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Why did the Soviet army need to hold on to the city of Stalingrad?
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What led up to the Battle of Stalingrad?
The simple answer would be that Germany wanted to occupy the city of Stalingrad as to Hitler, it would seem to be a catastrophic blow to the USSR moral if Hitler took over the city, which was called Stalingrad (named after Joseph Stalin). Even though the above is true, there is far more to it. Having been stopped at t Moscow, Adolf Hitler began contemplating offensive plans for 1942. Lacking the manpower to remain on the offensive along the entire Eastern Front for the rest of the war , he decided to focus German efforts in the south with the goal of taking the oil fields, which would result to draining of soviet mechanized vehicles and lender the Soviets defenseless against the German Panzer division's. Code named Operation Blue, this new offensive ,which began on June 28, 1942, and caught the Soviets, who thought the Germans would renew their efforts around Moscow, by surprise. Advancing, the Germans were delayed by heavy fighting in Voronezh which allowed the Soviets to bring reinforcements south. Due to Hitler's stress on how long the battles on the eastern front was, he split Army group south to Army group's A and B, Army group A would go for the oil fields, while Army Group B was ordered to take Stalingrad to protect the German flank. Reason for the attack onto Stalingrad apart from moral reasons was the the Volga River near Stalingrad was a key Soviet Transport hub. After the Germans bombed the city of Stalingrad, which led it to be a massive pile of rubble, the German 6th Army, leaded by General Field Marshall Friedrich Paulus went to push for the Volga River near the city of Stalingrad. However, on September 13, Paulus and 6th Army began pushing into the city. This was supported by 4th Panzer Army which attacked Stalingrad's southern suburbs. Driving forward, they sought to capture the heights of Mamayev Kurgan and reach the main landing area along the river. Engaged in bitter fighting, the Soviets fought desperately for the hill and the No. 1 Railroad Station. Receiving reinforcements from Yeryomenko, Chuikov battled to hold the city. This was the building up to battle of Stalingrad but it wasn't until August it officially started. Between the 2 dates, the Germans and Soviets were engaged in a brutal street fight when guns becomes nearly useless and both sides had to resort to urban guerrilla warfare.
How did the Soviet Union win the Battle of Stalingrad?
Italians and Romanians guarding it's flanks. Eventually however the training and discipline of the 6th army enabled it to capture 90% of the city. To end the stalemate Soviet high command launched Operation Uranus to break the stalemate. The plan which had been secret for months was able able to crush the the Italian and Hungarian forces guarding the German flanks. The eventually outcome was the encirclement of the 6th army and 5000 man Croatian Legion, and the virtual destruction of the Italian and Romanian forces. Von Paulus the German commander wanted to break out of the encirclement but Hitler would not let him and vowed that the Germans would never leave the city.The entire 6th army was not encircled at Stalingrad around 50,000 were pushed outside the pocket. Another 42,000 were flown out by transport plane. The battle ended with 117,000 Germans soldiers killed or missing and another 91,000 taken prisoner. Hoth's Fourth Panzer Army which attempted to relieve the Sixth army suffered 40,000 casualties.
What happened in the Battle of Stalingrad?
The first large-scale German defeat of World War II. The Battle of Stalingrad was as battle of World War II between Nazi Germany and its allies, and the Soviet Union, for for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 17 July 1942 and 2 February 1943. It is often cited as one of the turning points of the war. The battle was the bloodiest in modern history, with combined casualties estimated at nearly two million . The battle involved more participants than any other in history, and was marked by brutality and disregard for military and civilian casualties by both sides. The German offensive to take Stalingrad, the battle inside the city, and the Soviet counter-offensive which eventually trapped and destroyed the German 6th Army and other Axis forces around the city, was the first large-scale German defeat of World War II. The Battle of Britain, Moscow and El Alamein preceded it and were large scale defeats. Soviet and Russian studies identify ten campaigns, strategic and operational level operations. It is of great strategic significance because during the battle a large air - sea battle was being fought for the Mediterranean. Much of the German air force was diverted from Stalingrad to fight in that battle. Germany could no longer fight in the East or the West without the battle for one affecting the other. The reason Germany lost: The Germans needed oil for their campaign into Russia. Hitler split his massive Moscow force into three pieces, of which the southern one advanced into the Caucasis to link up with German forces coming through North Africa and the middle east. Stalingrad was a great prize to claim along the way. For political reason the German army became involved in an attritional battle for the city with both Hitler and Stalin ordering "not one step back." Despite weeks of intense fighting, the Russians managed to hold a small bridgehead on the bank of the Volga and supplies and troops were being ferried in large amounts into the city. This allowed General Zhukov the Soviet Commander in chief to build a strategic reserve which was used to strike at the Romanian and Italian army that was fighting alongside the Germans. The Romanians collapsed and the Germans encircled. Hitler would not give and sent in a large number of reinforcements, or permit a breakout by the encircled troops. The attempt at air supply of of the entrapped army failed because the German air force did not have the capacity due to other commitments. Eventually, the Germans gave up and a hodgepodge of 91,000 cold, battered, and half-starved troops surrendered to the Russians.
What was the strategy by the Germans during the Battle of Stalingrad?
To my fellow bloggers; To capture and hold Stalingrad which in turn would give the Germans access to and control of the waterway and all shipping that used that waterway.
Where is Stalingrad?
Stalingrad is the name of a city in Russia, which used to be called Tsaritsyn from 1589 to 1925 when the name was changed to Stalingrad. Now it is called Volgograd because of its location on the Volga River. Stalingrad was laid siege to during World War Two by the Germans, which means that no supplies were allowed into the city. The siege lasted over 800 days. Most of the population of the city died, but the city never fell. Over 1,200,000 Russians died at Stalingrad. And each man had a life expectancy of 24 hours, IF they were able to cross the Volga River.AnswerThe Russians launched an attack that surrounded and cut-off the German VI Army. The Germans held out with supplies and re-inforcements brought in by air. Eventually the German VI Army surrendered and Stalingrad remained in Russian control.The Russians defended the city because it was named after their Dictator.Stalingrad is now called Volgograd. St Petersburg was not called Stalingrad, but was for a short time named Leningrad.AnswerStalingrad, now Volgograd, is a city situated in Russia on the Volga river. It's well-known for the battle that took place there from 1942-43.In early 1942, the Germans were pushing forward through the southern areas of the Eastern Front. The Russians, too weak to fight up front at this point in this region, had been performing tactical retreats. Quickly the German advance arrived at the city of Stalingrad on the Volga river. Fighting in the ruined urban landscape bogged down. Germans struggled to push deeper into the city while Russia gathered what forces it could spare from the fight in the city. On 11/19, a massive encirclement operation was launched by the USSR, successfully trapping the German sixth army. German attempts to break through the Soviet encirclement and send supplies by air to the sixth army all failed. By 2/3/1943, the sixth army had surrendered and the USSR effectively won the battle. Estimates for casualties are unreliable but it is thought that each side suffered in the neighborhood of 500,000 KIA and enormous amounts of other casualties. Stalingrad is generally considered the bloodiest battle in history.ANSWERThis was an unimportant city, Hitler though hated Stalin so much that he diverted all of 7th army to take it, this was half of the force sent to take the oil fields down south. The Russians fortified the city and lost most of it except for a few key strong holds on the city side of the Volger, the Russians resupplies there troops by holding these positions. German Genarl Von Manshtin was in charge of the occupation and when he was surrounded and wanted to break through to the German side Hitler refused and said the Luftwaffa (the German air force) would supply them from the air. They did not reserve enough supplies so they had to surrender.Casualties of Russia in Stalingrad (1,200,000) Russian KIA and over (300,000) Germans KIA or MIA, (90,000) SURRENDERED and less than 4000 Germans in Russian captivity ever returned home. Within one year and 11 months, the Russians had crossed the Odor River, Berlin's defenses mounted over 45,000 Germans, mostly recruits of old and too young to fight the Russians. But the German defence of Berlin was beyond all question. The revenge of Stalingrad was taken out on the defenceless civilians and surrendering soldiers of Germany, 300 German citizens committed suicide within weeks of the Russian noose, and over 93,000 German Women were raped and killed. No surrender, no retreat for Germans, kill or be killed...ANSWER:Stalingrad's definition is also a city put under the USSR leader himself Joseph Stalin. (Stalin means man of steel) or (leader) therefore Stalingrad means(Stalin) as in Joseph Stalin, and (grad) or (Город) which is the Russian word for city. So (The leader's city) pretty much! or Stalin's CityThe Battle of Stalingrad started on Sunday 23rd August 1942.
What battle did russian forces successfully hold off germans?
That would be the battle for Stalingrad .
What led up to the Battle of Stalingrad?
The simple answer would be that Germany wanted to occupy the city of Stalingrad as to Hitler, it would seem to be a catastrophic blow to the USSR moral if Hitler took over the city, which was called Stalingrad (named after Joseph Stalin). Even though the above is true, there is far more to it. Having been stopped at t Moscow, Adolf Hitler began contemplating offensive plans for 1942. Lacking the manpower to remain on the offensive along the entire Eastern Front for the rest of the war , he decided to focus German efforts in the south with the goal of taking the oil fields, which would result to draining of soviet mechanized vehicles and lender the Soviets defenseless against the German Panzer division's. Code named Operation Blue, this new offensive ,which began on June 28, 1942, and caught the Soviets, who thought the Germans would renew their efforts around Moscow, by surprise. Advancing, the Germans were delayed by heavy fighting in Voronezh which allowed the Soviets to bring reinforcements south. Due to Hitler's stress on how long the battles on the eastern front was, he split Army group south to Army group's A and B, Army group A would go for the oil fields, while Army Group B was ordered to take Stalingrad to protect the German flank. Reason for the attack onto Stalingrad apart from moral reasons was the the Volga River near Stalingrad was a key Soviet Transport hub. After the Germans bombed the city of Stalingrad, which led it to be a massive pile of rubble, the German 6th Army, leaded by General Field Marshall Friedrich Paulus went to push for the Volga River near the city of Stalingrad. However, on September 13, Paulus and 6th Army began pushing into the city. This was supported by 4th Panzer Army which attacked Stalingrad's southern suburbs. Driving forward, they sought to capture the heights of Mamayev Kurgan and reach the main landing area along the river. Engaged in bitter fighting, the Soviets fought desperately for the hill and the No. 1 Railroad Station. Receiving reinforcements from Yeryomenko, Chuikov battled to hold the city. This was the building up to battle of Stalingrad but it wasn't until August it officially started. Between the 2 dates, the Germans and Soviets were engaged in a brutal street fight when guns becomes nearly useless and both sides had to resort to urban guerrilla warfare.
What decisions determined the final outcome at Stalingrad?
Russian Side: The Russian General chose to pull back a little once winter came about so he could let the Russian Winter do its damage to the Nazis. Excellent decision on his part. The Nazis started starving and freezing to death. He also managed to get ships and planes sunk so the Nazis could not resupply their men in Stalingrad. He also had some units of his army take out the Nazi force sent to relieve the Nazi forces in Stalingrad. So The Russian General (whose name I cannot spell!) Zhukov I guess it is, did another brilliant move. He surrounded the entire Nazi Force. German Side: Adolf Hitler of the demise of his force. He ordered them not to retreat or withdraw. Lousy decision considering his forces became surrounded and they did not have winter clothing, food or ammo. He promised to send a relief force who were stalled by Winter mud and snow. So the poor Nazis were stuck, surrounded and dying off by the thousands each day. As they sat around freezing, unable to fight, the Russians would just walk up to their encampment and just toss in grenades. The Russians had a great laugh over that! When Hitler was told he had to send clothing, ammo, food, medicine or get his people out of there he just yelled at his generals and told them the army had to keep fighting to the death. He simply could not understand or cared that his men would die from exposure to 20 below zero temperatures. The General finally surrendered to the Russians in hopes of getting his men food, clothes and warmth. No such luck. They were made to march to Siberia.
Did Hitler invade the Soviet Union?
Yes, during the siege of Stalingrad. Nazi campaigned for the city for over a year but the soviets miraculously managed to hold their grown. Both sides suffered heavy losses with the soviet's eventual loss of provisions, resorting to boiling and eating leather and wallpaper and the Nazis losing more men than gaining ground. When the Nazis retreated, it caused a turning point on the eastern front and was the furthest the Nazis got in the USSR.
How did the Soviet Union win the Battle of Stalingrad?
Italians and Romanians guarding it's flanks. Eventually however the training and discipline of the 6th army enabled it to capture 90% of the city. To end the stalemate Soviet high command launched Operation Uranus to break the stalemate. The plan which had been secret for months was able able to crush the the Italian and Hungarian forces guarding the German flanks. The eventually outcome was the encirclement of the 6th army and 5000 man Croatian Legion, and the virtual destruction of the Italian and Romanian forces. Von Paulus the German commander wanted to break out of the encirclement but Hitler would not let him and vowed that the Germans would never leave the city.The entire 6th army was not encircled at Stalingrad around 50,000 were pushed outside the pocket. Another 42,000 were flown out by transport plane. The battle ended with 117,000 Germans soldiers killed or missing and another 91,000 taken prisoner. Hoth's Fourth Panzer Army which attempted to relieve the Sixth army suffered 40,000 casualties.
What happened in the Battle of Stalingrad?
The first large-scale German defeat of World War II. The Battle of Stalingrad was as battle of World War II between Nazi Germany and its allies, and the Soviet Union, for for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 17 July 1942 and 2 February 1943. It is often cited as one of the turning points of the war. The battle was the bloodiest in modern history, with combined casualties estimated at nearly two million . The battle involved more participants than any other in history, and was marked by brutality and disregard for military and civilian casualties by both sides. The German offensive to take Stalingrad, the battle inside the city, and the Soviet counter-offensive which eventually trapped and destroyed the German 6th Army and other Axis forces around the city, was the first large-scale German defeat of World War II. The Battle of Britain, Moscow and El Alamein preceded it and were large scale defeats. Soviet and Russian studies identify ten campaigns, strategic and operational level operations. It is of great strategic significance because during the battle a large air - sea battle was being fought for the Mediterranean. Much of the German air force was diverted from Stalingrad to fight in that battle. Germany could no longer fight in the East or the West without the battle for one affecting the other. The reason Germany lost: The Germans needed oil for their campaign into Russia. Hitler split his massive Moscow force into three pieces, of which the southern one advanced into the Caucasis to link up with German forces coming through North Africa and the middle east. Stalingrad was a great prize to claim along the way. For political reason the German army became involved in an attritional battle for the city with both Hitler and Stalin ordering "not one step back." Despite weeks of intense fighting, the Russians managed to hold a small bridgehead on the bank of the Volga and supplies and troops were being ferried in large amounts into the city. This allowed General Zhukov the Soviet Commander in chief to build a strategic reserve which was used to strike at the Romanian and Italian army that was fighting alongside the Germans. The Romanians collapsed and the Germans encircled. Hitler would not give and sent in a large number of reinforcements, or permit a breakout by the encircled troops. The attempt at air supply of of the entrapped army failed because the German air force did not have the capacity due to other commitments. Eventually, the Germans gave up and a hodgepodge of 91,000 cold, battered, and half-starved troops surrendered to the Russians.
What was the strategy by the Germans during the Battle of Stalingrad?
To my fellow bloggers; To capture and hold Stalingrad which in turn would give the Germans access to and control of the waterway and all shipping that used that waterway.
Where is Stalingrad?
Stalingrad is the name of a city in Russia, which used to be called Tsaritsyn from 1589 to 1925 when the name was changed to Stalingrad. Now it is called Volgograd because of its location on the Volga River. Stalingrad was laid siege to during World War Two by the Germans, which means that no supplies were allowed into the city. The siege lasted over 800 days. Most of the population of the city died, but the city never fell. Over 1,200,000 Russians died at Stalingrad. And each man had a life expectancy of 24 hours, IF they were able to cross the Volga River.AnswerThe Russians launched an attack that surrounded and cut-off the German VI Army. The Germans held out with supplies and re-inforcements brought in by air. Eventually the German VI Army surrendered and Stalingrad remained in Russian control.The Russians defended the city because it was named after their Dictator.Stalingrad is now called Volgograd. St Petersburg was not called Stalingrad, but was for a short time named Leningrad.AnswerStalingrad, now Volgograd, is a city situated in Russia on the Volga river. It's well-known for the battle that took place there from 1942-43.In early 1942, the Germans were pushing forward through the southern areas of the Eastern Front. The Russians, too weak to fight up front at this point in this region, had been performing tactical retreats. Quickly the German advance arrived at the city of Stalingrad on the Volga river. Fighting in the ruined urban landscape bogged down. Germans struggled to push deeper into the city while Russia gathered what forces it could spare from the fight in the city. On 11/19, a massive encirclement operation was launched by the USSR, successfully trapping the German sixth army. German attempts to break through the Soviet encirclement and send supplies by air to the sixth army all failed. By 2/3/1943, the sixth army had surrendered and the USSR effectively won the battle. Estimates for casualties are unreliable but it is thought that each side suffered in the neighborhood of 500,000 KIA and enormous amounts of other casualties. Stalingrad is generally considered the bloodiest battle in history.ANSWERThis was an unimportant city, Hitler though hated Stalin so much that he diverted all of 7th army to take it, this was half of the force sent to take the oil fields down south. The Russians fortified the city and lost most of it except for a few key strong holds on the city side of the Volger, the Russians resupplies there troops by holding these positions. German Genarl Von Manshtin was in charge of the occupation and when he was surrounded and wanted to break through to the German side Hitler refused and said the Luftwaffa (the German air force) would supply them from the air. They did not reserve enough supplies so they had to surrender.Casualties of Russia in Stalingrad (1,200,000) Russian KIA and over (300,000) Germans KIA or MIA, (90,000) SURRENDERED and less than 4000 Germans in Russian captivity ever returned home. Within one year and 11 months, the Russians had crossed the Odor River, Berlin's defenses mounted over 45,000 Germans, mostly recruits of old and too young to fight the Russians. But the German defence of Berlin was beyond all question. The revenge of Stalingrad was taken out on the defenceless civilians and surrendering soldiers of Germany, 300 German citizens committed suicide within weeks of the Russian noose, and over 93,000 German Women were raped and killed. No surrender, no retreat for Germans, kill or be killed...ANSWER:Stalingrad's definition is also a city put under the USSR leader himself Joseph Stalin. (Stalin means man of steel) or (leader) therefore Stalingrad means(Stalin) as in Joseph Stalin, and (grad) or (Город) which is the Russian word for city. So (The leader's city) pretty much! or Stalin's CityThe Battle of Stalingrad started on Sunday 23rd August 1942.
What were the consquences after the battle of stalingrad?
The Battle of Stalingrad virtually wiped out the German 6th Army, and inflicted massive losses on Germany's satellite armies (Rumanians, Italians, Hungarians, and Russian collaborationists). As a result of this battle, the Axis armies suffered 850,000 casualties, of whom 400,000 were German (statistics come from William Craig's Enemy at the Gates), while the Soviets lost 1,000,000 casualties from all causes. These huge losses make the battle of Stalingrad the bloodiest of all time.The battle of Stalingrad gave the Red Army time to collect itself for a counteroffensive against the Germans that was only stopped at the third battle of Kharkov. After the 1943 Battle of Kursk, the Soviets would permanently hold the initiative on the Eastern Front.
What was Hitler's big mistake at the Battle of Stalingrad?
The biggest error Hitler made was to try and hold on to the gains made during the battle for Stalingrad . He should have shortened his lines in the hopes that by doing so he could once again regain the initiative by having stronger forces at his disposal . The loss of mobile warfare while fighting in the streets of Stalingrad caused the loss of the entire Sixth Army under von Paulus along with many Romanian and Hungarian military assets . Hitler had made many mistakes leading up to the loss of Stalingrad by following his political agenda and his pursuit of the oil in the Caucasus .
What is the significance of Stalingrad?
In 1941-1942 When Germany invaded Russia under lies and propaganda the Germans blitzkrieg had gone through most of Russia through cities such as Kiev(now modern day Ukraine), Even though most of hitlers generals decided against the invasion due to Russia's mass size, so one the Nazis reached Stalingrad Joseph Stalin the USSR leader at the time decided that he would not let the city that had his name go down. So he had sent his armies to hold out at Stalingrad while Stalin replenishes his forces. Stalingrad was one of the strongest concentraion of sniper and urban fighting activity of its time. In 1942 Russias forces had surrounded the 4th Panzer Army and the 8th Infantry, Which was under rule of General Paulus, and the Russian Forces were under General Zhukov. Stalingrad was the turning point of the war and the start of Stalins march toward the destruction of Berlin.
What is the Battle of Stalingrad about and why was it important?
The Battle of Stalingrad is considered by many historians to have been the turning point in World War Two in Europe. The battle at Stalingrad bled the German army dry in Russia and after this defeat, the Germany Army was in full retreat. One of the ironies of the war, is that the German Sixth Army need not have got entangled in Stanlingrad. Army Groups A and B were well on their way to the Caucasus in south-west Russia, when Hitler ordered an attack on Stalingrad. From a strategic point of view it would have been unwise to have left a major city unconquered in your rear as you advanced. However, some historians believe that Hitler ordered the taking of Stalingrad simply because of the name of the city and Hitler's hatred of Joseph Stalin. For the same reason Stalin ordered that the city had to be saved.The Battle for Stalingrad was fought during the winter of 1942 to 1943. In September 1942, the German commander of the Sixth Army, General Paulus, assisted by the Fourth Panzer Army, advanced on the city of Stalingrad. His primary task was to secure the oil fields in the Caucasus and to do this, Paulus was ordered by Hitler to take Stalingrad. The Germans final target was to have been Baku.Stalingrad was also an important target as it was Russia's centre of communications in the south as well as being a centre for manufacturing.In early September 1942, the German Army advanced to the city. The Russians, already devastated by the power of Blitzkrieg during Operation Barbarossa, had to make a stand especially as the city was named after the Russian leader, Joseph Stalin. For simple reasons of morale, the Russians could not let this city fall. Likewise, the Russians could not let the Germans get hold of the oil fields in the Caucasus. Stalin's order was "Not a step backwards".The strength of both armies for the battle was as follows:Germany: 1,011,500 Soldiers, 10,290 artillery guns, 675 tanks and 1,216 AircraftUSSR: 1,000,500 Soldiers, 13,541 artillery guns, 894 tanks and 1,116 Aircraft.The battle for the city descended into one of the most brutal in World War Two Individual streets were fought over using hand-to-hand combat. The Germans took a great deal of the city but they failed to fully assert their authority. Areas captured by the Germansduring the day, were re-taken by the Russians at night. On November 19th, the Russians were in a position whereby they could launch a counter-offensive.Marshal Zhukov used six armies of one million men to surround the city. The 5th tank regiment led by Romanenko attacked from the north as did the 21st Army (led by Chistyakov), the 65th Army (led by Chuikov) and the 24th Army (led by Galinin). The 64th, 57th and 521st armies attacked from the south. The attacking armies met up on November 23rd at Kalach with Stalingrad to the east.The bulk of the Sixth Army -some 250,000 to 300,000 men - was in the city and Zhukov, having used his resources to go around the city, north and south, had trapped the Germans in Stalingrad.Paulus could have broken out of this trap in the first stages of Zhukov's attack but was forbidden from doing so by Hitler. It saysSupreme 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."-Hitler's communication with von Paulus.Unable to break out, the Germans also had to face the winter. Temperatures dropped to well below zero and food, ammunition and heat were in short supply. Heres a quote from an German Soldier who were their at the time. "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."Hitler ordered that Paulus should fight to the last bullet, and to encourage Paulus, he promoted him to field marshal. However, by the end of January 1943, the Germans could do nothing else but surrender. Paulus surrendered the army in the southern sector on January 31st while General Schreck surrendered the northern group on February 2nd, 1943. Heres an quote from an german soldier who saw this "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."Why was Stalingrad so important to Germany and the Third reich. an simple is thatthe failure of the German Army was nothing short of a disaster. A complete army group was lost at Stalingrad and 91,000 Germans were taken prisoner. With such a massive loss of manpower and equipment, the Germans simply did not have enough manpower to cope with the Russian advance to Germany when it came. Despite resistance in parts - such as a Kursk - they were in retreat on the Eastern Front from February 1943 on. In his fury, Hitler ordered a day's national mourning in Germany, not for the men lost at the battle, but for the shame von Paulus had brought on the Wehrmacht and Germany. Paulus was also stripped of his rank to emphasise Hitler's anger with him. Hitler commented: "The God of War has gone over to the other side."
