The German 6th Army and elements of the 4th Panzer Army had been encircled in Stalingrad after the Russians had smashed the German front around Stalingrad when they unleashed operation Uranus in November 1942. The pocket within the city had fought on, resupplied from the air by the Luftwaffe, but were gradually running out of ammunition, food and fighting strength.
Hitler had forbidden the elements in the pocket freedom of movement to breakout, insisting that they fight on until relieved. That relief was to be provided by elements of Army Group Don, commanded by Field Marshall Von Manstein. However, preparations for the relief operation had not gone well and the start of the operation was continually postponed as units earmarked to bolster the relief force were redirected or delayed. The 48th Panzer Corps, which was to have taken part in the operation, was pinned on the lower Chir River by elements of the 5th Tank Army.
Therefore the main blow would be left to the 57th Panzer Corps, consisting of the 6th and 23rd Panzer Divisions. It would be supported on its left flank by the Romanian 6th Corps, consisting of the 2nd and 18th Infantry Divisions and on the right flank by the Romanian 7th Corps, consisting of the 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions and the Cavalry Group Popescu. The jumping off point for 57th Panzer Corps drive towards Stalingrad was the town of Kotelnikovo, which lay on the southern arm of the Aksai River. The force would have to move northwards towards the city, crossing the two tributaries of the Don, the Aksai and the Mishkova, which barred their path.
Facing them were elements of the Russian 51st Army, including the 4th Cavalry Corps, consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 61st and 81st Cavalry Divisions, the 13th Tank Corps and the 91st, 96th, 126th and 302nd Rifle Divisions.
Read Full Article »