Iron Frosted Snow

Author’s Note: This story is based on real events, but remember, everyone is affected by war, not just those in uniform.

Prologue

When Germany first launched Operation Barbarossa, it became the world’s largest land-held offensive, using over 3.5 million Axis troops. The goal was to take Moscow and defeat the Red Army. But despite conquering large amounts of land mass, the mission was halted by the temperatures that dropped drastically outside of Moscow. Along with miscalculating planning, the Axis were pushed back just when they were dangerously close to the capital, nearly 20 kilometers from the city. The Germans had no choice but to dig in for Winter. When Summer finally arrived, Hitler had his eyes on a different strategy. The Caucuses. He planned to cut off the Soviet oil supply and weaken their mobility. Fall Blau was another summer offensive that took place in June 1942, with Army Group South as the main spearhead.

However, to secure the south, the Axis needed to capture the key city of Stalingrad, a central industrial area. However, because of overconfidence, the High Command ordered that the 4th Panzer Army would aid in seizing the oil fields, leaving the 6th Army alone to complete the conquest of Stalingrad. It started with the Luftwaffe heavily bombing the city into ruins, killing hundreds of civilians. Next, the fighting began and lasted from July to February 1943. The town saw months of heavy combat, with soldiers from each side fighting face-to-face and room-to-room.

In November, the Axis, taking many critical checkpoints, pushed the Soviets across the Don River, and tried to repel them across the Volga. The Russians transported their troops across the river on ferries to reinforce their overwhelmed comrades, but that came at a cost. Open-topped boats armed with nothing but small rifles were an easy target for dive bombers, especially seeing the many enemy soldiers confined in such small boats. One of those aircraft that terrorized the Soviets, including the allied forces, was the infamous Junkers Ju 87 ‘Stuka’. When Winter set in, Wehrmacht troops recorded temperatures that would be around -30 °c. Many soldiers would freeze or develop severe frostbite as they weren’t equipped with proper supplies, such as appropriate coats, boots or gloves that could help them withstand the conditions. The Russians then initiated Operation Uranus, commanding many fresh Armies to successfully encircle the already exhausted 6th Army along with parts of the 4th Panzer Army, as the many Romanian Divisions that protected the flanks were ill-equipped and poorly trained, being overrun by the experienced Soviets.

Trapped and cut off from the rest of the Army Group, the 6th Army would meet its doom right where it first set foot. The Axis became desperately short in supply, and General Paulus asked permission to break out. The Fuhrer insisted that he stay and promised him deliverance from the sky. However, the Luftwaffe would only drop off a third of what Paulus estimated he needed. Starving, many soldiers would start scavenging for horse meat, spoiling food, or living off what little they received from daily rations.

With situations becoming dire, General Manstein of the 11th Army would try to reach the 6th and 4th, starting on the 12th of December. He managed to get 30 kilometers close to the Stalingrad city centre before being repelled by the 51st Army, supported by the 2nd Guards. Now, seeing defeat as inevitable, Paulus starts to consult about whether to keep his pledge to the Führer or surrender in hopes of saving his men from pointless fighting. But the Fuhrer would deny him, becoming angrier with his decisions. The 6th and 4th armies were now all fighting in different pockets in the North and South. Many of the wounded received no treatment and would die either from the harsh conditions that they endured or from being pressured by the extreme weather.

The Soviets offered Paulus many fair surrenders, but still being loyal to Hitler, he refused them all, even when his staff urged him to; otherwise, they would have had a total capitulation. On the 30th of January, Hitler himself promoted Paulus to Field Marshal. But this wasn’t a reward to him because he could not surrender, as no Germans of that rank had ever surrendered. On the 31st of January, Soviet troops broke into the basement where Paulus had established his headquarters, taking him into captivity. Yet the battle continued with the Northern pocket fighting until the 2nd of February, lasting two more days than Paulus’ Army had held. The struggle alone took the lives of around 350,000 Axis Soldiers, 1.1 million Russian Soldiers and around 40,000 Russian civilians lost their homes or perished in the initial bombings or were caught in the wave of battle. The Battle of Stalingrad would become the bloodiest battle of World War II and history.

May 29th

3 pm

This morning is perhaps the most exciting. We had a battalion gathering where some soldiers would be presented medals, new ranks or a different branch, which could sometimes be granted. I stood proudly next to my unit. I saw Lieutenant Colonel Thomas beside his staff, holding out a box of shining insignias for both the collar and shoulders. Soldiers, you have been the best for your valiant efforts through the conquest across the Soviet Union. But some stood out most prominently. May these men address themselves and come forward! Straightening my tunic, I marched towards him. Starting with another soldier who was promoted to First Lieutenant. That must’ve taken a while for him to achieve a rank like that. I felt nervous that I would screw this opportunity and the Lieutenant Colonel’s pale and straight face made what only took 5 minutes become hours. I stood there looking ahead until he came to me. He unclipped my old bands and applied the silver broader ones onto the buttons. Congratulations. He shook my hand and saluted me. All the other soldiers in the crowd were told to come to attention. Their boots clicked and they raised their hands. Heil Hitler! Then, we were all dismissed. At that moment, I felt a sense of pride. But something was missing, the collar patches were not issued to me! Thankfully, I realized that they were to be professionally sewn on by a tailor later in the day.

After that parade, all the people of the new ranks were told to give their tunics to the tailor for a proper fitting and to sew the patches on. He said that they’d return tomorrow. I had a look at his basket and at that moment, I knew I wasn’t the only person being prompted. There were around 7 jackets there with collar patches. Some were promoted to Sergeant, and lieutenant and one was a Captain. Now that guy has responsibility over a whole company. Leaving the room, I stepped out of the hallway. There wasn’t much going on since they were planning an offensive to take the South-East. Some other way to take a major city and conquer Moscow again? Well, whatever it is, I hope it can be recorded in history, making it so famous that it may be imprinted into textbooks. And with our upcoming victory, the country would be proud. By Eason Yin Buy this book from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7FM8X9F