Der Hauptmann

February 2nd 1943: Battle of Stalingrad ends

On this day in 19423 during the Second World War, German troops surrendered to the Soviet Red Army in Stalingrad, thus ending five months of fighting. The battle began in August 1942 during the Nazi invasion of Russia - codenamed Operation Barbarossa - and Adolf Hitler ordered an attack on the major city of Stalingrad. Stalingrad became a major playing field of the war, as Soviet leader Stalin was determined to save the city which bore his name. Under the leadership of General Paulus, German bombing destroyed much of the city and troops captured areas through hand-to-hand urban warfare. In November, Marshal Zhukov assembled six Russian armies to surround Stalingrad and trap the Germans in the city, barring provisions and troops from reaching them. Many German soldiers died of starvation and frostbite following the onset of the harsh Russian winter, with temperatures down to -30°C, but Hitler insisted they fight until the last man. After five months, the Russian Red Army claimed victory when the remaining German troops surrendered in February 1943. 91,000 Germans were taken prisoner, including twenty-two generals; this was all that remained of the 330,000 strong German force who arrived at Stalingrad. The Battle of Stalingrad is among the bloodiest battles of the Second World War, causing nearly two million casualties. The disaster depleted the German army’s supply of men and equipment, allowing the Allies to gain the advantage, which enabled them to invade Germany and win the war.

German soldier shooting from the MG-42

Europe. Germany. Berlin. Architecture from the Nazi Period. Tempelhof Airport.1935-1939.Architect: Ernst Sagebeil.

This metal Nazi Eagle which originally stood on the roof removed and its head taken to the United States in the early 60s. It was returned in the 80s and now stands in Eagle Square in front of the airport - a symbol of the airports role in the Berlin Airlift.

Ludwig Köchle (28. Feb. 1921- 9. Jun. 1942) 

Ludwig Köchle was born on the 28 February 1921 in Nofels, Austria. He volunteered to join the SS in 1938 and took part in the occupation of the Sudetenland.

During 1941 he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in July and the 1st Class award in November for his actions in the area around Lushno.

His award of the Knight’s Cross was on the 28 February 1942, when an SS-Oberscharführer, in the 1. Kompanie, SS-Totenkopf-Infantry-Regiment 1, SS-Totenkopf. Which was part of Army Group North on the Eastern Front.