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After-Effects, During the Battle, Prelude to the Battle, The Closing…
After-Effects
The loss of Germany's most elite troops –6th Army– plus some of their allies left an irreplaceable hole in fighting strength #
Axis casualties esti: 800,000+
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Soviet Casualty esti: 1.12 mill+ #
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The image of german superiority crumbled. first loss Hitler acknowledged; couldn't cover up loss with propaganda #
Germany achieved victory at neither Stalingrad nor in the Caucasuses leaving them on the defense from that point on #
During the Battle
Army divisions on both sides ceased to exist from the fighting, a meat grinder in terms of manpower and material
One such division, the Soviet 13th Guards Rifle Div took nearly 97% casualties in a continued assualt
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Soviets lost 200,000 just slowing down initial German advance into the city, Mid Aug 1942
By late Sept, Soviets pushed back to 3 main points against the Volga, with life expectancy of a solder >24 hrs #
As the battle and Germans progressed, fighting in the destroyed city devolved into "Rat War": the most absolute extreme urban warfare known to man, inflicting grievous losses to both sides # #
Civ casualties unknown, estimate from initial bombing and attack are between 200 & 300 thousand
Most intense fighting focused in industrial sector around 3 main locations #
Promoted Paulus to Field Marshal mid-battle, reminded none of that rank had ever surrendered; unspoken threat #
Prelude to the Battle
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Perspective: The Germans had been on an undefeated streak before attacking Stalingrad; "Invincible Juggernaut"
Stalin issued Order 227: "Not a step back!" and decided to not evacuate civilians as motivation; 400,000 # #
1000 tons of bomb dropped on city, devastating it #
Stalingrad was a fixation of Hitler's, it had Stalin's name meaning capture would make great propaganda, additionally a major transport hub #
The Closing Battle
Soviets secretly launched a counter-attack to trap Germans in Stalingrad, Late Nov
Slammed through weak flanks protected by understrength German Allies (Romania and Italy mainly) #
Trapped German 6th Army surrenders, only about 100,00 left from 300,000; Early Feb. #
In the Stalingrad Pocket, conditions deteriorated from weather and lack of supplies, casualties mounted #
When Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrendered to the Soviets, he declared “I have no intention of shooting myself for that Bavarian corporal.”