The Stalingrad Cauldron

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The encirclement of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad in November 1942 and its eventual collapse in February 1943 marked a significant defeat for Hitler, with over 100,000 soldiers taken captive. Frank Ellis presents this well-known narrative from the perspective of the German officers and men trapped within the Red Army's encircling forces. This viewpoint vividly illustrates the growing desperation of an army that initially felt confident but soon recognized the hopelessness of their situation. The book features three previously unpublished accounts from German army divisions—the 76th Infantry, the 94th Infantry, and the 16th Panzer—translated for the first time by Ellis. These accounts provide a ground-level perspective of the brutal combat, revealing insights into tactics, weapons, internal conflicts, and the severe impacts of cold and hunger, alongside the soldiers' remarkable sense of duty and the capabilities of their junior leaders. Ellis also examines overlooked aspects of the Stalingrad experience, including sniping, desertion, and the fate of German prisoners. His analysis of the duel between Soviet sniper Vasilii Zaitsev and German Major Konings adds depth to the narrative. Additionally, he discusses Oberst Arthur Boje’s account of his capture and the theme of reconciliation through the works of veterans Kurt Reuber and Vasilii Grossman. Rich in detail, this historical account showcases the resilience and profes