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The Conquest of the Caucasus: Part I
🕑 Added 2018-07-26 07:06:08 +0000 UTC After the Second battle of Kharkov and the subsequent operations the Axis forces began the first part of their push towards the Caucasus. The first objective was to break through the Soviet lines in the North and then turn South along the Don river methodically encircling and destroying all of the Soviet frontline formations between the Don river and the Sea of Azov. The plan rested on the assumption, that the Soviet forces would hold their positions at all costs and avoid large retreats, as they had done in the previous summer. The operation began as planned and the Germans managed to take their first objective - Voronezh. The Soviets did stand and fight in the North in order to prevent a potential attack on Moscow, however in the South their forces began to pull back. The Germans now immediately turned their units South to trap them, but this threw their plans in disarray and caused logistical difficulties, slowing their advance. They were able to trap some of the Red Army units, but most managed to escape. A lot of them retreated to the Southern direction which meant, that Red Army would have the forces to defend the Caucasus mountain range. Meanwhile in the western direction the Soviet forces crossed the Don river and began reorganizing themselves behind the cover of newly deployed reserve armies.
