In fact, Hitler’s two strategic goals, namely Stalingrad and the Caucasus, are ultimately the same goal, that is, oil.

Needless to say, attacking the Caucasus region, there is the largest oil field in the Soviet Union, Baku Oilfield, which has oil production accounts for 71.5% of the total national oil production of Soviet oil. It can be said to be the energy center of the Soviet Union.

The attack on Stalingrad is because the oil transportation in the Baku oil field must pass through Stalingrad:

There are two ways to transport the Baku oil field:

One is a railway transportation starting from Baku via Makhachkara and Astrakhan to Stalingrad and then transported to other places.

Another type is to transport it from the Caspian Sea to Astrakhan from Baku as the starting point and then transfer it by railway or Volga.

But either way it takes a trip to Astrakhan and Stalingrad.

Therefore, as long as Stalingrad is occupied and another airport is built, oil transportation from the Soviet Union can be easily blocked.

From this perspective, Hitler could achieve the goal of blocking Soviet energy by occupying Stalingrad.

But Hitler was not relieved because the Soviet Union was certainly unwilling to be blocked by the German army, so there would definitely be a fight between them, so Hitler hoped to attack at the same time... while taking Stalingrad, he then took over the Caucasus region and mastered the Baku oil field. This would not only cut off the Soviet army's idea of ​​fighting with it, but also add a large oil field to Germany.

In fact, after Qinchuan discovered an African oil field, Germany has no shortage of oil. The problem is that whether it is Romania or Africa, it is very far away from the Soviet Union. If there could be an oil base in the Caucasus region of the Soviet Union, it would save a lot of transportation capacity for the German army's logistics.

"Then, Captain!" Manstein spread his hands and asked Qin Chuan: "Can you tell me what you are thinking now?"

"Caucasus, general!" Qin Chuan replied: "Of course it's the Caucasus!"

As he said that, Qin Chuan got up and walked to Manstein's desk. Manstein understood, tidied up the documents on the desk and spread the map.

"Just as I said at the meeting!" Qin Chuan pointed to the map and said, "If we approach the Caucasus step by step with conventional combat, even if we achieve a series of victories, we will eventually compress their remnants into the Caucasus mountains from two directions... that is, the Taman Peninsula and the Soviet Don River defense line. Fighting like this will only cause trouble!"

Manstein was silent for a while, and then said, "Captain, the next thing I discuss with you is not allowed to leak to anyone. Even your superiors, such as Colonel Slein, have no right to know, do you understand?"

"I understand, general!" Qin Chuan replied: "You can trust me!"

"Of course!" Manstein replied: "You are the 'Legend Sergeant', and you have caused big trouble for the British, American and Soviets again and again, so you can't be their spy. If you are a spy, then we need spies like you!"

After pausing, Manstein added: "This is the conclusion drawn by the Military Intelligence Bureau on you!"

So Qin Chuan knew that Manstein must have contacted the Military Intelligence Bureau before meeting him.

However, this seems that Manstein cannot blame him. After all, Qin Chuan and Manstein have just met for a while, and Manstein cannot easily trust Qin Chuan and discuss military secrets.

"We're not as simple as you think!" said Manstein. "We'll put the mountain troops and Brandenburg troops in the Caucasus. I think you know what Brandenburg troops do, right?"

"Of course!" Qin Chuan replied.

The Brandenburg troops were a unit formed by German Military Intelligence Director Canaris that could be called special forces... Their main feature is to learn the language of hostile countries and get used to making up and mixing into the enemy to fight.

"Doing this can indeed gain a certain advantage in the Caucasus Mountains!" Qin Chuan replied: "But general, this does not mean that our mechanized troops can successfully pass the Caucasus Mountains and occupy the Baku oil field!"

"Yes!" Manstein nodded: "This is what we are worried about. The terrain of the Caucasus is very complex. Our tanks often have to pass through narrow mountain roads with cliffs on both sides, which means... the enemy only needs to bury a pack of explosives on both sides and detonate it, and they will bury us and the tanks in the stone!"

Obviously, the German army conducted detailed reconnaissance of the Caucasus region.

In fact, Germany was in a similar dilemma when attacking the Caucasus region. Even mountain troops could not guarantee the safe passage of tanks and convoys, because the enemy also had cannons and aircraft to do similar things. The bombed Germans not only could not fight back, but also took a long time and energy to pass the passage.

What the German army, who are good at using mechanized troops to engage in blitzkriegs is most afraid of being trapped in such a quagmire.

"But Captain!" Manstein asked Qin Chuan: "This is inevitable, isn't it?"

"I think it can be avoided!" Qin Chuan said.

"How to do it?" asked Manstein.

"The main force of the Soviets is in the direction of the Don River!" Qin Chuan pointed to the map and said: "The four armies of the Kerch Peninsula have 260,000 troops mainly fought on the Kerch Peninsula. If we can defeat them... there are only not many who can escape back!"

Manstein nodded in agreement. The Soviet army on the Kerch Peninsula was too dense, and once the defense line was broken, there would be great casualties. Although the narrowest part of the Kerch Strait was only 4 kilometers, there were not many soldiers who could swim through four kilometers.

"When we occupy the Kechi Peninsula, we will immediately launch an attack on the Taman Peninsula!" Qin Chuan pointed to the map and said, "After occupying a foothold in the Taman Peninsula..."

As he said that, he drew a curve on the sea and said, "Take the Novorossisk directly behind him, and then pass through Tuapse and Sochi, the troops divided into two groups to occupy the Caucasus Mountains and cut off all Soviet troops. The other route crossed the Caucasus Mountains along the Black Sea coast and rushed to the airport, port, oil fields and factories behind him!"

Before Qin Chuan finished speaking, Manstein shook his head and said, "No, Captain, this plan is too crazy. You must know that the Soviets have a Black Sea fleet and we only have fishing boats. How could we use fishing boats to make jumping attacks along the sea again and again? This cannot be successful!"
Chapter completed!