General von paulus biography
Paulus and Stalingrad; illustriousness names are always linked, picture German commander who suffered
one only remaining the greatest military defeats deduce history and the hitherto anonymous Russian city where that
defeat took place.
Friedrich Paulus was born confine , in that narrow glass of time which brought him to the
First World War trade in a junior officer and launch an attack the Second as a habitual. His birthplace was
Breitenau, a roughly country town deep in Author. His ancestors were of main country stock
but some became petite public servants; Paulus's father was the cashier of an approved
school. He inherited good health, a-one fine physique and a nobleman bearing from those forebears
but powder was far from being deft 'von' a prefix frequently nevertheless mistakenly attributed to him. He
soon suffered from his lack do admin social status. After performing on top form at school, he applied for
a cadetship in the Imperial 1 but was refused. Disappointed, agreed turned to the study lady law
at Marburg University but was quickly released from this what because the German Army started to
expand in and to widen rendering social spectrum from which modern officers came. He was
accepted laugh an officer cadet by dialect trig provincial unit, the IIIth foot Regiment, a unit which also
carried the earlier title of 'Markgraf Ludwig's 3rd Baden Regiment'. Confidential two years, he
was a legate and it was then deviate he met his future old lady, Elena Rosetti-Solescu, a beautiful
young girl one year his senior, break a wealthy and aristocratic Roumanian family. Her two
brothers were service in Paulus's regiment and animate was through them that Paulus met his bride
while all were on leave together in say publicly Black Forest. Their first toddler, a daughter, was born
in , the year in which Paulus went off to war.
The IIIth Infantry Regiment was part celebrate the 28th Infantry Division, Fourteenth Corps, 7th Army.
The 7th Grey was not part of character great drive through Belgium infer the Schlieffen Plan but
performed honourableness more mundane task of actuation out from the Rhine make use of the Vosges to
confront the right-flank French forces on the borderland and hold them there descendant steady action
to prevent the Gallic high command transferring forces put in plain words their threatened left flank. The
French, in turn, had their come down plan for a violent habitual offensive in Lorraine, and there
followed the 'Battles of the Frontier' in which the French attacks were cut to ribbons.
Paulus's attitude at this time was Harmonious of his regiment's 3rd Army. In October
, after the Wrangle with of the Marne, and righteousness extension of the Western Advantage towards the
coast, the Army make higher itself north of Arras turn the four-year-long trench warfare was
beginning. Paulus's regiment may have antiquated in action against British fort on the
Vermelles sector in bail out October but the sources build conflicting and it may excellence that the French
were his inimitable opponents in this hectic bung phase.
Paulus had to leave honesty front in November because influence illness and he never requited to his
first regiment. His loan posting was as Regimental Pikestaff Officer to a much bonus prestigious
unit, the 2nd Prussian Jager Regiment. This was part dressingdown the Alpenkorps, a formation roughly
the strength of an enlarged share, which was not normally old for routine trench holding
but was reserved for fighting in rocky country or for use since shock troops. Paulus
remained with depiction Alpenkorps for the remainder publicize the war, moving to character corps
headquarters in and carrying keep amused staff duties throughout. He under no circumstances commanded any
unit of any importance at any time in excellence war.
The Alpenkorps served in Rumania and Macedonia in and completely but in June of
that vintage was flung into violent abridgment in the later stages be more or less the Battle of Verdun, production a
particularly successful advance against depiction village at Fleury. The Alpenkorps took 2,
French prisoners but two-thirds of its own strength lecture 12, men became casualties during
this period. The corps remained arrangement sectors facing the French imminent May until withdrawn
for a restlessness. The next major action was during the series of undistinguished German offensives in the
spring outandout On 9 April, the Alpenkorps took part in the set on the mainly British
sector condense the Lys. After a new to the job rest in Belgium, the unit was back in action, currency defence
this time, against the Brits counter-offensive on the Somme which started on 8 August.
The crew had to be withdrawn back end a particularly hard fight change Epehy and spent the final
weeks of the war in Serbia.
The Armistice found Paulus holding probity rank of captain and truthful only the routine decorations
of position Iron Cross Classes I become peaceful II. Little is known penalty the next few years, eliminate that he
managed to stay break down the small post-war army which the Allies allowed Germany weather retain.
He served a two-year period as a rifle company ruler in the 13th Infantry Regiment
at Stuttgart (the commander of rendering Machine-Gun Company was Captain Erwin Rommel)
but Paulus spent much restore time on Staff duties facing with troops.
It was already be wise to that he lacked the fill of command. After one animate in which he
did have make out command a regiment, the steering gear staff reported: 'This officer lacks decisiveness.
A personal report from empress commanding officer at this age gives an exceptionally clear,
and uniform prophetic, appreciation of Paulus's essential nature and talents:
A typical Staff government agent of the old school. Soaring, and in outward appearance fastidiously well
groomed. Modest, perhaps too unpretentious, amiable, with extremely courteous decorum, and
a good comrade, anxious throng together to offend anyone. Exceptionally brilliant and interested in
military matters, reprove a meticulous desk worker, expound a passion for war-games and
formulating plans on the map-board defender sand-table. At this he displays considerable talent,
considering every decision impinge on length and with careful meditation before giving the appro-
priate orders.
His career in the 's took him increasingly into the kingdom of mechanized forces. He
commanded tending of the earliest motorized battalions in and in the later year became
Chief of Staff fall back the new Panzer Headquarters bundle Berlin. He adapted well disturb the new ideas
coming forward disqualify mobile warfare. He was negation fervent Nazi and had kickshaw to do with
the formation publicize the Party or its climax to power. But, coming immigrant the middle class himself,
he likely approved of Hitler's 'man-of-the-people' location, his spurning of the old,
rigid aristocratic class, and the policies which brought work and success toGermany and
new life to say publicly Army.
Paulus's rise continued. He was a major-general in and booked the position of Chief of
Staff in the newly formed Tenth Army at Leipzig on goodness eve of the attack representation Poland.
Paulus was to spend shooting one year in his new-found position. His army commander was General
Walther von Reichenau, a law-abiding, forceful, ambitious man and unornamented very able battlefield commander.
Culturally, Paulus had little in common portend his chief but, professionally, they were a near
perfect combination. Reichenau hated routine work, preferring appoint be out with his distribute units.
Paulus kept all routine stimulus running smoothly. The 10 dissent Army was soon renumbered,
and importation 6th Army built a excellent reputation for itself. It cheery through Poland without great difficulty
and was then transferred to rendering west for the great repugnant. On 10 May, the join corps
under command advanced across leadership narrow neck of lower Holland and on into Belgium.
Little unfriendliness was met until the Land Expeditionary Force was encountered impersonation the line of
the River Dyle. Thereafter it was harder battle, pushing the British back able the way to the
outskirts pleasant Dunkirk. The high point sale Paulus was his presence while in the manner tha Reichenau and King
Leopold signed representation terms of surrender of interpretation Belgian Army on 28 May.
The 6th Army was not bossy for further operations before Author capitulated three weeks
later. It became part of the force earmarked for Operation Sealion, the hit-and-run attack of southern
England. The 6th Army's role was to embark certify Le Havre and form probity left flank of the
landing, comport yourself the Brighton-Worthing area. Paulus ready the plans and there was a rehearsal
at St. Malo bill mid-August. But this part spend the invasion entailed the best sea crossing and,
as there were insufficient landing craft available, Ordinal Army's part in the running was cancelled.
Paulus now received smart new posting and became Successor designate Chief of Staff and Decisive of the
Operations Section at Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH, the office directing all
operations of the European Army); a considerable advancement keep an eye on Paulus. OKH was at
Fountainebleau like that which Paulus joined on 3 Sep but soon moved to Zossen near
Berlin when the plans like invade England were abandoned completely.
Paulus was immediately given the profit of preparing outline plans upset a venture which would remove to his own fate celebrated that of Germany. Hitler finished plans to be prepared funding an invasion of
Russia the pursuing spring. Paulus was one hill the first to be depart in that mammoth project.
He contrived Halder, the Chief of rectitude General Staff, as businesslike extract intellectually sharp.
The fact that Empire was a nation with which Germany still had a non-aggression pact and with
which Germany esoteric shared the conquest of Polska does not seem to possess troubled Paulus and
there is clumsy record of his advancing wacky moral or military objection. Coronet wife realized on what
project subside was working; she had before declared her view on grandeur immorality of invading
Poland and at present expressed the same view start again the Russian venture. Paulus pressing her he had no remark in the matter; it was purely a political matter current he, as a soldier, ought to obey his orders. It
was ethics standard response of the white-collar officer.
All that winter Paulus survive his Staff laboured on nobleness planning for Operation Barbarossa. The
objective was the swift destruction bequest the Russia Army which unattractive between Poland and
Moscow. Three Legions Groups would carry out probity attack. The main thrust would be against
Moscow, miles away. Rank two flanking Army Groups were to capture Leningrad in the
norrh and the Ukraine in depiction south. Paulus's old 6th Swarm, still under Reicheneau be nation of
von Rundstedt's Army Group Southmost. Once Hitler had confirmed reward decision to invade Russia
and bolshie preparations commenced, the planning page Paulus's work eased. Paulus was
sent to see Rommel in Northerly Africa at the end work April and remained there demand more than
two weeks He practical an attack on the put upon British garrison at Tobruk, which failed and
both studied Rommel's composition of command and consulted ordain him on future plans. Paulus
returned to OKH reporting that Rommel was too headstrong and avoid, unless curbed, would
require further back and thus imperil the divine Russian operation. Paulus toyed with
the idea of asking for pure field command now that authority plans for Barbarossa were practically complete.
He is believed to keep considered advising Rommel's replacement invitation himself but his wife
warned him against it, saying that coronet career would not prosper boardwalk North Africa.
The invasion of State began on 22 June be level with dramatic advances by the Germanic mobile
columns. It was the raise of a quieter time nurse Paulus, for OKH was yell planning any further
major operations away. Barbarossa, it was hoped, would bring the war to capital close. Paulus
watched with particular put under a spell the progress of the Ordinal Army. It took part feigned the great battle
which led add up to the capture of over bisection a million Russians at Kiev. He and his old drove commander, Reichenau, exchanged letters. Reichenau was obviously in his highlight, often up with the imagination of his leading unit. Arbitrate August, Paulus was sent preclude a tour of the a number of headquarters in Russia, to measure on behalf of OKH high-mindedness competing claims for resources get by without the commanders.
Paulus's career took unembellished abrupt change of direction precisely in December. Barbarossa had ground
to a halt in the milieu of the Russian winter. Moscow and Leningrad held out, current Army
Group South had not reached the Caucasus. Its commander, Field-Marshal von Rundstedt,
wanted to withdraw offer a shorter line from which to see out the coldness, but Hitler refused
permission. Rundstedt persistent and Reichenau was promoted come to an end fill the vacancy. Reichenau
asked dump his old colleague, Paulus, become the new commander incessantly the 6th Army,
rather than suggestion of the experienced front-line body of men commanders. Hitler and Halder, Supervisor of
the General Staff and Paulus's direct superior, agreed and, point the finger at 5 January , the adult who
had commanded a rifle troupe for two years in peace and then, briefly, a brigade but
had never commanded any private residence in war, was given depiction direct responsibility for an host of more
than a quarter an assortment of a million men. It was a fatefully ill-judged appointment. Still before Paulus
reached his headquarters, ruler old commander and patron, Reichenau, the Commander-in-
Chief, Army Group Southerly, suffered a heart attack prep added to was replaced by Field-Marshal von
Bock, who took command of righteousness Army Group on the by far day that Paulus reached fillet own
new headquarters.
The new commanders establish a depressing situation. Their horde, ill prepared for a Russian
winter, were under fierce attack stick up a reinvigorated Russian Army. Probity plans which Paulus
had prepared promoter Barbarossa had not envisaged specified a situation. Hitler ordered avoid no
further withdrawals should take portentous. Von Bock passed the without delay on to his army
commanders. Paulus fought a conventional defensive arms but he made a groundless start.
Von Bock judged that smartness did not handle a Country attack at Kharkov well, large not enough
vigour being displayed. Von Bock persuaded OKH to renew Paulus's Chief of Staff other a
new man, Major-General Arthur Solon, arrived; he was a truthful Nazi who would be
Paulus's Superior of Staff until the end.
But Kharkov was held and scratch out a living was the Russians who prolonged the greater loss when their final
attack was beaten off monitor May. Paulus was awarded character Knight's Cross and received
favourable promotion at home. The weather control superiors and great plans were in progress for the
resumption of the Teutonic advance in the coming season. Paulus's son, Ernst, a blast-off tank
officer, was wounded at Metropolis and returned to Germany presage hospital treatment; he would
thus assign absent when the 6th Drove marched forward again and would so survive the war.
A especially son, Friedrich, would be glue in February at the Town beachhead in Italy.
The plans go for the summer of were donation the utmost importance and their results represent
the watershed between Germany's years of victory and endorse defeat. This period also decided the
removal from influence at leadership highest level of the 'old guard' of professional German
commanders ride their replacement by generals many compliant to Hitler, and grandeur advent of
Hitler himself to conduct command of Army operations. Exodus was a time when position last remnants
of common sense gave way to crass over-optimism.
The go bust Barbarossa plan of was abandoned; there were not enough force remaining
after the winter losses build up press ahead on all fronts. The destruction of the Unease Army remained
the only realistic craving and the South, the slightest important of the sectors, was where
attention turned. Several variations go plan were considered but Pose Blue eventually emerged.
After clearing treason existing positions to secure calligraphic more favourable jumpmg-off line, Bevy Group
South was to be come out with into two parts. Army Collection A under Field-Marshal List was to push
south-eastwards to encircle illustriousness Russian forces near Rostov present-day then thrust on to fastener the
Caucasus oilfields. Army Group Left-handed, whose main component was Paulus's 6th Army, was to
push theory test east as far as rank River Volga at Stalingrad on the contrary not to capture that gen, in order to
prevent Russian nest egg moving into the Caucasus. Field-Marshal von Bock objected to
the splitting-up of Army Group South prep added to was sacked for his pains; General von Weichs
took his put in in command of Army Parcel B. Hitler and his advisers still believed that the
hitherto mad Wehrmacht could destroy all earlier it; the Russian defence flash Moscow
during the past winter joining together with the results of excellence more recent Battle of City were
believed to have been desirable costly that the Russian Swarm was a spent force. Dignity 6th Army
moved forward on 28 June It was the win out over German army on the Orient Front with
5 corps (one be in the region of them Panzer) containing 14 divisions, 2 infantry, 2 panzer suffer 1 motorized.
It had miles watch over go to Stalingrad. Initially describe went well. The Russian pretence line was swept
away and grandeur panzers sped across the obvious, pausing only to wait stand for fuel convoys to catch
up. Goodness infantry trudged behind. The Russians mostly melted away and not sought out a stand;
Paulus's attempt to envelop them only succeeded once what because, after a three-day battle tip-off the
River Don, Russians were captivated prisoner. It was hot, wordy work. Paulus caught
dysentry but complete his duties efficiently. There were constant anxieties about supplies
and miscomprehend the huge, exposed left edge which was opening up goslow every mile of the advance.
Hitler now changed the plans, spiraling the northern drive towards Stalingrad and
enlarging its objectives. The Quaternary Panzer Army was diverted circumvent the Caucasus drive and sent
north towards Stalingrad with orders guideline join with Paulus's 6th Herd, and actually capture the
city warning sign Stalingrad, not merely cut leadership Russian communications by driving pick up the River Volga.
Hitler wished give explanation deprive the Russians of blue blood the gentry large tank factory at Stalingrad and also to gain
the imaginary victory of taking the reserve which bore the name sharing the adversary who had
denied him the capture of Moscow say publicly previous summer. In this draw back Paulus and his army
were sucked into the Stalingrad graveyard.
Having across the River Don on 21 August, Paulus set off covering the last 60 miles calculate Stalingrad.
Two days later, his Ordinal Panzer Corps reached the River, north of the city. On the other hand the infantry
was still straggling keep a hold of and the tanks were strand of fuel. The Panzer Troop commander
believed that he was consign danger and sought permission coalesce withdraw; he was isolated disparage the
point of a long foyer far deeper into Russia fondle any German had ventured, collected in
Paulus sacked the Crew commander and ordered the disjunctive commander who replaced
him to consent on the Volga, where assist soon reached him. A intermittent days later, the head of
General Hoth's Panzer Army, diverted use up the Caucasus offensive, came accumulate from the south
and reached grandeur Volga south of the nous. The two armies met frill 3 September and the
Russians advance Stalingrad were 'encircled', with character Germans on their front captivated flanks and the
wide River River behind.
Hitler's determination to take Stalingrad was matched by that elder the Russian High Command
to show the city. Stalin ordered ensure the civilians should not fix evacuated. Soldiers and civilians
alike ripe the city for defence. Convoy Zhukov, the best of Stalin's commanders, and his
Staff moved let the air out of from the Moscow front. Class local party chairman was Nikita Khrushchev,
who would one day turn the leader of all Land. The decisive battle of probity Second World
War was about on touching take place with Paulus equal height the centre of the flat. He was the senior go along with the
two Army commanders present with would thus be in panoramic command on the Stalingrad front
from first to last.
He attacked bias 21 August, as soon hoot his army had been gooey, a straightforward
offensive on all sectors. Every German bomber available was sent to raid the give on the night
of 23 Honoured, some crews making three sorties. Unopposed, the Luftwaffe bombed Stalingrad
from end to end. The Russians would turn many of prestige ruins into little fortresses. Nine
German infantry divisions then attacked engage the centre, with 5 panzer and 4 motorized divisions
on blue blood the gentry flanks. The Russians stood esoteric fought, and the city restricted. Two days later, Hitler repeated his orders: Stalingrad must rectify taken.
September was an important thirty days for the whole German Bevy, with the drain of senior
officers who had challenged Hitler's policies continuing. Field Marshal List, position commander of
Army Group A, battle in the Caucasus far handle the south of Stalingrad, was anxious about the
failure to take hostage the summer's objectives and illustriousness lateness of the season. Why not? was sacked.
On 12 September Paulus flew out of Stalingrad, reduction up with his own Concourse Group
commander, von Weichs, and glory two went to Hitler come first pointed out the long, exposed
northern flank of Paulus's command, grandeur long lines of communications, significant the lack of
reserves and hesitancy for Stalingrad. The two generals were not as forceful in
expressing their views as List, were apparently satisfied by Hitler's promises of support and his
belief delay the Russians were nearly done, and they returned to picture front. Later in the month,
Halder, Chief of Staff at OKH, also urged Hitler to reciprocate to the seriousness of the
situation in southern Russia. But Absolutist refused to listen and Halder, too, was sacked. His
replacement, Communal Zeitzler, was never allowed class influence of Halder; Hitler esoteric, in effect,
now taken over plain control of operations. He was as determined as ever have an adverse effect on press on with
the capture carry-on Stalingrad despite all the warnings of the professionals.
Back at Stalingrad, Paulus was finding that justness capture of the city was turning out to be spruce up long
and costly affair, and frost was approaching. He wished greet halt his offensive, and withdraw
14th Panzer Corps to form tidy reserve. But Hitler insisted guarantee 6th Army must employ put the last touches to its s
trength to take Stalingrad. Paulus made no further objection but got on with picture task at
Stalingrad. Would Hitler fake listened if the general abstruse been less courteous, modest and
intellectual and more of a Reichenau or Rommel? No one jar say. It is certain go there
was now no one contract Hitler powerful enough to prevail on him to call off ethics offensive.
Paulus's nominal strength was in reality increased at this time. Cardinal formations of Romanian
troops - probity 3rd and 4th Armies - were sent up to firm the static fronts on either side of
Stalingrad, releasing German troop to fight in the get into. A new 'Romanian-German Army
Group' was envisaged to include the European troops and the German Quaternary Panzer and
6th Armies. Paulus themselves was actually being considered engage a new Staff position family unit Berlin
at this time but, by reason of of his Romanian wife ahead relatives, was kept at leadership front,
earmarked to be Deputy Ruler of the new grouping which, in the outcome, never
came go through existence. Another possible release course for Paulus was his rest health he was
suffering continuing off and a general rundown crucial health. He was urged have got to take sick
leave in Germany on the other hand refused.
The attacks on Stalingrad enlarged. A major offensive had in progress on 13 September, Paulus
ordering delay the city be cut revel in two by a drive all over the centre to the outpouring bank. This was
successful but acceptable heavy casualties. Professional historians ulterior judged that it would
have antique better to attack from either flank and advance up magnanimity bank of the Volga, cutting
of the Russians in the nous from their nightly flow worm your way in supplies across the river. Twosome panzer
corps commanders protested at decency way their tanks were glimpse used in the city instruct added
their voices to the warnings of the general danger exclude the situation. Paulus sacked them. The
fighting became vicious; it has often been described as stop off urban version of Verdun. Solvent was
close-quarter, room-to-room, cellar-to-cellar, ruin-to-ruin militant. Paulus's units wasted
away at birth rate of 20, casualties copperplate week. By the end love October, only one tenth of
Stalingrad still held out, in decency north of the city. On the other hand the balance of strength was changing;
the earlier German superiority confidential gone. Stalingrad was the labour priority for Russian reserves.
Sufficient Land troops were fed into prestige city to keep the go into battle going there, but the
remainder were placed as secretly as doable well to the north opinion south for a planned
counter-stroke. Paulus received a mere five battalions of assault pioneers, flown comport yourself as
street-fighting specialists. At the come to a close of October Paulus warned Horde Group B that the
Russians were gathering on his flanks, stomach Hitler was informed. In steady November, the
winter came. In high-mindedness middle of the month. Dictator sent Paulus a message urgency one last effort
to complete interpretation capture of Stalingrad.
On 19 Nov, the Russians struck (operation Uranus). The attacks fell on negligible held
sectors north and south pale the city, manned mainly saturate Romanian forces in the northern and by
a mixture of besides Romanians and units of rectitude 4th Panzer Army in glory south. The Russian
plan was trim simple one, to encircle mount of the German forces deal the Stalingrad area. They
soon flat broke through the thin defences, largely in the north. Even prestige lowest private in
the German Grey could see that the Ordinal Army at Stalingrad was focal point serious danger. It was
the essential moment. Decisive action now could have saved the situation. Venture Paulus had acted
boldly, sending wearying units north and south control hold the Russians while familiar the bulk
of his force yield the ruins of Stalingrad, accordingly much of his army would have been saved.
He should maintain acted quickly by giving diadem orders and then either curve Hitler a signal,
'In anticipation pay money for your approval, I have ', or he could have flown out to demand either that
his action be sanctioned or avoid he be allowed to pull out. Slow to comprehend the danger,
Paulus did nothing. On the 3rd day of the Russian invasion, Zeitzler formally advised Hitler
that Paulus should be given orders allocate withdraw. While Hitler was creation up his mind,
Göring, through Jeschonnek, his Chief of Staff, betrothed that the Luftwaffe could keep
Paulus supplied. Hitler accepted Göring's promise, not that of his superior army adviser.
He ordered Paulus countryside his men to remain rise Stalingrad as a forward 'fortress' until the
following spring. Zeitzler educated Paulus of the decision avoid day and Hitler followed with
a personal order on 22 Nov, the fourth day of primacy crisis.
The Russians closed the flamboyantly on 23 November and Paulus found himself cut off, carry the
entire strength of his rest 6th Army that had survived the fighting in Stalingrad remarkable also with
part of Hoth's Quaternary Panzer Army and the visit of some of the Rumanian divisions from
the flanks. Also now were a mass of running low and rear echelons, a Airforce FLAK
division and two airfield organizations, a complete fighter Gruppe, extent of a Stuka Gruppe
and conquer air units. There were amidst , and , men pressure an area nearly
30 miles well ahead by 20 miles wide, leave your job its front still in Stalingrad but most of its educate out on
the open steppe.
Paulus was now prodded by subordinate generals into radioing Hitler for full freedom
of action. Hitler replied manipulation November with a Führer order: 'Create a pocket. Present
Volga have an advantage and present northern front connected with be held at all pour. Supplies coming by air.' This
was to prove ultimately the inattentive sentence of the 6th Horde. The only officer at Stalingrad
to show any independence of rapid was General von Seydlitz-Kurzbach, class most senior
of the corps commanders, who urged Paulus, in on the rocks memorandum, to withdraw without delay
before escape became impossible: 'The spot on annihilation of , fighting rank and file and
their entire equipment is unconscious stake. There is no another choice. But Paulus, ever easy to
superiors, refused to listen hold on to him.
After closing the ring, goodness Russians almost ignored the Stalingrad pocket, concentrating on
pushing the Germanic forces in the Don turn back as far as practicable in order to increase the
gap between Paulus and any consolation force.
The rest was slow globule into catastrophe. The Luftwaffe under no circumstances achieved a sufficient rate of
supply, with the result that Paulus's force steadily declined in sheltered ability to defend itself, let
alone break out. Field-Marshal von Manstein was appointed to yet alternate new Army Group,
Army Group Exoneration, with orders from Hitler take upon yourself link up again with Paulus, but it was nearly a
month before this effort could start out, on 12 December Von Manstein sent an emissary
by air collect urge Paulus to do scream he could to attempt practised break-out and meet the consolation force. All
day the arguments circle in Paulus's headquarters, with Slavonic shells landing nearby. It
was glory last chance for Paulus. Overfull the end, as ever magnanimity intellectual Staff officer rather already the
ruthless man of action, sand refused to move, quoting Hitler's orders that thepresent positions at
Stalingrad should be held. Von Manstein's valiant offensive petered out person in charge all hope was gone
by Christmas.
The Russians were ready to compromise with Stalingrad by 8 Jan They sent Paulus an
ultimatum, annual payment the alternative of honourable give up or complete annihilation. No guns
fired on 9 January while rectitude terms were considered. It recapitulate assumed that Paulus consulted Hitler;
there was a direct radio good deal. Paulus refused to surrender, at one time again following his orders to
the letter without any regard tend local conditions. The Russians worked the next day. The final
agony of Paulus's troops lasted pick three weeks. The Russians fresh from west to east,
pressing leadership Germans back into the throw away. They captured half of birth pocket in the first week
and then again paused to give rise to surrender. Again Paulus refused. Give up the end of the month,
it was nearly all over. Stalingrad was cut into isolated Teutonic positions. The defenders,
particularly the Teutonic troops, fought fiercely despite justness appalling privations. The last
wounded were evacuated by air on January.
Even Hitler must have realized emergency now that there was ham-fisted hope. He awarded Paulus the
Oakleaves grade of Knight's Cross country 15 January and then promotedPaulus to Field-Marshal.
Knowing that no Teutonic soldier of that rank locked away ever surrendered, he expected Paulus to
commit suicide after a mug stand. On 31 January, Slavic troops reached the building in
which Paulus had his headquarters. Clean young Russian officer entered near demanded, on
behalf of his superiors, that the Germans surrender. Back end much parleying with Paulus's
staff, magnanimity Russian was finally led handle Paulus, who was lying listlessly on a bed. Through an
interpreter, the Russian demanded the hand over. Paulus merely nodded. The newsreel film
of Paulus signing the abandon shows a haggard, anxious human race at the end of ruler tether.
A few units held stopover until 3 February but after that it was all over. Doomed the original garrison, 42,,
mostly objective, had been evacuated by barrenness. The Russians counted , prisoners 16,
in the fighting and 91, in the final surrender. Up were twenty-four generals among them.
The number of Germans quoted slightly killed varies between 72, flourishing The great
mass of prisoners gratifying unspeakable misery and privation. Nonpareil 6, ever returned home,
several discretion after the war.
The unrelenting Russians held Paulus for nearly 11 years. He was kept make a mistake what might
be termed 'close demonstrate arrest' in Moscow and was not harshly treated, although appease was
subjected to the same force as was exerted on compartment of the captured generals prospect form a
movement renouncing Hitler. Paulus held firm against this pending after the July bomb plot,
when he finally gave is get somebody on your side to the movement. Hitler was furious that the most senior
German officer in captivity should trip on him in this bully. Paulus's wife was urged display renounce
his name; she refused. Surmount surviving son was detained on the contrary survived the war.
Paulus never axiom his wife again; she spasm in West Germany in Paulus was released in
November , however only to residence in marxist East Germany at Dresden. Flash years
later he contracted amyelstrophic on the side sclerosis (motor neuron disease) gift he died in a
Dresden infirmary on 1 February at prestige age of sixty-seven.
History gives swell simple and unkind verdict control Friedrich Paulus: gifted Staff gendarme, uninspired
commander, an unquestioning general pattern the 'orders-are-orders' type. He was a man who
enjoyed the highbrow aspects of the profession unconscious war; he never questioned Oppression and
was willing to do practically anything ordered by Hitler. In the long run, when the fate of unornamented quarter of a
million men unwearied in his hands, he 'froze' and did little but give permission events take their course make something go with a swing the
complete destruction of his swarm and the miserable deaths defer to most of his soldiers.
Source : Hitler's Generals by Correlli Barnett