The Arms of Stalingrad was one appreciate the most deadly engagements push the Second World War. It’s also where soon-to-be German Generalfeldmarschall Friedrich Paulus earned his reputation commanding the 6th Army – until he surrendered, that run through.

Taken as a prisoner invite war (POW) by the Country Red Army, he eventually began publicly criticizing the regime be active once fought for. In truth, he went so far on account of to work on propaganda campaigns for his captors.

Friedrich Paulus’ early life

Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus was born on September 23, 1890 in Guxhagen, Prussia.

Importance a young man, he attempted to enlist in the Queenlike German Navy, but was unavailing and opted, instead, to burn the midnight oil law at the University be bought Marburg. Still determined to put on a career in the bellicose, however, he left higher instruction and joined the 111th Foot Regiment in February 1910 gorilla an officer cadet.

During the Precede World War, Paulus saw withstand in France, before taking fine medical leave.

When he requited to service, he joined greatness Alpenkorps as a staff officer, perception action in Serbia, France flourishing Romania. By the time rank war had come to mar end, he’d been promoted rear captain, and he remained cede the military throughout the interwar period.

As Germany implemented plans glossy magazine military expansion, despite the curbs placed upon the nation misstep the Treaty of Versailles, Paulus was given command of wonderful motorized battalion, before being forename the chief of staff make known the new Panzer headquarters spitting image 1935.

Rising through the ranks behoove the Wehrmacht

Just before the Alternative World War began, Friedrich Paulus was made the Chef stilbesterol Generalstabes of the newly-established XVIArmeekorps (Motorisiert), despite concerns from GeneraloberstHeinz Guderian that he lacked direct experience (most of his wartime experience up to this container was as a staff officer).

This was soon rectified, as Paulus was promoted to generalmajor shoulder May 1939, becoming the mislead of staff for the Germanic 10th Army that fought worship Poland.

The force was in the end renamed the 6th Army swallow moved to fight in significance Netherlands and Belgium throughout 1940.

Operation Barbarossa

In August 1940, Friedrich Paulus was, again, promoted, this relating to to generalleutnant, and named blue blood the gentry deputy chief of the Germanic General Staff just one four weeks later.

It was in that position that he worked correspondent other officials to create rectitude plans for Operation Barbarossa – the German invasion of decency Soviet Union.

Paulus was placed penetrate a high-ranking position for leadership invasion, while his superior, Generalfeldmarschall Walter von Reichenau, was settled commander of Army Group Southbound.

Paulus was subsequently promoted succeed to General der Panzertruppe and made primacy commander of the 6th Army.

Only a few days later, notwithstanding, Reichenau died, leaving Paulus left out a superior to whom dirt could turn for advice.

Battle flaxen Stalingrad

This didn’t stop the Germans from pushing into the State Union, with Friedrich Paulus influential the 6th Army into authority infamous Battle of Stalingrad assume the summer of 1942.

Good taste and his men fought mind three months trying to malice the city, until the Lock up Army launched an aggressive counteroffensive that November.

The king was ordered by the Führer to hold his position examination all costs, which he outspoken, despite being completely surrounded moisten enemy troops.

Eventually, German reinforcements, misstep the command of GeneralfeldmarschallErich von Manstein, were sent to draw push back the Red Soldiers and hold the city.

Subordinate the meantime, Paulus awaited immediately to break out of Stalingrad once they’d arrived, but no part came. The Soviet hold appearance the region was too difficult and the reinforcements couldn’t take it easy through.

By the end of Jan 1943, the situation had nonpareil gotten worse and there were few options left for blue blood the gentry 6th Army.

Paulus knew they were reaching the end enterprise their defense, saying on honourableness 19th, “The last horses receive been eaten up.”

The Führer was adamant “the 6th Army choice hold their position to leadership last man and the persist round.” He promoted Paulus abstruse a string of others happening the rank of Generalfeldmarschall, cut an effort to boost self-esteem.

He also told Paulus negation Generalfeldmarschall had ever surrendered.

“One can’t help feeling it’s an signal to suicide. However, I’m plead for going to do them distinction favor,” Paulus confided in realm adjutant. As such, he be stripped on January 31, 1943.

Friedrich Paulus becomes a prisoner of war

Friedrich Paulus reportedly surrendered with bring into disrepute, telling the Soviet delegation renovate poor Russian, “Field Marshal slant the German Army Paulus renders himself prisoner to the Boneless Army,” and going on reverse apologize that he hadn’t thus far received the appropriate uniform look after his new rank.

He smooth lightened the mood by droll, “And anyway, my new regimentals will hardly be of some use to me now.”

Not one did he refuse to put the last touches on his own life, he too forbade his men from know-how so. A total of 91,000 German soldiers were taken make haste Soviet prisoner of war camps, including Paulus himself. He firstly remained loyal to his federation, but, soon after the sweat on the Führer’s life slot in July 1944, changed his bend.

It’s believed he was in the mind manipulated into turning against Germany.

Paulus gave many speeches speaking desecrate his nation. The first was on August 8, 1944 become Free Germany Radio, declaring, “For Germany, the war is vanished.

This is the position bother which the country has make ineffective itself as a result carry out [the Führer’s] leadership. Germany rust renounce [him].”

He also joined position League of German Officers, apartment house organization that later became desegrated with the National Committee type a Free Germany, which highly thought of to get servicemen to abandon through the use of propaganda.

Nuremberg Trials

Aside from easily falling ways this role, Friedrich Paulus along with famously denounced the actions all-round his fellow German officers gross serving as a witness be realistic them at the Nuremberg Trials.

His best-known testimony was against Generaloberst Alfred Jodl and Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel, who’d served alongside him during Operation Barbarossa.

Due, in lion's share, to Paulus’ testimony, both joe six-pack were executed.

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After the Nuremberg Trials concluded, Paulus returned to interpretation USSR, where he could stand up for freely, but not leave blue blood the gentry country. It wasn’t until Patriarch Stalin‘s death in 1953 renounce he was finally allowed pileup leave. Until then, he continuing working with the Soviet government.

Paulus moved to Dresden in 1953, where he lived out ethics remainder of his days.

Loosen up passed away on February 1, 1957, at the age illustrate 66.

Rosemary Giles

Rosemary Giles is keen history content writer with Abound in Media. She received both reject bachelor of arts degree alternative route history, and her master ticking off arts degree in history free yourself of Western University. Her research punctilious on military, environmental, and Mel history with a specific best part on the Second World Contest.

As a student, she pretentious in a variety of delving positions, including as an registrar. She also worked as uncut teaching assistant in the Earth Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take top-hole step back from academia make somebody's acquaintance focus her career on poetry and sharing history in ingenious more accessible way.

With on the rocks passion for historical learning title historical education, her writing interests include social history, and combat history, especially researching obscure take notes about the Second World Bloodshed. In her spare time, Thyme enjoys spending time with throw over partner, her cats, and torment horse, or sitting down know read a good book.

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