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Modern War Studies
Stopped at Stalingrad: The Luftwaffe and Hitler's Defeat in the East, 1942-1943
By the time Hitler declared war on the Soviet Union in 1941, he knew that his military machine was running out of fuel. In response, he launched Operation Blau, a campaign designed to protect Nazi oilfields in Rumania while securing new ones in the Caucasus. All that stood in the way was Stalingrad.
Most accounts of the Battle of Stalingrad have focused on the dismal fate of the German Army. Joel Hayward now chronicles Luftwaffe operations during that campaign, focusing on Hitler's use of the air force as a tactical rather than strategic weapon in close support of ground forces. He vividly details the Luftwaffe's key role as flying artillery, showing that the army relied on Luftwaffe support to a far greater degree than has been previously revealed and that its successes in the East occurred largely because of the effectiveness of that support.
Hayward analyzes this major German offensive from the standpoint of cooperation between ground and air forces to attain mutually agreed objectives. He draws on diaries of both key commanders and regular airmen to recreate crucial battles and convey the drama of Hitler's frustrations and reckless leadership. Ultimately, Hayward shows, the poorly conceived strategies of Hitler, Goering, and others in Berlin doomed the efforts of air commander Wolfram von Richthofen, a courageous and resolute leader attempting to come to grips with an increasingly impossible situation.
Stopped at Stalingrad is a dynamic case study in combined arms warfare that fills in many of the gaps left by other studies of the eastern war. By reconsidering the campaign in the light of a wider body of documentary sources and analyzing many previously ignored events, Hayward provides military historians and general readers a much deeper and more complete understanding of the Battle of Stalingrad and its impact on World War II.
Most accounts of the Battle of Stalingrad have focused on the dismal fate of the German Army. Joel Hayward now chronicles Luftwaffe operations during that campaign, focusing on Hitler's use of the air force as a tactical rather than strategic weapon in close support of ground forces. He vividly details the Luftwaffe's key role as flying artillery, showing that the army relied on Luftwaffe support to a far greater degree than has been previously revealed and that its successes in the East occurred largely because of the effectiveness of that support.
Hayward analyzes this major German offensive from the standpoint of cooperation between ground and air forces to attain mutually agreed objectives. He draws on diaries of both key commanders and regular airmen to recreate crucial battles and convey the drama of Hitler's frustrations and reckless leadership. Ultimately, Hayward shows, the poorly conceived strategies of Hitler, Goering, and others in Berlin doomed the efforts of air commander Wolfram von Richthofen, a courageous and resolute leader attempting to come to grips with an increasingly impossible situation.
Stopped at Stalingrad is a dynamic case study in combined arms warfare that fills in many of the gaps left by other studies of the eastern war. By reconsidering the campaign in the light of a wider body of documentary sources and analyzing many previously ignored events, Hayward provides military historians and general readers a much deeper and more complete understanding of the Battle of Stalingrad and its impact on World War II.
412 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
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About the author
Joel S.A. Hayward
7 books8 followersJoel Hayward BA MA PhD FRHistS FRSA is a New Zealand-born British scholar of war and strategy, shaykh, writer and Muslim poet. He is best known for his published books and articles on strategic and security matters, including the use of air power, his 2003 biography of Horatio Lord Nelson, and his writing and teaching on the Quranic (Islamic) concepts of war, strategy and conflict.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 19, 2018
Not many books I have read about the Eastern Front relates much - if anything - about the role and contribution of the Luftwaffe.
However, after reading this book I am much more enlightened. Information-heavy and detailled I see it as a 'must-read' for any reader with an interest in the Luftwaffe history as well as the fierce battles on the Eastern Front.
Highly recommendable
However, after reading this book I am much more enlightened. Information-heavy and detailled I see it as a 'must-read' for any reader with an interest in the Luftwaffe history as well as the fierce battles on the Eastern Front.
Highly recommendable
September 13, 2025
Great book.
Very good writing style. This book shows the strugle of the arrogant, stiff but energitic and well organized General Richetoffen and the Luftwaffe in the 1942 campaign in Southern USSR(Sebastopol storming, the drive for the Caucasus and the ill fated supply for the besiged 6th Army at Stalingrad.
Vivid description on ground of logistic, supply, and air worthiness of the Luftwaffe and its superb air-grond coordination for the Wermacht war effort. The book shows from small details about the weight capacity, the content of the airdrops(the space wasted for propaganda pamphlets) and the links from one front to the other. Its easy to forget that while the Soviets could put most of their ressources for Operation Uranus at the same time its opponent (the Heer and Luftwaffe) diverted troops, airplanes and supply to the illogical and pointlessm Tunisian front in North Africa. Its a terrific explanation of the zero Sum theory, an Junker Ju 52 transport in Tunisia cannot be at Stalingrad.
This books show also what whas accomplished even with diluted forces and the missed opportunities( twins engines tactical Junker Ju 88 and Heinkel He 111 did bomb the oilfields of Grozny but could actually had severly mauled the war effort of the USSR by bombing Baku).
A great addition for any afficianado of the Lufwaffe or the War on the Eastern Front.
Very good writing style. This book shows the strugle of the arrogant, stiff but energitic and well organized General Richetoffen and the Luftwaffe in the 1942 campaign in Southern USSR(Sebastopol storming, the drive for the Caucasus and the ill fated supply for the besiged 6th Army at Stalingrad.
Vivid description on ground of logistic, supply, and air worthiness of the Luftwaffe and its superb air-grond coordination for the Wermacht war effort. The book shows from small details about the weight capacity, the content of the airdrops(the space wasted for propaganda pamphlets) and the links from one front to the other. Its easy to forget that while the Soviets could put most of their ressources for Operation Uranus at the same time its opponent (the Heer and Luftwaffe) diverted troops, airplanes and supply to the illogical and pointlessm Tunisian front in North Africa. Its a terrific explanation of the zero Sum theory, an Junker Ju 52 transport in Tunisia cannot be at Stalingrad.
This books show also what whas accomplished even with diluted forces and the missed opportunities( twins engines tactical Junker Ju 88 and Heinkel He 111 did bomb the oilfields of Grozny but could actually had severly mauled the war effort of the USSR by bombing Baku).
A great addition for any afficianado of the Lufwaffe or the War on the Eastern Front.
May 12, 2024
It’s a superb study. Engagingly written.
I have one gripe. There’s a section where the author dismisses VVS kill claims. This is entirely reasonable. Evidence shows that all pilots of all sides had a tendency to overclaim kills. Yet. The entire work continually mentions luftwaffe kill claims and never once suggests we ought to view tre numbers with some cynicism.
That one-sidedness just grated.
Otherwise it’s a splendid balanced study and highly informative
I have one gripe. There’s a section where the author dismisses VVS kill claims. This is entirely reasonable. Evidence shows that all pilots of all sides had a tendency to overclaim kills. Yet. The entire work continually mentions luftwaffe kill claims and never once suggests we ought to view tre numbers with some cynicism.
That one-sidedness just grated.
Otherwise it’s a splendid balanced study and highly informative
May 21, 2024
An excellent read if you're wanting more detail on the Luftwaffe's activities in the southern region of the Eastern Front during this time period. While explaining what was happening in the land campaign was necessary sometimes it felt like the balance of narrative could have benefitted by more emphasis on the Luftwaffe. The detailed explanation of events surrounding Stalingrad, the airlift and the impacts on the Luftwaffe were fascinating. And excellent book that I didn't want to put down.
February 12, 2021
Been meaning to read this for years and finally got round to it. Excellent military history written by a rather unusual character.
March 7, 2013
Illustrates the inherent weakness of the Luftwaffe with an tranparens that´s amazing.
A must read for all!
A must read for all!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews