Part 8/16:
Logistics were at their breaking point. Priority was given to Army Group A (aimed at the Caucasus), but this led to critical shortages for Army Group B (the northern flank) and Army Group South. Fuel shortages, equipment attrition, and overstretched supplies caused delays and halted advances. Notably, Paulus’s 6th Army halted at the Don Bend due to lack of fuel and ammunition by late July, despite initial rapid advances.
Furthermore, strategic decisions saw the Germans stripping forces from other fronts, like Leningrad and Rzhev, to focus on Blau. This left other sectors vulnerable and overextended.