Winter Approaches (November 1941)

Friedrich Paulus

November 1941

From the letters I have been receiving from the fields, the situation is not going very well for us. The weather is of no help and is turning from bad to worse as winter approaches. The Russians seem to have an inexhaustible amount of manpower and every Russian killed is taken over by 3 more. Our supplies are also running dangerously low.

Here are some letters I received from friends in the fields, the situation looks grim.

From Lieut-General Himer

5 October 1941

…The Russians are resisting with unparalleled tenacity. Strong point after strong point has to be captured individually. As often as not, we cannot get them out even with flame-throwers, and we have to blow the whole thing to bits… As soon as we get some reinforcements, we’ll push through the last inch on the map and we’ll be in the Crimea.

From General Rudolf Schmidt

13 November 1941

…Boots are torn to shreds and are a disgrace. Many of the men are going about with their feet wrapped in paper, and there is a great dearth of gloves. As far as winter clothing is concerned, the Quartermaster-General deserves every sing curse that can be hurled at him… This total lack of foresight and care makes even these splendid fellows of ours dispirited and rebellious… Then in the newspapers they read wonderful speeches – “come what may, this winter our brave soldiers need not fear the cold”!...

From Buerker, GSO I, 10 Panzer Division

17 November 1941

…I am worried about this aspect, simply because I realize how hard put to it we shall be in the spring to muster a sufficient number of good Panzer divisions, ready for the next offensive…

I hope it will all go well for my friends out in the fields. Push on my friends!

Heil Hitler

Friedrich Paulus

Counter-offensives. (November 1941)

Zhukov, Moscow

November 30 1941

Heavy losses from our counter offensives and defensive strategy, unpreparedness for combat under winter conditions and the stubborn resistance of the Soviet troops has greatly affected the enemy's combat ability. Up till now, it seemed the Germans had the upper hand. But their inablity to breach our defensive front have allowed us time to consolidate and strategise. The Soviet counter-offensive was born of defensive fighting. Throughout this entire month, we have been defending the advances of the enemy. The weaknesses of the German forces over time have allowed us to consider finally, a full scale counter offensive. The Germans are finally exhausted. They never expected us to hold on for so long, winter has certainly paralysed them. Stalin had to be convinced of the need of a full scale counter-offensive. We have reformed armies and a strengthened and reinforced front, we are about to turn the tables firmly against the Germans, who have begun so terrifyingly successful in all their conquests.

Zhukov, Moscow

Corporal Parkinson Diary: Stalingrad (November 1941)

Great to hear the Ivans have the Nazis trapped at Stalingrad, wherever the hell that is. Seems like Ivan really does know winter. So do we. Wish they would use us in Norway or somewhere; hell why not Russia. We are all sick of training here in bloody Aldershot. Only things we've done so far are lose a force in Hong Kong and let the 2nd Div get chopped to pieces in that fiasco at Dieppe. Are we going to let Ivan do all the fighting? May as well go home then...

Aldershot, 28 November 1941

Is It Over? (November 1941)

Stalin, Moscow
November 22 1941

The situation in the Western Front has reached its peril.22 German divisions have broken into Kiln, north of Moscow. They are within 20 miles of Moscow. I'm not so sure we can hold Moscow now. I telephoned Zhukov and demanded an honest opinion on the matter, a communist opinion. As much as it seems that everything is over, Zhukov states that we will hold Moscow. He has requested for no less than two armies and two hundred tanks. His confidence is what I'm depending on now.

Stalin, Moscow.

We Remind Ourselves of Lenin (November 1941)

Stalin, Moscow

November 12 1941

Holding the traditional celebration of the Moscow Party and workers' organization can only be good for us. I've consulted Zhukov and he is certain that the Germans are in no condition to start any big push within hte next few days. They will be busy regrouping and reinforcing their units. The people need to be reminded that we have been through tougher times before. We have abandoned Kaluga, German tanks are in all of our main approaches to Moscow. Danger to Moscow has been increasing hourly since. Marching past Lenin's tomb will rekindle the remaining sparks of life into these troops. The Germans are and will be in a much worse state. We have allies now unlike the times of 1918, we are fighting for our own freedom. I need to inspire my people for this war. The Germans will not take Moscow. We will make them collapse under the weight of their own crimes. Zhukov has suggested a counter attack plan. This may just turn the tide for us.

Stalin, Moscow

Winter Celebration? (November 1941)

ZHUKOV, Red Square, Moscow

November 7 1941

The winter clearly brought the German offensive to a startling halt. The cold was definitely too much for the Germans to bear. Hitler was losing his forces to the cold. Moscow was already under siege. The Nazis were so close to our city. It was impossible not to think of the worst, that we may have lost this war from the start. Nevertheless, we press on. The defense of the capital had been entrusted to me after all. Our defense organisation have received assistance from civilians that have been mobilized into battalions of homeguards. Other Russians who have seized the opportunity to undermine the Soviet State have been dealt with accordingly.

In the midst of the winter gloom, I sensed a possible turning of the tide. As much as the Germans are suffering from the cold, so are our people. Stalin's idea of for a military parade only embolded the Red Army further. Stalin held it on the eve of the October Revolution. It was an event of great domestic, political and international significance. As for the Red Army, in terms of morale, we were definitely ahead of the Germans. Their winter equipment never arrrived. This could be the start of the end for the Germans.

ZHUKOV, Red Square, Moscow