Comments on: Did sending troops to Greece cause German defeat in Russia?

By: John Merkatatis

John Merkatatis — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:45:25 +0000

On 1) It would make a lot of difference if the Germans had 64 days for their attack against Moscow.
Hoth would have had ample time and supplies if he arrived at Klin 40 days earlier to carry out an atthack against Moscau north to south or south east
without being hampered by snow and low temperatures;ditto for other commanders attacking west to east.
On 2) Russian goverment had already abandon Moscow and was established at Kuibichev,less than 50 klms from Moscow;they could easily
be snatched by someone like Otto S.

By: Larry C

Larry C — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:46:54 +0000

There are three underlying problems with Hitler's attempt to conquer Russia:
1. The late start was significant, although this was surmountable if the Germans would have properly prepared for the Russian winter. People who are prepared for the winter conditions (as we see Canadians and Russians) have no problem functioning under those conditions.
2. The Germans treated the Russian and Ukrainian people very badly. Had they treated them with respect, the people would have seen the Germans as liberators from the tyranny of Stalin. They were ready to support the Germans.
3. To get the Russian government to surrender, it would have required the capture of the government. There was no military plan for a special action to capture the government. As it was, the government could keep retreating over a vast country. The Ural Mountains would have been a major barrier for the Germans. Forces that know their own mountains have a major advantage over any aggressor. Even a small force can stop a major army.

By: John Merkatatis

John Merkatatis — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:04:08 +0000

Well the Soviet government through radio station Moscow commending the hard defence of the Greek army thanked the Greeks for their resistence that had saved Moscow: "…as Russians and as people we thank you" is an extract of the bulletin.