World War Two: Battle of Stalingrad

In general, it is clear that Beevor’s statement does not sit comfortably with the opinions shared by many historians who believe that Stalingrad was a city that held strategic importance for the Germans (and the Russians). In capturing Stalingrad, Germany would, in effect, have disrupted the economic, industrial and political foundations of Russia by depriving her of its oil, military resources, railways, the Volga River and morale. Ultimately, Russia would have been severely crippled. However, these strategic benefits were negated by Hitler who “attempted to achieve the unlimited aims with unlimited means, and [was] obsessed with his own infallibility” (Baldwin 1966, p. 180). In light of this, Beevor’s statement holds true to only a certain extent.

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