring mud period.

[@KrzysztofDanielCiba]

TIK uploaded new video, our Monday saved.

[@cliveashleyhamilton]

Definitively accurate historical narratives of what really took place. Best history source I've ever seen

[@schwerpunkt7687]

Glad to see you cite Citino and Glantz often. I had the the good fortune of attending two of Citino's sections on WWII while at university. He is unrivalled at lecturing. My own thesis was published and pertained to SLA Marshal, the ratio of fire, and combat psychology. Slainte.

[@mdjones4]

The Romanians were also under-equipped for the operation. They had 100 or so tanks but they were all panzer 35t light tanks. Not only this but the Italians in some sectors were holding a line of over 180 miles of front with basically nothing but WWI rifles and some outdated artillery.

[@Suchtel10]

Thank you for answering my question and for your really great work. I am loving history since my school days and i am impressed that you give me a view on new perspectives of the history every time.

[@ionutunroman7525]

Wow, you have so many books related to Stalingrad and WW2. 👍

[@BoskoBuha99]

TIK could you do a video about the probability of the USSR withstanding a two front war had the Japanese, between 1941-42, decided to violate the non-agression pact with the Soviets and attack them? Big fan of your program!

[@AlexeiRamotar]

Hindsight is 20/20

[@uralbob1]

Thank you Tik! Your blogs are always very interesting and intriguing. Also, I love reading all the titles in your library as you speak.

[@jasonb2689]

A book I read long ago explained that the Italians were placed between the Hungarians and Romanians to prevent those two allies from fighting one another. Of course using the elite Alpini on the plains was a waste. But one can only figure someone decided to keep the whole Italian expeditionary Force together

[@lafuffarosa562]

Yeah I remember something similar from a book written by an Italian soldier who fought in that area

[@TheDarthMushroom]

How I miss the good old days, where the series were complete and you wouldn’t have to wait for the next chapter. But it is really nice to have these small episodes too. :)

[@kiowhatta1]

Although I find this area of the Eastern front the most interesting, it is also the most bewildering, mystifying, and frustrating - perhaps even comically tragic. The original Blau plan: Blau I: Fourth Panzer Army, commanded by Hermann Hoth (transferred from Army Group Centre) and the Second Army, supported by the Second Hungarian Army, would attack from Kursk to Voronezh and continue the advance, anchoring the northern flank of the offensive towards the Volga. Blau II: Sixth Army, commanded by Friedrich Paulus, would attack from Kharkiv and move in parallel with Fourth Panzer Army, to reach the Volga at Stalingrad (whose capture was not deemed necessary). Blau III: First Panzer Army would then strike south towards the lower Don River, with Seventeenth Army on the western flank and Fourth Romanian Army on the eastern flank. Army Group A, under Wilhelm List (Caucasus campaign) First Panzer Army Seventeenth Army Third Romanian Army Eleventh Army Army Group B, under Maximilian von Weichs (Volga campaign) Second Army Fourth Panzer Army Sixth Army Second Hungarian Army Fourth Romanian Army Eighth Italian Army Luftflotte 4, under Alexander Löhr 8th Air Corps 4th Air Corps 1st Problem: No operational reserve; including Mansteins 11th army fresh from the siege of Sevastopol with very capable axis satellite troops, very heavy siege artillery in Army Group B's order of battle would have been optimal in pursuing what must have been the best course of action to neutralise Stalingrad and either continue down the Volga to Astrakhan before winter proper. This could have been achieved by sending 4th Pz, and 6th Army with 2nd Hun.4th Rom. south, whilst also peeling off Garrison troops along the way. 2nd Problem: Astrakhan - The original plan called for the northern flank to be secured at the most southern end at Stalingrad, which may have been enough, but occupying the Volga from the Don bend to Astrakhan would have sealed off any soviet attempts to break through, the Axis would control the major Caspian port where supplies were sent from Baku, and also shipments fro Lend-Lease. Plus it was the southern point of the 'A-A line'. which it could have been with 1st Pz Armee, 17th Armee, 3rd Rumanian army, 1st Alpini Corps, half of Luftflotte 4, (what always bogged down and turned the tide in battles was almost always air cover ( minimum) air superiority (desirable) and air supremacy ( superlative ), Rommel noted this was the most difficult aspect of the El Alamein battles, the armies in the Caucasus were having great success when enjoying full Luftwaffe support, but when it was withdrawn - things became very difficult. Handing over the strategic initiative in the air so blithely to justify them being needed elsewhere I'm sure turned Von Richthofen hair grey and gave rise to the infamous outburst: 'We are nothing more than the armies whore!'. 3rd problem: The whole operation from the start contravened traditional Prussian operational doctrine which loosely stated that the greatest force is directed at one strategic objective at a time. This ensured maximum application of firepower, easier logistically to supply one Army group if you know clearly where it's going and what its stated objectives were. But the 'Bewegungskrieg', 'Kurz und vives' Kesselschlacht, Schwerpunkt, and Auftragstaktik ( War of movement, short and lively, cauldron battle, concentration point, and mission tactics or command flexibility), which were the fundamental principles that had evolved and been adapted to suit the Prussian economy which lacked resources for Stellungskrieg ( Static warfare ) were tinkered with, ignored, and we see the consequences. Conclusion: Many more errors were committed during this, including poor unit deployment especially in the Caucasus - the most important campaign of the war. It was the proverbial last throw of the dice - so more reserves, more air cover and a sound strategic overlook ought to have prevailed in what was the operation to ensure Germany remained in the war with the resources she required. To foul it up so foolishly then single-mindedly, resulting in the entire destruction of an army and suffering all for nought is tragic, yet made outrageously so by those in command who bore the responsibility - their hubris condemned the third Reich to defeat.

[@worldwarhistory6654]

Very specific on the topic, really nice and informative about the Panzer Army! Started my own WW1/WW2 channel a week ago because of my passion for this 😀

[@reginaldmcnab3265]

Another good video from you, thanks

[@ALEJANDRORODRIGUEZ-qx9gh]

Hi TIK ! On your second answer you focus just on Halder and Paulus,but you forget fieldmarshal Von Block -dismissed onJuly 15-

[@shrutammukherjee1086]

Here from Eastory. Lucky that I found your channel.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Welcome! Hope you enjoy your stay :)

[@shrutammukherjee1086]

@@TheImperatorKnight I surely wil. Thanks:)

[@jonathanbaron-crangle5093]

Just noticed the books behind on the bookshelf upper right-4 very thick books by David Glantz, the titles very prominent. That's a lot of reading..!

[@localenterprisebroadcastin5971]

LOL Great opening disclaimer

[@leroyhovatter7051]

Great content and excellent commentary and thoughtful insight. Your videos are very good.

[@Latwis]

Hey TIK, did you read any of Paul Carell writings? Besides what he was like, he has interesting way of telling the story imo. Thank you for the video.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

The culprit wasnt hilter or halder. It was the average Soviet soldier. He didnt run away or die like he was supposed to.

[@changcheng73]

@mysirius1000 Yes. Practically, the Germans have defeated themselves. That happened to Napoleon in 1812, as well.

[@xrpirate536]

I love my History lesson! Love your style of teaching me. Very interesting. Looking forward to much more.

[@stevecoscia]

Good order 45 explanation.

[@sifis172]

thanks TIK!

[@mossbergshockwave9629]

"Talk Hitler out of it" 😂😂😂

[@Itoyokofan]

Hello, TIK. I just wanted to let you know, that recently Alexei Isayev (whose book you have in your collection) on a victory day livestream recommended your videos mentioning that: "He made a video on Courland, I really liked the infographics and everything was spot-on in general. If I'm going to do Courland episode I'm going to use that as an example of how to approach the theme." And he also added half-joking: "And It's not "wah~wah~" american English, everything is easy to understand even if you have a high-school or better level of English" :D

[@andybas5521]

why German generals underestimated their Soviet colleagues before the war, during the war and even after the war? Did not they see they are loosing and have they ever asked themsefves what happends?

[@andybas5521]

@@matztertaler2777 does not look like they knew and does not look like they are just soldiers. Looks more like they look upside down at Soviet generals, even do not bother to check who they are

[@richardstephens5570]

The Germans underestimated the Soviet military before the war because there were times the Soviet military performed poorly(Winter War vs Finland). And the Nazis racism toward Slavic people also played a role in the German view of the Soviets. The German high command greatly underestimated the number of Soviet reserves, they thought the Soviet Union would collapse in 3-4 months.

[@andybas5521]

@@richardstephens5570 why did they underestimated quality of Soviet generals like Zhukov? They lost battle of Moscow, Leningrad, Rzhev and guess what? Still were not interested in the guy who was in command. Nazi had never been stopped in their advance until Smolensk - so it was definitelly something new for them. Then they could not capture Leningrad - also new. Then Moscow - also new. then Stalingrad - also new. and still they had no intention to analyse who are in command on the other side.

[@anthonywall5227]

Thank you

[@jeanjean1562]

Hello TIK, thanks for these amazing quality videos. I jave two questions. would you recommand a book about the soviet economy before and during the second world war? What do you think about the book of Adam Tooze about the third reich economy?

[@robpullar4257]

TIK - if there are any books you can't get hold of, as an academic I can access the British Library... (maybe you can too, and I understand if you prefer to have the book and support the authors, just offering...)

[@zechariahtlee]

That opening triggered me. Halder...

[@Yora21]

Mountain troops at the Don. That must have been awkward.

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

STAVKA knew what the OberKommando was doing. Spies from the Lucy Ring had a mole at GHQ.

[@christopherwebber3804]

One of the German alpine divisions was sent to Leningrad at the same time, which also seems a bizarre decision given that there aren't any mountains there, and that the German mountain divisions were also light infantry divisions equipped with mules etc - at least they had the proper winter gear, though!!

[@changcheng73]

It wasn't that stupid, in fact. The area around Leningrad was described by some german as "Northern jungle". Marshy forest with very few bad roads. Lots of swamps and lakes. Only well-trained light infantry could operate in such conditions.

[@ethanarnold4441]

The opening about Halder made me laugh.

[@atsekoutsoube]

Very informative as always. But the comment has actually another point. The bookshelves at the background are so similar to mine in terms of appearance and arrangement. And even in terms of content. At least ten books are found in my bookshelves too (STALINGRAD, CRETE, LOST VICTORIES, PANZER BATTLES etc). Amazing coincidence?

[@madedjrbatara1000]

One strategic blunder, among 2 or 3, of the Wehrmacht is underestimating the Soviet army. Oft quoted phrase is "one kick & the whole Soviet army will come crashing down". So 2nd rate Axis allies guarding 6th army's northern flank is not surprising.

[@EndOfSmallSanctuary97]

They had good reason to not have a high opinion of the Red Army, considering how poor its performance had been in Poland and Finland. Even Stalin admitted that the Red Army of 1939-40 would have had no chance of stopping the Germans.

[@morningstar9233]

Good questions. Both of which have crossed my mind. Particularly why it was felt necessary to capture Stalingrad, when the Volga and thus Soviet oil could have been blocked elsewhere in terrain more suitable to tank warfare. I've heard Hitler had a lust for taking Stalingrad because it bore the Soviet leader's name. While this may be true i believe Hitler, a shrewd man, would not have jeopardised the whole mission for the sake of a trophy. I look forward to Tik's more detailed answer in the forthcoming season. Awaited, as ever, with great appreciation for the outstanding work of our host.

[@nottoday3817]

Stalingrad was a major crossing point and logistical node. Taking it meant preventing the enemy from mounting a meaningful offensive.

[@GunnyKeith]

Thanks TIK great job sir

[@TheFirebird123456]

Whats so bad about halder? Anyways great video as always, are u going to cover operation bagration some time in the future.

[@justinkinkade2063]

Clearest, simplest explanation on the original plan and order #45. Great job. Seems they did what made the most sense at the time. Maybe only better intelligent on the Red Army would have potentially made a difference.

[@NicoDavout]

Hello, have you made any video about the Caucasus campaign? Fighting for the ports and drive for the oil fields? I searched but can´t find anything in your YT videos. Thank you in advance. Also, your videos are great.

[@Tico.Altacuna]

Funny thing, this matter of the passing of time: impossible to look ahead, no way to change the slightest thing of what´s already happened. And that´s why it is so fascinating this post-mortem analysis, the "what if..." One thing is for sure: History is packed with incredible feats of arms, in which a determined force overcame much bigger opposition. And if you study these examples, the magical trick is revealed: a blind, relentless, daring will to win, regardless of odds, cool calculations, wise studies. This policy becomes twice as unavoidable for smaller countries facing bigger ones. They have to hit hard and knok out the other one, because if the fight goes on, when it becomes a matter of resilience, they are in deep shit. There is no such thing as a clean, wise war, or a half-hearted offensive. By defenition, it´s a mad, chaotic business.

[@kallegran7225]

Having low-quality allies at the front while sending elite troops to France to rest is pretty wierd...

[@HighlineGuitars]

As I understand the history of Fall Blau, when Maykop was taken by Army Group A, the oil facilities there were so completely destroyed, German engineers reported back to Hitler that it would take two years to bring them back online. This apparently angered Hitler who then decided to send Paulus into Stalingrad almost as an act of revenge for Maykop. Stalingrad then became a focal point for the global news media and Hitler, who was sensitive to what they were reporting about his strategy, became trapped by his own decision to attack Stalingrad as an act of revenge/media show while trying to capture the Caucasus oil fields at the same time.

[@ploploolpo1929]

Maximus Aurelius Supremus opening :D!

[@stevek8829]

At the beginning the question on Romanian and Italian mountain troops showing their strength was interesting. Didn't they get a chance to demonstrate in the mountains of Greece? All El Duce's horses and all El Duce's men marched up the hills of Greece and marched back down again.

[@fabiodalessandro2765]

Well, the italian mountain troops in Greece fought valiantly, the division Julia has been recorded among the bravest units, even by greeks. But they were only a part of the army, and a part of a really badly plan of battle (c'mon, offensive in Autumn, on mountains....)

[@ed19742006]

TIK we need to talk about the Rzhev Meat Grinder.

[@kiowhatta1]

TIK, would really enjoy seeing you do a video in which you are in total operational control of AGS' A and B, within the same timeline how would you have conducted the offensive? You would have the original order of battle including 11th Army. Would you have secured Astrakhan before heading south? Which units would you place where? dare you take on the challenge to present Fall Blau is it ought to have been conducted?

[@CHECHEN]

«If I do not get the oil of Maikop and Grozny, then I must end this war.» - Adolf Hitler

[@DZSabre]

I love the introductory warning!!!

[@johnlansing2902]

Could you possibly cover maintenance and it’s vital contribution to the strength of a modern military unit? If it is not working a vehicle is useless.

[@yurgenlevi7980]

Like in the first 5 seconds. TIK is just awesome.

[@TheLastSterling1304]

I've got an interesting point of divergence, what if the British conducted operation pike during Barbarossa or Blau? The plan was to destroy the Soviet Oil industry in the Caucasus to deprive them from German Capture. Assuming that the British suceeded, and the Soviet don't realize it was the british doing it, what would it have caused to effect the Eastern Front? In the Case for Blau, it would mean the Germans wouldn't have a reason to go to there, while in the case of Barbarossa there wouldn't be as much fuel for their winter counter offensives.

[@Axisjampa]

I'm the first to comment. "Stay to tanks, TIK". I don't know what are you talking yet, so I'm just guessing.

[@rudolfrednose7351]

But with all the barbers being closed due to the lock-down, I dó envy Halder’s haircut though.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

7:58 we need to get tick some nice round glasses and a wehrmacht uniform for the SEPARATED AT BIRTH April 1st special edition

[@johnwakamatsu3391]

I agree with you why send mountain troops to fight on flat ground makes no sense like sending tanks to fight in mountain terrain. I always believe that specialized forces should be used for specific tasks but, I have found that the military is known for lack of common sense.

[@thuzzle]

Is Halder father of Michael Douglas?

[@maciejniedzielski7496]

10:28 Reminds Capitan Stransky in the "Cross of Iron" under Soviet attack: We're winning!! We're winning!!! (*!#&)

[@mohammadshabih5293]

Wow, so many books in the back man.

[@davidchicoine6949]

Thanks tik for giving us something educative to watch during this crappy time keep up the good work by the way i am reading a john keagan book .world war 2 do you recommand him heard he was a good historian ?

[@r-saint]

Italy was on the Eastern Front for the same reason it attacked France and was bombing the UK. It (or Mussolini) wanted to participate in the peace negotiations to get some territories for its participation. But some things gone wrong. From the USSR Italy wanted to occupy Black Sea area (I think). Since it was Roman in ancient times (half-kidding).

[@dandondera2618]

Well, that area was already occupied and administered by Romanians. Hard to think they would just give it away.

[@TheLocalLt]

@@dandondera2618 yep Romania was given Odessa, while the Germans claimed Crimea and Ukraine. With Turkey neutral there wasn’t much left for Italy, possibly Tiflis. The closest they were realistically going to get to the Black Sea was probably the Dodecanese Islands in the Agaean, which they already possessed (they’re now owned by Greece)

[@varovaro1967]

They were still retreating.... from Caporetto...

[@laszlomiskei9138]

That opening ... this has to be a thing from now on.

[@autoloadable]

Ewwww pictures!? OF HALDER! sorry gotta downvote TIK... nothing personal Nah ;) edit: pictures of Halt Dahr? some people find them annoying?! downright desturbing I find them!

[@yugster78]

Halder is Wehrmacht slang for penis

[@autoloadable]

@@yugster78 Halder more like "Halt Dahr" (stop there in german)

[@hobblesofkarth3943]

What allied forces were in the caucuses fighting against army group A? They send alot of forces down there but TIK never showed anything on the map as resistance.

[@ehsanzolfaghari8507]

Hey TIK don't you think that keeping 11th Army in the Crimea during Case Blue would have allowed the Germans to launch a "2 prong attack" into the Caucus Mountains, and would have given them an actual chance of taking some more oil fields. They might not have sent the 4th panzer Army towards the mountains in the first place and maybe could have taken the Don area MUCH quicker and avoided getting bogged down in Stalingrad. Great Series!!

[@themaskedmenace314]

Is the timing of "Order 45" really a significant factor overall? Would it really have mattered if the order was given later? Even if the order wasn't given when it was the left flank and supply lines were stretched. And the Don River was still defended by inadequate forces.

[@PoczciwyPoczmistrzzTczewa]

Quick question TIK! Do you recommend Anne Applebaum book? You have Red Famine in bibliography and I have seen her other books in polish (Iron Curtain and Gulag) but She is better known in Poland as pro-US journalist than a historian.. May I have your opinion on the subject?

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I have Red Famine and started reading it in order to do videos on the Holodomor and the horrors of the Soviet Union, but that was when I got hit by the original Marxist backlash, so I put it down. Therefore I can't say whether it's good or not, yet. I do intend to pick it up again though, and do videos on the Holodomor, and the horrors of the Soviet Union.

[@PoczciwyPoczmistrzzTczewa]

@@TheImperatorKnight Thank you.

[@vassilizaitzev1]

@@TheImperatorKnight Hi Tik. I read Red Famine a few weeks ago. I liked it, though it does have some criticisms. I'll see if I can't pull out the book reviews I found online if you wish to see them via Patreon messaging. Take care.

[@vassilizaitzev1]

Hey Mateusz, I read Red Famine a few weeks ago. It's good, though it does not come without critiques. It is a pretty modern account of the Holodomor though, so I'd recommend it for the Historiography of the famine.

[@PoczciwyPoczmistrzzTczewa]

@@vassilizaitzev1 Thank you Vass!