Lötzen decision

At the end of August 1941, the Nazi German High Command OKH had the option of either continuing the advance on Moscow, or destroying the Soviet forces in the south. Because the German Army Group South lacked sufficient strength to encircle and destroy the forces, a significant contribution from Army Group Center was needed to accomplish the task. After a dispute within the German High Command the bulk of Panzergruppe 2 and the 2nd Army were detached from Army Group Center and sent due south to encircle the Soviet army and meet the advancing Army Group South east of Kiev.

The ensuing Battle of Kiev resulted in the largest encirclement in history, with the largest casualties ever inflicted on an enemy army . However, the advance on Moscow was delayed for 4 weeks, a fact that eventually proved detrimental in the subsequent Battle of Moscow. While tactically very successful, the Battle of Kiev failed to achieve it's main objective which was a decisive victory that would conclude the war.