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__NOTOC__[[File: Stalingrad one.jpg|thumbnail|350px|left|Fighting at Stalingrad]]This article will discuss the The Battle of Stalingrad in WWII. This battle, between Nazi Germany and fought by the Soviet Unionand German forces, is rightly considered as one of was a decisive victory for the most important in World War II, if not in all of military history. The battle proved to be decisive and changed USSR that turned the fortunes tide of war in the warAllies favor. Germany's defeat at Stalingrad led to was not only a catastrophic German losses and from then on the Nazi war machine was loss but put Germany on the defensive. This article will examine the reasons for the Germans defeat at the Battle rest of Stalingrad and identify the factors in the Soviet victorywar. The work will argue that Stalingrad halted the German defeat at Stalingrad was a result invasion of Hitler's tactics, his personal intransigence , poor German battlefield leadership Russia and superior Soviet leadership, numbers, and tacticsturned the tide of World War Two in Europe.

==Background==[[File:Stalingrad two.jpg|thumbnail|350px|German soldier at Stalingrad]]In June 1940, Germany invaded Why were the Soviet Union. It was a surprise attack and it was contrary to a secret treaty, agreed between Germany and the Soviet Union, in 1939. The Ribbentrop-Molotov was a non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany Germans defeated and how did the Communist Soviet Union and it was intended manage to ensure that neither country attacked win the other.<ref> Antill, Peter, ''Battle of Stalingrad 1942? The German army was hobbled by Hitler'' (Osprey Publishings micromanaging and tactics, Londonhis intransigence, 2007), p. 18</ref> Up to one million German soldiers and their allies pushed into the west of the Soviet Union on the first day of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. As a result of their tactical surprise, the poor German army achieved a serious of spectacular victoriesbattlefield leadership. The Germans despite heroic Soviet resistance seized much of present day Belorussia, Ukraine and the Baltic States.<ref> Bellamy, Chris, ''Absolute War: s benefitted from superior Soviet Russia in the Second World War''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf & Random House.2007)leadership, numbers, p. 23</ref> The Red army suffered spectacular reverses and sustained massive losses. Hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops were killed and up to a million and a half taken, prisoner. A quarter of a million men surrendered during the German capture of Kiev, alone.<ref>Antill, ptactics. 18</ref>

The Nazi invasion had been facilitated by ====Background====In June 1941, Germany invaded the indecisiveness of Stalin, he Soviet Union. It was taken aback by Hitler’s betrayal and he initially refused to believe the reports of a German invasion. The supreme leader of surprise attack that violated the Soviets possibly suffered a nervous breakdown Molotov-Ribbentrop treaty signed in 1939 between Germany and the early stages of the Nazi invasionSoviet Union. However, after The agreement was a period of time, he was able to lead non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Counter-Attack. By the autumn of 1941, it appeared Union that Germany’s ''blitzkrieg'' tactics would lead was intended to the defeat of the Red army. However, winter arrived early ensure that year and this began to slow down the German advance. Russians spoke of ‘General Winter’- who would help them to win neither country attacked the warother. <ref>BellamyAntill, Peter, p''[https://www.amazon. 67<com/gp/product/1846030285/ref> The Soviet people were well aware that the severe Russian winters would slow if not halt the German advance=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1846030285&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5003bb4d6f737c623351c1b4b5e3dd33 Stalingrad 1942]'' (Osprey Publishing, just as it had stopped Napoleon and Charles XII of SwedenLondon, during previous invasions. By December 1941, the German’s vanguard was ‘some fifty miles from Moscow.’<ref>Antill2007), p. 4518</ref> However, the weather was cold and Up to one million German soldiers had begun to suffer terribly in and their allies pushed into the conditions. The Soviet’s used western Soviet Union on the weather to their advantage. Stalin had stationed huge forces in first day of the east in to defend Siberia from a Japanese German invasion. He withdrew them and under General George Zhukov then were organized into As a strike force aimed at repelling result of their tactical surprise, the German advance on Moscowarmy achieved a series of spectacular victories. On December 12thDespite heroic Soviet resistance, Germany seized much of present-day Belarus, Ukraine, Zhukov’s army launched a surprise attack on and the German frontline and pushed them back with heavy losses some one hundred miles from MoscowBaltic States.<ref> MacDonaldBellamy, Chris, John. ''Great Battles of [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375724710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375724710&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=16f371fee7048dbf23fed6056f05d325 Absolute War: Soviet Russia in the Second World War II]'' (London, Michael Joseph books, 1986. New York: Alfred A. Knopf & Random House.2007), p. 24523</ref> The Soviet Capital had been savedRed army suffered spectacular reverses and sustained massive losses. However, despite the setback, the Germans had a secure hold over much Hundreds of the west thousands of the Soviet Union troops were killed and had laid siege up to a million and a half taken, prisoner. A quarter of a million men surrendered during the city German capture of LeningradKiev, alone.<ref>Antill, p.18</ref>

==[[File:Stalingrad Campaign==two.jpg|thumbnail|350px|left|German soldier at Stalingrad]]Hitler's General Staff The German invasion had intended to ‘win been facilitated by the war indecisiveness of Stalin who was taken aback by ChristmasHitler’s betrayal.’ <ref> MacDonald, p, 234</ref> However, despite the check before Moscow, there was still widespread optimism among He initially refused to believe the reports of a German generalsinvasion. The German general staff eventually was able to stabilize supreme leader of the Soviets possibly suffered a nervous breakdown in the early stages of the invasion. However, after some time, he helped direct the German front line and fended off further Soviet attacks during early 1942counter-attack. Hitler and his generals planned a Spring offensiveBy the autumn of 1941, it appeared that they hoped Germany’s ''blitzkrieg'' tactics would lead to Stalin suing for peace or for an outright Soviet surrender. The Germans instead the defeat of thrusting forward towards the Soviet capital againRed Army. However, winter arrived early that year, decided to launch an attack on and this slowed down the south. The German army led by the sixth army was to advance into the southern Russian Steppe. Hitler and his army had only a limited access Russians spoke of ‘General Winter’- who would help them to oil and he believed that if his army could occupy win the oil fields then his army could advance possibly into the Middle Eastwar. <ref>AntilBellamy, p. 11567</ref> In The Soviet people were well aware that the late summer of 1942, severe Russian winters would slow if not halt the Germany army was in engaged in a rapid German advance through southern Russia. It was reminiscent of the early days of Barbarossa. The 6th army was apparently invincible , just as it had stopped Napoleon and they defeated a series Charles XII of Russian divisions and armiesSweden, during previous invasions. By AugustDecember 1941, they were on the Volga. Here German’s vanguard was the city of Stalingrad. The city (today Volgograd) had been renamed Stalingrad in honor of Stalin, who had seized the city ‘some fifty miles from the White Counter-Revolutionaries in 1920Moscow. ’<ref>AntilAntill, p. 11745</ref>

However, the weather was cold and German soldiers had begun to suffer in the harsh conditions. The Soviet’s used the weather to their advantage. The Soviets stationed considerable forces in the east in to defend Siberia from a Japanese invasion. He withdrew them and under General George Zhukov. They were then organized into a strike force aimed at repelling the German advance on Moscow. On December 12th, Zhukov’s army launched a surprise attack on the German frontline and pushed them back with heavy losses some one hundred miles from Moscow.<ref> MacDonald, John. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785830979/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0785830979&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ff12114d460899b1d3d40f8245e19df5 Great Battles of World War II]'' (London, Michael Joseph books, 1986), p. 245</ref> The Soviet Capital had been saved. However, despite the setback, the Germans had a secure hold over much of western Soviet Union and had laid siege to the city of Leningrad.{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}====Stalingrad Campaign====Hitler's General Staff had intended to ‘win the war by Christmas.’ <ref> MacDonald, p, 234</ref> However, despite defeat near Moscow, there was still widespread optimism among the German generals. The German general staff eventually was able to stabilize the German front line and fended off further Soviet attacks during early 1942. Hitler and his generals planned a Spring offensive that they hoped would lead to Stalin suing for peace or unconditional Soviet surrender. The Germans instead of thrusting forward towards the Soviet capital again, decided to launch an attack on the south. The German army led by the sixth army was to advance into the southern Russian Steppe. Hitler and his army had only limited access to oil, and he believed that if his army could occupy the oil fields, then his army could advance possibly into the Middle East. <ref>Antil, p. 115</ref>  In the late summer of 1942, the Germany army was in engaged in a rapid advance through southern Russia. It was reminiscent of the early days of Barbarossa. The 6th army was invincible, and they defeated a series of Russian divisions and armies. By August, they were on the Volga near the city of Stalingrad. The city (today Volgograd) had been renamed Stalingrad in honor of Stalin, who had seized the city from the White Counter-Revolutionaries in 1920. <ref>Antil, p. 117</ref> ====Hitler’s mistaken tacticsMistakes====

Hitler saw the war in terms of regarding his personal rivalry with Stalin , and he decided to attack the city, because of its symbolic value. However, the original aim of the offensive in Southern Russian was to secure the oil fields in the Caucasus. The oil was essential for the German war machine.  Hitler knew this – instead of opting for concentrating all his forces on the conquest of the oil fields, he made perhaps a fateful mistake. He divided his forces. It has long been one of the fundamental beliefs in military strategy that it was reckless to divide one’s forces in enemy territory. However, this is exactly what Hitler did, contrary to all the advice of his Generals.<ref> Beevor, Antony, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140284583/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140284583&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=19c551047636454c9c37c00ac3d62654 Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege: 1942-1943]'' (Viking, London, 1998), p. 117</ref> He sent some of the German army armies south to take the oil fields in the Caucuses and their prime objective was Baku.  Hitler then ordered the 6th Army to advance towards Stalingrad and to take the city, even though it lacked strategic value. The idea of capturing Stalingrad fixated Hitler, and it became his obsession. This obsession led him to ignore the reality on the ground and his general's advice. This mistake destroyed the German 6th army. Not only had Hitler divided his forces, but he also allocated too little men and material to the capture of Stalingrad.  It was usually accepted at the time, and since that, an attacking force needs to have at least a 3 to one advantage over the defenders to achieve their goals. The Germans did not have the necessary numerical advantage over the Soviets.<ref> Beevor, p. 119</ref> This made the 6th army’s prospect of success very uncertain.

Furthermore, Hitler then ordered in his obsession to seize the city meant that he was not fully aware of the 6th Army to advance towards Stalingrad and to take situation around the city. For example, even though it German forces had really only symbolic and no strategic value. Hitler was fixated by been unable to push back Soviet forces during the idea series of capturing Stalingrad and it became his personal obsession and this led him to ignore battles known as the Kolton Operations. This left the reality Germans exposed on their flanks as they pressed further into the ground and this was to lead the German 6th army to disastercity. Not only had Because Hitler divided his the German forces, but he also allocated too little men and material to the capture flank of Stalingrad. It the 6th army was usually accepted at the time and since that an attacking force needs to have at least a 3 to one advantage over the defenders in order to achieve their goals. The Germans did not have any such numerical advantage over the Sovietsinsufficiently protected.<ref> Beevor, p. 119156</ref> This made Poorly trained Romanian and Italian troops guarded the 6th army’s prospect of success very uncertainflanks and many German commanders privately believed that they could not protect their rear from Soviet attack.

Furthermore, Hitler in his obsession to seize the city meant that he was not fully aware of the situation around the city. For example, German forces had been unable to push back Soviet forces during the series of battles known as the Kolton Operations. This was to leave the Germans very exposed as they pressed further into the city and left them at risk of being outflanked. Because Hitler divided the German forces, the flank of the 6th army was insufficiently protected.<ref>Beevor, p. 156</ref> Poorly trained Romanian and Italian forces guarded the flanks and many German commanders privately believed that they could not protect their rear from Soviet attack. Hitler’s determination to capture Stalingrad meant that he dispatched the 6th army on a mission that was unlikely to achieve its objectives and placed it at great risk. Because of his obsession Hitler ignored his generals' advice. Hitler as a result of his s interference and his fixation with Stalingrad he destroyed hampered the 6th Army's throughout the siege of Stalingrad. Hitler's style of leadership was the complete opposite of Stalin's. The Soviet leader, had reformed the Soviet High Command, the ''Stavka'', and granted ‘more autonomy and independence’ to too capable generals such as Zhukhov.<ref> Zhukov, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E., Salisbury, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0815410980/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0815410980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=557435d4a5b0f047e76ecac237f82afd Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles]'' (New York: Harper & Row, 1969), p. 116</ref> The leader of the Soviet Union had learned lessons from the early days of Operation Barbarossa. He let his generals do the fighting and draw up the strategies needed to beat the Germans back. <ref>Beevor, p. 178</ref>.

==Battle for the City==The Germans launched a massive air assault on the city, under the command of General Paulus. Much of the city was reduced to rubble. The German’s devoted some of their finest units to the capture of the city, much against senior Generals such as Von Kleist’s wishes, who openly opposed Hitler’s wish to capture the city. In August of 1942, the Germans fought their way into the city, which was at first lightly defended. The Soviet commander of the Soviet forces was Vasily Chuikov, who was 42 years old and led the Soviet 62nd Army. He was to prove to be an indomitable fighter and an inspirational leader.<dh-ad/ref> Beevor, p. 173</ref> He organized his army and many of the city's civilians into a formidable defensive force.

Chuikov and ====Battle for the defenders used City====The Germans launched a massive air assault on the rubble city, under the command of General Paulus. Much of the city as defensive cover and was reduced to slow down the German advancerubble. They also put up a suicidal resistance and fought for every street and building. Soviet snipers decimated the German forces. After three months of fierce fighting, the The German’s eventually captured devoted some 90% of the city and had reached the Volga. It appeared that they were on the verge of victory. The Soviets had been building up their forces in great secrecy finest units to the north and the south capture of the city. Amazingly, German intelligence did not spot the massive build-up of Soviet divisions. The Soviet’s under Zhukov attacked the 6th army’s flank much against senior Generals such as they continued Von Kleist’s wishes, who openly opposed Hitler’s wish to capture the last remaining pockets of resistance in Stalingradcity. The Soviets deliberately selected those sectors In August of 1942, the German’ lines, held by Germans fought their alliesway into the city, such as the Hungarians and the Romanianswhich was at first lightly defended. The Soviet High Command, estimated that these units would not fight and would quickly surrender. On the night commander of the 23rd of NovemberSoviet forces was Vasily Chuikov, who was 42 years old and led the Red Soviet 62nd Army attacked and quickly swept passed the Hungarian, Rumanian, and Italian divisions . He was to prove to be an indomitable fighter and they began to encircle the 6th army in Stalingrad, just as it was on the verge of seizing the cityan inspirational leader.<ref> AntilBeevor, p. 135173</ref>He organized his army and many of the city's civilians into a formidable defensive force.

==Hitler’s Intransigence== [[File: HitlerChuikov and the defenders used the rubble of the city as defensive cover and to slow down the German advance. They also put up a suicidal resistance and fought for every street and building.jpg|thumbnail|200px|Adolf Hitler]]By 1942 Hitler had largely been very successful in all his campaignsSoviet snipers decimated the German forces. He had only experienced defeat at After three months of fierce fighting, the Battle German’s eventually captured some 90% of Britain the city and before Moscowhad reached the Volga. However, It appeared that they were on the face verge of it, neither defeat victory. The Soviets had stopped been building up their forces in great secrecy to the north and the south of the city. Amazingly, German war machine from going on intelligence did not spot the offensive and from securing more victoriesmassive build-up of Soviet divisions. Hitler, The Soviet’s under Zhukov attacked the 6th army’s flank as commander they continued to capture the last remaining pockets of resistance in chief Stalingrad. The Soviets deliberately selected those sectors of the armyGerman’ lines, held by their allies, had great faith in his personal military abilities such as the Hungarians and as a strategistthe Romanians. He believed The Soviet High Command estimated that he was a military genius these units would not fight and would quickly surrender. On the night of the 23rd of November, the Red Army attacked and quickly swept passed the Hungarian, Rumanian, and Italian divisions and that he was destined they began to lead encircle the German people to victory. Central to Hitler’s views 6th army in Stalingrad, just as it was on military tactics was that willpower could achieve anything in the battlefieldverge of seizing the city.<ref> Antil, p. 135</ref>

====Hitler’s Intransigence==== [[File: Hitler believed that if German soldiers were well-led and motivated then there was nothing that they could not do.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Adolf Hitler]]By 1942, no enemy that they could not Hitler had been very successful in all his campaigns. He had only experienced defeatat the Battle of Britain and near Moscow. Hitler when he heard that his army was However, on the point face of being encircled at Stalingradit, ordered that neither defeat had stopped the German war machine from going on the 6th Army should not retreat offensive and he demanded that they fight on with greater zealfrom securing more victories. Hitler, while admitting that as commander in chief of the situation in Stalingrad was direarmy, believe that if the German soldiers and their officers had great faith in his military abilities and as a strategist. He believed that he was a military genius and was destined to lead the final German people to victory then they would be victorious. This belief meant Central to Hitler’s views on military tactics was that Hitler curbed his officers' ability to respond to the developing situation willpower could achieve anything on the ground.<ref> Victor, George, ''Hitler: Pathology of Evil'' (Washington, DC: Brassey's Inc.2008) pbattlefield. 208</ref>

The Soviet counteroffensiveHitler believed that if German soldiers were well-led and motivated, which then there was nothing that they could not do, no enemy that they could not defeat. Hitler when he heard that his army was launched on 19th November, from the Kalmyk Steepedpoint of being encircled at Stalingrad, in a pincer movement, simultaneously attacked the Germans from the North and outflanked ordered that the 6th army. Eventually, the Red Army would come to completely encircle the Germans, but this took a week or more to achieve. In this time, Paulus could have retreated west and towards Von Manstein who was fighting in the Crimea <ref> Anthill, p. 156</ref>. Before the encirclement was complete Paulus should have left Stalingrad not retreat and ordered a retreathe demanded that they fight on with greater zeal. However, because of Hitler and his orders, Paulus stayed while admitting that the situation in Stalingrad was dire, believe that if the German soldiers and he and his army became trapped their officers had faith in the city on the 23rd of Novemberfinal victory, 1942then they would be victorious. Over a quarter of a million Germans had been cut-off in This belief meant that Hitler curbed his officers' ability to respond to the city developing situation on the Volgaground. Undoubtedly<ref> Victor, Paulus own indecisive character played its partGeorge, but Hitler’s orders to stand and fight and never to concede ground meant that the Germans did not conduct a tactical retreat and avoid the slow death of the 6th army in the winter of 1942-43''[https://www.amazon.<com/gp/product/1574882287/ref>Beevor=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1574882287&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d61400f1302fc7d3b6fbc427e2295674 Hitler: Pathology of Evil]'' (Washington, DC: Brassey's Inc.2008) p. 158208</ref>

==Could The Soviet counteroffensive, which was launched on 19th November, from the 6th army have been saved?==News of Kalmyk Steeped, in a pincer movement, simultaneously attacked the encirclement of the German divisions under Paulus was a severe blow to Hitler and he ordered an immediate attack to relieve Germans from the encircled forces in Stalingrad. Goering intervened North and believed that outflanked the Luftwaffe or German air force could re-supply Paulus’ 6th army. Goering promised Hitler that he Eventually, the Red Army would supply come to encircle the Germans in Stalingrad with all that was neededcompletely, but this took a week or more to achieve. In this time, Paulus could have retreated west and towards Von Manstein who was fighting in the endCrimea.<ref>Anthill, p. 156</ref> Before the Luftwaffe’s efforts to supply the besieged forces encirclement was totally inadequate. It has been estimated that the German air force only dropped one-quarter of the material complete, Paulus should have left Stalingrad and the food that the German soldiers needed to fight and survive in the Russian Steppe during the winterordered a retreat.

The failed Luftwaffe efforts However, because of Hitler's order to supply German soldiers caused morale not retreat under any circumstances, Paulus stayed in Stalingrad, and he and his army became trapped in the city to fall. Many German officers even argued that they should surrender. During December 19th, on the gifted German General Eric von Manstein and a significant number 23rd of German division attempted to reach Stalingrad. Operation Winter Storm was initially successfulNovember, despite it occurring during the depths of winter1942. Von Man stein’s forces came within thirty kilometers Over a quarter of a million Germans had been cut-off in the besieged Germanscity on the Volga. Undoubtedly, Paulus own indecisive character played its part, but Paulus refused Hitler’s orders to stand and fight and never to breakout concede ground meant that the Germans did not conduct a tactical retreat and link up with avoid the relief forces. He possibly could have saved some slow death of his forces. However, this would have required him to disobey Hitler’s explicit orders. In the end, he refused to do so and 6th army in the opportunity was lost. If Hitler had allowed his generals more flexibility, then Von Paulus could have saved some winter of his divisions from complete annihilation1942-43.<ref> Hoyt, Edwin Palmer. ''199 Days: The Battle for Stalingrad'' (New York: A Forge Book, 1999)Beevor, p. 167158</ref>

==Stalingrad Consequences==Could the 6th army have been saved?====In February 1943, Von News of the encirclement of the German divisions under Pauluswas a severe blow to Hitler, surrender and he ordered an immediate attack to relieve the remaining, starving and ragged German encircled forces in Stalingrad. Finally, he had defied Hitler’s orders to fight to Goering intervened and believed that the last man and bullet. The Luftwaffe or German defeat had been devastatingair force could re-supply Paulus’ army. They had lost half a million, either killed or captured. The Goering promised Hitler that he would supply the Germans after the Soviet victory lost a significant amount of territory in Stalingrad with all that was needed. In the south of Russia.<ref> Hoyt, p. 211</ref> Howeverend, the German army Luftwaffe’s efforts to supply the besieged forces was far from defeated and in early 1943, Von Manstein inflicted a devastating defeat on the Red Army at Kharkovutterly inadequate.<ref> Hoyt, p. 2013</ref> However, It has been estimated that the German army had lost its aura of invincibility and its enemies were no longer afraid air force only dropped one-quarter of it and believed that it could be beaten. Furthermore, after Stalingrad, many more Germans became critical of Hitler and his policies, this was particular the case in the German military material and there have even been suggestions that after the debacle food that the German generals conspired soldiers needed to start a mutiny fight and survive in the army and depose Hitler.<ref> Beevor, p. 221</ref> However, these plots came to nothingRussian Steppe during the winter.

==Conclusion==Stalingrad was one of The failed Luftwaffe efforts to supply German soldiers caused morale in the most important battles in WW II if not in entire human historycity to fall. It was a catastrophic defeat for the Many German army and it could be officers even argued that they never recovered from should surrender. During December 19th, the battlegifted German General Eric von Manstein and a significant number of German division attempted to reach Stalingrad. The defeat Operation Winter Storm was avoidableinitially successful, despite it occurring during the depths of winter. The main reason for  Von Man stein’s forces came within thirty kilometers of the defeat was that Hitler became obsessed besieged Germans, but Paulus refused to break out and link up with the idea relief forces. He possibly could have saved some of capturing the cityhis troops. However, named in honor of Stalin. This led this would have required him to ignore his Generals warnings and to make several strategic mistakesdisobey Hitler’s explicit orders. The mistakes and errors of Hitler meant that In the Soviets could take advantage of the situation end, he refused to encircle do so, and annihilate an entire German army. The responsibility for the cataclysmic defeat opportunity was lost. If Hitler's. Furthermore, he compounded had allowed his initial errorsgenerals more flexibility, by refusing to allow then Von Paulus to force a way out of Stalingrad his General could have saved some of the German forceshis divisions from complete annihilation.<ref> Hoyt, and mitigated the consequences of Hitler’s mistakesEdwin Palmer. ''[https://www. Hitler’ meddling, misguided strategy, and poor tactics meant that the 6th army was doomed to defeat at Stalingradamazon.com/gp/product/0312868537/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312868537&linkCode=Referencesas2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=91516cd718a10f8a333413ab02d19515 199 Days: The Battle for Stalingrad]'' (New York: A Forge Book, 1999), p. 167<references/ref>

[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Russian History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:World War Two History]][[Category:European History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]{{Contributors}}====Stalingrad Halted the German Invasion of Russia====<div class="portal" style="'float:right; width:8535%;"'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====

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In February 1943, Von Paulus surrendered the remaining starving and ragged German forces in Stalingrad. Finally, he had defied Hitler’s orders to fight to the last man and bullet. The German defeat had been devastating. They had lost half a million, either killed or captured. The Germans after the Soviet victory lost a significant amount of territory in the south of Russia.<ref> Hoyt, p. 211</ref> Stalingrad halted Germany's invasion into Russia. Instead of advancing, the German army engaged in a long slow retreat.  However, the German army was far from defeated and in early 1943, Von Manstein inflicted a devastating defeat on the Red Army at Kharkov.<ref> Hoyt, p. 2013</ref> However, the German army had lost its aura of invincibility, and the Soviets believed that they could defeat. Furthermore, after Stalingrad, many more Germans became critical of Hitler and his policies, this was particularly the case in the German military, and there have even been suggestions that after the debacle that the German generals conspired to start a mutiny in the army and depose Hitler.<ref> Beevor, p. 221</ref> However, these plots did not succeed. ====Conclusion====Stalingrad was one of the most important battles in WW II if not in entire human history. It was a catastrophic defeat for the German army, and they never recovered from the battle. The defeat was avoidable. The main reason for the defeat was that Hitler became obsessed with the idea of capturing the city. This irrational behavior led him to ignore his Generals warnings and to make several strategic mistakes. The mistakes and errors of Hitler allowed the Soviets to take advantage of the situation to encircle and annihilate an entire German 6th army. The responsibility for the cataclysmic defeat was Hitler's.  Furthermore, he compounded his initial errors, by refusing to allow Paulus to force a way out of Stalingrad his General could have saved some of the German forces and mitigated the consequences of Hitler’s mistakes. Hitler’ meddling, misguided strategy, and poor tactics meant that the 6th army was doomed to defeat at Stalingrad.{{MediawikiMediaWiki:WWIIAmNative}} ====References====<references/> [[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Russian History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:World War Two History]][[Category:European History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]{{Contributors}}Updated May 7, 2019.