Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
November 19, 1942, became a landmark day in the history of World War II and, undoubtedly, in the history of Russia. On this day, the Soviet counteroffensive at Stalingrad (Operation Uranus) began, changing the course of the war and becoming a symbol of the courage and fortitude of the Soviet people.
By then, the city had endured an unprecedented onslaught of the invaders for four months, leaving not a single building standing. However, by mid-November, the German offensive on Stalingrad began to fizzle out. Having lost approximately 700,000 men, the Nazis needed reinforcements. The Red Army blocked the invaders' path to the positions of Friedrich Paulus's 6th Army, which increasingly looked doomed, despite being considered the strongest of the German field armies.
And the time has come for the long-awaited counteroffensive.
Preparing for Operation Uranus
Discussions on the offensive plan for Operation Uranus began as early as September 1942. The plan was to encircle and isolate the German group operating in the city area from the main Wehrmacht forces. Troops from three fronts were to overcome the German defenses and fight their way 120-140 kilometers in the north and 100 kilometers in the south. Having accomplished their objectives, they would rendezvous and encircle Paulus's army.
The primary focus was on artillery preparation. The operation was to involve 20,000 guns and mortars. The artillery strike was expected to be unprecedented. The areas where the artillery would be deployed were prepared in advance. The soldiers had reserves of dry rations, fuel, and ammunition. By the start of the operation, the units had received thousands of ammunition kits.
The beginning of the counteroffensive
On November 19, 1942, at 7:30 a.m., after a powerful 80-minute artillery barrage, Operation Uranus began with a salvo of Katyusha rocket launchers. The initial barrage raked the enemy's defenses to their full depth. Then, for half an hour, the artillery systematically destroyed the defenses. Each battery had a specific mission.
Then began the suppression period: the fire first rained down on the front line, then moved deeper into the German defenses, and then returned to the front line. Tanks and infantry went on the attack. But the artillerymen continued their work. Firing lines were set up every two to three hundred meters, and the artillery fired constantly from them.
On November 23, the Soviet encirclement ring closed, trapping approximately 330,000 enemy soldiers in a cauldron.
From November 24 to 30, the troops of the Stalingrad and Don Fronts, waging fierce battles with the encircled enemy troops, reduced the area occupied by them by half, squeezing them into an area of 70-80 km from west to east and 30-40 km from north to south.
Result of the operation
On January 8, 1943, the Soviet command presented Paulus with an ultimatum to surrender, but Hitler categorically forbade capitulation. Soviet troops then launched an offensive operation to completely defeat the 6th Army. Ultimately, Stalingrad was liberated. The remaining soldiers and officers, led by Paulus, surrendered.
The victory at Stalingrad became a harbinger of the Great Victory, as it marked the beginning of the Red Army's general winter offensive. This event not only bolstered the morale of Soviet soldiers but also gave hope to the entire Soviet people for a swift end to the war.
Preservation of memory
Today, 83 years later, we continue to remember and honor the heroic deeds of those who fought for Stalingrad.
In honor of this memorable date, Volgograd will be renamed Stalingrad for one day today, paying tribute to the resilience and heroism displayed during those difficult times.
The memory of the Battle of Stalingrad is an integral part of our history and serves as a lesson for future generations about the importance of defending our homeland and the values for which it stands.
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