A soviet armored division receiving operational orders prior to the final battle in berlin, germany, 1945

Berlin, April-May 1945

Aleksandra Samusenko

Seventy-six years ago, the surrender of Nazi Germany's Sixth Army marked the end of the Battle of Stalingrad. It was a major turning point in the war.

The city fought back fiercely for 200 days and nights from the Nazi hordes wich were greatly surpassing in the number and armament. 

For comparison: the Germans captured Poland in 35 days, France in 44 days, Belgium - 19, Yugoslavia - 12, the Netherlands - 4. Denmark capitulated almost without resistance in a few hours. Pavlov’s House alone was defended by three dozen soldiers for 58 days. The Germans believed that a battalion was settled there.

At the final stage of the battle of Stalingrad, more than 90 thousand Wehrmacht soldiers, including 24 generals, were captured by the Soviet soldiers. On the occasion of the death of the 6th Army, Hitler declared a three-day mourning in Germany.