The Battle of Stalingrad took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943 and is considered one of the most important battles that took place during World War II. The battle was between the German and Soviet armies. Not directly, but due to the betrayal of a non aggression pact between the Soviets and Germans, the two were thrown into battle over Stalingrad. The Germans believed they would be on the winning side but that is not how it ended. The Soviets proved stronger than the Germans were expecting and they would end up failing. Some of the factors of their failure were harsh weather conditions, low manpower, low supplies, and Hitler’s motivations. This research paper will analyze the events leading up to Stalingrad, plans, tactics,
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The oil fields were the first attack towards Stalingrad, “In the plans developed by the Nazi leadership, the capture of Stalingrad was a secondary endpoint in the occupation of the Caucasus oil fields and the elimination of the Red Army in the south.” Hitler wanted to take control of Stalingrad due to its significance to the Soviets, “Conquering the city named after Soviet leader Josef Stalin, in addition to the oil fields, would be a fatal blow to Russia, Hitler believed.” Part of Hitler’s need to control Stalingrad came from both his pride and narcissistic personality “Hitler was fixated by the idea of capturing Stalingrad and it became his personal obsession.” which was most likely a factor of their loss, as …show more content…
William Hoffman, a German soldier, wrote about his experience. For example, he talks about lack of food and from that, the lack of strength, “December 26. The horses have already been eaten. I would eat a cat; they say its meat is also tasty. The soldiers look like corpses or lunatics, looking for something to put in their mouths. They no longer take cover from Russian shells; they haven't the strength to walk, run away and hide. A curse on this war!” The Russian winter and lack of cleanliness and medicine took its toll on the Germans, “In addition to its mounting casualties, the Sixth Army was bedevilled with no less ubiquitous lethal enemy that burgeoned with each fleeting minute: the omnipresent frostbite, dysentery, and respiratory infections of all kinds.” Hitler’s pride also did a lot to aid in the failure of his army, “Hitler's strategy to not consider a strategic withdrawal from the Stalingrad area ultimately cost him the loss of the entire 6th Army.” Lastly the Germans man power was significantly low and they might have a had chance at success if they had stretched their troops less. To fully understand the Battle of Stalingrad, one needs to analyze both the Soviet side and German side. All factors have to be picked apart, for example, before stalingrad, tactics, and factors in their loss. Another part someone must analyze is Hitler. He was both prideful and narcissistic in his actions
The oil fields were the first attack towards Stalingrad, “In the plans developed by the Nazi leadership, the capture of Stalingrad was a secondary endpoint in the occupation of the Caucasus oil fields and the elimination of the Red Army in the south.” Hitler wanted to take control of Stalingrad due to its significance to the Soviets, “Conquering the city named after Soviet leader Josef Stalin, in addition to the oil fields, would be a fatal blow to Russia, Hitler believed.” Part of Hitler’s need to control Stalingrad came from both his pride and narcissistic personality “Hitler was fixated by the idea of capturing Stalingrad and it became his personal obsession.” which was most likely a factor of their loss, as …show more content…
William Hoffman, a German soldier, wrote about his experience. For example, he talks about lack of food and from that, the lack of strength, “December 26. The horses have already been eaten. I would eat a cat; they say its meat is also tasty. The soldiers look like corpses or lunatics, looking for something to put in their mouths. They no longer take cover from Russian shells; they haven't the strength to walk, run away and hide. A curse on this war!” The Russian winter and lack of cleanliness and medicine took its toll on the Germans, “In addition to its mounting casualties, the Sixth Army was bedevilled with no less ubiquitous lethal enemy that burgeoned with each fleeting minute: the omnipresent frostbite, dysentery, and respiratory infections of all kinds.” Hitler’s pride also did a lot to aid in the failure of his army, “Hitler's strategy to not consider a strategic withdrawal from the Stalingrad area ultimately cost him the loss of the entire 6th Army.” Lastly the Germans man power was significantly low and they might have a had chance at success if they had stretched their troops less. To fully understand the Battle of Stalingrad, one needs to analyze both the Soviet side and German side. All factors have to be picked apart, for example, before stalingrad, tactics, and factors in their loss. Another part someone must analyze is Hitler. He was both prideful and narcissistic in his actions