The Battle of Stalingrad, 1942

The battle took place from July 17, 1942, to February 2, 1943, in what is now the Voronezh, Rostov, and Volgograd regions and the Republic of Kalmykia. The Battle of Stalingrad began on July 17, 1942, on the distant approaches to the city, nestled in a large bend of the Don River. The resistance put up by the Wehrmacht here allowed the Soviet command to bring up reserves and restore the combat capability of units and formations that had broken out of encirclement. On July 28, 1942, Order No. 227 of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief was issued. It was widely read in active army units and became known as "Not One Step Back!"
August 23–24, 1942.
The Battle of Stalingrad was a battle where the heroism of Soviet soldiers stopped not just the German advance, but was a turning point in the entire war.

Stalingrad is a very important and key city of the USSR on the Volga, which opened the way to oil fields and factories.
In the 1930s, during the period of industrialization, Stalingrad turned into a powerful industrial center: the Stalingrad Tractor Plant, the State Regional Power Plant (StalGRES), a shipyard, and other enterprises were built.
Famous buildings and places:

1. Mamayev Kurgan is the most iconic height. In military reports, it was designated "Height 102.0." Whoever controlled the mound could see the entire city, including the Volga River crossings, industrial zones, and the railway station. Therefore, from the first days of the battle for the city, both sides sought to capture this point. Fighting here was constant: the summit repeatedly changed hands.
2. Stalingrad Station - The station had enormous tactical significance: key transport arteries passed through it.
3. Stalingrad Grain Elevator – At the start of the fighting, the grain elevator was one of the tallest buildings in the southern part of the city. Its capture gave control of the surrounding area and a key junction of the ring railway (to Beketovka, Sarepta, and Krasnoarmeysk), as well as the ferry to Golodny Island.
4. The Stalingrad Tractor Plant – The plant was fiercely contested. It was an important industrial facility, and its retention became a symbol of the country's industrial potential.
5. The Krasny Oktyabr and Barrikady factories – These enterprises also became sites of bloody street battles. Control over them was fought over every wall, every workshop – the factories had not only military but also symbolic significance.

Forces on the side of the USSR:

1. Red Army (RKKA).
2. Partisans and underground fighters.
3. Red fleet and aviation.
   Forces on the side of Germany:
4. Wehrmacht Army.
5. Special forces of the Waffen SS.
6. Luftwaffe.
7. Soviet deserters and traitors.
8. Volunteers from the Axis countries (Italy, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Vichy France, Spain).

1. The Mauser 98k rifle was the primary and most widely used small arms by the German infantryman during that period. It had a bolt-action mechanism, requiring manual reloading after each shot. The rifle was renowned for its accuracy and was widely used by snipers.
2. The MP-40 submachine gun was a common weapon among Wehrmacht soldiers. The MP-40 had a folding stock, but it had its drawbacks: the long magazine made it difficult to fire prone, and the barrel had no protective shroud (which could cause burns).
3. The FG 42 automatic rifle. It was created specifically for Luftwaffe paratroopers, but by July 1942, individual units were already being issued to other Wehrmacht units, primarily experienced soldiers. Essentially, it's a hybrid of a sniper rifle and a light machine gun.
4. MG 34 Machine Gun – This "universal" machine gun was a key element of German infantry squad tactics. It could be used as a light machine gun (with a bipod), a mounted machine gun (on a tripod), and even as an anti-aircraft gun.
5. MG 42 Machine Gun – The development and gradual introduction of this model began in 1942. It was created to make the machine gun cheaper to produce while maintaining a high rate of fire (1,200–1,800 rounds per minute). Its distinctive sound and appearance earned it the nickname "Hitler's Circular Saw."
6. Anti-tank rifles PzB 38 and PzB 39 - They were actively used, but by 1942 it became clear that their effectiveness against new Soviet tanks (T-34, KV) dropped sharply.
7. GrB 39 grenade launcher (Granatbüchse 39) – It was designed to fire high-caliber cumulative grenades at tanks. Mass production began later (at the end of 1942), but by July 1942, such systems were already in service.

Sometimes they went into battle with captured weapons - the Germans willingly took the Soviet SVT-40 (in the Wehrmacht it was designated as SiGewehr 259/2(r)) or PPSh.

Armament and the Red Army in 1942:

1. Mosin rifle of 1891 - a three-line rifle, rate of fire up to 10 rounds per minute, bullet speed - 870 m/s.
2. Mosin's sniper rifle is his regular rifle, but with an optical sight.
3. The PPSh-41 was developed in 1941 and was actively used during the Great Patriotic War. The PPSh was the only submachine gun in widespread use in the Red Army during the first year of the war.
4. The Degtyarev machine gun is a fairly durable weapon. It lasted for 75,000-100,000 rounds. For comparison, 10,000 rounds was considered standard at the time.
5. PPS-42 – Sudayev's submachine gun, widely used in the second year of the war. High rate of fire.
6. The SVT-40 is a Soviet semi-automatic rifle designed by Fyodor Vasilyevich Tokarev. It was accepted into service by the Red Army on April 13, 1940.
7. The Maxim machine gun is a heavy machine gun.
8. Tula Tokarev (TT) - Tokarev pistol, quite common.
9. The Nagant revolver is also a common pistol.
10. The Degtyarev and Simonov anti-tank rifles (PTRD and PTRS) are special high-powered rifles designed to destroy enemy vehicles. The PTRD is single-shot, while the PTRS is equipped with a 5-round magazine.
11. 12.7 mm Degtyarev-Shpagin heavy machine gun (DShK). It was used not only as an anti-aircraft weapon but also to engage lightly armored targets and fortifications.

Due to supply difficulties and losses in previous battles, some units might have experienced a shortage of a particular type of weapon, and soldiers compensated for this by using other systems or even trophies.
In street fighting (which soon became a characteristic feature of the Battle of Stalingrad), compactness and the ability to deliver dense fire at short distances were especially valued – here the PPSh and light machine guns came to the fore.

View of a German soldier:
The German soldier wore a jacket and breeches of the 1940 model.
Material: wool fabric
Pockets: 4 pieces (on the chest and on the waist)
The inner lining is made of cotton fabric.
Color: gray
The uniform quickly overheated in the sun, which is why most soldiers constantly rolled up their sleeves.
The Germans also wore Schnurschuhe boots or half-boots of the 1940 model.
Wehrmacht soldiers wore a leather belt with a buckle featuring a coat of arms. The German belt undoubtedly has the advantage of a convenient quick-release feature, allowing the soldier to quickly remove all his gear.
The German soldier's unloading system included:
Y-shaped shoulder straps
Black Leather Ammo Pouches (Each compartment held two five-round 7.92mm clips, for a total of 30 rounds per pouch)
Schanzzeug mining shovel
Gas tank with gas mask M-38
Camouflaged fabric tent
Aluminum flask M-31 with a mug
Magazine pouch model 1931 (Sukharka)
Cauldron
Bag with a Chemical Cape.
German M-35 helmet:
Made from carbon steel sheet. Thickness 1.15 mm.

View of a Soviet soldier:
A Soviet soldier wore a tunic and breeches of the 1935 model. Material: cotton fabric.
Pockets: 2 pieces on the chest
Elbow pads made of double layer of fabric are present.
Color: khaki
The uniform "breathed" well and did not overheat.
Soviet soldiers mostly wore yuft boots or boots with winding.
The Soviet soldier's unloading system included:
Cartridge bag (Each compartment can hold four magazines or 10 loose cartridges)
Aluminum flask,
Small infantry shovel,
Spare ammunition bag, grenade bag, grocery bag, gas mask bag, shoulder straps, grocery bag, mess tin.
The Soviet soldier used a 1930 model "Sidor" kit bag or a 1939 model knapsack.
Soviet helmet SS-40:
Made of steel with added nickel and silicon. Thickness: 1.9 mm.

Wehrmacht equipment by 1942:

1. Pz.Kpfw.III — At the time, this was one of the Wehrmacht's primary medium tanks. Modifications from late 1941 to early 1942 (for example, the Ausf.J) were equipped with a long-barreled 50mm KwK 39 L/60 cannon, which increased its anti-tank capabilities.
2. Pz.Kpfw.IV — It was designed more as an assault tank for infantry support and attacking enemy positions, rather than as a tank-to-tank duel vehicle. In 1942, some versions began to be equipped with the long-barreled 75mm KwK 40 L/43 cannon.
3. Pz.Kpfw.V "Panther" - This tank was developed as a response to the T-34. It had only just begun to enter service in 1942, so it wasn't encountered en masse at Stalingrad, but some units were already active.
4. Pz.Kpfw.VI "Tiger" - A heavy tank with powerful armor and an 88-mm KwK 36 gun. In 1942, it was also just beginning to be used - it participated sporadically in the Battle of Stalingrad.
5. Self-propelled artillery units StuG III (based on the Pz.III) and StuG IV (based on the Pz.IV) – these were used for direct infantry support and anti-tank roles. Experimental and rare systems such as the 105mm Dicker Max or 128mm Sturer Emil were also encountered.
6. For the mobility of artillery and supplies, half-track tractors (for example, Sd.Kfz.10, Sd.Kfz.11), as well as RSO tracked tractors, were actively used.

Red Army equipment by 1942:

1. The T-34 is a medium tank that gradually became the mainstay of the military. It stood out for its excellent combination of protection, armament, and mobility.
2. KV-1 is a heavy Soviet tank with strong armor, actively used in the war.
3. T-60 and T-70 – Light tanks that made up a significant portion of the armored forces at the beginning of the battle. They were sometimes used for infantry support or reconnaissance.
4. BA-64 – Light armored car. It was used for reconnaissance and to support infantry units.
5. SU-76 — One of the first mass-produced Soviet self-propelled artillery units. It was built on the T-60/T-70 light tank chassis and equipped with a 76mm ZIS-3 gun. Its primary mission was direct infantry support and countering light armored vehicles.
6. The T-26 is a small, light Soviet tank that was rarely used in combat.
7. BM-13 (Katyusha) rocket launchers—the very first MLRS in the Red Army. A Katyusha battalion's salvo was comparable in striking power to that of many artillery regiments, making them a powerful weapon for massed strikes against troop concentrations and fortifications. They were a priority for the Germans to capture.

Fights and battles:
Soldiers can build fortifications (sandbags or debris), dig trenches, and haul ammunition crates. They can fire from building windows and throw grenades into enemy hiding spots. There are also pillboxes and bunkers, artillery batteries, and air defense systems.
Soviet soldiers were distinguished by their courage and bravery, standing firm to the death and never surrendering, holding the line, and always displaying a strong spirit and patriotism. Even 17-year-olds would join the Red Army, lying that they were 18 or 19. However, in the Soviet army, there were frequent cases of lynchings when suspected of supporting the Germans.
German soldiers were distinguished by their cruelty and tenacity.
The Germans adopt tactics of rapid advance or destruction of supplies.
The following may participate in battles:

1. Infantry.
2. Tanks.
3. Armored vehicles and trucks.
4. Fighters, Attack Aircraft and Bombers.
   Tactics:
5. Infantry charge – a tactic that involves a large-scale infantry attack directly on a target, without retreat. Used by the Red Army.
6. Cauldron, encirclement - a tactic during which certain troops surround enemy troops (that is, they can surround, for example, an entire village or suburb and try to destroy the enemy inside).
7. Tank assault is a tactic in which one or another army conducts an offensive with tanks and carries out shelling.
8. Artillery bombardment is a tactic in which an area is subjected to artillery bombardment by an army.
9. Bombardment is a tactic in which an area is bombed.
10. Air raid - a tactic in which positions are subjected to air raids by fighter aircraft.

Partisans are ordinary people, soldiers, and anyone who, during the war, took up arms and went underground to do whatever they could to harm and oppose the German invaders for the good of their homeland. Partisans arm themselves with whatever weapons they can find, blow up bridges, mark important locations, and carry out sabotage. Partisans often hide in the forests where they set up camps.

All types of weapons for battles:

1. Bolt-action rifles are a type of magazine-fed rifle in which reloading and ejection of spent cartridges are accomplished manually by sliding the bolt back and forth. If possible, such a weapon can be converted into a sniper rifle. Some well-known examples include the Mauser 98 (Germany) and the Mosin-Nagant rifle (USSR).
2. Pistols are lightweight weapons that can be easily drawn and used to engage an enemy at medium range. USSR pistols: TT, TK, Nagant. German pistols: Luger, Mauser.
3. Submachine guns are rapid-fire, small-caliber weapons designed for rapid anti-personnel attacks. USSR: PPSh-41, PPS-42, PPD-40, PPS-43. Germany: MP-38, MP-40.
4. Close combat hand weapons are weapons that remain available when ammunition is running low. These include shovels, knives, and hatchets.
5. Machine guns are weapons for rapid and complete infantry attacks. They combine a high rate of fire and a large ammunition capacity. USSR: DP-27, Maxim Machine Gun, ShKAS, ShVAK, DShK, Madsen. Germany: MG-42.
6. Anti-tank rifles are weapons designed to counter tanks manually. In the USSR: PTRD, PTRS.
7. Mobile artillery – guns designed to counter tanks and infantry in a given position. Infantry could move these guns from one place to another. USSR: M-42, ZIS-2. Germany: Pak-40.
8. Anti-aircraft guns are air defense weapons designed to combat enemy aircraft or to fire against infantry.
   USSR: 72-K, 61-K, 52K. Germany: 88-flak.