Why did Hitler want to wipe out Stalingrad?

Answer 1

Adolf Hitler wanted to own the city for several reasons, most notably easy access to the caucus oil fields which would have been incredibly helpful in fueling his tanks and mechanized military forces

Answer 2

By capturing Stalingrad, Hitler wanted to capture the oil fields of Iran. Hitler's airplanes and tanks did not have enough fuel to join the fight as often as they were needed. Airplanes left on the runway because there was not enough gasoline did no good. Tanks sitting out of gas are worthless. (At the end of the war, in both Germany and Japan the Americans would find airbases with airplanes in perfect conditions sitting on the ground. They were loaded with bombs and ammunition but would not have a drop of fuel.)

A secondary objective was to stop shipping on the Volga River and to damage Russia's lines of communication. Russia had bad roads and the rail roads were not much better. By damaging shipping, it would make it more difficult to supply the troops from the factories in and around that region.

Answer 3

Army Group South was split into Army Groups A and B in preparation for Fall Blau. Army Group A's objective was the oil fields in the Caucasus. Army Group B's objective was southern Russia where they needed to keep the supply lines open for Army Group A. Stalingrad was a city that stood in the way. It also helps that Stalingrad was the namesake of Stalin, and it had a large concentration of Soviet troops. Hence Hitler tried to surround the city and conquer it.

Answer 4

Partially because of it's name, it was Stalins city.

The city was also home to a number of industries and the soviets used the volga river to ship supplies.

Answer 5

Hitler attacked Russia for the oil and Stalingrad was one of the largest cities. The battle for the city was long and dirty. Much of it was done with hand to hand combat.

Answer 6

So he could get Moscow with no problem and also if he captured STALINgrad, it would discourage the Russians after losing a city named after there present leader Stalin.

Answer 7

Because in stalingrad there is the biggest naval bas in the world