Rommel in Command of the OStfront

[McCoy]

The Germans loosed at Stalingrad due to the fact that Luftwaffe under the lead of Richthoffen bombed it to gravel n' in that doin created a wide choice for the defenders to dig in n' fight for every inch. Paulus had nothin' to do with that decision.

[MAGNA]

Certainly agree about Paulus and his abilities. What I meant was would someone like Rommel have skirted around and kept going thus avoiding the whole situation ?

[Freightshaker]

Originally Posted by Jim O

I agree. Paulus did well with what he had considering what he faced in Stalingrad and the orders of his superiors. Should he have disobeyed those orders and organized a break out and retreat is a separate issue.

Manstein pleaded with him to attempt a break out and he might have made it if he had attempted it sooner.

Originally Posted by MAGNA

Certainly agree about Paulus and his abilities. What I meant was would someone like Rommel have skirted around and kept going thus avoiding the whole situation ?

Stalingrad was never an objective for AGS. Once it was discovered that it could be taken almost without a fight it became more of a propaganda objective due to it's name. The Russians had a lucky break in that the Germans almost took the city in the initial drive after 2nd Kharkov. No references handy but IIRC they were a day or two late before the city was garrisoned. The question that should be asked is that would the result have been different if AGS had not split up? That's another thread though.

edit- Losing Stalingrad would've had severe repercussions for the Russians since it controlled all river traffic from the Black Sea and it would've interfered with Lend-Lease shipments from the Mediterranean.

[Panzermacher]

Sorry I havent been able to respond much.....took a hit to me typing hand. But man you guys are bringing up alot of interesting points. Keep it rolling I am enjoying the discussion!

[MAGNA]

The river has always made me wonder. Why it wasn't crossed at some other point to try to control both sides. Still, it's not really on topic for this thread so I would still say Rommel would have been usefull in the right position in Russia. That position would not have been as overall commander.