About the Episode
A year after the Nazis’ initial invasion of the Soviet Union, Hitler relaunches his attack with Operation Blue, targeting the oil-rich fields in the Caucasus Mountains. But as Hiter grows more impatient, he diverts a part of his forces to attack the symbolically rich city of Stalingrad—named for Soviet leader, and Hitler’s greatest nemesis, Joseph Stalin.
The Soviet troops falter as the German 6th Army advances into Stalingrad, but Stalin refuses to allow retreat or the evacuation of the city, encapsulated in his infamous Order No. 227: “Not a single step back!” Instead, Stalin relies on his talented commander Georgy Zhukov, who lures the German army farther into the city, turning Stalingrad into an urban hellscape. Zhukov’s army bombards German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus’s men, trapping them as the Russian winter descends. Paulus begs Hitler for the chance to break out and escape with whatever is left of his forces until, unable to bear it any longer, Paulus surrenders—to Hitler’s fury.
The National WWII Museum was proud to support HISTORY's work on this series through historical research, educational outreach, and archival footage, as well as on-site interviews with WWII veterans that will be featured as part of the network’s “Save Our History” initiative.
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