Quote:
Originally Posted by Raellus
If there are no enemy forces between their cantonments and Bremerhaven, why can't the elements of XI Corps just walk west? A fuel shortage explains, in large part, the ultimate failure of the Summer XI Corps offensive but it doesn't explain the failure of XI Corps to evacuate northern Poland in the fall.
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It can, if the nearby Pact units to the East are still mechanized and mobile. There doesn't have to be anyone blocking them in the West.
If they hoof it out on foot, leaving their heavy armor behind, then the Pact units nearby won't have a hard time running them down, outmanuevering them, and simply using superior (one sided now) firepower.
XI Corps can be fixed in place, unable to move, because if they do they won't be able to break contact and will be ultimately overwhelmed. Their armour and artillery would be like a double edged sword - keeping them alive but helplessly trapped at the same time.