Hitler falls out with his High Command

7th September 1942: The German summer offensive is stalling, long before it reaches its objectives

The German Army advances along a valley in the Caucasus, 1942

When Hitler had launched Operation Blau, his main offensive for 1942, the principal objective had been to seize the Soviet oilfields. It was a bold strategy that the Russians were unprepared for, expecting the Germans to resume the offensive towards Moscow. If the Germans got the oilfields not only would they secure for themselves the means to continue the war but they would be denying it to the Soviets. Yet the main oilfields were a long, long distance away.

German ‘infantry in position

‘Soviet Union-South.- Two SS men of the Waffen-SS division "Wiking" in front of Marten II (Sd. Motor vehicle 132) on the advance to the Caucasus.’

Ast the offensive went well, at least in terms of territory seized. On paper Army Group South was making rapid progress towards the deep south, towards the very edge of Europe. In the field there were enormous logistical difficulties - the Army was at the very end of a supply chain already stretched to breaking point. Very soon some units were without the fuel and ammunition to keep the pace going.