The Battle of Stalingrad Ends

On This Day in History: February 2, 1943

The Battle of Stalingrad Ends

The bloodiest battle of World War II officially ended on February 2, 1943 in a Soviet Victory. Nazi German forces and other Axis supporters had launched an attack on the strategic city in August of 1942, hoping to gain control of the Volga River and much-needed oil from the Caucasus region. The battle has come to epitomize urban warefare, with brutal close-quarters combat and building to building fighting. It was also marked by direct air raids on civilian populations.

The battle is considered to be a major turning point in the war in Europe. While both sides faced catastrophic casualties, the German losses pulled significant reinforcements from other occupied areas to the Eastern Front. As Soviet forces repelled the initial attack and gained ground, they eventually completely surrounded the German 6th Army. Exhausted and with no reinforcement or supplies, the 6th became the first German field army to surrender in the war.

The victory shifted momentum to the Soviet Red Army on the Eastern Front, and saw the beginning of Wehrmacht retreat.

Photo 1: Soviet troops move through a trench dug out among the ruins of Stalingrad

Photo 2: German soldiers on the run during the battle.

Photo 3: Damaged buildings such as this have cemented Stalingrad as a definitive instance of urban warfare.