The first to see the german assault
On August 23rd 1942 the NKVD(Stalin's secret police) were the first to see the German advance on Stalingrad.Many were wiped out by the Germans and the news on the assault never reached Stalingrad. NKVD is Russian ,but translated into english is "People's Commissariat for Internal affairs" . During the Battle of Stalingrad they were the most brutal fighting force in the Soviet Union. The NKVD operated alongside the Red army as superiors and provided them cover in the rear area's that were already taken back.
the beginning
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The German General Friedrich von Paulus was the German Commander of the Battle that was given the plan to the city by the Fuhrer himself. Commander Chuykov of the 64th Shock Army was not in Stalingrad at the time of the Siege, but did meet with Comrade Stalin to discuss on what the Soviet defensive line should do. The Russian's city was now under siege and 600,000 Red Army troops were captured by the invading Nazi forces. Stalingrad, was a strategically located, industrial center. This was a huge objective gain. Weapons such as the Thompson M1A1, the M1897 Trenchgun, and the F-1 Pineapple grenade were some of the main weapons supplied by the U.S, next to other grenades, artillery, and knives to help the Soviets defend themselves against Germany. Hitler felt that Russian defeat at Moscow, Stalingrad, and Leningrad would be enough to cause the Soviet Union to surrender.
The Soviet Counter-Offensive
http://ww2db.com/
The Soviet Counter-Offensive took Stalingrad back under Russian siege. The Counter-Offensive began on November 19, 1942 and ended February 2, 1943. The Soviet Counter-Offensive was planned between Marshal Georgy Zhukov, Commander Chuykov, Stalin, and many other Commanders at the time.
During the new winter many of the Russian Commanders and their men closed in around the Germans in Pincer-Movements. Pincer-Movements is movements on the Front assault and their side assaults. This plan cut the Germans of from their Northern flank. The Germans were suprised by the Soviets apparent inexhaustible ability to rase more troops. On November 23, 1942 General Paulus wrote to Hitler telling him that the Germans needed more support, guns, bullets, and men for a new, fresh attack. At the near end of 1942 and the begginning of 1943 a Russian Stationary says" Happy New Year, front-line comrade. I wish you new heroics, new fame, and total, brutal victory over the enemy.Death to the Nazi Invaders!" from World War 2: The Definitive Visual History.
During the new winter many of the Russian Commanders and their men closed in around the Germans in Pincer-Movements. Pincer-Movements is movements on the Front assault and their side assaults. This plan cut the Germans of from their Northern flank. The Germans were suprised by the Soviets apparent inexhaustible ability to rase more troops. On November 23, 1942 General Paulus wrote to Hitler telling him that the Germans needed more support, guns, bullets, and men for a new, fresh attack. At the near end of 1942 and the begginning of 1943 a Russian Stationary says" Happy New Year, front-line comrade. I wish you new heroics, new fame, and total, brutal victory over the enemy.Death to the Nazi Invaders!" from World War 2: The Definitive Visual History.
German defeat!
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After the Sixth German Army surrendered(after disobeying Hitler's wishes) , thus, ending the German advance into the USSR. Not only were the Germans defeated, but they had to pull back from their advance towards the rich Caucasus Oil Fields. Many civilians, soldiers, and leaders were killed in this battle. Just under 2 million estimated were killed in this bloody battle from both sides. This battle is known as one of the bloodiest battle of all time. A quote from a young Russian soldier says" Stalingrad is no longer a town.....it is an enormous cloud of burning, blinding smoke."
"man of the year"
http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Joseph_Stalin
In the United Time Magazine, Joseph Stalin was labeled "Man of the Year" in 1943 for his victory on the Eastern front.