The Lighthouse of Stalingrad

More about the book

A thrilling and detailed account of the epic siege during one of World War II’s most significant battles, this work by Iain MacGregor explores the Battle for Stalingrad, fought in September 1942. This decisive conflict resulted in over two million combatants killed, wounded, or captured, making it the bloodiest battle in history. The war claimed twenty-seven million Russian lives, including sixteen million civilians. Elite German and Russian troops engaged in brutal house-to-house fighting, with the struggle focused on a key strategic building known as “The Lighthouse,” located just meters from the River Volga. A small group of Soviet soldiers managed to hold off an entire German division for over one hundred days, altering the course of the battle. The Red Army ultimately surrounded and destroyed Hitler’s 6th Army, which had previously conquered multiple European nations. Amidst the devastation, the city's inhabitants faced starvation during the harsh winter. The soldiers defending the Lighthouse became national heroes, but the true events remained largely hidden—until now. Utilizing newly discovered firsthand testimonies and an unpublished memoir of a German commander, this account sheds fresh light on a pivotal moment in WWII that established Soviet dominance and foreshadowed Hitler’s eventual defeat in Berlin. MacGregor’s meticulously researched narrative brings this battle to life, making it a must-read for history enthus