August 1942 – February 2, 1943General source · 2 sourcesWell documented
The Battle of Stalingrad Ends
On the timeline · around August 1942 – February 2, 1943 ·
What happened
After months of brutal urban fighting, a Soviet counteroffensive encircled the German Sixth Army in Stalingrad. Cut off and starving, Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrendered the trapped force; roughly 91,000 survivors were taken prisoner when resistance ended on February 2, 1943.
Why it matters
The destruction of an entire German army marked the turning point of the war on the Eastern Front, after which the Soviets steadily pushed Germany back.
Sources
- Imperial War Museums. What You Need To Know About The Battle Of Stalingrad · General source
- World History Encyclopedia. Battle of Stalingrad (2024) · General source