1120_23: The Long Left Hook - PzC 15 Stalingrad '42

Zety, 35 km SW of Stalingrad, Nov 20th 1942: On the second day of the Soviet Uranus Offensive, a badly supplied 51st and 57th Army joined in the attack. It was once again focused on shattering the weaker Rumanian infantry formations holding the flanks of the 6th Army in Stalingrad. In this southernmost section of the south flank battle, the task of 51st Army was to breach the line in the sector held by the Rumanian 1st Infantry Division, between Lake Tsatsa and the larger Lake Barmantsak. No sooner had the crisis in the Krasnoarmeysk sector 25km north been averted by the swift action of the 29th Motorized Division, than a breakthrough came in this sector. However, elements of 29th Mot Divisions were in full swing and well positioned to avert this second disaster by driving south into the flank of the 4th Mech Corps. Then orders came down to break off the attack and adopt a defensive screen. This action allowed 'the Long Left Hook" of the Soviet breakthrough to race unchecked deep into the German rear, encircling von Paulus' Sixth Army in Stalingrad [Size, medium]