Attacking from the West against Russia's best, they reached Kiev in six weeks.
Putin must be having a fit after four months.
Once again, Russia's "best" doesn't seem to be jack chit, barely making headway against a much smaller and inferior military.
I'm sure Putin and his generals thought Ukraine would fold-up like a card table and surrender in a week or ten days at most when faced with Russia's enormous forces, and now Putin doesn't even know if he can trust his own military.
Awesome story to follow in our time, almost as good as WW2.
Let's hope it doesn't turn into WW3.
@jj-adams saidActually Kiev did not fall until September 19, 1941 about 3 months after Operation Barbossa kicked off on June 22, 1941. It took the Nazis until late November to capture all of the Ukraine.
Attacking from the West against Russia's best, they reached Kiev in six weeks.
Putin must be having a fit after four months.
Once again, Russia's "best" doesn't seem to be jack chit, barely making headway against a much smaller and inferior military.
I'm sure Putin and his generals thought Ukraine would fold-up like a card table and surrender in a week or ten days at mos ...[text shortened]...
Awesome story to follow in our time, almost as good as WW2.
Let's hope it doesn't turn into WW3.
@no1marauder saidYes, you are correct.
Actually Kiev did not fall until September 19, 1941 about 3 months after Operation Barbossa kicked off on June 22, 1941. It took the Nazis until late November to capture all of the Ukraine.
I knew that and figured some quibbler would come up with that factoid.
Hitler's forces tore through Ukraine and were at Kiev in 6 weeks, it took another 7 for Kiev to surrender.
15 May 22
@jj-adams saidActually, the advance to Kiev fell well behind schedule and Hitler had to pause Army Group Center's attack toward Moscow and divert both 2nd Panzer Group and 2nd Army to assist Army Group South. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kiev_(1941)
Yes, you are correct.
I knew that and figured some quibbler would come up with that factoid.
Hitler's forces tore through Ukraine and were at Kiev in 6 weeks, it took another 7 for Kiev to surrender.
While this resulted in a smashing victory and encirclement of a entire Soviet Front (around 700,000 men), it has been argued by German commanders and others that this diversion cost the Nazis the chance to take Moscow.
@no1marauder saidMainly, that was the argument of the German commanders who were in charge of the drive to Moscow, like Guderian.
Actually, the advance to Kiev fell well behind schedule and Hitler had to pause Army Group Center's attack toward Moscow and divert both 2nd Panzer Group and 2nd Army to assist Army Group South. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kiev_(1941)
While this resulted in a smashing victory and encirclement of a entire Soviet Front (around 700,000 men), it has been argued by German commanders and others that this diversion cost the Nazis the chance to take Moscow.
Even if they are right, occupying the capital without the southern flank secure would have been extremely risky warmaking. Napoleon occupied Moscow, but without his supply lines secured, he has no choice but to retreat into a catastophe.
@sh76 saidI tend to agree that the diversion was strategically necessary.
Mainly, that was the argument of the German commanders who were in charge of the drive to Moscow, like Guderian.
Even if they are right, occupying the capital without the southern flank secure would have been extremely risky warmaking. Napoleon occupied Moscow, but without his supply lines secured, he has no choice but to retreat into a catastophe.
@jj-adams saidKiev is only halfway across the country
Attacking from the West against Russia's best, they reached Kiev in six weeks.
Putin must be having a fit after four months.
Once again, Russia's "best" doesn't seem to be jack chit, barely making headway against a much smaller and inferior military.
I'm sure Putin and his generals thought Ukraine would fold-up like a card table and surrender in a week or ten days at mos ...[text shortened]...
Awesome story to follow in our time, almost as good as WW2.
Let's hope it doesn't turn into WW3.