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The Battle of Stalingrad Part 1-2

1941-1945 Detailed narration of the Great Patriotic War

Stalingrad

The greatest battle that humanity has ever known

In the summer of 1942 a large area of ​​Soviet territory was under occupation.

1942.

The Soviet Union was fighting Hitler's vast war machine alone.

It's clear. They

are moving towards Stalingrad. This

is the second time we have defended this city from an enemy.

Stalingrad is the main strategic objective.

The surrender of Stalingrad would mean the loss of a crucial advantage.

But by holding Stalingrad we would tie the enemy's hands

and threaten his supply lines.

Very right.

Without a doubt, the capture of Stalingrad is the

main objective of the strategic plan of the German campaign. We

don't know the details of their plan,

but I think it's bolder

than last year's takeover of Moscow. It

is standardized. They use a typical tactic:

A strong force at the front makes a fierce frontal attack.

They can't scare us with this. We've seen it before.

But their sides are expanding. We

must never forget this, Comrade Vasilievsky.

I understand, Comrade Stalin.

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

every new German division and the divisions of their allies.

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

Likewise, the defense of Stalingrad.

We must gain the advantage in time and make the enemy bleed.

What has been done to achieve this?

According to your order,

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

I think the Kletskoe-Serafimovich front line

needs to be strengthened.

- What do we have in reserve? - The 21st army.

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

What is the status of the 57th Army's formation? It

has begun, Comrade Stalin.

Near Stalingrad

the General Staff has two marine brigades,

six battalions manned by students of the infantry military academy,

and an NKVD division transferred from the North Caucasus front.

Yes, Comrade Stalin.

I have prepared an order according to your instructions,

for the redistribution of these forces to Stalingrad.

Also, do not promise any reinforcements to the commanders,

even if they beg you.

And don't withdraw battalions from the Moscow defensive line.

Not one. As you order, Comrade Stalin.

- Can I leave, comrade? - Yes, free.

In July 1942, the enemy used its tanks

to break through the Southwestern Front,

which was commanded by Tymoshenko.

The General Paulus' 6th Army and General Hoth's 4th Panzer Corps

captured Millerovo, Kandemirovka,

Zovskaya, Moro, and Bokovskaya. >

The divisions of the 62nd and 64th armies encountered the enemy.

Kleist's army groups are fighting between Rostov and Don.

Weichs advance guard units

confront the Russians on the west bank of the Don River.

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

I don't want the army to slow down in the Don. We

must be in Stalingrad by July 25th.

Then we must turn north

and, ascending along the Volga, cut off Moscow from the Urals.

Then we will attack Moscow from the west.

When we take their capital, the Soviets will definitely surrender.

- Brilliant design. - 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 we are not concerned with

the second front.

The second front? Yodle, this is nonsense.

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

When we defeat the Soviets,

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

and join with Kleist's forces to conquer the entire Middle East.

On September 25, Kleist must capture Baku.

We will cut the British off from India

and establish ourselves with both feet on the Eurasian continent.

Then we will throw down the gauntlet and challenge America.

You may continue, Marshal.

General Paulus' 6th Army, my Führer,

will attack on two axes.

Hoth's army will target Kalach.

It will encircle the Soviet 62nd Army

and seize the Don River crossings.

The bloody Battle of the Don lasted 20 days.

The Soviet troops gained the time they needed

to strengthen the defenses of Stalingrad.

Who claimed that the Germans

would cross the Don on the first attempt?

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

What does the press know?

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

because the Germans would take them.

The Russians are fighting like no other army in the past. I

saw this.

You know Russia.

What is the best way to help them?

With the invasion of Europe, Mr. President.

This is not up to me.

The British want a cheap victory.

They continue about North Africa,

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

Rommel's 12 divisions are fighting,

while the Russians are fighting against 240 divisions.

I think, Mr. President,

that a brigade on the coast of France would mean much more

than two armies in Africa.

Ultimately, political pressure will make

a military operation in Europe inevitable.

I think, Mr. President,

that estimates of German defense across the English Channel

have been greatly influenced by German propaganda.

There is one thing I am too old to do.

I can't force Churchill across the channel.

Mr. President, with every second we miss a great opportunity.

I'll tell you this.

Woe to humanity if we ever find ourselves on the opposite side of Russia.

The 62nd Army retreated

to the east bank of the Don.

In the third week of August,

Paulus' divisions crossed the Don. i>

To the commander of the front, Lieutenant General Yeremenko.

The defense of Stalingrad and the defeat of the enemy

attacking you from the west and south of Stalingrad

is crucial for the entire Soviet front.

The higher command orders you not to divide your forces

and not to be afraid of any sacrifices,

in order to successfully defend Stalingrad and destroy the enemy.

Stalin.

Vasilevsky.

In August 1942, talks were held in Moscow

between Joseph Stalin

and British Prime Minister Churchill.

Mr. Harriman represented the President of the United States. P. A.

So we have come to the conclusion,

although it is difficult to say…

There are no nervous people among us, Mr. Prime Minister.

Invading Europe this year is impossible.

Great Britain does not promise certain success.

In other words, are

British and American politicians

reneging on the promise they made this spring?

General Montgomery is preparing our counterattack in North Africa.

Besides, as you know, we are planning a major landing in North Africa

between Algeria and Casablanca.

Your action will not remove any German divisions

from the Russian front.

Not only that.

Reports from our Central Intelligence Service tell us

that parts of the 8th Italian Army are approaching the Don.

Parts of Rommel have also been highlighted.

We also intend to invade Sicily.

This front will have more political than military significance.

Compared to an invasion of France,

an invasion of Sicily will not have much military effect.

We do what we can.

This type of action does not promise

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

We have brought you a solemn promise

from the governments of Great Britain and the United States.

that the invasion of France will take place, next

year, in 1943.

This invasion must take place now.

You need it too.

All humanity needs it.

Can you guarantee

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

I am sure that Mr. Prime Minister will prove once again

that his country cannot waste any more people. Mr.

Prime Minister,

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

but those who broke their solemn promises

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

It's clear now.

Businesses in Africa, Italy...

They 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 achieve their goal.

This will not happen.

The Slavs will join us.

They hope that we will surrender Stalingrad

and thus miss a good opportunity for a counterattack.

This will never happen.

Vyacheslav Mikhailovich, we must send Malenkov to Stalingrad

as a representative of the State Defense Committee

and tell Comrade Vasilevsky to go with him.

Let's give them increased responsibilities.

Exactly.

The legendary Battle of Stalingrad began

The 62nd Army faced the enemy attack on the outskirts of the city.

On August 23 at 4 p.m. . Paulus's vanguard

reached the Volga.

On the same day,

the German command ordered the 4th air fleet to bomb the city.

Dear comrades! Dear citizens of Stalingrad!

What forces did the Germans use to break our defense,

Comrade Yeremenko?

The 150th Motorized Infantry Division, Comrade Malenkov.

Comrade representative of the State Defense Committee,

telegram from the staff of the higher command.

You have enough resources to stop the enemy.

Strike the enemy using air power on both fronts.

Mobilize the armored trains on the Stalingrad railway lines.

Use a lot of smoke to blind the enemy.

Fight the enemy day and night and use all available artillery.

Most importantly, do not panic, do not be afraid of the impudent enemy

and believe in our victory.

Stalin. On August 23rd."

Take revenge!

Comrade Yeremenko, use the NKVD regiment

to defend the tractor factory and go to the front. It

will happen.

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

The situation is dire, but not in vain.

We are leaving, Alexander Mikhailovich.

If you need me, I'll be in the north passage.

Mobilize the partisans.

Mobilize communists, Komsomol members and workers.

We must use all resources to defend the city.

How many tanks do you have ready?

Sixty, Comrade Malenkov.

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

- Arm the partisans. - Yes, sir.

Citizens of Stalingrad!

Comrades! We must defend the city!

Comrade Stalin told us not to give in to panic!

Don't surrender to the enemy! Believe in our victory!

Many of you fought here in the past

under the leadership of Comrade Stalin

during the civil war.

Comrades, we must fight for our city.

Fight and remember, that Stalin is not here physically,

but he is always with you!

In those difficult days, the defenders of Stalingrad

did not let the enemy completely capture the city.

They defended themselves in the northern sector of the front

until the arrival of the regular Red Army.

I report

that the capture of Stalingrad

by the Germans is imminent.

It is impossible

to stop the enemy

with the forces of the 62nd Army alone.

Today, September 3,

the enemy is three kilometers away

from the city.

Vasilevsky.

To comrades Malenkov and Vasilevsky.

If Army Group North does not provide immediate assistance

then Stalingrad will surrender by tomorrow.

Order the army commander

to deploy forces

north and northwest of Stalingrad

and immediately attack the enemy,

saving the defenders of Stalingrad.

Without any delay.

Considering the dire circumstances, any delay amounts to a crime.

By September 4, seven infantry divisions and two armored corps

had taken up positions at Samofalovka, Shirokoe, and Loznoe. >

The 63rd and 21st Armies

fought to hold a bridgehead on the south bank of the Don.

On September 5, Army Group North

counterattacked Paulus' army,

which had broken through the Soviet defense line.< /i>

The 63rd and 21st armies took up defensive positions

at Rubezhinskaya, Kotovskaya and Belyevskaya.

Paulus was forced to use 12 of his best divisions

to repel the attacks i> from the north.

Today, September 12, the 62nd Army was assigned

the defense of Stalingrad. Stop.

Lieutenant General Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov is

hereby appointed commander of the army. Stop.

The Military Council. Stop.

Thank you for entrusting me with this mission.

Comrade Chuikov, the situation in Stalingrad is terrible.

But we must defend the city, at any cost.

It is an order from Comrade Stalin.

I will die in Stalingrad or I will defeat the enemy.

Welcome. I

trust you.

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

Comrade Commander, there is not a single complete division

that we can use against the enemy. I

understand.

The army headquarters

is under enemy fire, Comrade Chuikov.

The front line is just two kilometers away.

That's how it should be, Comrade Gurov.

The staff should be where the army is.

Okay, Krylov.

Listen to what I'm thinking.

If we retreat, they will be running after us in no time.

We must attack.

Attack must be our defensive tactic from now on.

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

Write this:

I command the 399th division…

There are only 140 soldiers.

...to counterattack in the direction of the city of Aero.

A regiment of the Sarajev division must counterattack...

War knows not only the avenues but also the paths to hell.

The end of our road is known. The

whole world knows General Paulus and his army.

You crushed Poland.

You crossed France all the way to Orleans.

I will crush the Russians here, on the Volga.

Telegram from the Fuhrer. He

calls me to Vinnitsa.

Adam, call a plane.

General Paulus, you have betrayed my hopes.

Today is September 12,

but the Russians are still in Stalingrad.

My Fuhrer,

the Bolsheviks are constantly counterattacking us.

I can't use a single division from the northern front. I

have not received the promised reinforcements,

but I assure you that… I do

not need your assurances! You must carry out my orders!

When will you capture Stalingrad? I

will do my best, my Führer. You

will pay with your lives

if Stalingrad is not taken by September 20th.

Go now. Field

Marshal Keitel!

You underestimate our goals this year!

Look at the maps.

Once we capture Stalingrad,

Turkey and Japan will attack the Soviets.

Do you understand now?

Stalingrad will be ours, my Fuhrer!

On September 13, Paulus sent the main forces against Stalingrad.

Fire!

Go ahead!

Don't waste your strength. The Soviets are out of options.

Read the daily reports!

On the left flank of the 425th Regiment,

60 enemy tanks, supported by 20 aircraft,

are heading towards Lugovaya Street.

The regiment's observatory has been destroyed.

The regiment commander, Major Uvarov, was killed. The

new commander of the regiment is Captain Sviridov.

An enemy regiment with 50 tanks broke through our defenses

after an artillery barrage between the 218th and 46th regiments.

The enemies are moving towards the Volga along the Dolzy and Krutoy gorges. It

is impossible to contain the enemy with the available forces.

81st! 81st! Since the 95th! Report the situation.

50 enemy tanks tore through the city of Aero.

Popov's battalion has suffered heavy losses.

Only 20 men left

It's tough!

It's very hard!

If only Comrade Stalin knew. He

knows.

Give me the Stalingrad battle report.

Yes. Stalin here.

Give Chuikov Rodimtsev's 13th division

from the strategic reserves.

Chuikov has a big problem.

Comrade General, the artillery is ready.

Welcome.

- Embark the infantry. - Yes, sir.

Get ready to board!

Comrade captains, we cannot wait for dusk.

We'll do it now.

Comrade General, the first echelon has boarded.

Welcome. Set sail.

- Board the second echelon. - Yes, sir.

All ships to weigh anchor!

All ships to weigh anchor!

Yes, sir!

Ready to depart.

Full speed ahead!

Fire!

What? Understandable. I got it, I got it.

No communication with the Matveyev regiment.

A staff member has returned with a report.

The regiment has suffered losses of almost 80% of its soldiers. He

has stopped 10 enemy attacks.

But the enemy broke through the defense despite the losses

and is now fighting on the western slope of Mamayev Hill.

Send the first battalion to support the 315th regiment immediately.

The Germans have taken over all the sniper positions

and are shelling the river crossing.

Distance, 600! Fire!

Comrade commander!

Commander of the 13th Infantry Division,

Lieutenant General Rodimtsev, at your orders.

Well,

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

Italians and Romanians on the sides.

What would you say if we did this, Comrade Vasilievsky? I

would say that the Germans are about to fall into a huge trap.

Yes, a trap for two German armies.

The most important thing is choosing the right moment of attack.

Very right, Comrade Vasilievsky.

If we rush,

we may find ourselves embroiled in an unfavorable situation,

but we cannot delay our attack for long.

Very bold, Comrade Stalin.

Very bold!

I thought about it for a long time, Comrade Vasilievsky.

The enemy is in the Volga and the Caucasus.

We fight alone.

Our counterattacks are not achieving the desired goal.

We are losing entire divisions.

People are dying, Comrade Vasilievsky.

It's very hard.

Difficult.

Some advise one thing, others say another.

Some say it will be satisfactory

to drive the Germans away from Stalingrad.

Others urge us to expect help from allies.

And all of them...

...require reinforcements.

No, Comrade Stalin.

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

No, no.

We must lead the enemy to his destruction. I

would like you to draw up a business plan.

Lock yourself in a room, isolate yourself from everything.

- That should only concern you. - I will do it this way, Comrade Stalin.

Railway station.

Comrade Lieutenant,

the battalion commander is mortally wounded!

There are only 30 people left in the battalion!

The commander ordered you to take command of the battalion

and fight until the end!

No retreat!

Tell the commander that I'm taking command of the battalion!

We will fight until the end!

The days and nights pass. But the guards endure.

Comrade Lieutenant! Comrade Lieutenant!

Tanks!

There are only twelve of us left in the battalion.

All twelve, come with me!

Only three remained.

Comrade Lieutenant! Comrade Lieutenant!

The Germans are advancing again.

We must fight until we die.

Comrade Lieutenant,

the colonel ordered us to continue the fight.

An infantry detachment comes to help.

- Let them come through the cellar. - Yes. - Quick! - Yes, sir.

Hold on! Help is coming!

Comrade Lieutenant!

This is an order...

I report. The guards did not retreat.

They died like heroes defending Stalin's city

and did not let the enemy pass.

Lieutenant Kaliganov.

Is he dead?

Yes, comrade general.

All the soldiers of the battalion are dead.

What does Leningrad need?

Whatever we can give, Joseph Vissarionovich.

Comrade Poskrebyshev.

I ask all those who provide food and fuel to Leningrad

to come see me tomorrow morning at 11.

Oh, yes.

An American journalist sent me these three questions.

Please take a look.

Good morning, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich.

Did you see my answers to the American journalist?

What do you think?

Welcome. 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 the German thugs

is stronger

than the desire of Nazi Germany or any other aggressor

for world domination.

This is not just an answer to a question. It

is also a warning for the future.

- Good night. - Goodbye.

The companion you wanted to see is here.

He is my old friend, from the days of Tsaritsyn.

I'll see him at home later.

Please prepare this information

for the State Security Committee meeting tomorrow.

Send it as "urgent."

And please bring these books tomorrow.

Joseph, you are tired.

I'm not the only one.

Don't worry about me.

Better to worry about yourself. I'm going to be a hundred years old.

Even so, you need to rest.

Look at the white hair you've gained. It

would be strange if I didn't have any.

You always worry.

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

I found out that 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 program recently. It

is very solid and timely. It

is very important for us

to start production of the new weapons as soon as possible. The

old guard.

You make me happy.

You make us happy every day.

When will you make us happy with a big victory?

Everything in its time.

How are people doing?

Is life too hard for people?

Yes. It is a very difficult war.

You know, people believe in victory

and will give the army everything it needs.

But, people have a big question.

How much longer will we be on the defensive?

Our defensive strategy is a necessity

that will lead the enemy to defeat.

I'm sorry, I don't understand. We

must attack in order to defeat the enemy.

Our counterattacks are limited only to the enemy advance.

Never confuse counterattacks.

A well-organized counterattack

is a very interesting attack.

Kutuzov knew this well. He

defeated Napoleon's army with a well-organized counterattack.

We are preparing a large-scale counterattack near Stalingrad.

Why did you choose Stalingrad?

The most important German forces are concentrated there!

Our strategy:

To deliver a decisive blow

that will have the maximum effect.

This blow will lead the Germans to disaster.

Disaster?

The Germans are not alone in Stalingrad.

It's also in Smolensk, Leningrad and Baku! They

are still very strong.

When Napoleon fought at Borodino, he was very strong.

He listened to what he was thinking, as Tolstoy described it.

"When he thought of the whole of the strange Russian campaign

and heard the reports of the Russians still holding their positions,

a terrible feeling like a nightmare flooded him,

and all the accidents that could destroy him

appeared in his mind.

Yes, it was like a dream

in which he imagined that a villain was coming to attack him,

and he raised his hand to ward off a terrible blow

that was capable of annihilating him, but but he understands that his hand is weak to lift it,

and the horror of inevitable destruction

overwhelms him in his helplessness.”

This happened to the Almighty.

Kalach

Okay. Very well.

Don't you think, Comrade Vasilevsky,

that the Stalingrad front should be divided into two parts?

The section from Kletskaya to the Volga River

is to be called the Don Front.

And the section from here to the Kolmyk lakes

should be called the Stalingrad front.

Very right, Comrade Stalin.

Who would you recommend as commander of the Don Front?

On the Don's forehead?

Comrade Rokossovsky.

Why not?

Very well. Rokossovsky.

Good idea.

Sorry.

Please connect me with Comrade Rokossovsky,

the commander of the Bryansk Front.

I looked at our struggle manual, Comrade Vasilievsky,

and I suggest we make some changes.

In preparing these changes,

I used our experience in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Many things in this manual are outdated.

Linear defense is outdated.

The commander changes his position in the fight.

There is a need for powerful motorized units.

Please consider it and let me know your opinions.

Yes, Comrade Stalin.

Good morning, Comrade Rokossovsky.

How are things at the front?

Are you saying it's calm there?

Absolutely calm?

Maybe you'd like to go somewhere a little more "lively"?

We are currently dividing the Stalingrad front into two sections:

The Stalingrad section will defend the city,

and the Don section will have a broader mission.

We recommend the command of the Don Front.

Think about it and give your answer tomorrow.

Goodbye.

I think he will accept. That

would be very good, Comrade Stalin.

We will expand our forces immediately.

Make sure that troops only move at night.

Prohibit the use of the radio.

No correspondence regarding the business.

Not even coded. It

will be done, Comrade Stalin.

And one last thing.

How much time do you need to prepare?

I think a month and a half.

Please don't do it anymore.

Let me clarify.

Hoth and Paulus's ability to attack

will be completely diminished in the near future.

Their reserves are almost exhausted. It

is likely that once the enemy realizes

how futile it is to advance to Stalingrad, he

will decide to change to defensive tactics.

In that case, the enemy will move its forces

from the Stalingrad area.

We cannot allow them to escape

our attack. We

will make sure that doesn't happen, Comrade Stalin. What

if I asked you, Comrade Vasilevsky,

before I approved the plan,

to go to the area of ​​the planned operation?

To inspect our forces and see the situation up close,

to prepare the front for the arrival of reinforcements

and to confer with the commanders?

Yes, a visit would be beneficial.

I will correct the final version of the plan.

I believe that artillery commander, Comrade Voronov, should come along. It

is absolutely necessary.

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

have no other more urgent things to do.

I wish you good success. My greetings to the commanders.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

October came.

The Germans did not break the defensive line

of Chuikov's army.

Battles were being fought in every area, in every street and in every house.

I received an instruction from Comrade Stalin

on how to conduct street battles.

We will act in accordance with this directive.

Write this:

“Fighting inside a house requires you to be furious.

Don't delay. "

Act quickly, think for yourself."

Forward!

I, Sergeant Yakov Pavlov, of the Rodimtsev Guard,

recaptured this Soviet house.

The days pass...

The endless attacks did not break the spirit of Pavlov's soldiers.

The Germans never succeeded in occupying that house.

History gave that house the name of Pavlov. There is a steep cliff on the Volga

that is covered with moss

from top to bottom

< It stands there for hundreds of years,

without care or worry.

Nothing else grows,

only the wind blows freely.

Only the strong eagle makes its nest on the rock

to find its prey

Lieutenant General Rokossovsky is here, Comrade Stalin.

Let it pass.

I am here on your orders, Comrade Stalin.

Good morning, Comrade Rokossovsky. Are

you taking over the command of the front?

Yes, 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, engage his reserves,

and divert the enemy from Chuikov's army.

I understand the goal, Comrade Stalin.

Please allow me to assume my duties.

Yes. And please update me often.

Don't worry, I'll call you from time to time.

Goodbye.

Good luck.

The rock is still there

and holds the thoughts of all of us

and sometimes speaks them to the Volga

, remembering the life of our leader.

Now we are beginning to carry out

the final phase of the senior management's strategic plan.

Initially the goal is the destruction of the enemy sides.

The main attack will end

with the complete encirclement of the enemy's main forces,

namely Paulus' 6th Army and Hoth's 4th Panzer Division.

Military units from the Southwestern and Stalingrad Fronts

will close the encirclement at Kalach.

As for the specific details,

it was Comrade Stalin's idea for

the staff to cooperate

with the combat commanders of the front. We

must have placed a representative

from the General Staff in the Stalingrad area.

This summer Zhukov was transferred

from Stalingrad to the Ukrainian front.

I propose that we appoint Vasilevsky as our representative in Stalingrad

during the operation. Does

anyone disagree?

Then that's how it will be.

Now,

to carry out the operation at Stalingrad

will require the maximum effort from the entire country.

It is the duty of the front-line troops to prepare everything

for the military defeat of the enemy.

We must call on the workers, the peasants,

and the entire Soviet intelligentsia to work at double the rate.

Now, the final question.

When will we counterattack?

In November, Comrade Stalin.

Okay, so November.

1941-1945 Detailed history of the Great Patriotic War.

End of the 1st part.

Encirclement and defeat of the German forces

at Stalingrad in 1942-1943

In accordance with the proposed plan of the operation to

encircle the German forces at Stalingrad, we

are completing the relocation of additional forces to the area

and regrouping the forces of the fronts and armies

to create the assault groups. .

Welcome.

How are things on the southwestern front?

The creation of the Southwestern Front

under the command of General Vatutin

is being completed, Comrade Stalin.

By your order, the Southwestern Front

has received reinforcements from the reserves of the General Staff

and additional troops transferred from the Don Front.

Four Infantry divisions, two armored corps, one cavalry,

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

And the Stalingrad front?

The Stalingrad front has received an armored brigade

from the General Staff reserves...

Excuse me.

Stalin.

Today at dawn the Germans brought in a fresh division

supported by 150 tanks.

By the end of the day, they arrived at the tractor factory.

They cut off Colonel Gorokhov's group from Chuikov's army.

The tractor factory was lost.

The enemy is trying to reach the Volga

and the docks.

The Nazis want to cut off the 62nd Army and destroy it piece by piece.

We can't leave them, Comrade Vasilievsky.

Please order Rokossovsky to counterattack immediately.

Here.

And please give Chuikov Lyudnikov's 138th division

from the general reserves. It

will happen.

It's a very difficult situation.

Further retreat is impossible, Comrade Vasilievsky.

Stalingrad binds the enemy forces.

Now that we are ready for a decisive assault,

it becomes extremely important for us to hold 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 necessary measures to defend Stalingrad.

Stalingrad must not fall to the enemy,

and any part of it already in enemy hands

must be liberated.

Stalin.

Send it immediately.

- Can I go, Comrade Stalin? - Yes.

Goodbye.

November has arrived.

The Germans were pushing to reach the Volga River.

The Germans are here again!

Where?

Between Gorishny and Lyudnikov! They are attacking the docks!

- What powers do they have? - Three armored regiments.

Take Gorishny's and Batiuk's regiments

and counterattack in that direction.

The goal is to destroy the enemy who has infiltrated

the docks and the Red October factory.

Yes, sir!

Disaster can happen at any time.

Disaster will happen, comrade commander.

In such a case, communication with the left bank will cease.

For a long time.

- Has it caught ice anywhere? - Already in Saratov, since yesterday.

Then we'll have it here tomorrow too.

I'm going to Lyudnikov.

After prolonged fierce fighting,

the Germans reached the Volga

and surrounded Lyudnikov's division.

Here is my forehead line.

There are 200 meters between the 95th section and mine.

These 200 meters were occupied by the enemy.

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

they have not yet reached the river.

On the left, it is Gorisny on their way,

holding this area of ​​the bank.

And here we are, preventing them from reaching the river.

Correct.

But the situation is still very bad.

We're running out of ammunition.

Tonight armored boats will transport the wounded

and bring us ammunition and reinforcements.

Yes?

What's going on?

There is ice on the Volga, Comrade Chuikov. It

's not solid yet.

What?

Let's start again.

They attack the docks again.

The ice on the Volga

has completely disrupted communication with the left bank.

The divisions have no ammunition at all. The reinforcements are not enough. The

wounded have not been transported.

What kinds of measures

have been taken to help the fighters of Stalingrad?

We are doing everything we can, Comrade Stalin.

Planes drop food and ammunition.

It's not enough.

Did the riverboats try to break the blockade?

They try every night, Comrade Stalin.

But the movement of the ice has intensified.

In addition, the Volga is under fire from German machine guns

and bombarded with mortars day and night.

Please tell the sailors of the Volga fleet

that they must break the blockade immediately. It

will be done, Comrade Stalin.

Dear Joseph Vissarionovich:

We, the defenders of Stalingrad,

wish to tell you

and, through you, all Soviet citizens

that our morale is high.

Our will is strong.

Our hands are tireless fighting the enemy. We are

writing to you

in the midst of the struggle

from a high bank

of our great river, the Volga.

We have decided

to fight to the death in the defense of Stalingrad.

With this letter, from our individual battle trenches, we swear that...

I, Guard Lieutenant General Rodimtsev,

the soldiers and officers of the divisions...

I, Colonel Lyudnikov, soldiers and officers...

I, Guriev, commander of the Guards Division,

soldiers and officers,

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

and to the white-haired heroes of the battle of Tsaritsyn,

we swear to the comrades fighting on other fronts,

to the emblems of our struggle, to the

entire Soviet territory, we swear to

defend Stalingrad

to the last drop of our blood,

to the last breath, to the last heartbeat,

and we will not allow the enemy to cross the Volga.

Riverboats! They

are coming!

And so, we begin our counterattack at Stalingrad.

It is the second after the Battle of Moscow.

It is an attack by a huge force

with a huge goal that we must achieve.

We must achieve a change in the direction of war,

in the direction of all history.

Your southwestern front, Comrade Vatutin,

will deliver the main blow.

The Don Front, Comrade Rokossovsky,

will deliver a reinforcing blow.

The Stalingrad Front, Comrade Yeremenko,

will begin the offensive a day later.

Message from the commander-in-chief.

The enemy has already tested the strength of the Red Army

in Rostov, Moscow and Tikhvin.

It will not be long the day

when the enemy will see the power of the onslaught of the new Red Army

Better days are coming.

November 19

You can begin, Comrade Vasilievsky.

They dropped thousands of tons of iron on us. They

are breaking our defense.

I can't believe they prepared the attack so discreetly.

Order the commander of the 14th Panzer Corps

to send two armored divisions on the 16th and 24th

to the sector of the main Russian attack. It

cannot move mechanical forces.

Chuikov is advancing again.

In such a case,

the tanks should go there along with the divisions

that are not on the front line.

Immediately.

Connect me to Lieutenant General Weichs.

Lieutenant General Weichs's staff, please.

The lieutenant general, please.

Lieutenant General Weichs is asleep, sir.

Paulus is calling you.

Wake up the lieutenant general.

What?

What happened?

The Russians counterattacked

in the Vensenskoye-Kletskoye sector.

From the Soviet news agency.

Today, November 19,

the Red Army began a counteroffensive at Stalingrad.

Inside front, Soviet citizens produced more than 1,000 airplanes,

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

and retaliation against the enemy.

Field Marshal Keitel.

The Führer gave permission to transfer the 11th division

from the Western Front.

The transfer has already begun.

Inform Lieutenant General Weichs.

And also use the 62nd division from the reserves

and the 294th from the Mirov sector.

I am reporting, Comrade Vasilievsky.

Army formations on the southwestern front

broke through the enemy defenses.

The infantry fights behind enemy lines.

Our defense broke.

Give me the map of the location of the Russian Army of the Don.

Send a signal to Lieutenant General Vasilievsky

that we have broken through the enemy lines.

Connect with the command of the Weichs army group.

Sir, the Russians are attacking again, this time on the Don front.

In the Kletsk and Melokletsk region.

Our lines were broken over a length of 6 kilometers.

Streicher's team is in danger.

Paulus must relocate Streicher's body

to avoid encirclement.

This should not happen.

I would advise Streicher to cross to the east bank of the Don

in order to avoid a disaster.

Send two tank brigades

to prevent Streicher's retreat.

Russian tanks are heading south.

Please connect me

to the commander of the southwestern front.

The commander will speak to you now.

I understand, Comrade Rokossovsky.

The 3rd Cavalry Corps has already moved in

to prevent Streicher's retreat. I

have no other reserves.

Sir! Russian cavalry pursues Streicher's units.

Streicher urgently requests permission to move his units.

The breach in our lines is widening. They

might cut off our supply.

If motorized units pass between our lines,

they will crush our forces piece by piece.

Order the motorized units to do their duty.

The 4th Armored Corps to move to the front line.

November 20

Schmidt, what is happening in the area of ​​the 6th Romanian Corps?

Give me the map!

Connect me with the commander of the Stalingrad front.

Report of General Tolbukhin.

The 57th Army together with the 51st

broke through the lines of the 6th Romanian Corps.

The 20th, 2nd and 18th Romanian divisions were

completely annihilated.

Very well, Comrade Tolbukhin.

Continue the attack.

Expand the breach of enemy defense lines

and prepare mechanized units for the fight.

Send the 371st Division against the attacking 51st Russian Army.

Reinforce them with an additional 70 tanks! If it's not too late. It

could be.

Contact the 371st division headquarters.

Order the 51st and 57th armies to advance their motorized units.

The 4th Mechanized Corps broke through the enemy lines.

Very well, Comrade Trufanov. I

am promoting the motorized units.

The Russians have advanced mechanized units. It

's a total disaster.

We must report to the Fuhrer.

It's too early.

Too early.

There is still a chance to clear the breach in our lines.

With what?

What?!

I report, Comrade Stalin.

The enemy lines have been broken in several places. Our

tanks, cavalry and motorized units

have broken through the enemy defenses.

The battle takes place over a large area

and deep behind enemy lines. It

is likely that we will succeed in all our attacks.

Don't stop even at night.

Follow and destroy the enemy.

November 21st

The Führer has ordered the re-formation of the front line immediately.

Unfortunately, it's impossible, sir.

What?

We must unite all the reserves and launch a major counterattack. There's

nothing we can do, sir.

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

The commanders of the 4th and 13th motorized units must move faster

behind enemy lines,

avoiding enemy resistance points.

Tell them to destroy the lines of communication,

buildings and personnel reserves of the retreating enemy.

Yes, sir.

Support the operations of the mechanized units with aviation

in order to hinder the Luftwaffe.

Intelligence Service report.

Streicher's units are retreating.

- Inform General Vatutin. - Yes, sir.

There is no communication with Streicher's staff. They are

cutting off our communications. They are behind our lines.

Sir, Russian tanks have been spotted three kilometers away.

Where did they come from?

The 14th Armored Division retreats under the Russian attack.

Adam!

My plane.

Order the commander of the 4th Panzer Corps

to move faster towards Kalach.

Commander of the vanguard unit of the 4th Armored Corps.

We have destroyed the supply lines and headquarters of

a German Infantry division.

At your command, I will continue moving towards Kalats.

Yes, sir.

Siegfried.

Siegfried.

Siegfried.

Where is Hot?

Will you please find out where General Hoth is?

Where is his army?

Siegfried. Siegfried. Siegfried.

There is no communication with General Hoth's staff.

Then connect me to Lieutenant General Weichs.

Give me team B directly.

General Paulus.

Okay?

Sir, I am in Nizhny Novgorod.

I can't resist anymore.

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 Mechanized Corps.

On your orders, we captured Karpovka station.

We captured prisoners and loot. I

continue to advance towards Kalach.

Ask General Vatutin

about the situation in the sector of the 4th and 5th Romanian corps

with the so-called Raspopinskaya army group.

Yes, sir.

Brigadier General Stanescu, I am mentioning.

The Russians have reached our right flank from the southeast.

The 6th and 13th infantry units

retreat to the village of Raspopinskaya.

Our department is threatened with encirclement.

Comrade Stalin wants to know,

what is happening at Raspopinskaya?

Did you chase them away?

The army group consisting of the 4th

and 5th Romanian army corps is surrounded, Comrade Vasilievsky.

Welcome.

Tell General Vatutin to force them to capitulate.

I will transfer it. The remaining Romanian units have gathered

in the village of Raspopinskaya.

Sir, we have orders to force the Romanians to capitulate.

Bomb the village.

Our destiny is clear.

We must begin negotiations to end the siege.

Where is the third Romanian army?

Communication with the third Romanian army has been lost, sir. I

ask you, where is the third Romanian army?

Where is it? Where? We

just received news.

The commanders of the 5th and 6th Romanian divisions,

Generals Lasker and Massarini, were captured

along with their officers and 6,000 soldiers.

The Romanians! I

knew it! I warned the Fuhrer!

To Commander-in-Chief Comrade Stalin. I am

submitting a report.

Raspopinskaya's army group capitulated.

Also, during the offensive, our forces have destroyed

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

We have killed 95,000 soldiers

and captured more than 72,000 soldiers and officers.

November 22

By order of Lieutenant General Weichs, we retreat east.

Everything was lost.

Rumor has it we are retreating towards Stalingrad.

We have no communication with the army.

Your army retreats without any resistance.

- Yes, but… - We never stop fighting.

- Where is General Hoth? - With General Paulus.

Okay, what?

There is no response.

What are we going to do? I do

n't know.

I could evacuate the army through a narrow corridor

that has not yet been occupied by the Russians.

I sent a signal to the Führer,

but there is still no response.

Forgive me for the inconvenience, Comrade Stalin.

We intercepted a signal from Paulus to Hitler.

Don't worry, Comrade Vasilievsky.

First of all, their actions are very slow.

You see it yourself.

Besides, the Germans cannot leave Stalingrad.

For them, it is the destiny of the entire Eastern Front,

and perhaps the entire war.

Carry out the business calmly.

Kalacs

General Paulus can still escape encirclement

through a narrow corridor.

Awaiting your response, my Fuhrer

. I order.

We will not leave Stalingrad under any circumstances .

The entire front depends on it.

If encirclement is inevitable,

fortify yourself and stay there!

November 23

We fly over Kalach. It

is not clear in whose hands it is.

Battles rage around him.

If the Russians take Kalach, it will be the end. We

will be completely surrounded.

Commander of the vanguard unit of the 4th Armored Corps

of the Southwestern Front.

Commander of the vanguard unit of the 4th motorized division

of the Stalingrad Front.

Congratulations, comrade colonel.

I am pleased to inform you, Comrade Stalin,

that today, November 23,

we completely surrounded the German army at Stalingrad.

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

and vanguard units of the 4th Mechanized Division were

united.

Twenty-two German divisions were tightly surrounded

by an iron ring of our forces.

Comrade Vasilievsky, you have accomplished a colossal goal. I

am doing my best, Comrade Stalin.

You did a lot.

Hello, Comrade Vatutin.

Congratulations on the brilliant business.

We carried out your orders, Comrade Stalin.

Orders? What orders? It

is easy to send orders. A

short while ago, Hitler sent his surrounded forces an order.

He demands

that they not abandon Stalingrad under any circumstances. It

's natural. Paulus employs six of our armies.

The German command is withdrawing large forces to the Tormosin sector,

Comrade Stalin.

What about Kotelnikovo? Field Marshal

Manstein's army group,

consisting of seven divisions, is there.

In addition, the 23rd Armored Division from the North Caucasus

has been moved there. They

are mobilizing the divisions from the Caucasus very hastily.

They have also moved the 17th Armored Division from Bryansk. Not

smart at all. Does

this mean we should expect their attack

on Tormosin and Kotelnikovo?

Yes, Comrade Stalin. We

will act first.

I know what you're thinking, Comrade Vatutin.

Suggest a trip to the south.

Very right, Comrade Stalin.

I believe this major attack must strike in the southeast.

I understand, Comrade Stalin.

Only this can prevent any help to Paulus.

When do you suggest starting?

On December 15 or 16, Comrade Stalin.

Goodbye.

I believe that we should entrust Comrade Voronov with

the mission of destroying Paulus.

I asked him to come here. It's coming.

You are quite right, Comrade Stalin.

Nikolai Nikolayevich has visited him several times recently.

He knows the area and the people quite well.

Besides, artillery will play the main role.

Lieutenant General Voronov is here, Comrade Stalin.

Tell him to come through.

Good morning, Comrade Voronov.

We have decided to entrust you with the mission

of destroying General Paulus's encircled army.

Our forces are very tired.

In addition, a significant number of artillery units are delayed

and cannot participate in this operation.

Yes, we will need time to bring in the required artillery. It

is obvious that despite our great desire to end Paulus, we

cannot do so before January. I

ask you, Comrade Voronov, together with Comrade Rokossovsky,

to develop a plan for the upcoming operation.

When will it be ready?

Until the end of December, Comrade Stalin.

In order for the operation to be carried out successfully and quickly,

detailed preparation is needed. I

agree.

Goodbye. I wish you good success.

And now, Comrade Vasilevsky,

let's see what's happening on the other fronts.

The powerful attack of the Soviet forces prevented all attempts

by the Germans to liberate the encircled ones.

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

and Field Marshal Manstein's Army Group

in the Tormosin sectors and Kotelnikovo.

The encircled Germans were now 200 kilometers away from the rest of the

German forces.

Sir, you asked me to prepare

the report to the Führer.

Today our forces are surrounded in an area

no larger than 1,500 square kilometers.

This area is under long-range artillery fire.

Approximately 80,000 soldiers have died in battle.

We have about 40,000 sick and wounded soldiers.

We don't have any winter clothing. Food rations have been reduced.

I must add

that some generals are again proposing, despite the Fuhrer's order, an

attempt to break the blockade with all available combat-worthy units.

I am the only one responsible.

These criminal discussions must end,

otherwise those who engage in them will be held accountable in court martial.

We have more than 200,000 soldiers, many guns and mortars.

We can and will defend our position here.

Paulus' army must be liquidated as soon as possible.

We need to free up our forces for other fronts.

As you can see, Comrade Stalin, the operation was planned entirely

on the basis of the idea of ​​dividing Paulus' army into several parts

and destroying each of them separately. It

will involve strikes on intersecting axes

and a gradual reduction of the enemy's area.

This is the general idea of ​​the operation, Comrade Stalin.

Welcome.

Comrade Rokossovsky will provide more details.

May I, Comrade Stalin?

Please.

I will lead the main attack from west to east

using Don's forces.

The main axis of attack is towards the village of Gonchar

and the Red October factory.

The forces of the Stalingrad Front will carry out a reinforcement attack.

The business is then divided into three successive stages.

Stage one, the destruction of the western and northeastern enemy armies.

Stage two, the destruction of enemy forces

at Pechanka, Stalingrad and Gumrak.

Stage three, the liquidation of the remaining enemy forces.

Please note that Paulus has at least 200,000 capable soldiers. It

also has more tanks and planes.

On the other hand, we are much stronger in artillery.

Ah, the famous notebook. I

believe you, Comrade Voronov.

Artillery is the God of war. I

believe you.

I'll give you the numbers.

We have two thousand guns. An

additional 3,000 mortars

and a significant number of garrison artillery.

Nikolai Nikolaevich will be pleased.

In some sectors of the front, there

will be a concentration of 200 guns per square kilometer,

Comrade Stalin.

The interior front did an excellent job.

When do you expect the business to start?

Around the beginning of January, Comrade Stalin.

Yes, the plan is accepted.

Do you have any objections, Comrade Vasilievsky?

I would only propose

that the forces of the Don and Stalingrad fronts be united

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 gladly accept

to command your brilliant army, Comrade Chuikov.

We fought as hard as we could, comrade front commander!

Yes, it was tough for you.

It's past now, Comrade Rokossovsky.

The future is ahead of us.

Then let's talk about it.

Here is the purpose of your 62nd army.

During the attack,

exploit every success

to meet the forces of the 21st Army.

Meeting point: Mamayev Hill.

By January 7, 1943, the Don Front had completed preparations

for the operation in the Stalingrad sector.

The Soviet government does not want unnecessary bloodshed.

We also want to allow Paulus to save his army

from hunger and frost.

Ask him to surrender.

Send Paul a message.

To the commander of the 6th German Army,

Lieutenant General Paulus,

or his deputy, to the officers and soldiers…

…of the encircled German forces in Stalingrad. I

have read it, Comrade Voronov.

We need to offer more benefits to

Paulus' officers and soldiers.

More benefits.

We guarantee the life and safety of everyone who stops the resistance

soldiers and officers.

All prisoners will immediately receive normal food rations.

The sick and wounded will receive medical care.

The situation is futile and any resistance It is pointless.

Is there any response from the Fuhrer?

No, sir.

We warn you that if you ignore the offer of capitulation,

you will be responsible for your own destruction. They are

threatening us!

They want us to fall to our knees!

Yes, I am responsible for the glory of Germany!

Delivery is impossible! Impossible!

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

Rokossovsky's armies began the destruction

of General Paulus's encircled army.

The enemy suffered heavy losses.

On the battlefield, 127 artillery pieces,

about 400 machine guns, and more were destroyed. from 80 tanks.

The loot includes 300 guns, 104 tanks,

324 mortars, 60 armored vehicles, 3,000 trucks,

ammunition and other military equipment.

Rokossovsky.

Stalin is calling. I did

n't call you earlier on purpose. I didn't want to bother you.

How is the situation?

I report, Comrade Stalin.

Despite strong enemy resistance,

we completed the objective of the first phase.

We broke Paulus' forehead.

The western part of the German defense was destroyed.

Welcome.

Welcome.

In order to make the situation more favorable,

we will concentrate our efforts on the 21st Army.

In cooperation with the 64th and 57th armies,

the 21st army will complete the encirclement of enemy formations

in Bosargino and Voroponovo.

I remember these positions very well. Voroponovo

.

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

Okay. I

agree.

You can start.

Our forces must retreat to the east bank of

the Rasoska River.

Fortify yourself there.

The line at Rasoshka and Chevlyonaya is exposed on the sides.

We must send our reserves there immediately.

Our last reserves?

Yes.

Execute the order.

Only one thing is left to us,

the delay of our death.

Soldiers need moral support.

Announce my order. Adam, write.

Soldiers, you know what will happen to us if we surrender.

We only have one choice.

Let's fight to the last bullet.

Let's hope it comes soon.

What's coming soon?

Death.

On January 23, army formations of the Don Front

broke through another German defensive line.

Today, despite strong resistance,

we surrendered our last positions.

We are retreating to Stalingrad.

We have a crisis in our supply,

with ammunition and fuel.

We don't have any positions or buildings.

Manifestations of low morale are observed

with suicides and signs of insanity.

I ask, my Führer, that you grant me freedom of action

to continue to resist as long as possible

or to surrender in the event that resistance is no longer possible.

Commander of the 6th Army, Lieutenant General Paulus.

We are only 500 meters apart.

We will unite tomorrow.

Did the forces join forces?

They did it. They

are heroes!

January 30

January 31

Congratulations on your promotion to the rank of Marshal.

Thank you.

The Führer is very generous.

What's going on in town, Schmidt?

The Soviet negotiators are outside, sir.

Hand over your weapons.

Your weapons. Marshal,

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

I congratulate the forces of the Don Front

on the successful annihilation of the enemy forces at Stalingrad.

We thank all the soldiers, commanders,

and officers of the Don Front

for their outstanding military feats.

Commander-in-Chief Stalin.

Berlin.

The Battle of Stalingrad

was the turning point for the German Nazi army.

As is well known,

the Germans never recovered after Stalingrad. Stalin.

1941-1945 Detailed history of the Great Patriotic War.

Finally (note: temporary nikpad, because then Merkel came).