Sixth Army is redirected toward Stalingrad
On 20 July Hitler ordered Sixth Army to leave lighter forces securing the Don and to take Stalingrad by a rapid assault. Corps and divisions previously associated with the southern concentration were shifted back toward Paulus. The order reflected a growing concern that the Soviet command would build a strong grouping around the city and keep the Volga route open. It also meant that the same rail, road and fuel system supporting the lower-Don movement had to reverse some of its priorities. Stalingrad was not invented as an objective on…
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