Stalingrad’s little heroes
The important and necessary contribution that horses and dogs made during World War II is well known. However, few people have a clue that smaller animals also played a vital role, including the army of field mice that unwittingly distinguished itself in the Battle of Stalingrad.
The little ‘army’ emerged victorious over the 22nd tank division of the 48th tank corps of the German army. While the notorious 6th army of Friedrich Paulus was making a break for the Volga shore and drowning in carnage, the tank troops were still sitting in reserve.
For several months, their Czech-made Pz. 38 (t) light tanks stood idle in the fields, under cover of trenches and concealed by straw blankets from the oncoming frost. Fuel was scarce, so the engines stayed off without there being a pressing need to participate in any action.
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