All language subtitles for The-Battle-of-Stalingrad1949-Stalingradskaya-bitva-English-Subtitles

Mosfilm Studios

The Battle of Stalingrad
Part l

Screenplay by
Nikolai Virta

Directed by
Vladimir Petrov

Cinematography by
Yuri Yekelchik

Art Direction by
Leonide Mamaladze

Assistant Director
N. Dostal

Music by
Aram Khachaturyan

Sound by Valeri Popov
Film edited by K. Moskvina

Camera operators -
K. Petrichenko, D. Suvorov

Set decorators -
V. Kaliagin, l. Nigmatulin

Make-up artists -
A. Andzhan, E. Lomova

Assistant directors -
A. Ashkinazi, D. Zalbshtein,

M. Zarzhitskaya, M. Chernova

Assistant camera -
P. Satunovsky, V. Masevich

Special effects by -
G. Aizenberg, M. Semenov

Animation - L. Bredis
Pyrotechnical Effects - V. Likhachev

Special Effects -
A. Murashov, l. lagman

Army consultants -

Colonels of the Guards
P. Semenov, F. Vorobiov

Army units commanded
by Colonel-General Romanovsky

Produced by
M. Levin

Narrator - Yuri Levitan

Orchestra of the Ministry of Cinema
of the USSR

Music conducted by H. Hamburg

Josef Stalin - Aleksei Dikij

Party leaders and Soviet statesmen:
M. Shtraukh, M. Kvarelashvili,

Yu. Tolubeev, M. Derzhavin,
A. Kriukov, G. Mushegyan,

N. Ryzhov, V. Soloviov,
V. Khokhriakov, N. Dorokhin,

M. Vorobiov, S. Khmelnitsky

Soviet Army Command:

Major General Vasilevsky -
Yuri Shumsky

Colonel-General Voronov -
V. Merkuryev

Lieutenant-General Rokossovsky -
B. Livanov

Colonel-General Yeremenko -
N. Kolesnikov

Lieutenant-General Chuikov -
N. Simonov

Major General Krylov - V. Orlov

Major General Rodimtsev -
S. Brzhevsky

Division Commissar Gurov -
N. Plotnikov

Stalin's old friend - B. Dobronravov

Lieutenant of the Guards Kaleganov -
B. Smirnov

Sergeant of the Guards Pavlov -
L. Kniazev

President Franklin D. Roosevelt -
N. Cherkasov

Winston Churchill - V. Stanitsyn
Harriman - K. Mikhajlov

Kerr - N. Raevsky
American journalist - P. Massalsky

Nazi Army Command:

Adolf Hitler - M. Astangov

Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel -
N. Komissarov

Field Marshal Alfred Jodl -
B. Svoboda

General Von Paulus - V. Gajdarov
Schmidt - V. Vsevolodov

Adam - Ye. Kaluzhsky

1941-1945
Chronicles of The Great Patriotic War

Stalingrad

The greatest battle that humanity
has ever known

occurred in the summer of 1942
on a wide expanse of the Soviet land.

It was 1942.

The Soviet Union fought Hitler's
gigantic war machine one-on-one.

It's clear.

They are moving towards Stalingrad.

This is the second time that we've had
to defend this city from the enemy.

Stalingrad is a major
strategic target.

Surrendering Stalingrad would mean
losing a crucial advantage.

But retaining Stalingrad
would tie the enemy's hands

and threaten
its logical support lines.

Absolutely right.

Without a doubt, the seizure
of Stalingrad constitutes

the main objective of Germany's
strategic plan during this campaign.

We don't know
the details of their plan,

but I think that it is
more adventurous

than the one for last year's
capture of Moscow.

It's standard, standard.
They're using a typical tactic:

A powerful force at the front,
and a fierce frontal attack.

Well, they can't spook us with that.
We've seen that before.

But their flanks are extended.

We should never forget that,
Comrade Vasilevsky.

I understand that, Comrade Stalin.

We must constantly watch
the enemy's flanks and keep account

of every new German division
and the divisions of their allies.

-This is very important.
-It will be done, Comrade Stalin.

And so, the defense of Stalingrad.

We have to gain advantage in time
and suck the blood out of the enemy.

What has been done to achieve this?

According to your order,

the 63rd Army is advancing to the line
at Pavlovsk-Veshenskoe-Serafimovich.

I think that the front line
at Kletskoe-Serafimovich

must be reinforced.

-What do we have in the reserves?
-The 2 1st Army.

-Send it to this area.
-Yes, as you wish.

What's the status on the formation
of the 5 7th Army?

It has been initiated, Comrade Stalin.

ln the vicinity of Stalingrad

the General Staff
has two navy brigades,

six battalions staffed with cadets
from the lnfantry Academy

transferred from the north Caucasus
front and one NKVD division.

Yes, Comrade Stalin.

Per your instructions,
I prepared an order

for relocating these forces
to Stalingrad.

Also, don't promise any
reinforcements to our commanders,

even if they beg for them.

And don't take any battalions
from the Moscow defense line.

Not one.

As ordered, Comrade Stalin.

-May I take my leave, Comrade?
-Yes, dismissed.

ln July of 1942,
the enemy used its tank forces

to break the Southwestern Front,

then under the command
of Timoshenko.

Using the forces of General Paulus's
6th Army and Hoth's 4th Panzer Army

the enemy seized
Millerovo, Kantemirovka,

Moro zovskaya and Bokovskaya.

The 62nd and 64th Army Divisions
met the enemy.

Kleist's army group fights
near Rostov-on-Don.

Weichs's army vanguard divisions

are facing the Russians on
the western shore of the Don River.

General Weichs is too slow
in his advance to the east.

I can't see my armies
slow down at the Don.

We must be in Stalingrad
by July 25th.

Then we must turn northward

and, going up along the Volga,
we'll cut Moscow off from the Urals.

And then the center armies
will attack Moscow from the west.

With their capital captured,
the Soviets will surely quit fighting.

-This is a brilliant plan.
-I insist on this deadline.

We must be in Stalingrad
by July 25th.

We must take advantage
of the current favorable situation.

Especially now,
when there is so much argument

about the Second Front.

The Second Front?
Jodl, this is nonsense.

The English are not so stupid
as to rescue the Bolsheviks.

When we have defeated the Soviets,

Rommel will drive the English
out of North Africa once and for all

and will join forces with Kleist
by going through the Middle East.

On September 25th,
Kleist must seize Baku.

We will cut
the British off from lndia

and establish ourselves with both
feet on the Eurasian Continent.

We will throw down the gauntlet
and challenge America.

You may continue, Field Marshal.

The 6th Army of General Paulus,
mein Führer,

will attack with two installments.

Hoth's army will target Kalach.

He will surround
the Soviet 62nd Army

and seize the crossings
over the Don.

Fighting over the Don began.
The bloody battle lasted 20 days.

Soviet troops won the extra time
they needed

to fortify Stalingrad's defenses.

Who claimed that the Germans

would cross the Don
on the first attempt?

My miscalculation, Mr. President.
The press insisted on that.

What does the press know?

The press insisted that we shouldn't
help the Russians with weapons,

that the Germans
would get a hold of them.

The Russians are fighting
like no other army has ever fought.

I saw that.

You know Russia.

What do you think is the best way
we can help them?

By invading the Continent,
Mr. President.

This does not depend on me.

The British want a cheap victory.

They keep talking about North Africa,

as if North Africa will decide
the outcome of the war.

They are fighting
12 divisions under Rommel,

while the Russians
are fighting 2 40 divisions.

I think, Mr. President,

that one brigade on the coast
of France would mean a lot more

than two armies in Africa.

Eventually, political pressure
will make a military operation

on the Continent unavoidable.

I think, Mr. President,

that our estimates of German
defenses along the English Channel

are too influenced
by German propaganda.

There is one thing I am too old for.

I can't drag Churchill across
the Channel kicking and screaming.

Mr. President, with every second
we are losing a great opportunity.

I'll say this.

Woe to mankind if we're ever
on opposite sides from Russia.

The 62nd Army and the 4th
Panzer Army of the Stalingrad Front

retreated to the east bank of the Don.

ln the third week of August,

divisions of Paulus's army
crossed the Don.

To the front commander,
Colonel-General Yeremenko.

The defense of Stalingrad
and the defeat of the enemy

advancing from the west
and the south toward Stalingrad

are crucial
for the entire Soviet Front.

The High Command orders you
not to spare your forces

and not to be afraid of any sacrifices

in order to successfully defend
Stalingrad and destroy the enemy.

Stalin.

Vasilevsky.

ln August of 1942,
there were talks held in Moscow

between the Generalissimo
of the Soviet Union Josef Stalin

and British Prime Minister Churchill.

Mr. Harriman represented
the President of the United States.

So we have come to the conclusion,

though it's hard for me to say it. . .

There aren't any nervous people
among us, Mr. Prime Minister.

Entering Europe this year
is impossible.

Great Britain cannot risk an operation
that does not promise a sure success.

ln other words,

the British and American statesmen

renounce the promise
they made this spring?

General Montgomery is presently busy
preparing our advance in North Africa.

Besides, as you know,

we are planning
a major offensive in North Africa

between Algeria and Casablanca.

Your action will not remove
a single German division

from the Russian Front.

Not only that.

Our intelligence reports

that divisions of the 8th Italian army
are currently approaching the Don.

Divisions from Rommel's
African army have also been spotted.

We also intend to invade Sicily.

That front will have more political
than military significance.

Compared to an invasion of France,

an invasion of Sicily
will not have much military impact.

We are doing everything
within our power.

This sort of action does not promise

any positive developments
in the future, Mr. Prime Minister.

We have brought you
a solemn promise

of the governments of Great Britain
and the United States

that the invasion of France
will take place.

Only it will happen next year,
in 1943.

This invasion must happen now.

You also need it.

All of humanity needs it.

Can you guarantee

that this solemn promise will not
be broken like the previous one?

I am sure Mr. Prime Minister
will be able to prove once again

that his country
cannot spare any people.

Mr. Prime Minister,

the Soviet Union and its army
will stop the German advance,

but those who broke
their solemn promises

will be responsible for tens
of thousands of new victims in Europe.

It's all clear now.

Operations in Africa, Italy. . .

They just want to be
the first to reach the Balkans.

They want us to bleed to death,
so they can order us around.

They want to use us
to reach their goal.

This won't happen.

The Slavs will join us.

They hope
that we will give up Stalingrad

and that way lose
a good position for advancement.

This won't happen either.

Vyacheslav Mikhailovich, we need
to send Malenkov to Stalingrad

as a representative
from the State Defense Committee

and to ask Comrade Vasilevsky
to go with him.

And to give them
a broad range of powers.

Exactly.

The legendary fight for Stalingrad
began.

The 62nd Army contained the enemy
advance on the outskirts of the city.

On August 23rd at 4 p.m.
the vanguard of Paulus's army

advanced to the Volga.

On the same day,

the German command ordered
the 4th Air Fleet to attack the city.

Dear Comrades!
Dear citizens of Stalingrad!

What forces have the Germans used
to break our defense,

Comrade Yeremenko?

The 150th tank motorized infantry
division, Comrade Malenkov.

Comrade representative
of the State Defense Committee,

here is a telegram
from the Staff of the High Command.

"You have enough resources
to stop the advance of the enemy.

Strike the enemy using air force
from both fronts.

Mobilize armored trains and set them
on the Stalingrad rail beltway.

Use lots of smoke
to blind the enemy.

Fight the enemy day and night
and use all the artillery at hand.

Most importantly, don't panic,
don't be afraid of the impudent enemy

and believe in our victory.

Stalin. August 23rd."

Take vengeance!

Comrade Yeremenko,
use the regiment of NKVD forces

to defend the tractor factory
and go to the front.

It will be done.

Carry out the regrouping of forces
as we discussed. Do it quietly.

The situation is dire,
but not hopeless.

We are leaving,
Alexander Mikhailovich.

lf you need me,
I'm at the northern passage.

Mobilize partisans.

Mobilize the communists,
Komsomol members and the workers.

We must use all resources
to defend the city.

How many tanks do you have
at the ready?

Sixty, Comrade Malenkov.

-Do you have machine guns?
-1,500 tank machine guns.

-Arm the partisans.
-Yes, sir.

Citizens of Stalingrad!

Comrades!
We must defend the city!

Comrade Stalin told us
not to give in to panic!

Not to give in to the enemy!
Keep confidence in our victory!

Many of you have fought here

under the leadership
of Comrade Stalin

during the Civil War.

Comrades, we will have to fight
for our city.

Fight, and remember,
Stalin is not here physically,

but he is always with you!

ln those difficult days,
the defenders of Stalingrad

did not let the enemy into the city.

They defended
the northern part of the front

until the arrival of the regular
Red Army formations.

I report

that the capture of Stalingrad

by the Germans is imminent.

It is impossible

to stop the enemy

using the forces of the 62nd Army.

As of today, September 3rd,

the enemy is three kilometers away

from the city.

Vasilevsky.

To Comrades
Malenkov and Vasilevsky.

lf the Northern Army Group
does not provide immediate help

then Stalingrad will have to surrender
either today or tomorrow.

Order the army commander

to use the forces

to the north and northwest
of Stalingrad

to immediately attack the enemy,

and they must come to the rescue
of the defenders of Stalingrad.

There can be no delay.

Given the dire circumstances,
a delay equals a criminal act.

By September 4th, seven rifle
divisions and two tank corps

were positioned at Samofalovka,
Shirokoe and Lo znoe.

The 63rd and 2 1st Armies

fought to keep a foothold
on the southern bank of the Don.

On September 5th,
the Northern Army Group

fiercely counterattacked
Paulus's army,

which had broken through
the Soviet defense lines.

The 63rd and 2 1st Armies
set up defenses

at Rubezhinskaya, Kotovskaya
and Belyaevskaya.

Paulus was forced
to use 12 of his best divisions

to rebuff the attacks from the north.

Today, on September 12th,
the 62nd Army is charged

with the defense of Stalingrad.
Stop.

Lieutenant General
Vasily lvanovich Chuikov

is hereby appointed
army commander. Stop.

Army Council.
Stop.

Thank you for entrusting me
with this mission.

Comrade Chuikov,
the situation in Stalingrad is dire.

But we must defend the city,
whatever it takes.

This is Comrade Stalin's order.

I'll either die in Stalingrad
or defeat the enemy.

Good.

I trust you.

Comrade Chief of Staff,
what is the condition of our forces?

Comrade Commandant, there is not
one division at full strength

that we can use against the enemy.

I see.

The army's command center

is under constant enemy fire,
Comrade Chuikov.

The front line
is but two kilometers away.

This is how it should be,
Comrade Gurov.

The command center
must be where the army is.

Well, Krylov.

Here is what I think.

lf we start fighting back,
they will run us over in no time.

We should attack.

Attack should be
our defense tactic from now on.

For every attack of theirs we will
respond with a counterattack.

Write this down:

I command the 399th Division. . .

There are only 140 men remaining.

. . .to counterattack the enemy
in the direction of Aero City.

One regiment of the Saraev division
must counterattack the enemy. . .

War knows both long roads
and shortcuts to hell.

The end of our road is known.

All the world knows
General Paulus and his army.

You crushed Poland.

You crossed France
all the way to Orleans.

I will smash the Russians here,
on the Volga.

Telegram from the Führer.

I am being called to Vinnitsa.

Adam, get a plane ready.

General Paulus,
you betrayed my hopes.

Today is September 12th,

but the Russians
are still in Stalingrad.

Mein Führer.

The Bolsheviks are
counterattacking me incessantly.

I cannot use a single division
from the Northern Front.

I have not received
the promised reinforcements,

but I assure you that--

I don't need your assurances!
You must carry out my orders!

When are you going
to take Stalingrad?

I will do my very best, mein Führer.

You shall pay with your life

if Stalingrad is not taken
by September 20th.

You may go now.

Field Marshal Keitel!

You undermine the most significant
tasks of this year!

Here is what's in the cards.

As soon as Stalingrad is ours,

Turkey and Japan will
immediately attack the Soviets.

Do you understand now?

Stalingrad will be ours, mein Führer!

On September 13th, Paulus sent
his major forces to attack Stalingrad.

Fire!

You must advance!

Don't spare any forces.
The Soviets are running out of steam.

Read the daily briefings!

On the left flank
of the 425th Regiment,

60 enemy tanks,
supported by 20 airplanes,

broke through
to Lugovaya street.

The observation post of the regiment
commander has been destroyed.

Regiment commander
Major Uvarov was killed.

The new regiment commander
is Captain Sviridov.

An enemy regiment 50 tanks strong
broke our defenses

after an artillery barrage
between regiments 218 and 46.

The enemy moves toward the Volga
along ravines Dolgy and Krutoy.

It is impossible to stop the enemy
with the available forces.

8 1st! 8 1st! This is 95th!
Reporting the situation.

50 enemy tanks
broke through to Aero City.

Popov's battalion
has taken many losses.

There are only 20 men
left in the battalion.

It's hard!

It is impossibly hard!

lf Comrade Stalin only knew.

He knows.

Give me the Stalingrad battle report.

Hello.
Stalin here.

Give Chuikov the 13th
Rodimtsev Guards Division

immediately from
the Higher Command reserves.

Chuikov is in big trouble.

Comrade General,
the artillery is ready to go.

Good.

-Board the infantry.
-Yes, sir.

Prepare to board!

Comrade Captains,
we cannot wait for nightfall.

We'll make it.

Comrade General,
the first echelon has boarded.

Good. Set sail.

-Board the second echelon.
-Yes, sir.

All vessels to hoist anchor!

All vessels to hoist anchor!

Yes, sir!

Get ready to leave.

Full steam ahead!

Fire!

What?
Understood. I got it, I got it.

No communication
with Matveyev's regiment.

A staff officer has come back
with a report.

The regiment lost
close to 80% of its soldiers.

It has stopped 10 enemy attacks.

But the enemy broke the defense
notwithstanding considerable losses

and is now fighting on the western
slopes of the Mamayev Heights.

Send the First Battalion to support
the 315th Regiment immediately.

The Germans have captured
all of the sniper nests

and are bombarding
the river crossing.

Distance, 600! Fire!

Comrade Commander!

Commander of the 13th
Guards infantry division,

Major General of the Guards
Rodimtsev at your command.

So,

Paulus's 6th Army there,
and Hoth's 4th Panzer Army here.

Italians and Romanians on the flanks.

What would you think if we did this,
Comrade Vasilevsky?

It would mean that the Germans
are going to fall into a huge trap.

Yes, a trap for two German armies.

The most important thing is
to choose the right moment to attack.

Absolutely right,
Comrade Vasilevsky.

lf we rush into things,

we may get pulled
into an unfavorable situation,

but we can't delay our attack, either.

Very bold, Comrade Stalin.

Very bold!

I pondered for a long time,
Comrade Vasilevsky.

The enemy is on the Volga
and in the Caucasus.

We are fighting alone.

Our counterattacks do not reach
the desired objective.

We lose entire divisions.

People are dying,
Comrade Vasilevsky.

It's very hard.

Difficult.

Some advise one thing,
others say another.

Some say that it will be sufficient

to drive the Germans
away from Stalingrad.

Others urge us to wait for help
from the Allies.

And all of them. . .

. . .demand reinforcements.

No, Comrade Stalin.

The situation is such that we cannot
be content with half-measures.

No, no.

We must drive the enemy
to his destruction.

I would like to ask you
to develop a plan for the operation.

Lock yourself up for a few days,
shut off from everything.

-Only this must concern you.
-I will do so, Comrade Stalin.

railroad station

Comrade Lieutenant,

the battalion commander
is mortally wounded!

There are only 30 men left
in the battalion!

The commander ordered you
to take charge of the battalion

and fight until the end!

Never retreat!

Tell the commander
I take charge of the battalion!

The guards will fight till the end!

Days and nights passed.
But the guards endured.

Comrade Lieutenant!
Comrade Lieutenant!

Tanks!

There are only twelve of us left
in the battalion.

All twelve, come with me!

There were only three left.

Comrade Lieutenant!
Comrade Lieutenant!

The Krauts are advancing again.

We must fight until we die.

Comrade Lieutenant,

the Regiment commander
is ordered to keep fighting.

An infantry platoon is coming to help.

-Have them come through the cellar.
-Yes.

-Be quick about it!
-Yes, sir.

Hang on! Help is coming!

Comrade Lieutenant!

That's an order. . .

"I report.
The guards did not retreat.

They died like heroes
defending Stalin's city

and did not let the enemy in.

Lieutenant Kaliganov."

ls he dead?

Yes, sir, Comrade General.

All of the battalion's soldiers
are dead.

What does Leningrad need?

Everything it can get, we receive,
Josef Vissarionovich.

Comrade Poskrebyshev.

Please have all those who supply
provisions and fuel to Leningrad

come to see me
tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.

Oh, yes.

An American journalist
sent me these three questions.

Please have a look.

Good day, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich.

Did you look through my answers
to the curious American journalist?

What do you think?

Good. Excellent.

The third question is perhaps
the most interesting.

Here is my answer
to the third question.

"I think that the Soviet ability

to counter the attack
of German villains

is no less potent

than the desire of Nazi Germany
or any other aggressor state

for global supremacy."

This is not only an answer
to a question.

This is also a warning for the future.

-Good night.
-Good-bye.

The comrade you wanted to see
is here.

It's my old friend,
from the Tsaritsyn days.

I will see him at home later.

Please prepare this information

for the meeting of the State Security
Committee tomorrow.

Send this marked "urgent."

And please pull these books
for tomorrow.

Josef, you are tired.

I'm not the only one.

Don't you worry about me.

Better worry about yourself.
I'll last for a hundred years.

Still, you must rest.

Look at the grey hair you've got.

It would be strange
if I didn't have any.

You are just as restless as ever.

-It's the nature of my job.
-It's your nature.

I found out you came to Moscow
from far away,

and I wanted to see you.

I've been watching you
all these years.

We discussed
your new project recently.

It's a very solid and timely one.

It's very important for us

to begin producing new weapons
as soon as possible.

The old guard.

You make me happy.

You make us happy every day.

When are you going to make us
happy with a great victory?

All in time.

How do the workers live
where you are?

Life is very hard for the people?

Yes. It's a very difficult war.

You know, the people
believe in our victory

and will give the army
everything it needs.

Yet, the people
have one big question.

How long are we going to be
on the defensive?

Our defensive strategy, my friend,
is a legitimate necessity,

and it will drive the enemy
to his defeat.

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

We need to attack
in order to defeat the enemy.

Our counterattacks only contain
the enemy advance.

Never confuse a counterattack
with a counteroffensive.

A well-organized counteroffensive

is a very interesting
type of offensive.

Kutuzov knew it well.

He defeated Napoleon's army with
a well-organized counteroffensive.

We are preparing a large-scale
strategic offensive near Stalingrad.

Why did you choose Stalingrad
for a counteroffensive?

That's where all the major
German forces are!

That's part of our strategy:

to deliver a decisive blow

where it will have
the greatest result.

This blow will lead the Germans
to devastation.

Devastation?

But the Germans
are not only at Stalingrad.

They are also in Smolensk,
near Leningrad and Baku!

They are still very strong.

When Napoleon fought at Borodino,
he was very strong.

Listen to what Napoleon was thinking
then, as Tolstoy described it.

"When he ran his mind over the whole
of this strange Russian campaign

and heard reports of the Russians
still holding their ground,

a terrible feeling like a nightmare
took possession of him,

and all the unlucky accidents
that might destroy him

occurred to his mind.

Yes, it was like a dream

in which a man fancies that a ruffian
is coming to attack him,

and raises his arm to strike
that ruffian a terrible blow

which he knows
should annihilate him,

but then feels that his arm
drops powerless and limp like a rag,

and the horror
of unavoidable destruction

seizes him in his helplessness."

This is what happens to the almighty.

Kalach

Good. Very good.

Don't you think,
Comrade Vasilevsky,

that the Stalingrad Front
should be divided into two fronts?

The section from Kletskaya
to the Volga River

should be called the Don Front.

And the section from here
to the Kolmyk lakes

should be called the Stalingrad Front.

Absolutely right, Comrade Stalin.

Who would you suggest
as commander for the Don Front?

The Don Front?

Comrade Rokossovsky.

Why not?

Very well.
Rokossovsky.

It's a great idea.

Excuse me.

Please put me through
to Comrade Rokossovsky,

the commander of the Bryansk Front.

I've been looking through our Combat
manual, Comrade Vasilevsky,

and I suggest that we make
certain changes.

When preparing these changes,

I used our experience
fighting at Stalingrad.

It seems to me that many things
in this combat manual are outdated.

Linear tactics are obsolete.

The commander changes his place
in combat.

There is a need for powerful
mobile units, and so forth.

Look at this and let me know
what you think.

I will, Comrade Stalin.

Good day, Comrade Rokossovsky.

How are the things at the front?

You are saying it's quiet there?

Absolutely quiet?

Maybe you would like to transfer
somewhere where it's a bit livelier?

Right now we are splitting
the Stalingrad Front into two:

the Stalingrad Front proper
that will defend the city

and the Don Front that
will have a broader mission.

We propose that you accept
command of the Don Front.

Think about it and give us
your answer tomorrow.

Good-bye.

I think he will accept.

It will be very good,
Comrade Stalin.

We will deploy forces immediately.

Make sure that the troops
move only at night.

Forbid the use of radio.

There should be no correspondence
regarding the operation.

Not even in code.

It will be done, Comrade Stalin.

And the last thing.

How much time do you need
to prepare the operation?

I think a month-and-a-half
will be sufficient.

Please don't make it
any longer than that.

Let me clarify.

The ability of Hoth and Paulus
to advance

will completely diminish
in the near future.

Their reserves are almost gone.

It is possible that once
the enemy recognizes

how useless it is to advance
on Stalingrad

they will decide
to change to defensive tactics.

ln that case, the enemy
will begin removing forces

from the Stalingrad area.

We cannot allow enemy forces

to escape from the line
of our advance.

We'll make sure it doesn't happen,
Comrade Stalin.

What if I ask you,
Comrade Vasilevsky,

before I approve the plan,

to go to the region
of the planned operation?

To inspect our forces there,
to see what state they are in,

to prepare the front
for arrival of reinforcements

and to confer with commanders?

Yes, a visit would be beneficial.

I will correct the final draft
of the plan on location.

I believe that artillery commander,
Comrade Voronov, should go with you.

It's absolutely necessary.

lf you don't have any urgent things
to do, you could go tomorrow.

I don't have more urgent things
to do than this.

I wish you success.
Give my regards to the commanders.

-Good-bye.
-Good-bye.

October arrived.

The Germans did not break
through the defense line

of Chuikov's army.

There were fights for every district,
every street and every house.

I received a guideline
from Comrade Stalin,

on how to conduct street fights.

We shall act
according to this guideline.

Write this down:

"Fighting inside a house
should be furious.

Don't linger.

Act quickly, think on your feet."

Forward!

I, Sergeant Yakov Pavlov,
from Rodimtsev Guards,

have retaken this Soviet house.

Days passed. . .

Endless attacks did not break the
spirit of Sergeant Pavlov's soldiers.

The Germans did not succeed
in taking that house.

History gave that house
the name of Pavlov's House.

There is a cliff on the Volga

It is covered with moss

From top to bottom

It's been standing like that
For a hundred years

Not knowing need or worry

Nothing on it grows

Only the wind freely blows

Only the mighty eagle
Made its nest on the cliff

To torment its prey

Lieutenant General Rokossovsky
is here, Comrade Stalin.

Show him in.

I'm here on your orders,
Comrade Stalin.

Good day, Comrade Rokossovsky.

Did you transfer
command of the front?

Yes, it was done, Comrade Stalin.

You are assigned to the Don Front.

You must leave immediately.

It's a difficult time in Stalingrad.

Remember,
the city must remain ours.

Attack the enemy every day,
do not stop, tie up his reserves,

and divert the enemy
from Chuikov's army.

I understand the task,
Comrade Stalin.

Please allow me
to assume my duties.

Yes.
And please call me often.

Do not be upset
if I, too, call you once in a while.

Good-bye.

Good luck.

That cliff is still standing

And it keeps all of Stepan's thoughts

And sometimes it shares
With the Volga River

The memory of the chief's jolly life

Now we begin to carry out

the final stage of
the High Command Strategic Plan.

The strategy is to first destroy
enemy flanks.

The main attack will end

with complete encirclement
of the enemy's main forces,

that is Paulus's 6th Army
and Hoth's 4th Panzer Army.

Army units from the Southwestern
and Stalingrad Fronts

will close the encirclement at Kalach.

As for the particular details
of the operation,

it was Comrade Stalin's idea

to allow staff members
to work them out together

with front commanders on location.

It's been a while
since we had a representative

from the general staff
in the Stalingrad area.

This summer Zhukov
was transferred away

from Stalingrad
to the Ukrainian Front.

I suggest we appoint Vasilevsky
as staff representative in Stalingrad

for the duration of the operation.

Does anyone disagree?

Then so it will be.

Now,

to carry out the operation
in Stalingrad

will require the maximum effort
of the entire country.

It is the duty of the home front
to prepare everything

for the counteroffensive
and the enemy's defeat.

We must call on the workers,
the collective farmers

and all the Soviet intelligentsia
to work with double energy.

Now, the final question.

When do we begin
the counteroffensive?

ln November, Comrade Stalin.

So we'll begin the counteroffensive
at Stalingrad in November.

1941-1945
Chronicles of The Great Patriotic War

End of Part l

Mosfilm Studios

The Battle of Stalingrad
Part ll

Moscow Film Studios "MOSFILM"
1949

Screenplay by
Nikolai Virta

Directed by
Vladimir Petrov

Assistant Director
N. Dostal

Cinematography by
Yuri Yekelchik

Art direction by
Leonide Mamaladze

Music by
Aram Khachaturyan

Sound by
Valeri Popov

Special effects by -
G. Aizenberg, M. Semenov

Film edited by K. Moskvina
Camera operator - K. Petrichenko

Set decorator - S. Voronkov
Make-up by A. Andzhan

Pyrotechnical Effects - V. Likhachev

Produced by Ya. Antselovich

Military consultant - Colonel
of the Guards P. Semenov

Army units commanded
by Colonel General Galitsky

Orchestra of the Ministry of Cinema
of the USSR

Music conducted by H. Hamburg
Narrator - Yuri Levitan

Commander in Chief Josef Stalin -
Aleksei Dikij

Party leaders and Soviet statesmen -
M. Shtraukh, M. Kvarelashvili,

G. Belov, M. Derzhavin, N. Dorokhin,
V. Khokhriakov, S. Khmelnitsky

Colonel General Vasilevsky -
Yu. Shumsky

Colonel-General Voronov -
V. Merkuryev

Lieutenant-General Rokossovsky -
B. Livanov

Colonel-General Vatutin -
V. Golovin

Major General Yeremenko -
N. Kolesnikov

Lieutenant-General Chuikov -
N. Simonov

Major General Rodimtsev -
S. Brzhevsky

Major General Tolbukhin -
V. Stanitsyn

Major General Trufanov -
N. Krasnopolsky

Major General Krylov - V. Orlov

Division Commissar Gurov -
N. Plotnikov

Colonel Liudnikov - M. Nazvanov

Colonel lvanov - N. Kriuchkov

Colonel Popov - A. Antonov

Commanding officers
of the German Wehrmacht

Hitler - M. Astangov
Keitel - N. Komissarov

Jodl - B. Svoboda
Weichs - N. Rybnikov

Paulus - V. Gajdarov
Schmidt - V. Vsevolodov

Adam - N. Nikolaevsky
Zeizler - V. Cherniavsky

Goering - M. Garkavi
Stanescu - P. Ardjanov

Hoth - R. Plyatt

1941-1945
Chronicles of The Great Patriotic War

Encirclement and defeat
of the German forces

at Stalingrad in 1942-1943

ln accordance with the proposed
operation plan

of encircling German forces
at Stalingrad,

we are completing relocation
of additional forces to the area

and are regrouping forces
within fronts and armies

to create offensive groups.

Good.

How are things
on the Southwestern Front?

Creation of the Southwestern Front

under the command
of General Vatutin

is completed, Comrade Stalin.

Per your order,
the Southwestern Front

has received reinforcements
from the general staff reserves

in addition to the armies transferred
from the Don Front.

Four infantry divisions,
two tank corps, one cavalry corps,

thirteen artillery regiments, seven
army corps and six mortar regiments.

And the Stalingrad Front?

The Stalingrad Front
has received one tank brigade

from the general staff reserves. . .

Excuse me.

Stalin.

Today at dawn the Germans
introduced a fresh division

supported by 150 tanks.

By the end of the day, they made
their way to the tractor plant.

They severed Colonel Gorokhov's
group from Chuikov's army.

The tractor plant is lost.

The enemy is striving
to reach the Volga

and the Barricades.

The Nazis want to split the 62nd Army
in half and destroy it piece by piece.

We cannot let that happen,
Comrade Vasilevsky.

Please order Rokossovsky
to counterattack immediately.

Here.

And please give Chuikov
the 138th Liudnikov division

from the general reserves.

It will be done.

It's a very difficult situation.

Further retreat is impossible,
Comrade Vasilevsky.

Stalingrad ties enemy forces down.

Now, when we are getting ready
for a decisive advance,

it becomes exceptionally important
for us to retain Stalingrad.

Please use the direct line
to tell Yeremenko,

the commander in charge of
the Stalingrad Front, the following:

I demand that you take all possible
measures to defend Stalingrad.

Stalingrad should not fall
into enemy hands,

and that any part of Stalingrad
which is already in enemy hands

must be liberated.

Stalin.

Send this immediately.

-May I be relieved, Comrade Stalin?
-Yes.

Good-bye.

November arrived.

The Germans were pushing to get
to the Volga river.

The Germans are here again!

Where?

Between Gorishny and Liudnikov!
They are attacking the Barricades!

-What forces do they have?
-Up to three divisions with tanks.

Have the divisions
of Gorichny and Batiuk

counterattack the enemy
in that direction.

The goal is to destroy the enemy
who broke into the territories

of the Barricades
and of the Red October.

Yes, sir!

Disaster may happen any moment.

Disaster it will be,
Comrade Commander.

ln that case, communication
with the left bank will be destroyed.

And for a long time.

-ls there ice anywhere?
-Already in Saratov, as of yesterday.

Expect it here tomorrow.

I'm going to Liudnikov.

After prolonged heavy fighting,

the Germans made their way
to the Volga

and encircled Liudnikov's division.

Here's the line of my front.

There are 200 meters between
the 95th Division and me.

These 200 meters were captured
by the enemy.

However, while the Germans
have captured a cliff on the Volga,

they have not made it yet
to the river.

On the left, there is Gorichny
in their way,

which keeps this area
of the bank under fire.

And here it's us who do not allow
them to make it to the river.

Right.

But the situation is still very bad.

We are running out of ammunition.

Tonight armored vessels
should take away the wounded

and bring us ammunition
and reinforcements.

Yes?

What's going on?

There's ice moving on the Volga,
Comrade Chuikov.

It's not solid, but still
carries everything with it.

What?

Here we go again.

They are attacking
the Barricades again.

The ice on the Volga

has completely disrupted
communication with the left bank.

Divisions don't have any ammunition.
Reinforcements are not arriving.

The wounded are not
being evacuated.

What kinds of measures

have been taken to help
the fighters at Stalingrad?

We are doing all we can,
Comrade Stalin.

Airplanes are dropping
food and ammo.

This is not enough.

Did motorboats
try to break through?

They attempt every night,
Comrade Stalin.

But the movement of ice
has intensified.

Besides, all of the Volga is under
constant German machine gun

and mortar fire day and night.

Please let the sailors
of the Volga fleet know

that they must break through.

It will be done, Comrade Stalin.

Dear Josef Vissarionovich:

We, the defenders of Stalingrad,

would like to tell you

and, through you,
all of the Soviet people

that our morale is high.

Our will is strong.

Our hands are tirelessly
fighting the enemy.

We are writing to you

in the middle of the fight

from a high bank

on the great Russian river, the Volga.

We have decided

to fight to our deaths
defending Stalingrad.

By sending you this letter
from our foxholes, we swear that. . .

I, Major General
of the Rodimtsev Guards,

soldiers and officers of divisions. . .

I, Colonel Liudnikov,
soldiers and officers. . .

I, Guriev, commander
of the Guards Division,

soldiers and officers,

. . .we swear to you,
and in the name of our fathers,

the gray-haired heroes
of the battle of Tsaritsyn,

we swear to the comrades
fighting on other fronts,

to our combat banners,

to all of the Soviet land, we swear

that we will defend Stalingrad

to the last drop of blood,

to the last breath,
to the last heart beat,

and will not allow the enemy
to come to the Volga.

Motor boats!

They are coming!

And so, we are beginning
our advance at Stalingrad.

It's the second one
after the Battle of Moscow.

It's an advance of enormous power

and an enormous task
that we have to face.

We must achieve a change
in the direction of the war,

in the direction of all history.

Your Southwestern Front,
Comrade Vatutin,

will deliver the main blow.

Your Don Front,
Comrade Rokossovsky,

will deliver a supporting blow.

The Stalingrad Front,
Comrade Yeremenko,

will begin the advance one day later.

A message
from the Commander in Chief.

The enemy has already experienced
the power of the Red Army attacks

at Rostov, Moscow and Tikhvin.

The day is not far off

when the enemy will see the power
of the new Red Army's assault.

We will see better times.

November 19

You may begin,
Comrade Vasilevsky.

They dropped thousands of tons
of metal on us.

They are breaking our defenses.

I cannot believe they prepared
the attack so discreetly.

Order the commander
of the 14th Tank Corps

to send two tank divisions -
16th and 24th

to the area of a potential
main Russian assault.

He cannot take divisions
with vehicles.

Chuikov is advancing again.

ln that case,

let tanks go there
along with divisions

that are not at the front line.

lmmediately.

Put me through
to Colonel-General Weichs.

Staff of Colonel-General Weichs,
please.

Colonel-General, please.

Colonel-General Weichs
is sleeping, sir.

Paulus speaking.

Wake up the Colonel-General.

What?

What happened?

Sir, the Russians began an advance

in the sector
of Veshenskoe-Kletskoe.

From the Soviet News Agency.

Today, on November 19th,

the Red Army began
an advance at Stalingrad.

On the home front, Soviet citizens
produced more than 1,000 airplanes,

1,140 tanks, 5,629 artillery guns,
and 11,400 mortars for the war effort

to pay the enemy back.

Field Marshal Keitel.

The Führer gave permission
to transfer the 11th Division

from the Western Front.

Their transport has already begun.

Let Colonel-General Weichs
know about it.

And also use the 62nd Division
from the reserves

and the 294th Division stationed
in the area of Mirov.

I report, Comrade Vasilevsky.

Army formations
on the Southwestern Front

broke through the enemy defenses.

The infantry is fighting
behind enemy lines.

Our defenses
have been broken through.

Give me the map of the location
of the Russian army on the Don.

Send a radio message
to Colonel-General Vasilevsky

that we've broken
through the enemy lines.

Connect me to the command
of Weichs's Group B.

Sir, the Russians attacked again,
this time on the Don Front.

ln the area of Kletsk and Melokletsk.

Defense lines are broken through
along a stretch of 6 kilometers long.

Streicher's Don group is in danger.

It is possible that Paulus
may relocate Streicher's corps

to avoid being encircled.

This must not happen.

I would advise moving Streicher's
corps to the eastern bank of the Don

in order to avoid a catastrophe.

Send two tank brigades

in order to prevent the retreat
of Streicher's Don group.

Russian tanks are going south.

Please put me through

to the commander
of the Southwestern Front.

The Commander
will speak to you now.

I understand, Comrade Rokossovsky.

The 3rd Cavalry Corps
has already set out

to prevent Streicher's retreat.

I don't have any more reserves.

Sir! Russian cavalry
is following Streicher's units.

Streicher urgently requests
that his units be moved immediately.

The break in our lines
is becoming wider.

They may cut us off
from our reserves.

lf they introduce mobile units
into the break between our lines,

they will crush our forces
piece by piece.

Order mobile units
to begin carrying out their task.

lntroduce the 4th Tank Corps
into the front-line break.

November 20

Schmidt, what's happening in the area
of the 6th Romanian Army Corps?

Give me the map!

Put me through to the commander
of the Stalingrad Front.

General Tolbukhin reporting.

The 5 7th Army
along with the 5 1st Army

broke the line of defense
of the 6th Romanian Army Corps.

The 20th, 2nd and 18th
Romanian Divisions

are completely annihilated.

Very well, Comrade Tolbukhin.

Carry on the advance.

Extend the break
in the enemy line of defense

and prepare mobile units for combat.

Send the 3 7 1st Division against
the advancing 5 1st Russian Army.

Give them an additional 70 tanks!
lf it's not too late.

It may be.

Put me through to the Staff
of the 3 7 1st Division.

Order the 5 1st and the 5 7th Armies
to launch their mobile units.

The 4th Mobile Corps got through
the break in the enemy defenses.

Very well, Comrade Trufanov.

I'm launching mobile units.

The Russians have launched
mobile units.

This is a total disaster.

We must report to the Führer.

It's too early.

Too early.

There is still a chance to liquidate
the break in our defenses.

With what?

What?!

I report, Comrade Stalin.

Enemy lines have been broken
along several lines of attack.

Our tank, cavalry and mobile units

have entered the breaks
in enemy defenses.

The battle is being fought
over a large area

and is covering the entire depth
of enemy defenses.

We are likely to succeed
on all lines of attack.

Do not stop operations even at night.

Follow and destroy the enemy.

November 2 1

The Führer has ordered rebuilding
the front line immediately.

Unfortunately, it's impossible, sir.

What?

We must pull together all reserves
and launch a massive counterattack.

We are powerless
to do anything, sir.

The system of command and control
of the troops is paralyzed, sir.

Commanders of the 4th and 13th
mobile units must move faster

behind the enemy lines,

while avoiding and blocking
enemy points of resistance.

Tell them to destroy
the communication lines,

staff buildings and reserves
of the retreating enemy.

Yes, sir.

Support the activities
of mobile units from the air

with the help of two
Luftwaffe Destroyer Divisions.

Luftwaffe intelligence reports.

Streicher's units
have begun retreat.

-lnform General Vatutin about this.
-Yes, sir.

There is no communication
with Streicher's staff.

They are cutting off our reserves.
They are behind our lines.

Sir, Russian tanks
are three kilometers away.

Where did these tanks come from?

The 14th Tank Division is retreating
under Russian attack.

Adam!

My plane.

Order the commander
of the 4th Tank Corps

to move more rapidly toward Kalach.

Commander of the vanguard unit
of the 4th Tank Corps reporting.

We have destroyed supply lines
and the staff office

of a German infantry division.

Per your order, I shall continue
to move toward Kalach.

Yes, sir.

Siegfried.

Siegfried.

Siegfried.

Where's Hoth?

Will you please find out
where the hell General Hoth is?

Where's his army?

Siegfried. Siegfried. Siegfried.

There is no communication
with the staff of General Hoth.

Then put me through
to Colonel-General Weichs.

Put me through to Group B.

General Paulus.

Well?

Sir, I'm in Nizhnecherskaya.

I can no longer withstand
the Russian attack.

I don't know where
General Hoth or his army is.

I don't know where Streicher is.
What should we do?!

Commander of the vanguard unit
of the 4th Mobile Corps reporting.

Per your order, we occupied
the Karpovka station.

We took prisoners
and confiscated material.

I continue to advance on Kalach.

Ask General Vatutin

about the situation in the area of
the 4th and the 5th Romanian Corps

with the so-called Raspopinskaya
group of armies.

Yes, sir.

Brigade General Stanescu reporting.

The Russians have arrived at the right
flank of our units from Southeast.

The 6th and 13th infantry units

are retreating to the village
of Raspopinskaya.

Our division is under threat
of encirclement.

Comrade Stalin wants to know,

what's going on with
the Raspopinskaya group of armies?

Did you wipe them out?

The group of armies
consisting of the 4th

and the 5th Romanian Army Corps
is encircled, Comrade Vasilevsky.

Good.

Ask General Vatutin
to force them to capitulate.

I will carry it out.

The remaining units of Romanian
forces have assembled

in the village of Raspopinskaya.

Sir, there is an order
to force the Romanians to capitulate.

Begin bombarding the village.

The destiny of our divisions is clear.

We must begin negotiations
to end armed struggle.

Where is the third Romanian army?

Communication with the third
Romanian army is gone, sir.

I'm asking you, where is
the third Romanian army?

Where is it? Where?

We just received the news.

The Commanders of the 5th
and the 6th Romanian Divisions,

Generals Lasker and Masarini,
have been taken prisoner

along with their officers
and 6,000 soldiers.

The Romanians!

I knew it!
I warned the Führer!

To the Commander in Chief
Comrade Stalin.

I report.

The Raspopinskaya group
of armies capitulated.

Also, during the offensive,
our forces have destroyed

11 infantry divisions, two tank
divisions and one cavalry division.

We have killed
95,000 enemy soldiers

and taken prisoner more than
7 2,000 enemy soldiers and officers.

November 22

Per orders from Colonel-General
Weichs, our staff retreated eastward.

All is lost.

Rumors say our forces
are retreating to Stalingrad.

Our staff lost communication
with the army.

Your army retreated
without any resistance.

-Yes, but. . .
-We never give up without fighting.

-Where is General Hoth?
-He is with General Paulus.

Well, what?

There's no response.

What are we to do?

I don't know.

I could try and take the army out
through a narrow corridor

that is not yet occupied
by the Russians.

I sent a radio message to the Führer,

but there is still no answer.

Forgive me for bothering you,
Comrade Stalin.

We intercepted Paulus's
radio message to Hitler.

Do not worry, Comrade Vasilevsky.

First of all,
their actions are too late.

You see that yourself.

Besides, the Germans
cannot leave Stalingrad.

For them, it's the destiny
of the whole Eastern Front,

and perhaps of the entire war.

Carry the operation through
with calm.

Kalach

General Paulus can still take
his army out of the encirclement

through a narrow path.

He is waiting for your answer,
mein Führer.

I command.

In no case shall we leave Stalingrad.

All of the front depends on that.

lf the encirclement is inevitable,

turn it into a fortress
and stay there!

November 23

We are flying over Kalach.

It's not clear whose hands it's in.

The battles are around it.

If we let the Russians into Kalach,
it will be the end.

We will be fully encircled.

Commander of the vanguard unit
of the 4th Tank Corps

of the Southwestern Front.

Commander of the vanguard unit
of the 4th Mobile unit

of the Stalingrad Front.

Congratulations, Comrade Colonel.

I am glad to inform you,
Comrade Stalin,

that today, on November 23rd,

we completely encircled
the German army at Stalingrad.

Vanguard units of the 4th Tank Corps
of the Southwestern Front

and vanguard units of the 4th
mobile unit of the Stalingrad Front

came together.

Twenty-two German divisions
became firmly locked

inside an iron ring of our forces.

Comrade Vasilevsky,
you accomplished a colossal task.

I do what I can, Comrade Stalin.

You can do quite a lot.

Hello, Comrade Vatutin.

Congratulations
on a brilliant operation.

We acted on your orders,
Comrade Stalin.

Order? What orders?

It's easy to send out orders.

Not long ago Hitler addressed
his encircled forces with an order.

He demands
that under no circumstances

should Stalingrad be left behind.

It's only natural.
Paulus holds down six of our armies.

The German command pulls
large forces in the area of Tormosin,

Comrade Stalin.

What about Kotelnikovo?

The group of Field Marshal Manstein,

complete with seven divisions,
is there.

ln addition, the 23rd Tank Division
from the North Caucasus

has been moved there.

They are too hasty to move divisions
from the Caucasus.

They have also moved the 17th
Tank Division from Bryansk.

Not very clever either.

Does this mean we should
expect their advance

at Tormosin and Kotelnikovo?

Yes, Comrade Stalin.

We will act first.

I know what you are thinking,
Comrade Vatutin.

You propose a major strike
to the south.

Quite right, Comrade Stalin.

I believe this major attack
should rather strike in the southeast.

I understand, Comrade Stalin.

Only this can prevent Paulus
from getting help from the outside.

When do you propose to begin?

On December 15th or 16th,
Comrade Stalin.

Good-bye.

I believe we should entrust
Comrade Voronov

with the task of destroying
Paulus's forces.

I asked him to be here.
He's coming.

You are quite right, Comrade Stalin.

Nikolai Nikolaevich visited there
many times recently.

He knows the place
and people quite well.

Yes, and besides, artillery will play
a major role in this operation.

Colonel-General Voronov is here,
Comrade Stalin.

Ask him to come in.

Good day, Comrade Voronov.

We decided to entrust you
with the task

of destroying the encircled army
of General Paulus.

Our advancing forces are very tired.

Besides, a considerable number
of artillery units are lagging behind

and cannot take part
in this operation.

Yes, we will need time to bring
the artillery where we need it.

It's obvious that no matter how soon
we want to be through with Paulus

we cannot begin this operation
before January.

I ask you, Comrade Voronov
and Comrade Rokossovsky,

to develop a plan
for the upcoming operation.

When do you think it could be ready?

Sometime by the end of December,
Comrade Stalin.

ln order to carry out this operation
successfully and fast,

we must prepare thoroughly.

I agree.

Good-bye.
I wish you success.

And now, Comrade Vasilevsky,

let's take a look at what's going on
at other fronts.

A powerful attack by the Soviet forces
annihilated all attempts

by the German command
to free the encircled army.

Soviet forces destroyed the 8th
Italian Army, the 3rd Romanian Army,

and Field Marshal Manstein's
army group

in the area of Tormosin
and Kotelnikovo.

Encircled German armies were now
200 kilometers away from the rest

of the German forces.

Sir, you asked me
to prepare materials

for the report to the Führer.

Today our forces are encircled
in a territory

no larger
than 1,500 square kilometers.

This area is under constant fire
from long-range artillery.

Some 80,000 soldiers died in action.

Currently we have about 40,000
sick and wounded soldiers.

We have no winter clothing.
Soldier rations have been reduced.

I must add

that some generals are suggesting
again, despite the Führer's order,

attempting a breakthrough by using
all combat-ready units.

I am the one responsible.

These criminal discussions
must end,

or else those involved in them
will be court-marshaled.

We have no fewer than 200,000
soldiers, many guns and mortars.

We can and we shall defend
our position here.

Paulus's army must be liquidated
as soon as possible.

We must release our forces
for action on other fronts.

As you can see, Comrade Stalin,
the operation is fully planned

based on your idea of splitting
Paulus's army into several parts

and destroying each one of them
separately.

The operation will involve strikes
at intersecting axes

and a gradual reduction of the area
occupied by the enemy.

This is the general concept
of the operation, Comrade Stalin.

Good.

Comrade Rokossovsky
will report in more detail.

Will you allow me, Comrade Stalin?

Please, do.

I will conduct the main attack
from west to east

using the Don Front forces.

The general line of action
is toward the Gonchar village

and the Red October plant.

The armies of the Stalingrad Front
will carry out a supporting attack.

Then the operation is split
into three successive stages.

Stage one, to destroy the western
and northeastern enemy armies.

Stage two, to destroy enemy forces

at Peschanka, Stalingrad
and Gumrak.

Stage three, to liquidate
the remaining enemy forces.

Please bear in mind that Paulus has
no fewer than 200,000 able soldiers.

He also has the advantage
in tanks and airplanes.

We, on the other hand, are much
stronger in the artillery department.

Ah, the famous notebook.

I believe you, Comrade Voronov.

Artillery is the God of war.

I believe you.

I will give you the numbers.

Two thousand guns will carry out
the artillery preparation.

Besides, we have 3,000 mortars

and a significant number
of Guard artillery.

Nikolai Nikolaevich
will have some fun.

ln some areas of the front,

there will be as many
as 200 guns per square kilometer,

Comrade Stalin.

Well, the home front
did an excellent job.

When do you expect
to begin the operation?

Approximately at the beginning
of January, Comrade Stalin.

Yes, the plan is accepted.

Are there any objections,
Comrade Vasilevsky?

I would only suggest

to unite the forces of both
the Don and Stalingrad Fronts

under the command
of Comrade Rokossovsky.

I agree.

Please give Comrade Rokossovsky
the 62nd, 64th and 57th Armies.

It will be done, Comrade Stalin.

Comrade Front Commander!

I accept with joy

your glorious army under
my command, Comrade Chuikov.

We fought as hard as we could,
Comrade Front Commander.

Yes, it was hard for you.

Now it's all in the past,
Comrade Rokossovsky.

And it's all still ahead of us.

So let's talk about what's ahead.

Here's the combat objective
for your 62nd Army.

During the general advance,

use the success
of other lines of action

to try to meet forces
with the 2 1st Army.

You join forces at Mamayev Heights.

By January 7, 1943, the Don Front
completed preparation

for the operation
in the area of Stalingrad.

The Soviet government does not
want unnecessary bloodshed.

We also want to allow Paulus
to spare his officers and soldiers

from hunger and frost.

Ask them to surrender.

Send Paulus an ultimatum.

To the commander
of the 6th German Army,

Colonel-General Paulus,

or to his deputy, and also
to all the officers and soldiers. . .

. . .of the German forces
encircled at Stalingrad.

I've read the text of the ultimatum,
Comrade Voronov.

We must offer more benefits
to the officers

and soldiers of Paulus's army.

More benefits.

We guarantee life and safety
to all those who give up resistance

to soldiers and officers.

All prisoners will immediately
receive normal food rations.

All the sick, wounded and frost-bitten
will receive medical treatment.

Your situation is hopeless and your
further resistance is pointless.

There is still no answer
from the Führer?

No, sir.

We warn you that if you refuse
our offer of capitulation,

you will be responsible for
the destruction of the German forces.

They threaten us!

They want to bring us to our knees!

Yes, I'm responsible
for the glory of Germany!

Surrender is out of the question!
Out of the question!

On January 10, 1943, at 8:05 a.m.

the armies of Rokossovsky
began extermination

of the encircled armies
of General Paulus.

The enemy suffered massive losses.

On the battlefield,
127 destroyed guns,

about 400 machine guns
and more than 80 tanks were found.

Confiscated materiel
included 300 guns, 104 tanks,

32 4 mortars, 60 armored trucks,
3,000 automobiles,

ammunition and other military gear.

Rokossovsky speaking.

It's Stalin calling.

I didn't call you sooner on purpose.
I didn't want to disturb you.

How are things?

I report, Comrade Stalin.

Despite vicious enemy resistance,

we completed the objective
of Operation First Stage.

We broke Paulus's Front.

The western part
of German defenses is destroyed.

Well.

Good.

ln order to make the most
of the favorable situation,

we will concentrate our efforts
on the 2 1st Army.

ln cooperation with the task force
of the 64th and the 5 7th Armies,

the 21st Army will complete
the encirclement of enemy formations

at Bosargino and Voroponovo.

I remember those places very well.

Voroponovo.

There are many ravines there.
It will be difficult for you.

All right.

I agree.

You may begin.

Our forces should retreat
to the eastern bank

of the Rassoshka River.

Set up defenses there.

The front line on Rassoshka and
Chervlionaya is open from the flanks.

We must immediately send
our reserves from Stalingrad there.

Our last reserves?

Yes.

Carry out this order.

There is only one thing left for us,

to fight and to delay
the hour of our demise.

The soldiers need moral support.

Publish my order.
Adam, write it down.

Soldiers, you know what will
become of us if we surrender.

There is only one chance left for us.

To fight until the last round
of ammunition.

Let's hope for the moment
that will arrive soon.

What will arrive soon?

Death.

On January 23, army formations
from the Don Front

broke through another German
defense line on the way to Stalingrad.

Today, despite stout resistance,

we gave up our last positions.

We are retreating to Stalingrad.

We are experiencing a crisis
with our supply of provisions,

ammunition and fuel.

We do not have positions
or buildings anymore.

We are witnessing manifestations
of low morale

in which people commit suicide
and go insane.

I request, my Führer,
to be granted freedom of action

in order to continue to resist
while it is still possible

or to surrender in case resistance
becomes no longer feasible.

Commander of the 6th Army,
Colonel-General Paulus.

There are only
500 meters between us.

We are going
to unite forces tomorrow.

They joined forces?

They made it.

They are heroes!

January 30

January 3 1

Congratulations on your promotion
to Field Marshal-General.

Thank you.

The Führer is very generous.

What's going on in the city, Schmidt?

Soviet negotiators are outside, sir.

Give up your weapons.

Your weapons.

Mr. Field Marshal,

you are made a prisoner of war
by the units of the 64th Soviet Army.

I congratulate
the forces of the Don Front

with the successful annihilation
of enemy forces at Stalingrad.

Thank you to all soldiers,
commanders,

and morale-support officers
of the Don Front

for exceptional
military accomplishments.

Commander in Chief Stalin.

Berlin

The Battle of Stalingrad

was the point of no return
for the German Nazi army.

As it is well-known,

German forces could not regain
strength after Stalingrad. Stalin.

1941-1945
Chronicles of the Great Patriotic War

The End