Changes

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. Why were Stalingrad halted the Germans defeated at the Battle German invasion of Stalingrad Russia and what lead to turned the Soviet victory? The German 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 tacticstide of World War Two in Europe.

Why were the Germans defeated and how did the Soviet Union manage to win the Battle of Stalingrad? The German army was hobbled by Hitler's micromanaging and tactics, his intransigence, and poor German battlefield leadership. The Soviet's benefitted from superior Soviet leadership, numbers, and tactics.  ====Background====In June 19401941, 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 agreeement agreement was a non-aggression pact between Nazi 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 BelorussiaBelarus, 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.

==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>

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 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, ''[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. 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 take the city meant that he was not fully aware , even though it lacked strategic value. The idea of the situation around the city. For examplecapturing Stalingrad fixated Hitler, German forces had been unable to push back Soviet forces during the series of battles known as the Kolton Operationsand it became his obsession. This left obsession led him to ignore the Germans exposed reality on their flanks as they pressed further into the cityground and his general's advice. Because Hitler divided This mistake destroyed the German forces, the flank of the 6th army was insufficiently protected.<ref>BeevorNot only had Hitler divided his forces, p. 156</ref> Poorly trained Romanian but he also allocated too little men and Italian forces guarded material to the flanks and many German commanders privately believed that they could not protect their rear from Soviet attackcapture of Stalingrad.

Hitler’s determination to capture Stalingrad meant that he dispatched the 6th army on a mission that It was unlikely to achieve its objectives and placed it usually accepted at great risk. Hitler's interference hampered the 6th Army's throughout the siege of Stalingrad. Hitler's style of leadership was the complete opposite of Stalin's. The Soviet leadertime, had reformed the Soviet High Commandand since that, an attacking force needs to have at least a 3 to one advantage over the ''Stavka'', and granted ‘more autonomy and independence’ defenders to capable generals such as Zhukhov.<ref> Zhukov, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E., Salisbury, ''[https://www.amazon.com/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), pachieve their goals. 116</ref> The leader of Germans did not have the Soviet Union had learned lessons from necessary numerical advantage over the early days of Operation Barbarossa. He let his generals do the fighting and draw up the strategies needed to beat the GermansSoviets. <ref>Beevor, p. 178119</ref>This made the 6th army’s prospect of success very uncertain.

==Battle for the City==The Germans launched a massive air assault on Furthermore, Hitler in his obsession to seize the city, under meant that he was not fully aware of the command of General Paulus. Much of situation around the city was reduced to rubble. The German’s devoted some of their finest units For example, German forces had been unable to push back Soviet forces during the capture series of the city, much against senior Generals such battles known as Von Kleist’s wishes, who openly opposed Hitler’s wish to capture the cityKolton Operations. In August of 1942, This left the Germans fought exposed on their way flanks as they pressed further into the city, which was at first lightly defended. The Soviet commander of Because Hitler divided the Soviet German forces was Vasily Chuikov, who was 42 years old and led the Soviet 62nd Army. He flank of the 6th army was to prove to be an indomitable fighter and an inspirational leaderinsufficiently protected.</ref> Beevor, p. 173156</ref> He organized his army Poorly trained Romanian and Italian troops guarded the flanks and many of the city's civilians into a formidable defensive forceGerman commanders privately believed that they could not protect their rear from Soviet attack.

Chuikov and the defenders used the rubble of the city as defensive cover and Hitler’s determination to slow down capture Stalingrad meant that he dispatched the German advance. They also put up 6th army on a suicidal resistance mission that was unlikely to achieve its objectives and fought for every street and buildingplaced it at great risk. Soviet snipers decimated Hitler's interference hampered the German forces. After three months of fierce fighting, 6th Army's throughout the German’s eventually captured some 90% siege of the city and had reached the VolgaStalingrad. It appeared that they were on Hitler's style of leadership was the verge complete opposite of victoryStalin's. The Soviets Soviet leader had been building up their forces in great secrecy to reformed the north and the south of Soviet High Command, the city. Amazingly''Stavka'', German intelligence did not spot the massive build-up of Soviet divisionsand granted ‘more autonomy and independence’ too capable generals such as Zhukhov. The Soviet’s under <ref> Zhukov attacked the 6th army’s flank as they continued to capture the last remaining pockets of resistance in Stalingrad, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E. The Soviets deliberately selected those sectors of the German’ lines, held by their alliesSalisbury, such as the Hungarians and the Romanians''[https://www.amazon. The Soviet High Commandcom/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), estimated that these units would not fight and would quickly surrenderp. On 116</ref> The leader of the night of Soviet Union had learned lessons from the 23rd early days of November, Operation Barbarossa. He let his generals do the Red Army attacked fighting and quickly swept passed draw up the Hungarian, Rumanian, and Italian divisions and they began strategies needed to encircle the 6th army in Stalingrad, just as it was on the verge of seizing beat the cityGermans.<ref> AntilBeevor, p. 135178</ref>

Hitler believed that if German soldiers were well-led and motivated then there was nothing that they could not do====Battle for the City====The Germans launched a massive air assault on the city, no enemy that they could not defeatunder the command of General Paulus. Hitler when he heard that his army Much of the city was on reduced to rubble. The German’s devoted some of their finest units to the point capture of being encircled at Stalingradthe city, much against senior Generals such as Von Kleist’s wishes, ordered that who openly opposed Hitler’s wish to capture the 6th Army should not retreat and he demanded that they fight on with greater zealcity. HitlerIn August of 1942, while admitting that the situation in Stalingrad Germans fought their way into the city, which was direat first lightly defended. The Soviet commander of the Soviet forces was Vasily Chuikov, believe that if the German soldiers who was 42 years old and their officers had faith in led the final victory then they would be victoriousSoviet 62nd Army. This belief meant that Hitler curbed his officers' ability He was to respond prove to the developing situation on the groundbe an indomitable fighter and an inspirational leader.<ref> VictorBeevor, George, ''[https://wwwp.amazon.com/gp/product/1574882287173</ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1574882287&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d61400f1302fc7d3b6fbc427e2295674 Hitler: Pathology > He organized his army and many of Evil]'' (Washington, DC: Brasseythe city's Inccivilians into a formidable defensive force.2008) p. 208</ref>

The Chuikov and the defenders used the rubble of the city as defensive cover and to slow down the German advance. They also put up a suicidal resistance and fought for every street and building. Soviet counteroffensive, which was launched on 19th November, from snipers decimated the Kalmyk Steeped, in a pincer movementGerman forces. After three months of fierce fighting, simultaneously attacked the Germans from German’s eventually captured some 90% of the North city and outflanked had reached the 6th armyVolga. Eventually, It appeared that they were on the Red Army would come verge of victory. The Soviets had been building up their forces in great secrecy to completely encircle the Germans, but this took a week or more to achieve. In this time, Paulus could have retreated west north and towards Von Manstein who was fighting in the Crimeasouth of the city.<ref>AnthillAmazingly, pGerman intelligence did not spot the massive build-up of Soviet divisions. 156</ref> Before The Soviet’s under Zhukov attacked the 6th army’s flank as they continued to capture the encirclement was complete, Paulus should have left last remaining pockets of resistance in Stalingrad and ordered a retreat. HoweverThe Soviets deliberately selected those sectors of the German’ lines, because of Hitler's order to not retreat under any circumstancesheld by their allies, Paulus stayed in Stalingrad such as the Hungarians and he the Romanians. The Soviet High Command estimated that these units would not fight and his army became trapped in would quickly surrender. On the city on night of the 23rd of November, 1942. Over a quarter of a million Germans had been cut-off in the city on Red Army attacked and quickly swept passed the Volga. UndoubtedlyHungarian, Paulus own indecisive character played its partRumanian, but Hitler’s orders to stand and fight Italian divisions and never they began to concede ground meant that the Germans did not conduct a tactical retreat and avoid the slow death of encircle the 6th army in Stalingrad, just as it was on the winter verge of 1942-43seizing the city.<ref>BeevorAntil, p. 158135</ref>

==Could the 6th army have been saved?==Hitler’s Intransigence==== [[File: Hitler.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Adolf Hitler]]News By 1942, Hitler had been very successful in all his campaigns. He had only experienced defeat at the Battle of Britain and near Moscow. However, on the encirclement face of it, neither defeat had stopped the German divisions under Paulus was a severe blow to Hitler and he ordered an immediate attack to relieve war machine from going on the encircled forces in Stalingrad. Goering intervened offensive and believed that the Luftwaffe or German air force could re-supply Paulus’ armyfrom securing more victories. Goering promised Hitler that he would supply the Germans , as commander in Stalingrad with all that was needed. In chief of the endarmy, the Luftwaffe’s efforts to supply the besieged forces was completely inadequatehad great faith in his military abilities and as a strategist. It has been estimated He believed that the German air force only dropped one-quarter of the material he was a military genius and the food that was destined to lead the German soldiers needed people to fight and survive in the Russian Steppe during victory. Central to Hitler’s views on military tactics was that willpower could achieve anything on the winterbattlefield.

The failed Luftwaffe efforts to supply Hitler believed that if German soldiers caused morale in the city to fall. Many German officers even argued were well-led and motivated, then there was nothing that they could not do, no enemy that they should surrendercould not defeat. During December 19th, Hitler when he heard that his army was on the gifted German General Eric von Manstein and a significant number point of German division attempted to reach being encircled at Stalingrad. Operation Winter Storm was initially successful, despite it occurring during ordered that the depths of winter. Von Man stein’s forces came within thirty kilometers of the besieged Germans, but Paulus refused to breakout 6th Army should not retreat and link up he demanded that they fight on with the relief forcesgreater zeal. He possibly could have saved some of his forces. HoweverHitler, this would have required him to disobey Hitler’s explicit orders. In while admitting that the endsituation in Stalingrad was dire, he refused to do so believe that if the German soldiers and their officers had faith in the opportunity was lostfinal victory, then they would be victorious. If This belief meant that Hitler had allowed curbed his generals more flexibility, then Von Paulus could have saved some of his divisions from complete annihilationofficers' ability to respond to the developing situation on the ground.<ref> HoytVictor, George, Edwin Palmer. ''199 Days[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: The Battle for StalingradPathology of Evil]'' (New YorkWashington, DC: A Forge Book, 1999Brassey's Inc.2008), p. 167208</ref>

==Stalingrad Consequences?==In February 1943The Soviet counteroffensive, Von Pauluswhich was launched on 19th November, surrendered from the remaining starving and ragged German forces Kalmyk Steeped, in Stalingrad. Finallya pincer movement, he had defied Hitler’s orders to fight to simultaneously attacked the Germans from the last man North and bulletoutflanked the 6th army. The German defeat had been devastating. They had lost half a million Eventually, either killed or captured. The Germans after the Soviet victory lost a significant amount of territory in Red Army would come to encircle the south of Russia.<ref> HoytGermans completely, pbut this took a week or more to achieve. 211</ref> HoweverIn this time, the German army was far from defeated Paulus could have retreated west and in early 1943, towards Von Manstein inflicted a devastating defeat on who was fighting in the Red Army at KharkovCrimea.<ref> HoytAnthill, p. 2013156</ref> However, Before the German army had lost its aura of invincibility and the Soviets believed that they could defeat. Furthermoreencirclement was complete, after Paulus should have left Stalingrad, many more Germans became critical of Hitler and his policies, this was particular the case in the German military and there have even been suggestions that after the debacle that the German generals conspired to start ordered a mutiny in the army and depose Hitler.<ref> Beevor, p. 221</ref> However, these plots did not succeedretreat.

==Conclusion==Stalingrad was one However, because of the most important battles Hitler's order to not retreat under any circumstances, Paulus stayed in WW II if not Stalingrad, and he and his army became trapped in entire human history. It was a catastrophic defeat for the German army and they never recovered from city on the battle23rd of November, 1942. The defeat was avoidable. The main reason for the defeat was that Hitler became obsessed with the idea Over a quarter of capturing 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 mistakes. The mistakes concede ground meant that the Germans did not conduct a tactical retreat and errors of Hitler allowed avoid the Soviets to take advantage slow death of the situation to encircle and annihilate an entire German 6th army. The responsibility for in the cataclysmic defeat was Hitler's. Furthermore, he compounded his initial errors, by refusing to allow Paulus to force a way out winter of Stalingrad his General could have saved some of the German forces, and mitigated the consequences of Hitler’s mistakes1942-43. Hitler’ meddling<ref>Beevor, misguided strategy, and poor tactics meant that the 6th army was doomed to defeat at Stalingradp.158</ref>

====Could the 6th army have been saved?====News of the encirclement of the German divisions under Paulus was a severe blow to Hitler, and he ordered an immediate attack to relieve the encircled forces in Stalingrad. Goering intervened and believed that the Luftwaffe or German air force could re-supply Paulus’ army. Goering promised Hitler that he would supply the Germans in Stalingrad with all that was needed. In the end, the 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, the gifted German General Eric von Manstein and a significant number of German division attempted to 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 break out and link up with the relief forces. He possibly could have saved some of his troops. However, this would have required him to disobey Hitler’s explicit orders. In the end, he refused to do so, and the opportunity was lost. 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=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=91516cd718a10f8a333413ab02d19515 199 Days: The Battle for Stalingrad]'' (New York: A Forge Book, 1999), p. 167</ref> ====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====