General Friedrich Paulus
November 1942
From the middle of October, we observed major enemy troop movements to the north of Kletskaya, and we sensed a major offensive about to be launched. Nonetheless we decided that the attacks on Stalingrad should be continued. I notified the Supreme Headquarters of the situation – the weakness of the Stalingrad front and the exposure of the flank.
Finally, on November 19, the Russians launched the offensive they had been preparing for. For the next few days, we were pressed back by the Russians’ attacks. The situation is grave and to make things worse, our supplies were running low. On the 21st of November, we proposed to the Army Group Headquarters for the permission to withdraw to the Don. The proposal was accepted, but on the very same day, we received a direct order from the Army Headquarters that the Sixth Army will hold the Stalingrad-Volga front whatever happens.
Friedrich Paulus
No comments:
Post a Comment