Stalingrad - Bloodiest battle ever....

It was a cloudy day of 30th January, 1943. 'Field Marshal' Friedrich Paulus was sitting on chair with his head supporting both hands. We was clueless about what is meant for you ahead, when a Russian Lieutenant entered he room and said, "You are surrounded field marshal. Do you want to say anything?" Paulus was speechless. He surrendered to the Russian troops at last.L

The bloodiest battle and the history of mankind was over. About 1.1 Million soldiers were dead.0.75 Million were wounded. 91000 Germans were on their way to Siberia to spend rest of their lives in prison. 4500 tanks, 16000 artillery and 3600 aircrafts were lost in this battle.How did Germans lost their super-super important battle that changed the course of not only Russian end but of the entire war?

June 1942. Germans were previously aiming at Moscow as the chief target. But as war proceeds, more oil was required to the war.Hitler told his general that "If I do not get the oil of Maikop and Grozny then I must end this war". Generals like Halder and Bock were not convinced with changing the direction of the war, but Hitler replied, "My Generals do not understand the economy aspect of the war".

Germans decided to attack Stalingrad

To capture Caucasus, which was on the southern part of European Russia, it was to important to build strong side forces in order to avoid any block for the forces that are going to capture Caucasus. It was important to get Stalingrad in control, in order to keep any counter attacking force crossing Volga River.

To attack Stalingrad, which was on west bank of Volga, German decided to use classic scorpion attacked, i.e. two forces attacking city from two ends.City had just 180000 troops and 400 tanks for defense. Soviet lieutenant general Chuikov was certain that they cannot stand against the force which is twice in number and much more experienced than his army.
        
He decided to use the rough tactics to defend the city. He managed his troops in such a way that Germans have to fight for for every single house and single corner and street of the city. There were 60000 civilians inside city at that time, which were left after many left the city in fear. There civilians were ordered to build trenches for defense. Every building was formatted as a small citadel. Every building was comprising of Mortars, machine guns and most importantly, sniper guns with sniper specialists.
 
German begun their attack in late July. Their motive to burn the city to rubble using stuka bombers. When they entered the city, they were stunned by soviet defense tactics.It was sturdy fight at every part of the city.Many buildings defended themselves for several weeks.It was not easy for Germans to occupy the city. They then used another weapon to resolve the issue - flamethrower. It went perfect in close combat operations. Germans could occupy 80% of the city.

Bombing of Stalingrad

Germans destroyed the city to rubble

Even in that scenario, Germans were exhausted and wounded. They were on the missions from several months without any break. Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov was seen an opportunity in this and decided to prepare for the Soviet counterattack. It was a going to be a three way attack - North, south and from east across Volga. Zhukov has put all his might in this attack, as he was aware that Germans are advancing towards Maikop and it was his last opportunity.
   
Operation Uranus started. Germans were not expecting this at all and they were actually got trapped inside the city now. As there was Volga on east, they could not run away and had to break the chain. It was difficult for them to handle 100 divisions of Russians. The entrapment was more severe.

And then another General came for help of the Russians - General winter. Temperature went below -20 degree and German army started loosing its moral.There was no food, no shelter, clothes were not suitable for that sever weather. Many died of frostbite and hypothermia. In addition to that, Hitler made a speech in public that no single soldier will run away of Stalingrad and they will fight till the end. He rewarded Paulus with Field Marshall position, which none of the Generals had received from the start of the war. "Even after 100 years, Germans will admire the sacrifice you are making for the nation and will say that result of the war was decided just sue to this battle"    

Soviet soldier waving the Red Banner over Stalingrad

 Ironically, it came out to be fact, although against Hitler.Napoleon once correctly said that 'Armies which cannot be reinforced is already defeated." Germans lost the battle in the beginning of February. It was biggest blow Germans had and they could never recovered from this. It started a countdown for the Germans and provided Russians the breakthrough they were looking for. German Reich could never meet success on Russian front after Stalingrad.