Thread: The Winter of 1941/42

People have the idea that the winter of 1941/42 was in favour of the Russian side, that all the troubles of the Wehrmacht resulted from this cold weather and not from the Red Army. The Russians also suffered, they also died. That Winter was unique it was not the normal winters of the past it was that cold that it disturbed the Russians as much as the Germans. Snow was not falling on the German side only, avoiding Russian trenches, and Soviet troops had to deal with the same difficulties during "mud periods", Red Army's trucks and tanks didn't get special treatment from the elements. Russian soldiers also froze to death, Russian vehicles had trouble starting too, and some other equipment also didn’t function. The Wehrmacht would not be stopped just by a freezing Winter or by any other weather conditions. German soldiers were too good and tough to be stopped by mere cold. They were stopped by Russians, Ukrainians, Belorussians, Georgians who fought to a standstill in the outskirts of Moscow. If the Germans were badly prepared (in terms of skis, sleds, sleighs, white capes, etc.) – it’s not to be blamed on "The Freezing Weather" or elements. It is a bad excuse and is rather an embarrassment to Wehrmacht logistics, which is a crucial aspect of waging war. Germany had control over practically all of Europe, except the British islands. All the Western European industries, including textile, were at Hitler’s disposal. The Wehrmacht had all chances to be supplied with anything necessary. Was the winter an unexpected phenomena? No, I think everybody knows that Autumn is followed by the winter, accompanied by snow and cold temperatures. Can one blame the Russian Winter for the flips of German logistics? After all, the Nazis weren’t forced to invade Russia with those bad Russian Winters, it was their choice.

No arguments from me there!