The Battle of Stalingrad

• 17 July, 1942 - February 2, 1943

• The bloodiest battle in history

• combined casualties estimated between 1.5-2 million.

• marked by brutality and disregard for military and civilian casualties on both sides

• Hitler wanted the city taken because it was named after Stalin, and Stalin wanted it kept because it was named after him.

• Stalin’s order was “Not a step backwards”.

• In the beginning, the life expectancy for a Soviet soldier was less than 1 day. Officers’ life expectancy was only 3 days.

• Germany took a majority of the city but were never able to fully assert their authority.

• Streets that were taken by the Germans during the day were taken back by the Russians at night.

• The fighting was tight and brutal.

• In the ruins of the city, tanks and larger weapons were of little use. Hand to hand battle was the norm.

• As winter closed in, things started going badly downhill for the Germans.

• By mid-November the Russians were in a position to make a counter-offensive.

• Zhukov used a million men to surround the city and eventually was able to trap General Paulus and 300,000 men in Stalingrad.

• Though he was now surrounded, the Russians weren’t strong enough on the Western side to hold him in. Paulus could have broken through and escaped, but Hitler would not let him retreat.

• Supreme Commander to 6th Army, January 24, 1943

"Surrender is forbidden. 6th Army will hold their positions to the last man and the last round and by their heroic endurance will make an unforgettable contribution towards the establishment of a defensive front and the salvation of the Western world." Hitler's communication with von Paulus.

• Trapped in the city, the Germans had to face the winter.

• Temperatures well below zero and food, ammunition, and heat were in short supply.

• "My hands are done for, and have been ever since the beginning of December. The little finger of my left hand is missing and - what's even  worse - the three middle fingers of my right one are frozen. I can only hold my mug with my thumb and little finger. I'm pretty helpless; only when a man has lost any fingers does he see how much he needs then for the smallest jobs. The best thing I can do with the little finger is to shoot with it. My hands are finished."

Anonymous German soldier 

• Hitler ordered Paulus to fight to the last bullet, and to encourage Paulus, he promoted him to field marshal. He also commented that no field marshal had ever been captured; A not so subtle hint to commit suicide if needed.

• “I have no intention of shooting myself for that Bavarian corporal.” Paulus

• However, by the end of January 1943, the Germans could do nothing but surrender.

• "I was horrified when I saw the map. We're quite alone, without any help from outside. Hitler has left us in the lurch. Whether this letter gets away depends on whether we still hold the airfield. We are lying in the north of the city. The men in my unit already suspect the truth, but they aren't so exactly informed as I am. No, we are not going to be captured. When Stalingrad falls you will hear and read about it. Then you will know that I shall not return."

Anonymous German soldier

• The failure for the Germans was a disaster.

• A complete army group was lost at Stalingrad and 91,000 German were taken prisoner. (Only around 5000 would ever make it back to Germany)

• With such a massive loss of manpower and equipment, Germany didn’t have enough manpower to cope with the Russian advance to Germany.

Why it’s so Important

• After Stalingrad, for the most part, the Germans were always in retreat. (February 1943 on)

• Hitler declared a national day of mourning, not for the men lost at battle but for the shame von Paulus had brought to the Wehrmacht and Germany.

• Paulus was stripped of his rank to emphasize Hitler’s anger with him.

• Hitler commented, “The God of War has gone over to the other side.”

• A major turning point in WWII.

• The soviets really don’t lose much after this.

• “The duty of the men at Stalingrad is to be Dead.” Hitler - January 1943

Factory workers heading to the front

line

Germany POWs

Fighting in the Rubb

Wounded in Action

Families still in the City