The BATTLE OF STALINGRAD
Newspaper showing German
advance towards Stalingrad.
The Battle of Stalingrad took place from August 1942 until February 1943. Stalingrad was a major transport hub, with important factories.
Leading the Germany Army was General Friedrich von Paulus, in command of 200,000 men and 500 tanks of the 6th Army and the 4th Panzer Army. The Soviet Army was lead by General Vasily Chuikov, Commander of 50,000 strong Soviet 62nd Army.
Supreme Commander to 6 Army, January 24, 1943
"Surrender is forbidden. 6 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" .
Adolf Hitler ,January 24, 1943
See links below for footage of the Battle of Stalingrad.
http://bcove.me/4booh81k
http://bcove.me/e5flo5ix
In 1942, Adolf Hitler wanted to take control of the oil fields in the southern Soviet Union. If Adof Hitler was successful he would cut off the Red Armys' oil supplies.
By the middle of the summer, the German 6th Army, lead by General Friedrich von Paulus, had reached Stalingrad, which was a major port on the River Volga. The Soviet 62nd Army was lead by General Vasily Chuikov, was not well armed.
Joseph Stalin decided that Stalingrad, a city named after him,would be held at all costs.
Vasily Chuikov, promised Joseph Stalin:
"We will hold Stalingrad at all costs or die there!"
- Vasily Chuikov, 1942
Leading the Germany Army was General Friedrich von Paulus, in command of 200,000 men and 500 tanks of the 6th Army and the 4th Panzer Army. The Soviet Army was lead by General Vasily Chuikov, Commander of 50,000 strong Soviet 62nd Army.
Supreme Commander to 6 Army, January 24, 1943
"Surrender is forbidden. 6 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" .
Adolf Hitler ,January 24, 1943
See links below for footage of the Battle of Stalingrad.
http://bcove.me/4booh81k
http://bcove.me/e5flo5ix
In 1942, Adolf Hitler wanted to take control of the oil fields in the southern Soviet Union. If Adof Hitler was successful he would cut off the Red Armys' oil supplies.
By the middle of the summer, the German 6th Army, lead by General Friedrich von Paulus, had reached Stalingrad, which was a major port on the River Volga. The Soviet 62nd Army was lead by General Vasily Chuikov, was not well armed.
Joseph Stalin decided that Stalingrad, a city named after him,would be held at all costs.
Vasily Chuikov, promised Joseph Stalin:
"We will hold Stalingrad at all costs or die there!"
- Vasily Chuikov, 1942
On August 23, the 6th Army started its attacks, while the German Luftwaffe (luft-waf-fa) bombed Stalingrad with Stuka dive bombers and artillery. Over 40,000 civilians were killed on that first day. By late September the 6th Army had forced their way into the city, and many street battles were fought. Stalingrad was now rubble.
General Chuikov told his men that every soldier was his own general - free to fight as best he could in the ruins of the city.
The Soviets mainly used snipers and trained marksman in the street battles. The Soviets travelled around Stalingrad using the sewers like rats, so the Germans nicknamed the battle "Rattenkeig" the city was fought over, very hard, but by November 1942, the Germans had conqured most of the city.
General Chuikov told his men that every soldier was his own general - free to fight as best he could in the ruins of the city.
The Soviets mainly used snipers and trained marksman in the street battles. The Soviets travelled around Stalingrad using the sewers like rats, so the Germans nicknamed the battle "Rattenkeig" the city was fought over, very hard, but by November 1942, the Germans had conqured most of the city.
" We have got it! There are only a few places not captured!"
- Adolf Hitler, 1942
Unknown to the German Army, the Soviet forces were planning a counterattack. On November 1942, the Red Army marched north and south of the city. In less than a week, the Soviets had encircled the Germans. Field Marshal von Paulus, asked Adolf Hitler for permission to break out, stating
"Army heading for disaster. It is essential to withdraw all our divisions..."
but Adolf Hitler refused. The 6th Army was now trapped.
Adolf Hitler ordered one of his best generals, Field Marshall Erich von Manstein, to break through the Soviet forces in December 1942. By the end of December Von Manstein had failed. The German Army was now short of food and weapons. Many men died from frostbite, disease and starvation. For over two months they held out, but on 31 January 1943, Field Marshal von Paulus was captured and on 2 February 1943, the 6th Army surrendered.
"Army heading for disaster. It is essential to withdraw all our divisions..."
but Adolf Hitler refused. The 6th Army was now trapped.
Adolf Hitler ordered one of his best generals, Field Marshall Erich von Manstein, to break through the Soviet forces in December 1942. By the end of December Von Manstein had failed. The German Army was now short of food and weapons. Many men died from frostbite, disease and starvation. For over two months they held out, but on 31 January 1943, Field Marshal von Paulus was captured and on 2 February 1943, the 6th Army surrendered.