German Sixth Army

Southern Stalingrad Map

Southern Stalingrad Map

Sometimes the book uses maps that were generated from bits and pieces of information and put in a simpler format.  Southern Stalingrad is one of them.  Major locations are in red.  Distances between various locations are described in the accompanying text so the reader can get a good feel for the magnitude of the city.

Southern Stalingrad Map2015-09-08T15:34:23-05:00

Stalingrad Situation Map for August 16, 1942

Situation Map for August 16, 1942

The book uses many daily situation maps to show where the German divisions and corps were located.  This is one of the Lage Ost maps from the National Archives, where they are in photo format – the originals having been returned to Germany.  The maps were initially prepared by the German Army High Command (Oberkommando des Heeres [OKH]).  They were first printed by the Mapping and Survey Branch; the OKH Operations Branch then annotated then to indicate specific headquarters and unit locations.  New maps were prepared daily.

The good news is that for many of these maps, you do not have to go to Washington DC and the Archives.  Researcher John Calvin (WWII Aerial Photos and Maps) has put many on his own web site, as well as thousands of photos and other maps.

Stalingrad Situation Map for August 16, 19422015-09-08T15:36:35-05:00

Captured German Generals at Stalingrad

Captured German Generals

This and another similar photo came from Russia.  It is probably from very early in February 1943, as many men appear to be in shock at what is happening.  (Left, with peaked cap and monocle, facing right) is Generalleutnant Carl Rodenburg of the 76th Infantry Division; he was released from captivity on January 10, 1955.  (Center left, with “crusher” hat, facing left) is Generalmajor Martin Lattmann of the 14th Panzer Division; he was released from captivity in 1948.  (Center, in mountain cap) is Generalleutnant Werner Sanne of the 100th Jäger Division.  (Right, with crusher hat, facing left) is Generaloberst Karl Strecker of the XI Corps.  Many German generals, captured at Stalingrad, later agreed to assist the Soviets by renouncing the National Socialist régime in Germany.

Captured German Generals at Stalingrad2015-09-08T15:39:20-05:00

German “X” Squad at Stalingrad

German “X” Squad

The base photo is that of an infantry squad just west of Stalingrad in October 1942.  Their unit is preparing to move into the city, probably for the first time.  I have added the red Xs to the photo, indicating that in the aggregate, nine of every ten men going into Stalingrad would become casualties of one sort or another.

German “X” Squad at Stalingrad2015-09-08T15:40:09-05:00

German Squad Leader Whistle found at Stalingrad

German Squad Leader Whistle found at Stalingrad

In the din of battle, signals could be heard much easier from a whistle than by voice.  Two blasts from a whistle for a combat engineer squad might signal to get up and quickly move forward ten meters.  Today, many militaries think of command and control as sophisticated computers, but for the infantryman on the ground, life and death can be determined by understanding quickly what your squad leader wants you to do.

German Squad Leader Whistle found at Stalingrad2015-09-08T15:42:09-05:00

German Infantry Assault Badge from Stalingrad

German Infantry Assault Badge

German Infantry Assault Badge in Silver found after the war in a former German position at Stalingrad.  Anecdotal evidence indicates that some German soldiers at Stalingrad intentionally broke the wreath surrounding the badge to show their private opposition to the campaign.  While this badge is missing part of the wreath at that described location, it is not possible to determine the cause of the damage.

German Infantry Assault Badge from Stalingrad2015-09-08T15:42:45-05:00

Remembrance Card of Soldier Who Died at Stalingrad

Remembrance Card

Jäger Josef Steinbacher was born on December 21, 1923 at Schildorn, near Eberschwang, in Austria.  He was killed in the fighting for Hill 102 at Stalingrad on September 28, 1942, while a member of the 8th Company in the 227th Infantry Regiment of the 100th Jäger Division.  Josef Steinbacher, whose remains were never found for proper burial, is listed in the remembrance book at the German Military Cemetery at Rossoschka.  By showing a remembrance card (Sterbebild) for as many days as possible, we hope to show that while for Germany, perhaps 250 soldiers died on a particular day, for this particular family it was a tragedy beyond compare.  These cards are one type of German World War II relic that are not outrageous in price.

Remembrance Card of Soldier Who Died at Stalingrad2015-09-08T16:00:23-05:00

Friedrich Paulus

Friedrch Paulus before Stalingrad

Friedrich Paulus, Army Field Marshal, was born on September 23, 1890 in Breitenau, Hesse, the son of a school teacher.  His first assignment was with the 111th Infantry Regiment; he fought in France, Macedonia and Serbia from 1914-1918.  After World War I, Paulus was assigned to the 13th Infantry Regiment in Stuttgart, before serving in several General Staff positions in the XVI Corps, the Tenth Army and the Deputy Chief of the German General Staff.

In January 1942, Paulus assumed command of the German Sixth Army and led this formation through the Stalingrad Campaign until 1943, when he and the Sixth Army surrendered.  The winner of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Paulus was captured by the Soviets, remained a prisoner, until released from prison in 1953 and allowed to settle in East Germany.  He died on February 1, 1957 in Dresden.  Friedrich Paulus’ remains were later transferred to Baden-Baden, where he was buried with his wife, whom he last saw in 1942.

Iconic photo of Paulus at surrender of Sixth Army. He is to the right; in the center is the Sixth Army Chief of Staff Arthur Schmidt; to the left is Wilhelm Adam, the Sixth Army Adjutant

Paulus was maligned after the war for his conduct of the Stalingrad fight, especially after Soviet forces had surrounded the Sixth Army in November 1942.  But he was in an untenable position.  The following are some quotations of Friedrich Paulus about Stalingrad that show his emotions during the campaign.

“The Stalingrad battle continues along its stubborn course. Things are going very slowly, but every day we make just a little progress. The whole thing is a question of time and manpower. But we’ll beat the Russians yet!” (October 7, 1942)

“I expect you [to a colonel] to carry out the orders of your superior officers.  In the same manner the Führer, as my superior, can and must expect that I shall obey his orders.” (November 1942)

“Unless I concentrate every available man and inflict a decisive defeat on the enemy advancing from the south and west, my Army will be faced with imminent destruction.” (November 23, 1942)

“I still believe, however, that the Army can hold out for some time.  On the other hand – even if anything like a corridor is cut through to me – it is still not possible to tell whether the daily increasing weakness of the Army, combined with lack of accommodation and wood for constructional and heating purposes, will allow the area around Stalingrad to be held for any length of time.” (November 26, 1942)

“You are talking to dead men.” (January 1943)

“The last horses have been eaten up.” (January 19, 1943)

Paulus later in life in East Germany, where he died

Friedrich Paulus2016-03-28T19:36:24-05:00
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