German Army Group A begins a retreat from the Caucasus oil fields to the Don River after a limited Soviet offensive to prevent the breakout of German troops trapped around Stalingrad. The advance into the Caucasus region during the summer of 1942 had been largely successful until it bogged down in November due to weather, increased Soviet resistance and a lack of supplies. Unlike Stalingrad, Hitler allowed for the troops holding the Caucasus to begin to retreat in the face of Soviet pressure, even though the area was strategically important because of its oil supply. Like the rest of the German army in the Soviet Union, Army Group A was beginning what would be a long and painful journey back to Germany.
