Operation Blue - the Race for Oil Timeline

One year had already past since the German invasion of the Soviet Union. The destruction of the Soviet nation did not go as smoothly as Hitler and his generals had envisioned. A such, supplies were becoming stretched and, to ensure the German Army's survival, the oil-rich fields in the Russian Caucasus were targeted for capture. Hitler devised "Operation Blue" for such an act and the mission began on May 8th, 1942.

Progress was initially good as was the case with most German offensives this early in the war. The Soviets lost 250,000 soldiers at Kharkov after the Germans had completed an encirclement of the city. Multiple German attacks involving their stellar and seasoned Panzer tank elements against strategic cities were launched yielding promising results. A long siege against Soviet-held Sevastopol brings about another notable German conquer as does the fall of Rostov and another 83,000 Soviet Army prisoners of war.

Hitler no begins to eye Stalingrad as a crowning jewel in the vast campaign and begins an obsession to capture the city, diverting firepower and supplies to his objective. This results in an over-extension of forces and supplies creating a precarious situation for his German ground commanders.

By November, the German advance is bogged down. Army Group A reaches Mt Elbus while 6th Army is stuck trying to take Stalingrad.

Hitler does not budge from his objective and reaffirms to his commanders that Stalingrad must fall.