The Battle of Stalingrad Through German Eyes: The Death of the Sixth Army

by Jonathan Trigg

Five months, one week and three days of hell. The German offensive to capture Stalingrad began in August 1942, using Friedrich Paulus’s 6th Army and elements of the 4th Panzer Army. The attack was supported by intense bombing that reduced much of the city to rubble. The battle degenerated into house-to-house fighting, as both sides fought for the city on the Volga. By mid-November, the Germans were on the brink of victory as the Soviet defenders clung on to a final few slivers of land along the west bank of the river.

Then, on 19 November, the Red Army launched Operation Uranus, targeting the weaker Romanian armies protecting the 6th Army’s flanks. The ill-equipped Romanians were overrun and the 6th Army was cut off and surrounded. Hitler was determined to hold the city – the symbolic namesake of the Soviet leader – and forbade the 6th Army from attempting a breakout, insisting they be supplied by air instead; in February 1943, without food or ammunition, some 91,000 starving, lice-ridden Germans surrendered. The losses on both sides were eye-watering – the Soviets alone suffered something approaching half a million dead and more than 650,000 sick or wounded – and in his unique style author Jonathan Trigg reveals the human agony behind such statistics through the words of the Germans who were there.

Was it all over after the surrender? Of course not. Death marches did for Landser Josef Farber ‘We set out with 1,200 men … about 120 were alive when we reached the camp.’ This was war at its rawest – this was Stalingrad.

Genres: World War II, History, Military History

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Pirate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book with heartbreaking testimonies by the pilots and ground troops -- largely landsers (the German equivalent of grunts or tommies) -- embroiled in the hell of Stalingrad. "Hardly any of the men who formed the advance platoons were ever seen alive again....the Russians had crept into previously prepared cellar sand bunkers, let our infantry pass overhead and then had come out of their positions to shoot them in the back," writes one or another who contrary to their woeful Sixth Army commander Friedrich Paulus who believes they are on the brink of taking the city opines in a letter to his family: "Don't worry, don't be upset, because the sooner I am underground the less I will suffer." Or a young officer writing to his mother in Christmas 1942 as the bitter cold and lack of food supplies bite: "Despite everything the little tree had so much Christmas magic and homely atmosphere about it that at first I couldn't bear the sight of lighted candles....I cracked up and had to turn my back for a minute before I could sit down with the others and sing carols." This was the real and brutal wake up call that those they had been brain washed into believing were untermenschen were in fact more than their equals and had been transformed in a year from turning tail in front of Wehrmacht might to standing fast -- albeit under threat of instant execution by the commisars in they retreated -- and fighting toe to toe with them. This message clearly did not want to be absorbed by Hitler nor his lackey Keitel in the safety of their HQ. Paulus shares an equal amount of blame in being distant from his troops and taking more care he changed his tunic three times a day than their welfare. His mentor the brutish von Reichenau had dared to disobey Hitler and retreat the year before from another dangerous position but Paulus was not made of similar stern stuff. Thus he allowed his army of 200,000 wither and die -- those of the dreadfully under-equipped Italian, Romanian and Hungarians also were destroyed -- and then had the gall to blame it on the exhausted Luftwaffe. He cared more for presentation than he did for upsetting the Fuhrer or others above him as exemplified when he wrote to the great warrior Erich von Manstein who was trying to save the Sixth Army. "My dear generalfeldmarschall, may I first of all apologise for the quality of the paper and the fact that this letter is handwritten..." that was his priority, fastidiousness not how to save his men.... in the end just 5000 returned of the 91,000 that limped into captivity but Paulus -- whose own imprisonment along with his generals was relatively comfortable -- asked about their welfare in Russian camps years later commented when clearly irritated to be asked such a question 'blithely declared that the wives and mothers of his men could rest easy in their beds as their menfolk were safe and being well looked after -- one more calumny to add to the ledger of Friedrich Paulus.' Hitler, though, of course bears the brunt of the blame for the catastrophe and one should be thankful he refused to budge such was the global evil of his regime. He received a first hand account from a staff officer Coelestin von Zittewitz, who had been sent into Stalingrad by the feisty Chief of General Staff General Zeitzler to get a view of the dreadful conditions: "My Fuhrer...the troops can no longer fight to their last round because they are no longer physically capable of fighting and because they no longer have a last round'...Hitler looked at me in surprise...then he said "Human beings have great powers of recuperation,' and with those words I was dismissed."....had the landsers been privy to this exchange their eyes would have been opened to the sociopath they so faithfully fought and died for. A terrific read.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent addition to the already long list of fantastic literature written on The Battle of Stalingrad.

Does all the things a great Stalingrad book does, to standout Trigg focuses a lot on the Airlift which I found to be fascinating. This focus as well his mastery of the first hand accounts make this book a worthy addition to any ww2 buff's collection.

[Mike Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, comprehensive account of this battle. I particularly liked the explanation of events and reasons why the Germans invaded Russia again so soon after the failure of Barbarossa and why Stalingrad became the target rather than the original objective of oil fields. The German soldiers firsthand accounts give a good impression of what is was like for the ordinary troops.

Highly recommended as an account of the Battle of Stalingrad.

[Seán McCotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A fresh perspective on a horrific human tragedy for those caught up in the nightmare of the Eastern Front. Though we all know the ending, this account of the unfolding madness is gripping.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book—the author not only focused on the 6th Army but also explored the perspective of the Luftwaffe and the relationship between the two.
I really appreciated the detailed overview of the tanks, planes, and other equipment used. The level of detail was truly commendable!

[Lewis Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book does a very good job of demonstrating just how horrible Stalingrad was for everyone involved. If that’s what you’re into, this book will be amazing. It’s filled with historical anecdotes that will make you appreciate just how truly the battle for Stalingrad was.

[Simon Whitelaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Really enjoyed this book.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y

[jim bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

very Interesting Book…

I’ve read other accounts of Stalingrad, and this book does well with new insights and letters from the troops in the cauldron.

[Robert Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding read

Excellent collection of authentic descriptions and quotes. Gritty depiction of what this waste of humanity was truly like. Trigg is one hell of a great writer.

[Glen D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book. Interesting getting the German perspective of the battle. Definitely worth the read.