Stalingrad 1942–43 (2): The Fight for the City (Campaign)

**The second in a three-part series examining the Stalingrad campaign, one of the most decisive military operations in World War II, that set the stage for the ultimate defeat of the Third Reich.** In early September 1942, Hitler believed that Stalingrad was about to fall: 6.Armee and 4.Panzer-Armee had reached the outskirts, and they were ordered to conclude the capture of the city as soon as possible. However, this proved easier said than done. On 13 September, the direct German assault was launched on the city on the Volga, already devastated by massive Luftwaffe raids. A protracted urban battle followed amid the ruins. Although hit hard by the initial German offensive, the ruthless and obstinate Red Army was able to hold onto the city through the costly battle of attrition that sacrificed huge amounts of men and materiel. This second volume in the Stalingrad trilogy, written by a foremost expert on the military history of the Eastern Front, brings the fighting in the city to life in full visual detail, including the iconic battles at the Krasny Oktyabr Steel Plant, the Grain Elevator, the Barrikady and STZ factories, the 'Tennis Racquet' and Rynok–Spartanovka. Drawing from sources on both sides, it offers a truly comprehensive account of history's greatest urban battle. The second in a three-part series examining the Stalingrad campaign, one of the most decisive military operations in World War II, that set the stage for the ultimate defeat of the Third Reich. By early September 1942, 6.Armee and 4.Panzer-Armee had reached the outskirts of Stalingrad, and Hitler believed it was about to fall. He ordered for the capture of the city as soon as possible, but this was easier said than done. On 13 September, a direct German assault was launched against the city on the Volga and a protracted urban battle followed amid the ruins, already devastated by massive Luftwaffe raids. Although hit hard by the initial German offensive, a ruthless and obstinate Red Army was able to hold onto the city through a costly battle of attrition that sacrificed huge amounts of men and materiel. This second volume in the Stalingrad trilogy, written by a leading expert on the military history of the Eastern Front, brings the fighting in the city to life in full visual detail, including the iconic battles at the Krasny Oktyabr Steel Plant, the Grain Elevator, the Barrikady and STZ factories, the 'Tennis Racquet' and Rynok–Spartanovka. Drawing from sources on both sides, this book offers a truly comprehensive account of history's greatest urban battle. Cover 1 Contents 3 Origins Of The Campaign 5 Chronology 8 Opposing Commanders 9 Axis 9 Soviet 11 Opposing Forces 13 Axis 13 Soviet 18 Order Of Battle, 1 September 1942 21 Opposing Plans 24 Axis 24 Soviet 26 Terrain And Weather Factors 27 The Battle Of Stalingrad 29 The Battle Begins, 3–12 September 1942 29 6.Armee Advances Into Stalingrad, 13–17 September 1942 37 Slugging It Out, 18–22 September 1942 45 Once More Into The Breach, 23–30 September 1942 52 Autumn Stalemate, 1–11 October 1942 61 Seeking A Decision, 12–30 October 1942 65 Staring Into The Abyss, 1–18 November 1942 80 Analysis 88 The Battlefield Today 92 Further Reading 94 Index 95 Imprint 97