01-27-2016, 02:13 AM
A rather generic, and broad, list and it ignores the most significant blunders of the war.
1. The pause in the encirclement favored by Guderian and Von Manstein that allowed the majority of the BEF to escape from Dunkirk. While some argue that the German army had reached its limit I stand by the expertise of the men above that the encirclement could have been completed and the BEF destroyed in it's entirety.
2. The diversion of Luftwaffe forces away from the destruction of RAF bases, facilities and production to the bombing of urban centers and other non-military targets. The RAF was at the point of exhaustion both in men and material, but a desire for atavistic vengeance gave them the reprieve they needed.
3. The constant shifting of objectives in the beginning of Barbarossa. Every German general worth his salt recognized Moscow as the prime objective of the initial invasion. Far beyond it's symbolic value as the capital of the USSR and the industrial value of it's nearby industry is the real reason for it's status as a must capture point. It was the rail, and thus logistical, hub for the entire USSR. Without Moscow the USSR was instantly cut apart into smaller, isolated, fiefdoms completely incapable of supporting or reinforcing each other in any way. The capture of Moscow, which very nearly happened anyways, was made impossible by Hitler's constant diversion of forces to far lesser targets. Quite simply, the Germans take Moscow and WW2 is unwinnable on the European continent for the allies.
4. Lastly, and the real end of any chance at a negotiated peace for the Germans, was Hitler's instance on the offensive, or forehand, at Kursk instead of the vastly favored counter attack, or backhand, proposed by Von Manstein. In choosing as he did Hitler sacrificed the main advantages his military held over the Soviets; maneuverability, competence at all levels of the chain of command (below Hitler), the training and discipline of the individual soldier and communications. He instead chose a brutal head on attack against a numerically superior enemy with defense in depth and thereby destroyed the ability of the Heer to ever engage in a major offensive action on the Eastern Front again.
1. The pause in the encirclement favored by Guderian and Von Manstein that allowed the majority of the BEF to escape from Dunkirk. While some argue that the German army had reached its limit I stand by the expertise of the men above that the encirclement could have been completed and the BEF destroyed in it's entirety.
2. The diversion of Luftwaffe forces away from the destruction of RAF bases, facilities and production to the bombing of urban centers and other non-military targets. The RAF was at the point of exhaustion both in men and material, but a desire for atavistic vengeance gave them the reprieve they needed.
3. The constant shifting of objectives in the beginning of Barbarossa. Every German general worth his salt recognized Moscow as the prime objective of the initial invasion. Far beyond it's symbolic value as the capital of the USSR and the industrial value of it's nearby industry is the real reason for it's status as a must capture point. It was the rail, and thus logistical, hub for the entire USSR. Without Moscow the USSR was instantly cut apart into smaller, isolated, fiefdoms completely incapable of supporting or reinforcing each other in any way. The capture of Moscow, which very nearly happened anyways, was made impossible by Hitler's constant diversion of forces to far lesser targets. Quite simply, the Germans take Moscow and WW2 is unwinnable on the European continent for the allies.
4. Lastly, and the real end of any chance at a negotiated peace for the Germans, was Hitler's instance on the offensive, or forehand, at Kursk instead of the vastly favored counter attack, or backhand, proposed by Von Manstein. In choosing as he did Hitler sacrificed the main advantages his military held over the Soviets; maneuverability, competence at all levels of the chain of command (below Hitler), the training and discipline of the individual soldier and communications. He instead chose a brutal head on attack against a numerically superior enemy with defense in depth and thereby destroyed the ability of the Heer to ever engage in a major offensive action on the Eastern Front again.
