Q&A · 2:34:30-2:35:36

German war options if Barbarossa never began

Continued Soviet oil imports could give Germany more operational freedom in North Africa and the air and naval wars, while making fuel trains a higher-priority bombing target.

Question

How might the European war change if Germany never launched Operation Barbarossa and continued buying Soviet oil?

Short answer

Germany could fuel more operations in North Africa, the air, and at sea, while Britain would likely target the rail traffic carrying that oil.

Notes

The counterfactual removes Operation Barbarossa and assumes Germany continues purchasing Soviet oil. More fuel could then support the North African campaign, Luftwaffe sorties, and Kriegsmarine operations. The extra supply would allow more activity without eliminating Germany's logistical vulnerability. British heavy bombers might respond by giving the rail traffic carrying that oil a higher targeting priority.