THIRD PARAGRAPH

The Blitzkrieg offensive tactics which were, “originally startling and bewildering to their opponents, had now become inflexible and predictable” , and this was clear at the Battle of Stalingrad which many historians believe to be, “the most crucial turning point in the Second World War” , and the event which sparked the rapid downfall of the Wehrmacht. It was the battle which highlighted Hitler’s leadership faults and his unrealistic views towards the war and Germany’s situation. The Wehrmacht entered Stalingrad in late August 1942 and conquered the majority of it within weeks, and, at this stage of the battle, Hitler was confident, and stated to an assembly of war veterans in November of that year that, “I prefer to reach my objectives by limited assaults. Time is of no importance” . However Zhukov, commander of the Soviet Red Army, had been building up forces to the north and south of the city preparing to attack the Germans at their weakest points. On 22 November 1942, Zhukov had completely encircled the German troops as well as, “decimat[ing] a whole Italian army” , and for the first time Hitler and his army, “had been completely outmanoeuvred by the superior tactics of the enemy” . By January 1943, it was clear that the Battle of Stalingrad was lost for the Germans with the Commander of the German Sixth Army, von Paulus, stating on the tenth anniversary of Hitler coming into power on 30 January that the, “collapse could not be delayed” . Hitler’s idealistic views are exposed when he promoted von Paulus to field marshal, with the belief that, “no German soldier of that rank had ever been taken prisoner” , and ordered the Sixth Army to not retreat or surrender even though the battle was clearly lost. Historians such as Alan Bullock believe that Hitler, “was ready to destroy Germany rather than surrender...or admit defeat” . Moreover, the battle may not have been needed as the Wehrmacht were far advanced into the Caucasus and did not need to attack the city, although strategically this would have placed the Wehrmacht at a major disadvantage, instead many historians state that Hitler only attacked the city through his hatred of Joseph Stalin after whom the city was named, which, ironically, was the same reason that Stalin ordered the Red Army to defend it so furiously. Thus, the Battle of Stalingrad saw the beginning of the collapse for the Wehrmacht during the Second World War.