German Forces

Propaganda stunt

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On this day, August 21st, 1942, German alpine soldiers climbed the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountains, and planted the Nazi standard on its peak to symbolize the dominance of Germany over Europe. The Battle for the Caucasus began in late July 1942, after the Germans launched their invasion of southern Russia known as Case Blue. A part of their force sent into southern Russia was dispatched into the Caucasus Mountains, in order to capture them and reach the valuable oil fields at Baku, while the other was sent along the Volga River to protect the flanks of the other army. The Germans captured Rostov, the "gate to the Caucasus" on July 23rd, and by the ninth of August, they had reached the foothill of the Caucasus Mountains. Their advance had been swift up to this point, but supply difficulties were beginning to slow their advance, as did the mountainous terrain. Nevertheless, the German advance continued, and the Germans soon found themselves in sight of Mount Elbrus, the tallest in the Caucasus and in Europe. Although their objective was continue the drive south, several German commanders saw the opportunity to scale the mountain as potential for a propaganda and morale win. Should Germany be able to reach the highest peak in Europe, it would truly demonstrate their capacity to take whatever they set their minds to, and that the Nazi regime towers over all of Europe. A team of twenty-three men were sent to scale the mountain, and plant the Nazi flag on its peak, which they accomplished on August 21st. The encountered no resistance, from the Soviets or the mountain, as the weather cooperated and no lives were lost during the climb. Photos were taken, and the Germans celebrated their accomplishment. However, Adolf Hitler did not share in the celebration when word reached him of the climb. Instead, he flew into a rage, outraged that the commanders had sent forces for such a superfluous mission and calling for those responsible to be court-martialed. He angrily claimed that the soldiers were more interested in pursuing a hobby than fighting a war. Hitler's anger was not completely unjustified, as the mountain served no strategic purpose, and the German army would eventually grind to a halt before reaching their objectives in the Caucasus. However, it is unlikely that the twenty-three men sent on this expedition would have made a difference in the outcome of the campaign, and that logistical and strategic difficulties were the real culprit for the German defeat. Whatever the reason, the German ascent to the peak of Mount Elbrus was truly representative of the entire Nazi war effort, as it was both the highest point they reached and highest mark of the Nazi empire before it began its decline and eventual road to defeat. taken from fb/Places of war