Quote Originally Posted by War Machine Dawg View Post
It's what the Russians have always done. They did the same thing to Napolean in the 1700s. You NEVER invade Russia. They lure you in, let you think you're making progress, all while they're taking out the resources you need to survive a long invasion of Russia. Then inevitably the brutal Russian winter comes, and you're toast. You starve to death or freeze to death. And the Russians harass you to death with winter assaults, while your guys are still probably stuck wearing their summer gear.

The combination of topography, size, climate, and Russian tactics make a successful invasion almost impossible. Russian leadership isn't afraid to starve the country if it means starving the invading force. They've proven it over and over throughout history. As you say, it's a bit sick and twisted, but it's completely, brutally effective. It might be more doable with current military tech, such as long range bombers, but in the 1940s and any period prior, the land assault of Russia was about the dumbest military decision you could make. They're sick, ruthless bastards that aren't afraid of sacrificing the civilian population in order to protect Mother Russia.

I still say Patton was right when he wanted to team up with the Germans and launch an assault on the Russian forces in Eastern Europe as WWII was coming to a close. Would've saved us a whole lot of trouble during the Cold War.
Wow why on earth Germany would even attempt to invade that is suicide. The shear size of the country, their huge army and terrible climate should be enough to deter any invader. Did Hitler not have any knowledge of how Russia fights a war on their own land? Hitler just had a death wish for himself and his entire country. He had the war won. Just finish off Britain and it's over. Done. He chose instead to murder 20+ million more people and ensure Germany loses.