Part 6/11:
Moreover, many divisions were transferred away from Blau to other sectors, such as France and the Balkans, further weakening the southern front. Replacements for Army Group B came from Italian and Romanian divisions, which were insufficient in both number and quality. The German high command prioritized the Caucasus oil fields and the northern flank, neglecting the vital southern sector.
This strategic shift was driven more by logistical constraints and priorities set by high command than by a genuine assessment of battlefield needs. The Germans lacked the fuel, ammunition, and reinforcements necessary to sustain their efforts in the south, leading to a persistent manpower and supply deficit in Stalingrad—despite overall capacity to replace losses.