Stalingrad
1943 · Stalingrad, Soviet Union · World · Modern
The Soviet counteroffensive, Operation Uranus, encircled the enemy, and Paulus surrendered with his entire army.
Belligerents
Soviet Union
- Commanders
- Zhukov, Chuikov
- Strength
- Hundreds of thousands of defenders + counteroffensive fronts
Germany
- Commanders
- Paullus
- Strength
- Sixth Army, about 300,000
Background
The Germans closed in on the industrial city on the Volga, and both sides fought savage street battles.
Course of the battle
- Street fightingThe Germans stormed the city, while Soviet troops held the riverbank house by house.
- EncirclementSoviet pincers struck from north and south to close the ring around the Germans.
- AnnihilationCut off from food and freezing, the encircled Germans surrendered with Paulus.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1943 |
|---|---|
| Place | Stalingrad, Soviet Union |
| Result | The Soviet counteroffensive, Operation Uranus, encircled the enemy, and Paulus surrendered with his entire army. |
| Winner | Soviet Union |
| Casualties | The Axis lost about 800,000-plus killed, wounded or captured; Soviet casualties exceeded 1 million. |
| Territorial change | The strategic initiative on the Eastern Front passed to the Soviet Union, and the Germans went from attack to defense. |
Impact
The fundamental turning point of the European theater of World War II.
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