"Capitulation is impossible! The 6th Army will do its historic duty." - Adolf Hitler. In the conclusion of our series, we unravel the final months of the Battle of Stalingrad, exploring the consequences of Adolf Hitler's decision to forbid the the Sixth Army to retreat. We witness the long-awaited breakthrough for The Red Army, as Joseph Stalin and Georgy Zhukov launch Operation Uranus. We delve into the emotional impact on German soldiers confronting their mortality. Through their personal letters, we glimpse into their thoughts and feelings about Nazi leadership and Adolf Hitler. After the dust settles, we examine the aftermath of the Battle of Stalingrad and its enduring legacy in Russian history. Tune in for an exploration of this pivotal moment, where the human toll and historical significance intertwine in a tale of sacrifice, resilience, and grit. ⚡Help support the show on Patreon check out our supporting reels on Instagram, and receive email updates whenever a new episode drops by joining our mailing list.⚡ CHAPTERS: 00:00-Introduction and Recap 01:58-Episode start 07:27-Fortress Stalingrad begins 16:49-Christmas in Stalingrad 21:05-Last chance at surrender with Winrich Behr 31:36-Paulus loses hope 40:56-Fate of the main characters 45:57-Red Army finds last letters from Stalingrad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"In the blazing city, we do not suffer cowards..." - Vasily Chuikov. This episode marks the penultimate episode of our series tracing Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's 1941 invasion of the USSR. Join us as we follow Marshal Friedrich Paulus and the Wehrmacht 6th Army to their fateful end at Stalingrad. Through poignant handwritten letters, we'll delve into how frontline soldiers grappled with their mortality and the erosion of their faith in Nazi propaganda. Throughout the episode, we explore the ingenious and brutal strategies employed by Marshall Vasily Chuikov to maintain order amidst the chaos. In the desperate streets of Stalingrad, Rattenkrieg, or 'war of the rats,' emerged as a brutal form of close-quarters urban combat, marked by intense, chaotic skirmishes within the sprawling ruins of the city. As the tide turns against the Wehrmacht, we witness the Nazi High Command's struggle against Adolf Hitler's insistence on a symbolic last stand. The Battle of Stalingrad, often deemed the deadliest in history, holds a profound place in Russian pride today. Tune in to learn why. ⚡Help support the show on Patreon check out our supporting reels on Instagram, and receive email updates whenever a new episode drops by joining our mailing list.⚡ CHAPTERS: 00:00-Introduction 03:37-Main Characters Recap 06:30-Episode Start 12:18-Chuikov's Innovations 21:09-Wermacht on brink of victory 29:48-Luftwaffe Bombing Run 35:24-Red Army heroism 40:30-Wermacht dug in for winter 49:38-Operation Uranus begins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It is time to finish retreating. Not one step back!" - Joseph Stalin. In part three of our series on Operation Barbarossa: The Wehrmacht, desperately needing fuel after Operation Barbarossa, surprises everyone by heading south to the Caucasus, targeting rich oil fields in modern Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Stalin's Red Army, still recovering from 1941, scrambles as move to bolster the southern front. As Hitler tightens his grip on power, dismissing commanders and taking direct control, a staff officer named Friedrich Paulus is thrust into the spotlight. While on the Russian side, General Vasily Chuikov is tasked with holding the line. This episode unveils Operation Case Blue, Operation Brunswick, Stalin's Order 227, and the rising complexities on the battlefield.  As America enters the war, Hitler's desperation grows, and victory slips through his fingers. The Fuhrer sits in his stagnant bunker, shifting red flags around a map moving toward Stalingrad... ⚡Help support the show on Patreon check out our supporting reels on Instagram, see our sources used for this episode on our website and receive email updates whenever a new episode drops by joining our mailing list.⚡ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If the Germans want a war of extermination, they will get it!" - Joseph Stalin. In this gripping continuation of our Operation Barbarossa series, The Red Army rallies as the Wehrmacht's relentless march towards Moscow accelerates. With the Wehrmacht closing in on the Soviet capital, the USSR faces its last chance for survival. In the midst of the chaos, Stalin emerges from his depression, adorning his walls with portraits of renowned Russian generals for inspiration. The tide begins to turn as he starts heeding the counsel of Gyorgy Zhukov. As Hitler faces setbacks and starts to lose his grip, he withdraws into himself, sidelining veteran generals and taking personal control of the army. Ignoring desperate pleas for essentials like fuel, ammunition, and winter clothing, the Fuhrer fires many of his most experienced military minds. The loyalty of the Wehrmacht, however, pushes on through one of the coldest blizzards in the last century. But as tank engines freeze and machine guns jam, we witness the stark reality that belief alone can only take a man so far. Circling Moscow, Germans encounter unexpected challenges as far-eastern divisions arrive en masse. The Motherland calls, and the people of the USSR answer! Subscribe for the next instalment as history turns on the frozen wastes of Russia... ⚡Help support the show on Patreon check out our supporting reels on Instagram, see our sources used for this episode on our website and receive email updates whenever a new episode drops by joining our mailing list.⚡ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The world will hold its breath!" - Adolf Hitler In this episode we delve into Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's audacious invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The morning of June 22nd, 1941, witnessed four million men surging across the borders between the USSR and the German Reich, beginning the largest land invasion in world history. We explore the backstory of this invasion and uncover why it took Joseph Stalin by surprise. Through the diaries of frontline soldiers, we gain insights into the first few hours of the invasion and the unpreparedness of the Red Army. We also delve into Hitler's twisted worldview, drawing from extracts of his memoir, 'Mein Kampf,' to understand his vision of Lebensraum and his chilling extermination plan for the Slavic people. America's entry into World War II is often see as a turning point, but Operation Barbarossa, often overshadowed, was equally pivotal. This episode is the first of a four-part series, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss part two. ⚡Help support the show on Patreon check out our supporting reels on Instagram, and receive email updates whenever a new episode drops by joining our mailing list.⚡ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices