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The Battle of Stalingrad, between Nazi Germany and fought by the Soviet Unionand German forces, is considered not only the most important in World War II, but one of the most important in military history. The battle proved to be was a decisive victory for the Soviet Union and fundamentally changed altered USSR that turned the course tide of war in the warAllies favor. Germany's defeat at Stalingrad was not only lead to a catastrophic German losses, loss but put the Nazi war machine was Germany on the defensive for he the rest of the war. Stalingrad halted the German invasion of Russia and turned the tide of World War Two in Europe.  Why were the Germans defeated at and how did the Soviet Union manage to win the Battle of Stalingrad and what lead to the Soviet victory? The German army was hobbled by Hitler's micromanaging and tactics, his personal intransigence, and poor German battlefield leadership. The Soviet's benefitted from superior Soviet leadership, numbers, and tactics.  ====Background====In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. It was a surprise attack that violated the Molotov-Ribbentrop treaty signed in 1939 between Germany and the Soviet Union. The agreement was a non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union that was intended to ensure that neither country attacked the other.<ref> Antill, Peter, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1846030285/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1846030285&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5003bb4d6f737c623351c1b4b5e3dd33 Stalingrad 1942]'' (Osprey Publishing, London, 2007), p. 18</ref> Up to one million German soldiers and their allies pushed into the western Soviet Union on the first day of the German invasion. As a result of their tactical surprise, the German army achieved a series of spectacular victories. Despite heroic Soviet resistance, Germany seized much of present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and the Baltic States.<ref> Bellamy, Chris, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375724710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375724710&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=16f371fee7048dbf23fed6056f05d325 Absolute War: Soviet Russia in the Second World War]''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf & Random House.2007), p. 23</ref> The Red army suffered spectacular reverses and sustained massive losses. Hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops were killed and up to a million and a half taken, prisoner. A quarter of a million men surrendered during the German capture of Kiev, alone.<ref>Antill, p. 18</ref>

The Nazi German invasion had been facilitated by the indecisiveness of Stalin who was taken aback by Hitler’s betrayal. He initially refused to believe the reports of a German invasion. The supreme leader of the Soviets possibly suffered a nervous breakdown in the early stages of the Nazi invasion. However, after a period of some time, he helped direct the Soviet counter-attack. By the autumn of 1941, it appeared that Germany’s ''blitzkrieg'' tactics would lead to the defeat of the Red armyArmy. However, winter arrived early that year , and this slowed down the German advance. Russians spoke of ‘General Winter’- who would help them to win the war. <ref>Bellamy, p. 67</ref> The Soviet people were well aware that the severe Russian winters would slow if not halt the German advance, just as it had stopped Napoleon and Charles XII of Sweden, during previous invasions. By December 1941, the German’s vanguard was ‘some fifty miles from Moscow.’<ref>Antill, p. 45</ref>  However, the weather was cold and German soldiers had begun to suffer in the harsh conditions. The Soviet’s used the weather to their advantage. The Soviets stationed huge considerable forces in the east in to defend Siberia from a Japanese invasion. He withdrew them and under General George Zhukov. They were then organized into a strike force aimed at repelling the German advance on Moscow. On December 12th, Zhukov’s army launched a surprise attack on the German frontline and pushed them back with heavy losses some one hundred miles from Moscow.<ref> MacDonald, John. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785830979/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0785830979&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ff12114d460899b1d3d40f8245e19df5 Great Battles of World War II]'' (London, Michael Joseph books, 1986), p. 245</ref> The Soviet Capital had been saved. However, despite the setback, the Germans had a secure hold over much of western Soviet Union and had laid siege to the city of Leningrad.{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}====Stalingrad Campaign====Hitler's General Staff had intended to ‘win the war by Christmas.’ <ref> MacDonald, p, 234</ref> However, despite defeat near Moscow, there was still widespread optimism among the German generals. The German general staff eventually was able to stabilize the German front line and fended off further Soviet attacks during early 1942. Hitler and his generals planned a Spring offensive that they hoped would lead to Stalin suing for peace or unconditional Soviet surrender. The Germans instead of thrusting forward towards the Soviet capital again, decided to launch an attack on the south. The German army led by the sixth army was to advance into the southern Russian Steppe. Hitler and his army had only limited access to oil, and he believed that if his army could occupy the oil fields, then his army could advance possibly into the Middle East. <ref>Antil, p. 115</ref>

==Stalingrad Campaign==Hitler's General Staff had intended to ‘win the war by Christmas.’ <ref> MacDonald, p, 234</ref> However, despite defeat near Moscow, there was still widespread optimism among the German generals. The German general staff eventually was able to stabilize the German front line and fended off further Soviet attacks during early 1942. Hitler and his generals planned a Spring offensive, that they hoped would lead to Stalin suing for peace or for an outright Soviet surrender. The Germans instead of thrusting forward towards the Soviet capital again, decided to launch an attack on the south. The German army led by the sixth army was to advance into the southern Russian Steppe. Hitler and his army had only a limited access to oil and he believed that if his army could occupy the oil fields then his army could advance possibly into the Middle East. <ref>Antil, p. 115</ref> In the late summer of 1942, the Germany army was in engaged in a rapid advance through southern Russia. It was reminiscent of the early days of Barbarossa. The 6th army was apparently invincible , and they defeated a series of Russian divisions and armies. By August, they were on the Volga near the city of Stalingrad. The city (today Volgograd) had been renamed Stalingrad in honor of Stalin, who had seized the city from the White Counter-Revolutionaries in 1920. <ref>Antil, p. 117</ref>

====Hitler’s mistaken tacticsMistakes====

Hitler saw the war in terms of regarding his personal rivalry with Stalin , and he decided to attack the city, because of its symbolic value. However, the original aim of the offensive in Southern Russian was to secure the oil fields in the Caucasus. The oil was essential for the German war machine. Hitler knew this – instead of opting for concentrating all his forces on the conquest of the oil fields, he made perhaps a fateful mistake. He divided his forces. It has long been one of the fundamental beliefs in military strategy that it was reckless to divide one’s forces in enemy territory. However, this is exactly what Hitler did, contrary to all the advice of his Generals.<ref> Beevor, Antony, ''Stalingrad'' (Viking, London, 1998), p. 117</ref> He sent some of the German army south to take the oil fields in the Caucuses and their prime objective was Baku.

Hitler then ordered the 6th Army to advance towards Stalingrad and to take the city, even though it lacked strategic value. Hitler was fixated by the idea knew this – instead of capturing Stalingrad and it became opting for concentrating all his personal obsession. This led him to ignore the reality forces on the ground and his general's advice. His foolishness lead to the destruction conquest of the German 6th armyoil fields, he made perhaps a fateful mistake. Not only had Hitler He divided his forces, but he also allocated too little men and material to the capture of Stalingrad. It was usually accepted at has long been one of the time and since fundamental beliefs in military strategy that an attacking force needs it was reckless to have at least a 3 to one advantage over the defenders divide one’s forces in order to achieve their goalsenemy territory. The Germans However, this is exactly what Hitler did not , contrary to all the necessary numerical advantage over the Sovietsadvice of his Generals.<ref> Beevor, Antony, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140284583/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140284583&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=19c551047636454c9c37c00ac3d62654 Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege: 1942-1943]'' (Viking, London, 1998), p. 119117</ref> This made He sent some of the German armies south to take the oil fields in the 6th army’s prospect of success very uncertainCaucuses and their prime objective was Baku.

Furthermore, Hitler in his obsession then ordered the 6th Army to advance towards Stalingrad and to seize the city meant that he was not fully aware of the situation around take the city, even though it lacked strategic value. For example, German forces had been unable to push back Soviet forces during the series The idea of battles known as the Kolton Operations. This left the Germans exposed on their flanks as they pressed further into the city. Because capturing Stalingrad fixated Hitler divided the German forces, the flank of the 6th army was insufficiently protected.<ref>Beevor, p. 156</ref> Poorly trained Romanian and Italian forces guarded the flanks and many German commanders privately believed that they could not protect their rear from Soviet attackit became his obsession. Hitler’s determination This obsession led him to capture Stalingrad meant that he dispatched ignore the 6th army reality on a mission that was unlikely to achieve its objectives the ground and placed it at great risk. Hitlerhis general's interference hampered advice. This mistake destroyed the German 6th Army's throughout the siege of Stalingradarmy. Not only had Hitler's style of leadership was the complete opposite of Stalin's. The Soviet leader, had reformed the Soviet High Command, the ''Stavka''divided his forces, but he also allocated too little men and granted ‘more autonomy and independence’ material to capable generals such as Zhukhov.<ref> Zhukov, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E., Salisbury, ''Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles'' (New York: Harper & Row, 1969), p. 116</ref> The leader of the Soviet Union had learned lessons from the early days capture of Operation Barbarossa. He let his generals do the fighting and draw up the strategies needed to beat the Germans. <ref>Beevor, p. 178</ref>Stalingrad.

==Battle for It was usually accepted at the City==The Germans launched a massive air assault on the citytime, and since that, under the command of General Paulus. Much of the city was reduced an attacking force needs to rubble. The German’s devoted some of their finest units have at least a 3 to one advantage over the capture of the city, much against senior Generals such as Von Kleist’s wishes, who openly opposed Hitler’s wish defenders to capture the city. In August of 1942, the Germans fought achieve their way into the city, which was at first lightly defendedgoals. The Soviet commander of Germans did not have the Soviet forces was Vasily Chuikov, who was 42 years old and led necessary numerical advantage over the Soviet 62nd Army. He was to prove to be an indomitable fighter and an inspirational leaderSoviets.</ref> Beevor, p. 173119</ref> He organized his army and many This made the 6th army’s prospect of the city's civilians into a formidable defensive forcesuccess very uncertain.

Chuikov and the defenders used the rubble of the city as defensive cover and Furthermore, Hitler in his obsession to slow down the German advance. They also put up a suicidal resistance and fought for every street and building. Soviet snipers decimated the German forces. After three months of fierce fighting, the German’s eventually captured some 90% of seize the city and had reached the Volga. It appeared meant that they were on the verge he was not fully aware of victory. The Soviets had been building up their forces in great secrecy to the north and the south of situation around the city. AmazinglyFor example, German intelligence did not spot forces had been unable to push back Soviet forces during the massive build-up series of Soviet divisions. The Soviet’s under Zhukov attacked the 6th army’s flank battles known as they continued to capture the last remaining pockets of resistance in StalingradKolton Operations. The Soviets deliberately selected those sectors of This left the German’ lines, held by Germans exposed on their allies, such flanks as they pressed further into the Hungarians and city. Because Hitler divided the Romanians. The Soviet High CommandGerman forces, estimated that these units would not fight and would quickly surrender. On the night of the 23rd flank of November, the Red Army attacked and quickly swept passed the Hungarian, Rumanian, and Italian divisions and they began to encircle the 6th army in Stalingrad, just as it was on the verge of seizing the cityinsufficiently protected.<ref> AntilBeevor, p. 135156</ref>Poorly trained Romanian and Italian troops guarded the flanks and many German commanders privately believed that they could not protect their rear from Soviet attack.

==Hitler’s Intransigence== [[File: Hitlerdetermination to capture Stalingrad meant that he dispatched the 6th army on a mission that was unlikely to achieve its objectives and placed it at great risk.jpg|thumbnail|200px|Adolf Hitler]]By 1942, Hitler had been very successful in all his campaigns. He had only experienced defeat at 's interference hampered the 6th Army's throughout the Battle siege of Britain and near MoscowStalingrad. However, on Hitler's style of leadership was the face complete opposite of it, neither defeat Stalin's. The Soviet leader had stopped reformed the German war machine from going on Soviet High Command, the offensive ''Stavka'', and granted ‘more autonomy and from securing more victoriesindependence’ too capable generals such as Zhukhov.<ref> Zhukov, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E., Salisbury, ''[https://www.amazon. Hitlercom/gp/product/0815410980/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0815410980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=557435d4a5b0f047e76ecac237f82afd Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles]'' (New York: Harper & Row, 1969), as commander in chief p. 116</ref> The leader of the army, Soviet Union had great faith in his personal military abilities and as a strategistlearned lessons from the early days of Operation Barbarossa. He believed that he was a military genius let his generals do the fighting and was destined draw up the strategies needed to lead beat the German people to victoryGermans. Central to Hitler’s views on military tactics was that willpower could achieve anything in the battlefield<ref>Beevor, p. 178</ref>

Hitler believed that if German soldiers were well<dh-led and motivated then there was nothing that they could not do, no enemy that they could not defeat. Hitler when he heard that his army was on the point of being encircled at Stalingrad, ordered that the 6th Army should not retreat and he demanded that they fight on with greater zeal. Hitler, while admitting that the situation in Stalingrad was dire, believe that if the German soldiers and their officers had faith in the final victory then they would be victorious. This belief meant that Hitler curbed his officers' ability to respond to the developing situation on the ground.<ref> Victor, George, ''Hitler: Pathology of Evil'' (Washington, DC: Brassey's Inc.2008) p. 208<ad/ref>

====Battle for the City====The Soviet counteroffensive, which was Germans launched a massive air assault on 19th November, from the Kalmyk Steepedcity, in a pincer movement, simultaneously attacked under the Germans from command of General Paulus. Much of the North and outflanked the 6th armycity was reduced to rubble. Eventually, The German’s devoted some of their finest units to the Red Army would come to completely encircle capture of the Germanscity, but this took a week or more to achieve. In this timemuch against senior Generals such as Von Kleist’s wishes, Paulus could have retreated west and towards Von Manstein who was fighting in openly opposed Hitler’s wish to capture the Crimeacity.<ref> AnthillIn August of 1942, p. 156</ref> Before the encirclement was complete, Paulus should have left Stalingrad and ordered a retreat. However, because of Hitler's order to not retreat under any circumstances, Paulus stayed in Stalingrad and he and his army became trapped in Germans fought their way into the city on the 23rd of November, 1942which was at first lightly defended. Over a quarter The Soviet commander of a million Germans had been cut-off in the city on Soviet forces was Vasily Chuikov, who was 42 years old and led the VolgaSoviet 62nd Army. Undoubtedly, Paulus own indecisive character played its part, but Hitler’s orders He was to stand and fight and never prove to concede ground meant that the Germans did not conduct a tactical retreat be an indomitable fighter and avoid the slow death of the 6th army in the winter of 1942-43an inspirational leader.<ref>Beevor, p. 158173</ref>He organized his army and many of the city's civilians into a formidable defensive force.

==Could Chuikov and the 6th army have been saved?==News defenders used the rubble of the encirclement of city as defensive cover and to slow down the German divisions under Paulus was advance. They also put up a severe blow to Hitler suicidal resistance and fought for every street and he ordered an immediate attack to relieve building. Soviet snipers decimated the encircled German forces in Stalingrad. Goering intervened After three months of fierce fighting, the German’s eventually captured some 90% of the city and believed had reached the Volga. It appeared that they were on the verge of victory. The Soviets had been building up their forces in great secrecy to the north and the south of the Luftwaffe or city. Amazingly, German air force could reintelligence did not spot the massive build-supply Paulus’ armyup of Soviet divisions. Goering promised Hitler that he would supply The Soviet’s under Zhukov attacked the 6th army’s flank as they continued to capture the Germans last remaining pockets of resistance in Stalingrad with all that was needed. In The Soviets deliberately selected those sectors of the endGerman’ lines, held by their allies, such as the Luftwaffe’s efforts to supply Hungarians and the besieged forces was completely inadequateRomanians. It has been The Soviet High Command estimated that these units would not fight and would quickly surrender. On the German air force only dropped one-quarter night of the 23rd of November, the material Red Army attacked and quickly swept passed the food that Hungarian, Rumanian, and Italian divisions and they began to encircle the German soldiers needed to fight and survive 6th army in Stalingrad, just as it was on the Russian Steppe during verge of seizing the wintercity.<ref> Antil, p. 135</ref>

The failed Luftwaffe efforts to supply German soldiers caused morale ====Hitler’s Intransigence==== [[File: Hitler.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Adolf Hitler]]By 1942, Hitler had been very successful in all his campaigns. He had only experienced defeat at the city to fallBattle of Britain and near Moscow. Many German officers even argued that they should surrender. During December 19thHowever, on the face of it, neither defeat had stopped the gifted German General Eric von Manstein war machine from going on the offensive and a significant number of German division attempted to reach Stalingradfrom securing more victories. Operation Winter Storm was initially successfulHitler, despite it occurring during the depths of winter. Von Man stein’s forces came within thirty kilometers as commander in chief of the besieged Germansarmy, but Paulus refused to breakout had great faith in his military abilities and link up with the relief forcesas a strategist. He possibly could have saved some of his forcesbelieved that he was a military genius and was destined to lead the German people to victory. However, this would have required him Central to disobey Hitler’s explicit orders. In the end, he refused to do so and the opportunity views on military tactics was lost. If Hitler had allowed his generals more flexibility, then Von Paulus that willpower could have saved some of his divisions from complete annihilation.<ref> Hoyt, Edwin Palmer. ''199 Days: The Battle for Stalingrad'' (New York: A Forge Book, 1999), pachieve anything on the battlefield. 167</ref>

==Stalingrad Consequences?==In February 1943, Von Paulus, surrendered the remaining starving and ragged Hitler believed that if German forces in Stalingrad. Finally, he had defied Hitler’s orders to fight to the last man soldiers were well-led and bullet. The German defeat had been devastating. They had lost half a millionmotivated, either killed or captured. The Germans after the Soviet victory lost a significant amount of territory in the south of Russia.<ref> Hoytthen there was nothing that they could not do, pno enemy that they could not defeat. 211</ref> However, the German Hitler when he heard that his army was far from defeated and in early 1943, Von Manstein inflicted a devastating defeat on the Red Army point of being encircled at Kharkov.<ref> Hoyt, p. 2013</ref> HoweverStalingrad, ordered that the German army had lost its aura of invincibility 6th Army should not retreat and the Soviets believed he demanded that they could defeatfight on with greater zeal. Furthermore, after Stalingrad, many more Germans became critical of Hitler and his policies, this was particular while admitting that the case situation in Stalingrad was dire, believe that if the German military soldiers and there have even been suggestions that after their officers had faith in the debacle final victory, then they would be victorious. This belief meant that Hitler curbed his officers' ability to respond to the German generals conspired to start a mutiny in developing situation on the army and depose Hitlerground.<ref> BeevorVictor, George, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1574882287/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1574882287&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d61400f1302fc7d3b6fbc427e2295674 Hitler: Pathology of Evil]'' (Washington, DC: Brassey's Inc.2008) p. 221208</ref> However, these plots did not succeed.

==Conclusion==Stalingrad The Soviet counteroffensive, which was one of launched on 19th November, from the most important battles Kalmyk Steeped, in WW II if not in entire human history. It was a catastrophic defeat for pincer movement, simultaneously attacked the Germans from the North and outflanked the German 6th army . Eventually, the Red Army would come to encircle the Germans completely, but this took a week or more to achieve. In this time, Paulus could have retreated west and they never recovered from towards Von Manstein who was fighting in the battleCrimea. The defeat was avoidable<ref>Anthill, p. The main reason for 156</ref> Before the defeat encirclement was that complete, Paulus should have left Stalingrad and ordered a retreat.  However, because of Hitler 's order to not retreat under any circumstances, Paulus stayed in Stalingrad, and he and his army became obsessed with trapped in the city on the idea 23rd of capturing November, 1942. Over a quarter of a million Germans had been cut-off in the cityon the Volga. This led him Undoubtedly, Paulus own indecisive character played its part, but Hitler’s orders to ignore his Generals warnings stand and fight and never to make several strategic mistakesconcede ground meant that the Germans did not conduct a tactical retreat and avoid the slow death of the 6th army in the winter of 1942-43.<ref>Beevor, p. The mistakes and errors 158</ref> ====Could the 6th army have been saved?====News of Hitler allowed the Soviets to take advantage encirclement of the situation German divisions under Paulus was a severe blow to encircle Hitler, and annihilate he ordered an entire immediate attack to relieve the encircled forces in Stalingrad. Goering intervened and believed that the Luftwaffe or German 6th air force could re-supply Paulus’ army. The responsibility for Goering promised Hitler that he would supply the cataclysmic defeat Germans in Stalingrad with all that was Hitler'sneeded. FurthermoreIn the end, he compounded his initial errorsthe Luftwaffe’s efforts to supply the besieged forces was utterly inadequate. It has been estimated that the German air force only dropped one-quarter of the material and the food that the German soldiers needed to fight and survive in the Russian Steppe during the winter.  The failed Luftwaffe efforts to supply German soldiers caused morale in the city to fall. Many German officers even argued that they should surrender. During December 19th, by refusing the gifted German General Eric von Manstein and a significant number of German division attempted to allow reach Stalingrad. Operation Winter Storm was initially successful, despite it occurring during the depths of winter.  Von Man stein’s forces came within thirty kilometers of the besieged Germans, but Paulus refused to force a way break out of Stalingrad his General and link up with the relief forces. He possibly could have saved some of the German forceshis troops. However, and mitigated the consequences of this would have required him to disobey Hitler’s mistakesexplicit orders. Hitler’ meddlingIn the end, misguided strategyhe refused to do so, and poor tactics meant that the 6th army opportunity was doomed to defeat at Stalingradlost. If Hitler had allowed his generals more flexibility, then Von Paulus could have saved some of his divisions from complete annihilation.<ref> Hoyt, Edwin Palmer. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312868537/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312868537&linkCode=Referencesas2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=91516cd718a10f8a333413ab02d19515 199 Days: The Battle for Stalingrad]'' (New York: A Forge Book, 1999), p. 167<references/ref>

[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Russian History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:World War Two History]][[Category:European History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]{{Contributors}}====Stalingrad Halted the German Invasion of Russia====<div class="portal" style="'float:right; width:8535%;"'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====

*[[The Nazi triumph: how How did Adolf Hitler become the Fuehrer Dictator and Fuhrer of Germany?]]

In February 1943, Von Paulus surrendered the remaining starving and ragged German forces in Stalingrad. Finally, he had defied Hitler’s orders to fight to the last man and bullet. The German defeat had been devastating. They had lost half a million, either killed or captured. The Germans after the Soviet victory lost a significant amount of territory in the south of Russia.<ref> Hoyt, p. 211</ref> Stalingrad halted Germany's invasion into Russia. Instead of advancing, the German army engaged in a long slow retreat.  However, the German army was far from defeated and in early 1943, Von Manstein inflicted a devastating defeat on the Red Army at Kharkov.<ref> Hoyt, p. 2013</ref> However, the German army had lost its aura of invincibility, and the Soviets believed that they could defeat. Furthermore, after Stalingrad, many more Germans became critical of Hitler and his policies, this was particularly the case in the German military, and there have even been suggestions that after the debacle that the German generals conspired to start a mutiny in the army and depose Hitler.<ref> Beevor, p. 221</ref> However, these plots did not succeed. ====Conclusion====Stalingrad was one of the most important battles in WW II if not in entire human history. It was a catastrophic defeat for the German army, and they never recovered from the battle. The defeat was avoidable. The main reason for the defeat was that Hitler became obsessed with the idea of capturing the city. This irrational behavior led him to ignore his Generals warnings and to make several strategic mistakes. The mistakes and errors of Hitler allowed the Soviets to take advantage of the situation to encircle and annihilate an entire German 6th army. The responsibility for the cataclysmic defeat was Hitler's.  Furthermore, he compounded his initial errors, by refusing to allow Paulus to force a way out of Stalingrad his General could have saved some of the German forces and mitigated the consequences of Hitler’s mistakes. Hitler’ meddling, misguided strategy, and poor tactics meant that the 6th army was doomed to defeat at Stalingrad.{{MediawikiMediaWiki:WWIIAmNative}} ====References====<references/> [[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Russian History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:World War Two History]][[Category:European History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]{{Contributors}}Updated May 7, 2019.