Mosfilm Studios
The Battle of Stalingrad Part l
Screenplay by Nikolai Virta
Directed by Vladimir Petrov
Cinematography by Yuri Yekelchik
Art Direction by Leonide Mamaladze
Assistant Director N. Dostal
Music by Aram Khachaturyan
Sound by Valeri Popov Film edited by K. Moskvina
Camera operators - K. Petrichenko, D. Suvorov
Set decorators - V. Kaliagin, l. Nigmatulin
Make-up artists - A. Andzhan, E. Lomova
Assistant directors - A. Ashkinazi, D. Zalbshtein,
M. Zarzhitskaya, M. Chernova
Assistant camera - P. Satunovsky, V. Masevich
Special effects by - G. Aizenberg, M. Semenov
Animation - L. Bredis Pyrotechnical Effects - V. Likhachev
Special Effects - A. Murashov, l. lagman
Army consultants -
Colonels of the Guards P. Semenov, F. Vorobiov
Army units commanded by Colonel-General Romanovsky
Produced by M. Levin
Narrator - Yuri Levitan
Orchestra of the Ministry of Cinema of the USSR
Music conducted by H. Hamburg
Josef Stalin - Aleksei Dikij
Party leaders and Soviet statesmen: M. Shtraukh, M. Kvarelashvili,
Yu. Tolubeev, M. Derzhavin, A. Kriukov, G. Mushegyan,
N. Ryzhov, V. Soloviov, V. Khokhriakov, N. Dorokhin,
M. Vorobiov, S. Khmelnitsky
Soviet Army Command:
Major General Vasilevsky - Yuri Shumsky
Colonel-General Voronov - V. Merkuryev
Lieutenant-General Rokossovsky - B. Livanov
Colonel-General Yeremenko - N. Kolesnikov
Lieutenant-General Chuikov - N. Simonov
Major General Krylov - V. Orlov
Major General Rodimtsev - S. Brzhevsky
Division Commissar Gurov - N. Plotnikov
Stalin's old friend - B. Dobronravov
Lieutenant of the Guards Kaleganov - B. Smirnov
Sergeant of the Guards Pavlov - L. Kniazev
President Franklin D. Roosevelt - N. Cherkasov
Winston Churchill - V. Stanitsyn Harriman - K. Mikhajlov
Kerr - N. Raevsky American journalist - P. Massalsky
Nazi Army Command:
Adolf Hitler - M. Astangov
Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel - N. Komissarov
Field Marshal Alfred Jodl - B. Svoboda
General Von Paulus - V. Gajdarov Schmidt - V. Vsevolodov
Adam - Ye. Kaluzhsky
1941-1945 Chronicles of The Great Patriotic War
Stalingrad
The greatest battle that humanity has ever known
occurred in the summer of 1942 on a wide expanse of the Soviet land.
It was 1942.
The Soviet Union fought Hitler's gigantic war machine one-on-one.
It's clear.
They are moving towards Stalingrad.
This is the second time that we've had to defend this city from the enemy.
Stalingrad is a major strategic target.
Surrendering Stalingrad would mean losing a crucial advantage.
But retaining Stalingrad would tie the enemy's hands
and threaten its logical support lines.
Absolutely right.
Without a doubt, the seizure of Stalingrad constitutes
the main objective of Germany's strategic plan during this campaign.
We don't know the details of their plan,
but I think that it is more adventurous
than the one for last year's capture of Moscow.
It's standard, standard. They're using a typical tactic:
A powerful force at the front, and a fierce frontal attack.
Well, they can't spook us with that. We've seen that before.
But their flanks are extended.
We should never forget that, Comrade Vasilevsky.
I understand that, Comrade Stalin.
We must constantly watch the enemy's flanks and keep account
of every new German division and the divisions of their allies.
-This is very important. -It will be done, Comrade Stalin.
And so, the defense of Stalingrad.
We have to gain advantage in time and suck the blood out of the enemy.
What has been done to achieve this?
According to your order,
the 63rd Army is advancing to the line at Pavlovsk-Veshenskoe-Serafimovich.
I think that the front line at Kletskoe-Serafimovich
must be reinforced.
-What do we have in the reserves? -The 2 1st Army.
-Send it to this area. -Yes, as you wish.
What's the status on the formation of the 5 7th Army?
It has been initiated, Comrade Stalin.
ln the vicinity of Stalingrad
the General Staff has two navy brigades,
six battalions staffed with cadets from the lnfantry Academy
transferred from the north Caucasus front and one NKVD division.
Yes, Comrade Stalin.
Per your instructions, I prepared an order
for relocating these forces to Stalingrad.
Also, don't promise any reinforcements to our commanders,
even if they beg for them.
And don't take any battalions from the Moscow defense line.
Not one.
As ordered, Comrade Stalin.
-May I take my leave, Comrade? -Yes, dismissed.
ln July of 1942, the enemy used its tank forces
to break the Southwestern Front,
then under the command of Timoshenko.
Using the forces of General Paulus's 6th Army and Hoth's 4th Panzer Army
the enemy seized Millerovo, Kantemirovka,
Moro zovskaya and Bokovskaya.
The 62nd and 64th Army Divisions met the enemy.
Kleist's army group fights near Rostov-on-Don.
Weichs's army vanguard divisions
are facing the Russians on the western shore of the Don River.
General Weichs is too slow in his advance to the east.
I can't see my armies slow down at the Don.
We must be in Stalingrad by July 25th.
Then we must turn northward
and, going up along the Volga, we'll cut Moscow off from the Urals.
And then the center armies will attack Moscow from the west.
With their capital captured, the Soviets will surely quit fighting.
-This is a brilliant plan. -I insist on this deadline.
We must be in Stalingrad by July 25th.
We must take advantage of the current favorable situation.
Especially now, when there is so much argument
about the Second Front.
The Second Front? Jodl, this is nonsense.
The English are not so stupid as to rescue the Bolsheviks.
When we have defeated the Soviets,
Rommel will drive the English out of North Africa once and for all
and will join forces with Kleist by going through the Middle East.
On September 25th, Kleist must seize Baku.
We will cut the British off from lndia
and establish ourselves with both feet on the Eurasian Continent.
We will throw down the gauntlet and challenge America.
You may continue, Field Marshal.
The 6th Army of General Paulus, mein Führer,
will attack with two installments.
Hoth's army will target Kalach.
He will surround the Soviet 62nd Army
and seize the crossings over the Don.
Fighting over the Don began. The bloody battle lasted 20 days.
Soviet troops won the extra time they needed
to fortify Stalingrad's defenses.
Who claimed that the Germans
would cross the Don on the first attempt?
My miscalculation, Mr. President. The press insisted on that.
What does the press know?
The press insisted that we shouldn't help the Russians with weapons,
that the Germans would get a hold of them.
The Russians are fighting like no other army has ever fought.
I saw that.
You know Russia.
What do you think is the best way we can help them?
By invading the Continent, Mr. President.
This does not depend on me.
The British want a cheap victory.
They keep talking about North Africa,
as if North Africa will decide the outcome of the war.
They are fighting 12 divisions under Rommel,
while the Russians are fighting 2 40 divisions.
I think, Mr. President,
that one brigade on the coast of France would mean a lot more
than two armies in Africa.
Eventually, political pressure will make a military operation
on the Continent unavoidable.
I think, Mr. President,
that our estimates of German defenses along the English Channel
are too influenced by German propaganda.
There is one thing I am too old for.
I can't drag Churchill across the Channel kicking and screaming.
Mr. President, with every second we are losing a great opportunity.
I'll say this.
Woe to mankind if we're ever on opposite sides from Russia.
The 62nd Army and the 4th Panzer Army of the Stalingrad Front
retreated to the east bank of the Don.
ln the third week of August,
divisions of Paulus's army crossed the Don.
To the front commander, Colonel-General Yeremenko.
The defense of Stalingrad and the defeat of the enemy
advancing from the west and the south toward Stalingrad
are crucial for the entire Soviet Front.
The High Command orders you not to spare your forces
and not to be afraid of any sacrifices
in order to successfully defend Stalingrad and destroy the enemy.
Stalin.
Vasilevsky.
ln August of 1942, there were talks held in Moscow
between the Generalissimo of the Soviet Union Josef Stalin
and British Prime Minister Churchill.
Mr. Harriman represented the President of the United States.
So we have come to the conclusion,
though it's hard for me to say it. . .
There aren't any nervous people among us, Mr. Prime Minister.
Entering Europe this year is impossible.
Great Britain cannot risk an operation that does not promise a sure success.
ln other words,
the British and American statesmen
renounce the promise they made this spring?
General Montgomery is presently busy preparing our advance in North Africa.
Besides, as you know,
we are planning a major offensive in North Africa
between Algeria and Casablanca.
Your action will not remove a single German division
from the Russian Front.
Not only that.
Our intelligence reports
that divisions of the 8th Italian army are currently approaching the Don.
Divisions from Rommel's African army have also been spotted.
We also intend to invade Sicily.
That front will have more political than military significance.
Compared to an invasion of France,
an invasion of Sicily will not have much military impact.
We are doing everything within our power.
This sort of action does not promise
any positive developments in the future, Mr. Prime Minister.
We have brought you a solemn promise
of the governments of Great Britain and the United States
that the invasion of France will take place.
Only it will happen next year, in 1943.
This invasion must happen now.
You also need it.
All of humanity needs it.
Can you guarantee
that this solemn promise will not be broken like the previous one?
I am sure Mr. Prime Minister will be able to prove once again
that his country cannot spare any people.
Mr. Prime Minister,
the Soviet Union and its army will stop the German advance,
but those who broke their solemn promises
will be responsible for tens of thousands of new victims in Europe.
It's all clear now.
Operations in Africa, Italy. . .
They just want to be the first to reach the Balkans.
They want us to bleed to death, so they can order us around.
They want to use us to reach their goal.
This won't happen.
The Slavs will join us.
They hope that we will give up Stalingrad
and that way lose a good position for advancement.
This won't happen either.
Vyacheslav Mikhailovich, we need to send Malenkov to Stalingrad
as a representative from the State Defense Committee
and to ask Comrade Vasilevsky to go with him.
And to give them a broad range of powers.
Exactly.
The legendary fight for Stalingrad began.
The 62nd Army contained the enemy advance on the outskirts of the city.
On August 23rd at 4 p.m. the vanguard of Paulus's army
advanced to the Volga.
On the same day,
the German command ordered the 4th Air Fleet to attack the city.
Dear Comrades! Dear citizens of Stalingrad!
What forces have the Germans used to break our defense,
Comrade Yeremenko?
The 150th tank motorized infantry division, Comrade Malenkov.
Comrade representative of the State Defense Committee,
here is a telegram from the Staff of the High Command.
"You have enough resources to stop the advance of the enemy.
Strike the enemy using air force from both fronts.
Mobilize armored trains and set them on the Stalingrad rail beltway.
Use lots of smoke to blind the enemy.
Fight the enemy day and night and use all the artillery at hand.
Most importantly, don't panic, don't be afraid of the impudent enemy
and believe in our victory.
Stalin. August 23rd."
Take vengeance!
Comrade Yeremenko, use the regiment of NKVD forces
to defend the tractor factory and go to the front.
It will be done.
Carry out the regrouping of forces as we discussed. Do it quietly.
The situation is dire, but not hopeless.
We are leaving, Alexander Mikhailovich.
lf you need me, I'm at the northern passage.
Mobilize partisans.
Mobilize the communists, Komsomol members and the workers.
We must use all resources to defend the city.
How many tanks do you have at the ready?
Sixty, Comrade Malenkov.
-Do you have machine guns? -1,500 tank machine guns.
-Arm the partisans. -Yes, sir.
Citizens of Stalingrad!
Comrades! We must defend the city!
Comrade Stalin told us not to give in to panic!
Not to give in to the enemy! Keep confidence in our victory!
Many of you have fought here
under the leadership of Comrade Stalin
during the Civil War.
Comrades, we will have to fight for our city.
Fight, and remember, Stalin is not here physically,
but he is always with you!
ln those difficult days, the defenders of Stalingrad
did not let the enemy into the city.
They defended the northern part of the front
until the arrival of the regular Red Army formations.
I report
that the capture of Stalingrad
by the Germans is imminent.
It is impossible
to stop the enemy
using the forces of the 62nd Army.
As of today, September 3rd,
the enemy is three kilometers away
from the city.
Vasilevsky.
To Comrades Malenkov and Vasilevsky.
lf the Northern Army Group does not provide immediate help
then Stalingrad will have to surrender either today or tomorrow.
Order the army commander
to use the forces
to the north and northwest of Stalingrad
to immediately attack the enemy,
and they must come to the rescue of the defenders of Stalingrad.
There can be no delay.
Given the dire circumstances, a delay equals a criminal act.
By September 4th, seven rifle divisions and two tank corps
were positioned at Samofalovka, Shirokoe and Lo znoe.
The 63rd and 2 1st Armies
fought to keep a foothold on the southern bank of the Don.
On September 5th, the Northern Army Group
fiercely counterattacked Paulus's army,
which had broken through the Soviet defense lines.
The 63rd and 2 1st Armies set up defenses
at Rubezhinskaya, Kotovskaya and Belyaevskaya.
Paulus was forced to use 12 of his best divisions
to rebuff the attacks from the north.
Today, on September 12th, the 62nd Army is charged
with the defense of Stalingrad. Stop.
Lieutenant General Vasily lvanovich Chuikov
is hereby appointed army commander. Stop.
Army Council. Stop.
Thank you for entrusting me with this mission.
Comrade Chuikov, the situation in Stalingrad is dire.
But we must defend the city, whatever it takes.
This is Comrade Stalin's order.
I'll either die in Stalingrad or defeat the enemy.
Good.
I trust you.
Comrade Chief of Staff, what is the condition of our forces?
Comrade Commandant, there is not one division at full strength
that we can use against the enemy.
I see.
The army's command center
is under constant enemy fire, Comrade Chuikov.
The front line is but two kilometers away.
This is how it should be, Comrade Gurov.
The command center must be where the army is.
Well, Krylov.
Here is what I think.
lf we start fighting back, they will run us over in no time.
We should attack.
Attack should be our defense tactic from now on.
For every attack of theirs we will respond with a counterattack.
Write this down:
I command the 399th Division. . .
There are only 140 men remaining.
. . .to counterattack the enemy in the direction of Aero City.
One regiment of the Saraev division must counterattack the enemy. . .
War knows both long roads and shortcuts to hell.
The end of our road is known.
All the world knows General Paulus and his army.
You crushed Poland.
You crossed France all the way to Orleans.
I will smash the Russians here, on the Volga.
Telegram from the Führer.
I am being called to Vinnitsa.
Adam, get a plane ready.
General Paulus, you betrayed my hopes.
Today is September 12th,
but the Russians are still in Stalingrad.
Mein Führer.
The Bolsheviks are counterattacking me incessantly.
I cannot use a single division from the Northern Front.
I have not received the promised reinforcements,
but I assure you that--
I don't need your assurances! You must carry out my orders!
When are you going to take Stalingrad?
I will do my very best, mein Führer.
You shall pay with your life
if Stalingrad is not taken by September 20th.
You may go now.
Field Marshal Keitel!
You undermine the most significant tasks of this year!
Here is what's in the cards.
As soon as Stalingrad is ours,
Turkey and Japan will immediately attack the Soviets.
Do you understand now?
Stalingrad will be ours, mein Führer!
On September 13th, Paulus sent his major forces to attack Stalingrad.
Fire!
You must advance!
Don't spare any forces. The Soviets are running out of steam.
Read the daily briefings!
On the left flank of the 425th Regiment,
60 enemy tanks, supported by 20 airplanes,
broke through to Lugovaya street.
The observation post of the regiment commander has been destroyed.
Regiment commander Major Uvarov was killed.
The new regiment commander is Captain Sviridov.
An enemy regiment 50 tanks strong broke our defenses
after an artillery barrage between regiments 218 and 46.
The enemy moves toward the Volga along ravines Dolgy and Krutoy.
It is impossible to stop the enemy with the available forces.
8 1st! 8 1st! This is 95th! Reporting the situation.
50 enemy tanks broke through to Aero City.
Popov's battalion has taken many losses.
There are only 20 men left in the battalion.
It's hard!
It is impossibly hard!
lf Comrade Stalin only knew.
He knows.
Give me the Stalingrad battle report.
Hello. Stalin here.
Give Chuikov the 13th Rodimtsev Guards Division
immediately from the Higher Command reserves.
Chuikov is in big trouble.
Comrade General, the artillery is ready to go.
Good.
-Board the infantry. -Yes, sir.
Prepare to board!
Comrade Captains, we cannot wait for nightfall.
We'll make it.
Comrade General, the first echelon has boarded.
Good. Set sail.
-Board the second echelon. -Yes, sir.
All vessels to hoist anchor!
Yes, sir!
Get ready to leave.
Full steam ahead!
Fire!
What? Understood. I got it, I got it.
No communication with Matveyev's regiment.
A staff officer has come back with a report.
The regiment lost close to 80% of its soldiers.
It has stopped 10 enemy attacks.
But the enemy broke the defense notwithstanding considerable losses
and is now fighting on the western slopes of the Mamayev Heights.
Send the First Battalion to support the 315th Regiment immediately.
The Germans have captured all of the sniper nests
and are bombarding the river crossing.
Distance, 600! Fire!
Comrade Commander!
Commander of the 13th Guards infantry division,
Major General of the Guards Rodimtsev at your command.
So,
Paulus's 6th Army there, and Hoth's 4th Panzer Army here.
Italians and Romanians on the flanks.
What would you think if we did this, Comrade Vasilevsky?
It would mean that the Germans are going to fall into a huge trap.
Yes, a trap for two German armies.
The most important thing is to choose the right moment to attack.
Absolutely right, Comrade Vasilevsky.
lf we rush into things,
we may get pulled into an unfavorable situation,
but we can't delay our attack, either.
Very bold, Comrade Stalin.
Very bold!
I pondered for a long time, Comrade Vasilevsky.
The enemy is on the Volga and in the Caucasus.
We are fighting alone.
Our counterattacks do not reach the desired objective.
We lose entire divisions.
People are dying, Comrade Vasilevsky.
It's very hard.
Difficult.
Some advise one thing, others say another.
Some say that it will be sufficient
to drive the Germans away from Stalingrad.
Others urge us to wait for help from the Allies.
And all of them. . .
. . .demand reinforcements.
No, Comrade Stalin.
The situation is such that we cannot be content with half-measures.
No, no.
We must drive the enemy to his destruction.
I would like to ask you to develop a plan for the operation.
Lock yourself up for a few days, shut off from everything.
-Only this must concern you. -I will do so, Comrade Stalin.
railroad station
Comrade Lieutenant,
the battalion commander is mortally wounded!
There are only 30 men left in the battalion!
The commander ordered you to take charge of the battalion
and fight until the end!
Never retreat!
Tell the commander I take charge of the battalion!
The guards will fight till the end!
Days and nights passed. But the guards endured.
Comrade Lieutenant! Comrade Lieutenant!
Tanks!
There are only twelve of us left in the battalion.
All twelve, come with me!
There were only three left.
Comrade Lieutenant! Comrade Lieutenant!
The Krauts are advancing again.
We must fight until we die.
Comrade Lieutenant,
the Regiment commander is ordered to keep fighting.
An infantry platoon is coming to help.
-Have them come through the cellar. -Yes.
-Be quick about it! -Yes, sir.
Hang on! Help is coming!
Comrade Lieutenant!
That's an order. . .
"I report. The guards did not retreat.
They died like heroes defending Stalin's city
and did not let the enemy in.
Lieutenant Kaliganov."
ls he dead?
Yes, sir, Comrade General.
All of the battalion's soldiers are dead.
What does Leningrad need?
Everything it can get, we receive, Josef Vissarionovich.
Comrade Poskrebyshev.
Please have all those who supply provisions and fuel to Leningrad
come to see me tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.
Oh, yes.
An American journalist sent me these three questions.
Please have a look.
Good day, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich.
Did you look through my answers to the curious American journalist?
What do you think?
Good. Excellent.
The third question is perhaps the most interesting.
Here is my answer to the third question.
"I think that the Soviet ability
to counter the attack of German villains
is no less potent
than the desire of Nazi Germany or any other aggressor state
for global supremacy."
This is not only an answer to a question.
This is also a warning for the future.
-Good night. -Good-bye.
The comrade you wanted to see is here.
It's my old friend, from the Tsaritsyn days.
I will see him at home later.
Please prepare this information
for the meeting of the State Security Committee tomorrow.
Send this marked "urgent."
And please pull these books for tomorrow.
Josef, you are tired.
I'm not the only one.
Don't you worry about me.
Better worry about yourself. I'll last for a hundred years.
Still, you must rest.
Look at the grey hair you've got.
It would be strange if I didn't have any.
You are just as restless as ever.
-It's the nature of my job. -It's your nature.
I found out you came to Moscow from far away,
and I wanted to see you.
I've been watching you all these years.
We discussed your new project recently.
It's a very solid and timely one.
It's very important for us
to begin producing new weapons as soon as possible.
The old guard.
You make me happy.
You make us happy every day.
When are you going to make us happy with a great victory?
All in time.
How do the workers live where you are?
Life is very hard for the people?
Yes. It's a very difficult war.
You know, the people believe in our victory
and will give the army everything it needs.
Yet, the people have one big question.
How long are we going to be on the defensive?
Our defensive strategy, my friend, is a legitimate necessity,
and it will drive the enemy to his defeat.
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
We need to attack in order to defeat the enemy.
Our counterattacks only contain the enemy advance.
Never confuse a counterattack with a counteroffensive.
A well-organized counteroffensive
is a very interesting type of offensive.
Kutuzov knew it well.
He defeated Napoleon's army with a well-organized counteroffensive.
We are preparing a large-scale strategic offensive near Stalingrad.
Why did you choose Stalingrad for a counteroffensive?
That's where all the major German forces are!
That's part of our strategy:
to deliver a decisive blow
where it will have the greatest result.
This blow will lead the Germans to devastation.
Devastation?
But the Germans are not only at Stalingrad.
They are also in Smolensk, near Leningrad and Baku!
They are still very strong.
When Napoleon fought at Borodino, he was very strong.
Listen to what Napoleon was thinking then, as Tolstoy described it.
"When he ran his mind over the whole of this strange Russian campaign
and heard reports of the Russians still holding their ground,
a terrible feeling like a nightmare took possession of him,
and all the unlucky accidents that might destroy him
occurred to his mind.
Yes, it was like a dream
in which a man fancies that a ruffian is coming to attack him,
and raises his arm to strike that ruffian a terrible blow
which he knows should annihilate him,
but then feels that his arm drops powerless and limp like a rag,
and the horror of unavoidable destruction
seizes him in his helplessness."
This is what happens to the almighty.
Kalach
Good. Very good.
Don't you think, Comrade Vasilevsky,
that the Stalingrad Front should be divided into two fronts?
The section from Kletskaya to the Volga River
should be called the Don Front.
And the section from here to the Kolmyk lakes
should be called the Stalingrad Front.
Absolutely right, Comrade Stalin.
Who would you suggest as commander for the Don Front?
The Don Front?
Comrade Rokossovsky.
Why not?
Very well. Rokossovsky.
It's a great idea.
Excuse me.
Please put me through to Comrade Rokossovsky,
the commander of the Bryansk Front.
I've been looking through our Combat manual, Comrade Vasilevsky,
and I suggest that we make certain changes.
When preparing these changes,
I used our experience fighting at Stalingrad.
It seems to me that many things in this combat manual are outdated.
Linear tactics are obsolete.
The commander changes his place in combat.
There is a need for powerful mobile units, and so forth.
Look at this and let me know what you think.
I will, Comrade Stalin.
Good day, Comrade Rokossovsky.
How are the things at the front?
You are saying it's quiet there?
Absolutely quiet?
Maybe you would like to transfer somewhere where it's a bit livelier?
Right now we are splitting the Stalingrad Front into two:
the Stalingrad Front proper that will defend the city
and the Don Front that will have a broader mission.
We propose that you accept command of the Don Front.
Think about it and give us your answer tomorrow.
Good-bye.
I think he will accept.
It will be very good, Comrade Stalin.
We will deploy forces immediately.
Make sure that the troops move only at night.
Forbid the use of radio.
There should be no correspondence regarding the operation.
Not even in code.
It will be done, Comrade Stalin.
And the last thing.
How much time do you need to prepare the operation?
I think a month-and-a-half will be sufficient.
Please don't make it any longer than that.
Let me clarify.
The ability of Hoth and Paulus to advance
will completely diminish in the near future.
Their reserves are almost gone.
It is possible that once the enemy recognizes
how useless it is to advance on Stalingrad
they will decide to change to defensive tactics.
ln that case, the enemy will begin removing forces
from the Stalingrad area.
We cannot allow enemy forces
to escape from the line of our advance.
We'll make sure it doesn't happen, Comrade Stalin.
What if I ask you, Comrade Vasilevsky,
before I approve the plan,
to go to the region of the planned operation?
To inspect our forces there, to see what state they are in,
to prepare the front for arrival of reinforcements
and to confer with commanders?
Yes, a visit would be beneficial.
I will correct the final draft of the plan on location.
I believe that artillery commander, Comrade Voronov, should go with you.
It's absolutely necessary.
lf you don't have any urgent things to do, you could go tomorrow.
I don't have more urgent things to do than this.
I wish you success. Give my regards to the commanders.
-Good-bye. -Good-bye.
October arrived.
The Germans did not break through the defense line
of Chuikov's army.
There were fights for every district, every street and every house.
I received a guideline from Comrade Stalin,
on how to conduct street fights.
We shall act according to this guideline.
Write this down:
"Fighting inside a house should be furious.
Don't linger.
Act quickly, think on your feet."
Forward!
I, Sergeant Yakov Pavlov, from Rodimtsev Guards,
have retaken this Soviet house.
Days passed. . .
Endless attacks did not break the spirit of Sergeant Pavlov's soldiers.
The Germans did not succeed in taking that house.
History gave that house the name of Pavlov's House.
There is a cliff on the Volga
It is covered with moss
From top to bottom
It's been standing like that For a hundred years
Not knowing need or worry
Nothing on it grows
Only the wind freely blows
Only the mighty eagle Made its nest on the cliff
To torment its prey
Lieutenant General Rokossovsky is here, Comrade Stalin.
Show him in.
I'm here on your orders, Comrade Stalin.
Good day, Comrade Rokossovsky.
Did you transfer command of the front?
Yes, it was done, Comrade Stalin.
You are assigned to the Don Front.
You must leave immediately.
It's a difficult time in Stalingrad.
Remember, the city must remain ours.
Attack the enemy every day, do not stop, tie up his reserves,
and divert the enemy from Chuikov's army.
I understand the task, Comrade Stalin.
Please allow me to assume my duties.
Yes. And please call me often.
Do not be upset if I, too, call you once in a while.
Good-bye.
Good luck.
That cliff is still standing
And it keeps all of Stepan's thoughts
And sometimes it shares With the Volga River
The memory of the chief's jolly life
Now we begin to carry out
the final stage of the High Command Strategic Plan.
The strategy is to first destroy enemy flanks.
The main attack will end
with complete encirclement of the enemy's main forces,
that is Paulus's 6th Army and Hoth's 4th Panzer Army.
Army units from the Southwestern and Stalingrad Fronts
will close the encirclement at Kalach.
As for the particular details of the operation,
it was Comrade Stalin's idea
to allow staff members to work them out together
with front commanders on location.
It's been a while since we had a representative
from the general staff in the Stalingrad area.
This summer Zhukov was transferred away
from Stalingrad to the Ukrainian Front.
I suggest we appoint Vasilevsky as staff representative in Stalingrad
for the duration of the operation.
Does anyone disagree?
Then so it will be.
Now,
to carry out the operation in Stalingrad
will require the maximum effort of the entire country.
It is the duty of the home front to prepare everything
for the counteroffensive and the enemy's defeat.
We must call on the workers, the collective farmers
and all the Soviet intelligentsia to work with double energy.
Now, the final question.
When do we begin the counteroffensive?
ln November, Comrade Stalin.
So we'll begin the counteroffensive at Stalingrad in November.
1941-1945 Chronicles of The Great Patriotic War
End of Part l
Mosfilm Studios
The Battle of Stalingrad Part ll
Moscow Film Studios "MOSFILM" 1949
Screenplay by Nikolai Virta
Directed by Vladimir Petrov
Assistant Director N. Dostal
Cinematography by Yuri Yekelchik
Art direction by Leonide Mamaladze
Music by Aram Khachaturyan
Sound by Valeri Popov
Special effects by - G. Aizenberg, M. Semenov
Film edited by K. Moskvina Camera operator - K. Petrichenko
Set decorator - S. Voronkov Make-up by A. Andzhan
Pyrotechnical Effects - V. Likhachev
Produced by Ya. Antselovich
Military consultant - Colonel of the Guards P. Semenov
Army units commanded by Colonel General Galitsky
Orchestra of the Ministry of Cinema of the USSR
Music conducted by H. Hamburg Narrator - Yuri Levitan
Commander in Chief Josef Stalin - Aleksei Dikij
Party leaders and Soviet statesmen - M. Shtraukh, M. Kvarelashvili,
G. Belov, M. Derzhavin, N. Dorokhin, V. Khokhriakov, S. Khmelnitsky
Colonel General Vasilevsky - Yu. Shumsky
Colonel-General Voronov - V. Merkuryev
Lieutenant-General Rokossovsky - B. Livanov
Colonel-General Vatutin - V. Golovin
Major General Yeremenko - N. Kolesnikov
Lieutenant-General Chuikov - N. Simonov
Major General Rodimtsev - S. Brzhevsky
Major General Tolbukhin - V. Stanitsyn
Major General Trufanov - N. Krasnopolsky
Major General Krylov - V. Orlov
Division Commissar Gurov - N. Plotnikov
Colonel Liudnikov - M. Nazvanov
Colonel lvanov - N. Kriuchkov
Colonel Popov - A. Antonov
Commanding officers of the German Wehrmacht
Hitler - M. Astangov Keitel - N. Komissarov
Jodl - B. Svoboda Weichs - N. Rybnikov
Paulus - V. Gajdarov Schmidt - V. Vsevolodov
Adam - N. Nikolaevsky Zeizler - V. Cherniavsky
Goering - M. Garkavi Stanescu - P. Ardjanov
Hoth - R. Plyatt
1941-1945 Chronicles of The Great Patriotic War
Encirclement and defeat of the German forces
at Stalingrad in 1942-1943
ln accordance with the proposed operation plan
of encircling German forces at Stalingrad,
we are completing relocation of additional forces to the area
and are regrouping forces within fronts and armies
to create offensive groups.
Good.
How are things on the Southwestern Front?
Creation of the Southwestern Front
under the command of General Vatutin
is completed, Comrade Stalin.
Per your order, the Southwestern Front
has received reinforcements from the general staff reserves
in addition to the armies transferred from the Don Front.
Four infantry divisions, two tank corps, one cavalry corps,
thirteen artillery regiments, seven army corps and six mortar regiments.
And the Stalingrad Front?
The Stalingrad Front has received one tank brigade
from the general staff reserves. . .
Excuse me.
Stalin.
Today at dawn the Germans introduced a fresh division
supported by 150 tanks.
By the end of the day, they made their way to the tractor plant.
They severed Colonel Gorokhov's group from Chuikov's army.
The tractor plant is lost.
The enemy is striving to reach the Volga
and the Barricades.
The Nazis want to split the 62nd Army in half and destroy it piece by piece.
We cannot let that happen, Comrade Vasilevsky.
Please order Rokossovsky to counterattack immediately.
Here.
And please give Chuikov the 138th Liudnikov division
from the general reserves.
It will be done.
It's a very difficult situation.
Further retreat is impossible, Comrade Vasilevsky.
Stalingrad ties enemy forces down.
Now, when we are getting ready for a decisive advance,
it becomes exceptionally important for us to retain Stalingrad.
Please use the direct line to tell Yeremenko,
the commander in charge of the Stalingrad Front, the following:
I demand that you take all possible measures to defend Stalingrad.
Stalingrad should not fall into enemy hands,
and that any part of Stalingrad which is already in enemy hands
must be liberated.
Stalin.
Send this immediately.
-May I be relieved, Comrade Stalin? -Yes.
Good-bye.
November arrived.
The Germans were pushing to get to the Volga river.
The Germans are here again!
Where?
Between Gorishny and Liudnikov! They are attacking the Barricades!
-What forces do they have? -Up to three divisions with tanks.
Have the divisions of Gorichny and Batiuk
counterattack the enemy in that direction.
The goal is to destroy the enemy who broke into the territories
of the Barricades and of the Red October.
Yes, sir!
Disaster may happen any moment.
Disaster it will be, Comrade Commander.
ln that case, communication with the left bank will be destroyed.
And for a long time.
-ls there ice anywhere? -Already in Saratov, as of yesterday.
Expect it here tomorrow.
I'm going to Liudnikov.
After prolonged heavy fighting,
the Germans made their way to the Volga
and encircled Liudnikov's division.
Here's the line of my front.
There are 200 meters between the 95th Division and me.
These 200 meters were captured by the enemy.
However, while the Germans have captured a cliff on the Volga,
they have not made it yet to the river.
On the left, there is Gorichny in their way,
which keeps this area of the bank under fire.
And here it's us who do not allow them to make it to the river.
Right.
But the situation is still very bad.
We are running out of ammunition.
Tonight armored vessels should take away the wounded
and bring us ammunition and reinforcements.
Yes?
What's going on?
There's ice moving on the Volga, Comrade Chuikov.
It's not solid, but still carries everything with it.
What?
Here we go again.
They are attacking the Barricades again.
The ice on the Volga
has completely disrupted communication with the left bank.
Divisions don't have any ammunition. Reinforcements are not arriving.
The wounded are not being evacuated.
What kinds of measures
have been taken to help the fighters at Stalingrad?
We are doing all we can, Comrade Stalin.
Airplanes are dropping food and ammo.
This is not enough.
Did motorboats try to break through?
They attempt every night, Comrade Stalin.
But the movement of ice has intensified.
Besides, all of the Volga is under constant German machine gun
and mortar fire day and night.
Please let the sailors of the Volga fleet know
that they must break through.
It will be done, Comrade Stalin.
Dear Josef Vissarionovich:
We, the defenders of Stalingrad,
would like to tell you
and, through you, all of the Soviet people
that our morale is high.
Our will is strong.
Our hands are tirelessly fighting the enemy.
We are writing to you
in the middle of the fight
from a high bank
on the great Russian river, the Volga.
We have decided
to fight to our deaths defending Stalingrad.
By sending you this letter from our foxholes, we swear that. . .
I, Major General of the Rodimtsev Guards,
soldiers and officers of divisions. . .
I, Colonel Liudnikov, soldiers and officers. . .
I, Guriev, commander of the Guards Division,
soldiers and officers,
. . .we swear to you, and in the name of our fathers,
the gray-haired heroes of the battle of Tsaritsyn,
we swear to the comrades fighting on other fronts,
to our combat banners,
to all of the Soviet land, we swear
that we will defend Stalingrad
to the last drop of blood,
to the last breath, to the last heart beat,
and will not allow the enemy to come to the Volga.
Motor boats!
They are coming!
And so, we are beginning our advance at Stalingrad.
It's the second one after the Battle of Moscow.
It's an advance of enormous power
and an enormous task that we have to face.
We must achieve a change in the direction of the war,
in the direction of all history.
Your Southwestern Front, Comrade Vatutin,
will deliver the main blow.
Your Don Front, Comrade Rokossovsky,
will deliver a supporting blow.
The Stalingrad Front, Comrade Yeremenko,
will begin the advance one day later.
A message from the Commander in Chief.
The enemy has already experienced the power of the Red Army attacks
at Rostov, Moscow and Tikhvin.
The day is not far off
when the enemy will see the power of the new Red Army's assault.
We will see better times.
November 19
You may begin, Comrade Vasilevsky.
They dropped thousands of tons of metal on us.
They are breaking our defenses.
I cannot believe they prepared the attack so discreetly.
Order the commander of the 14th Tank Corps
to send two tank divisions - 16th and 24th
to the area of a potential main Russian assault.
He cannot take divisions with vehicles.
Chuikov is advancing again.
ln that case,
let tanks go there along with divisions
that are not at the front line.
lmmediately.
Put me through to Colonel-General Weichs.
Staff of Colonel-General Weichs, please.
Colonel-General, please.
Colonel-General Weichs is sleeping, sir.
Paulus speaking.
Wake up the Colonel-General.
What?
What happened?
Sir, the Russians began an advance
in the sector of Veshenskoe-Kletskoe.
From the Soviet News Agency.
Today, on November 19th,
the Red Army began an advance at Stalingrad.
On the home front, Soviet citizens produced more than 1,000 airplanes,
1,140 tanks, 5,629 artillery guns, and 11,400 mortars for the war effort
to pay the enemy back.
Field Marshal Keitel.
The Führer gave permission to transfer the 11th Division
from the Western Front.
Their transport has already begun.
Let Colonel-General Weichs know about it.
And also use the 62nd Division from the reserves
and the 294th Division stationed in the area of Mirov.
I report, Comrade Vasilevsky.
Army formations on the Southwestern Front
broke through the enemy defenses.
The infantry is fighting behind enemy lines.
Our defenses have been broken through.
Give me the map of the location of the Russian army on the Don.
Send a radio message to Colonel-General Vasilevsky
that we've broken through the enemy lines.
Connect me to the command of Weichs's Group B.
Sir, the Russians attacked again, this time on the Don Front.
ln the area of Kletsk and Melokletsk.
Defense lines are broken through along a stretch of 6 kilometers long.
Streicher's Don group is in danger.
It is possible that Paulus may relocate Streicher's corps
to avoid being encircled.
This must not happen.
I would advise moving Streicher's corps to the eastern bank of the Don
in order to avoid a catastrophe.
Send two tank brigades
in order to prevent the retreat of Streicher's Don group.
Russian tanks are going south.
Please put me through
to the commander of the Southwestern Front.
The Commander will speak to you now.
I understand, Comrade Rokossovsky.
The 3rd Cavalry Corps has already set out
to prevent Streicher's retreat.
I don't have any more reserves.
Sir! Russian cavalry is following Streicher's units.
Streicher urgently requests that his units be moved immediately.
The break in our lines is becoming wider.
They may cut us off from our reserves.
lf they introduce mobile units into the break between our lines,
they will crush our forces piece by piece.
Order mobile units to begin carrying out their task.
lntroduce the 4th Tank Corps into the front-line break.
November 20
Schmidt, what's happening in the area of the 6th Romanian Army Corps?
Give me the map!
Put me through to the commander of the Stalingrad Front.
General Tolbukhin reporting.
The 5 7th Army along with the 5 1st Army
broke the line of defense of the 6th Romanian Army Corps.
The 20th, 2nd and 18th Romanian Divisions
are completely annihilated.
Very well, Comrade Tolbukhin.
Carry on the advance.
Extend the break in the enemy line of defense
and prepare mobile units for combat.
Send the 3 7 1st Division against the advancing 5 1st Russian Army.
Give them an additional 70 tanks! lf it's not too late.
It may be.
Put me through to the Staff of the 3 7 1st Division.
Order the 5 1st and the 5 7th Armies to launch their mobile units.
The 4th Mobile Corps got through the break in the enemy defenses.
Very well, Comrade Trufanov.
I'm launching mobile units.
The Russians have launched mobile units.
This is a total disaster.
We must report to the Führer.
It's too early.
Too early.
There is still a chance to liquidate the break in our defenses.
With what?
What?!
I report, Comrade Stalin.
Enemy lines have been broken along several lines of attack.
Our tank, cavalry and mobile units
have entered the breaks in enemy defenses.
The battle is being fought over a large area
and is covering the entire depth of enemy defenses.
We are likely to succeed on all lines of attack.
Do not stop operations even at night.
Follow and destroy the enemy.
November 2 1
The Führer has ordered rebuilding the front line immediately.
Unfortunately, it's impossible, sir.
What?
We must pull together all reserves and launch a massive counterattack.
We are powerless to do anything, sir.
The system of command and control of the troops is paralyzed, sir.
Commanders of the 4th and 13th mobile units must move faster
behind the enemy lines,
while avoiding and blocking enemy points of resistance.
Tell them to destroy the communication lines,
staff buildings and reserves of the retreating enemy.
Yes, sir.
Support the activities of mobile units from the air
with the help of two Luftwaffe Destroyer Divisions.
Luftwaffe intelligence reports.
Streicher's units have begun retreat.
-lnform General Vatutin about this. -Yes, sir.
There is no communication with Streicher's staff.
They are cutting off our reserves. They are behind our lines.
Sir, Russian tanks are three kilometers away.
Where did these tanks come from?
The 14th Tank Division is retreating under Russian attack.
Adam!
My plane.
Order the commander of the 4th Tank Corps
to move more rapidly toward Kalach.
Commander of the vanguard unit of the 4th Tank Corps reporting.
We have destroyed supply lines and the staff office
of a German infantry division.
Per your order, I shall continue to move toward Kalach.
Yes, sir.
Siegfried.
Where's Hoth?
Will you please find out where the hell General Hoth is?
Where's his army?
Siegfried. Siegfried. Siegfried.
There is no communication with the staff of General Hoth.
Then put me through to Colonel-General Weichs.
Put me through to Group B.
General Paulus.
Well?
Sir, I'm in Nizhnecherskaya.
I can no longer withstand the Russian attack.
I don't know where General Hoth or his army is.
I don't know where Streicher is. What should we do?!
Commander of the vanguard unit of the 4th Mobile Corps reporting.
Per your order, we occupied the Karpovka station.
We took prisoners and confiscated material.
I continue to advance on Kalach.
Ask General Vatutin
about the situation in the area of the 4th and the 5th Romanian Corps
with the so-called Raspopinskaya group of armies.
Yes, sir.
Brigade General Stanescu reporting.
The Russians have arrived at the right flank of our units from Southeast.
The 6th and 13th infantry units
are retreating to the village of Raspopinskaya.
Our division is under threat of encirclement.
Comrade Stalin wants to know,
what's going on with the Raspopinskaya group of armies?
Did you wipe them out?
The group of armies consisting of the 4th
and the 5th Romanian Army Corps is encircled, Comrade Vasilevsky.
Good.
Ask General Vatutin to force them to capitulate.
I will carry it out.
The remaining units of Romanian forces have assembled
in the village of Raspopinskaya.
Sir, there is an order to force the Romanians to capitulate.
Begin bombarding the village.
The destiny of our divisions is clear.
We must begin negotiations to end armed struggle.
Where is the third Romanian army?
Communication with the third Romanian army is gone, sir.
I'm asking you, where is the third Romanian army?
Where is it? Where?
We just received the news.
The Commanders of the 5th and the 6th Romanian Divisions,
Generals Lasker and Masarini, have been taken prisoner
along with their officers and 6,000 soldiers.
The Romanians!
I knew it! I warned the Führer!
To the Commander in Chief Comrade Stalin.
I report.
The Raspopinskaya group of armies capitulated.
Also, during the offensive, our forces have destroyed
11 infantry divisions, two tank divisions and one cavalry division.
We have killed 95,000 enemy soldiers
and taken prisoner more than 7 2,000 enemy soldiers and officers.
November 22
Per orders from Colonel-General Weichs, our staff retreated eastward.
All is lost.
Rumors say our forces are retreating to Stalingrad.
Our staff lost communication with the army.
Your army retreated without any resistance.
-Yes, but. . . -We never give up without fighting.
-Where is General Hoth? -He is with General Paulus.
Well, what?
There's no response.
What are we to do?
I don't know.
I could try and take the army out through a narrow corridor
that is not yet occupied by the Russians.
I sent a radio message to the Führer,
but there is still no answer.
Forgive me for bothering you, Comrade Stalin.
We intercepted Paulus's radio message to Hitler.
Do not worry, Comrade Vasilevsky.
First of all, their actions are too late.
You see that yourself.
Besides, the Germans cannot leave Stalingrad.
For them, it's the destiny of the whole Eastern Front,
and perhaps of the entire war.
Carry the operation through with calm.
Kalach
General Paulus can still take his army out of the encirclement
through a narrow path.
He is waiting for your answer, mein Führer.
I command.
In no case shall we leave Stalingrad.
All of the front depends on that.
lf the encirclement is inevitable,
turn it into a fortress and stay there!
November 23
We are flying over Kalach.
It's not clear whose hands it's in.
The battles are around it.
If we let the Russians into Kalach, it will be the end.
We will be fully encircled.
Commander of the vanguard unit of the 4th Tank Corps
of the Southwestern Front.
Commander of the vanguard unit of the 4th Mobile unit
of the Stalingrad Front.
Congratulations, Comrade Colonel.
I am glad to inform you, Comrade Stalin,
that today, on November 23rd,
we completely encircled the German army at Stalingrad.
Vanguard units of the 4th Tank Corps of the Southwestern Front
and vanguard units of the 4th mobile unit of the Stalingrad Front
came together.
Twenty-two German divisions became firmly locked
inside an iron ring of our forces.
Comrade Vasilevsky, you accomplished a colossal task.
I do what I can, Comrade Stalin.
You can do quite a lot.
Hello, Comrade Vatutin.
Congratulations on a brilliant operation.
We acted on your orders, Comrade Stalin.
Order? What orders?
It's easy to send out orders.
Not long ago Hitler addressed his encircled forces with an order.
He demands that under no circumstances
should Stalingrad be left behind.
It's only natural. Paulus holds down six of our armies.
The German command pulls large forces in the area of Tormosin,
Comrade Stalin.
What about Kotelnikovo?
The group of Field Marshal Manstein,
complete with seven divisions, is there.
ln addition, the 23rd Tank Division from the North Caucasus
has been moved there.
They are too hasty to move divisions from the Caucasus.
They have also moved the 17th Tank Division from Bryansk.
Not very clever either.
Does this mean we should expect their advance
at Tormosin and Kotelnikovo?
Yes, Comrade Stalin.
We will act first.
I know what you are thinking, Comrade Vatutin.
You propose a major strike to the south.
Quite right, Comrade Stalin.
I believe this major attack should rather strike in the southeast.
I understand, Comrade Stalin.
Only this can prevent Paulus from getting help from the outside.
When do you propose to begin?
On December 15th or 16th, Comrade Stalin.
Good-bye.
I believe we should entrust Comrade Voronov
with the task of destroying Paulus's forces.
I asked him to be here. He's coming.
You are quite right, Comrade Stalin.
Nikolai Nikolaevich visited there many times recently.
He knows the place and people quite well.
Yes, and besides, artillery will play a major role in this operation.
Colonel-General Voronov is here, Comrade Stalin.
Ask him to come in.
Good day, Comrade Voronov.
We decided to entrust you with the task
of destroying the encircled army of General Paulus.
Our advancing forces are very tired.
Besides, a considerable number of artillery units are lagging behind
and cannot take part in this operation.
Yes, we will need time to bring the artillery where we need it.
It's obvious that no matter how soon we want to be through with Paulus
we cannot begin this operation before January.
I ask you, Comrade Voronov and Comrade Rokossovsky,
to develop a plan for the upcoming operation.
When do you think it could be ready?
Sometime by the end of December, Comrade Stalin.
ln order to carry out this operation successfully and fast,
we must prepare thoroughly.
I agree.
Good-bye. I wish you success.
And now, Comrade Vasilevsky,
let's take a look at what's going on at other fronts.
A powerful attack by the Soviet forces annihilated all attempts
by the German command to free the encircled army.
Soviet forces destroyed the 8th Italian Army, the 3rd Romanian Army,
and Field Marshal Manstein's army group
in the area of Tormosin and Kotelnikovo.
Encircled German armies were now 200 kilometers away from the rest
of the German forces.
Sir, you asked me to prepare materials
for the report to the Führer.
Today our forces are encircled in a territory
no larger than 1,500 square kilometers.
This area is under constant fire from long-range artillery.
Some 80,000 soldiers died in action.
Currently we have about 40,000 sick and wounded soldiers.
We have no winter clothing. Soldier rations have been reduced.
I must add
that some generals are suggesting again, despite the Führer's order,
attempting a breakthrough by using all combat-ready units.
I am the one responsible.
These criminal discussions must end,
or else those involved in them will be court-marshaled.
We have no fewer than 200,000 soldiers, many guns and mortars.
We can and we shall defend our position here.
Paulus's army must be liquidated as soon as possible.
We must release our forces for action on other fronts.
As you can see, Comrade Stalin, the operation is fully planned
based on your idea of splitting Paulus's army into several parts
and destroying each one of them separately.
The operation will involve strikes at intersecting axes
and a gradual reduction of the area occupied by the enemy.
This is the general concept of the operation, Comrade Stalin.
Good.
Comrade Rokossovsky will report in more detail.
Will you allow me, Comrade Stalin?
Please, do.
I will conduct the main attack from west to east
using the Don Front forces.
The general line of action is toward the Gonchar village
and the Red October plant.
The armies of the Stalingrad Front will carry out a supporting attack.
Then the operation is split into three successive stages.
Stage one, to destroy the western and northeastern enemy armies.
Stage two, to destroy enemy forces
at Peschanka, Stalingrad and Gumrak.
Stage three, to liquidate the remaining enemy forces.
Please bear in mind that Paulus has no fewer than 200,000 able soldiers.
He also has the advantage in tanks and airplanes.
We, on the other hand, are much stronger in the artillery department.
Ah, the famous notebook.
I believe you, Comrade Voronov.
Artillery is the God of war.
I believe you.
I will give you the numbers.
Two thousand guns will carry out the artillery preparation.
Besides, we have 3,000 mortars
and a significant number of Guard artillery.
Nikolai Nikolaevich will have some fun.
ln some areas of the front,
there will be as many as 200 guns per square kilometer,
Comrade Stalin.
Well, the home front did an excellent job.
When do you expect to begin the operation?
Approximately at the beginning of January, Comrade Stalin.
Yes, the plan is accepted.
Are there any objections, Comrade Vasilevsky?
I would only suggest
to unite the forces of both the Don and Stalingrad Fronts
under the command of Comrade Rokossovsky.
I agree.
Please give Comrade Rokossovsky the 62nd, 64th and 57th Armies.
It will be done, Comrade Stalin.
Comrade Front Commander!
I accept with joy
your glorious army under my command, Comrade Chuikov.
We fought as hard as we could, Comrade Front Commander.
Yes, it was hard for you.
Now it's all in the past, Comrade Rokossovsky.
And it's all still ahead of us.
So let's talk about what's ahead.
Here's the combat objective for your 62nd Army.
During the general advance,
use the success of other lines of action
to try to meet forces with the 2 1st Army.
You join forces at Mamayev Heights.
By January 7, 1943, the Don Front completed preparation
for the operation in the area of Stalingrad.
The Soviet government does not want unnecessary bloodshed.
We also want to allow Paulus to spare his officers and soldiers
from hunger and frost.
Ask them to surrender.
Send Paulus an ultimatum.
To the commander of the 6th German Army,
Colonel-General Paulus,
or to his deputy, and also to all the officers and soldiers. . .
. . .of the German forces encircled at Stalingrad.
I've read the text of the ultimatum, Comrade Voronov.
We must offer more benefits to the officers
and soldiers of Paulus's army.
More benefits.
We guarantee life and safety to all those who give up resistance
to soldiers and officers.
All prisoners will immediately receive normal food rations.
All the sick, wounded and frost-bitten will receive medical treatment.
Your situation is hopeless and your further resistance is pointless.
There is still no answer from the Führer?
No, sir.
We warn you that if you refuse our offer of capitulation,
you will be responsible for the destruction of the German forces.
They threaten us!
They want to bring us to our knees!
Yes, I'm responsible for the glory of Germany!
Surrender is out of the question! Out of the question!
On January 10, 1943, at 8:05 a.m.
the armies of Rokossovsky began extermination
of the encircled armies of General Paulus.
The enemy suffered massive losses.
On the battlefield, 127 destroyed guns,
about 400 machine guns and more than 80 tanks were found.
Confiscated materiel included 300 guns, 104 tanks,
32 4 mortars, 60 armored trucks, 3,000 automobiles,
ammunition and other military gear.
Rokossovsky speaking.
It's Stalin calling.
I didn't call you sooner on purpose. I didn't want to disturb you.
How are things?
I report, Comrade Stalin.
Despite vicious enemy resistance,
we completed the objective of Operation First Stage.
We broke Paulus's Front.
The western part of German defenses is destroyed.
Well.
Good.
ln order to make the most of the favorable situation,
we will concentrate our efforts on the 2 1st Army.
ln cooperation with the task force of the 64th and the 5 7th Armies,
the 21st Army will complete the encirclement of enemy formations
at Bosargino and Voroponovo.
I remember those places very well.
Voroponovo.
There are many ravines there. It will be difficult for you.
All right.
I agree.
You may begin.
Our forces should retreat to the eastern bank
of the Rassoshka River.
Set up defenses there.
The front line on Rassoshka and Chervlionaya is open from the flanks.
We must immediately send our reserves from Stalingrad there.
Our last reserves?
Yes.
Carry out this order.
There is only one thing left for us,
to fight and to delay the hour of our demise.
The soldiers need moral support.
Publish my order. Adam, write it down.
Soldiers, you know what will become of us if we surrender.
There is only one chance left for us.
To fight until the last round of ammunition.
Let's hope for the moment that will arrive soon.
What will arrive soon?
Death.
On January 23, army formations from the Don Front
broke through another German defense line on the way to Stalingrad.
Today, despite stout resistance,
we gave up our last positions.
We are retreating to Stalingrad.
We are experiencing a crisis with our supply of provisions,
ammunition and fuel.
We do not have positions or buildings anymore.
We are witnessing manifestations of low morale
in which people commit suicide and go insane.
I request, my Führer, to be granted freedom of action
in order to continue to resist while it is still possible
or to surrender in case resistance becomes no longer feasible.
Commander of the 6th Army, Colonel-General Paulus.
There are only 500 meters between us.
We are going to unite forces tomorrow.
They joined forces?
They made it.
They are heroes!
January 30
January 3 1
Congratulations on your promotion to Field Marshal-General.
Thank you.
The Führer is very generous.
What's going on in the city, Schmidt?
Soviet negotiators are outside, sir.
Give up your weapons.
Your weapons.
Mr. Field Marshal,
you are made a prisoner of war by the units of the 64th Soviet Army.
I congratulate the forces of the Don Front
with the successful annihilation of enemy forces at Stalingrad.
Thank you to all soldiers, commanders,
and morale-support officers of the Don Front
for exceptional military accomplishments.
Commander in Chief Stalin.
Berlin
The Battle of Stalingrad
was the point of no return for the German Nazi army.
As it is well-known,
German forces could not regain strength after Stalingrad. Stalin.
1941-1945 Chronicles of the Great Patriotic War
The End