Description
Book SynopsisThe story of what really led to Germany losing the battle of Stalingrad - the inability of the Luftwaffe to keep Sixth Army supplied throughout the winter of 194243 - and why this crucial airlift failed.Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goering's failure to deliver his promise to keep Sixth Army supplied at Stalingrad was one of the most hard-hitting strategic air failures of World War II. 300 tons a day of supplies were required to sustain the Sixth Army, flown in against a Soviet fighter force whose capabilities were rapidly being transformed. The Luftwaffe''s failure left Sixth Army trapped, vulnerable and too weak to attempt a breakout. The destruction of Sixth Army was one of the major turning points in World War II but the Luftwaffe's crucial role in this disaster has often been overlooked. Some claim the attempt was doomed from the beginning but, in this intriguing book, author William E. Hiestand explains how the Germans had amassed sufficient aircraft to,
Trade ReviewThis is the type of book that both opens up a new line of interest for the modeller and helps produce an informed collection of aircraft types, and therefore is highly recommended. * Scale Aircraft Modelling *
A fascinating book that looks at the role of the Luftwaffe in trying to relieve the German Sixth Army as it faced encirclement by Soviet forces during the latter stages of the Battle of Stalingrad. * WWII Books *
Table of ContentsORIGINS The road to Stalingrad
Blau and Stalingrad Operation
Uranus CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER’S CAPABILITIES The Luftwaffe on the Eastern Front Doctrine, tactics, and logistics Richthofen’s 4th Air Fleet Luftwaffe fighters DEFENDER’S CAPABILITIES VVS: an air force in transition A new commander and new reforms Birth of the air armies CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES Keystone on the Volga Soviet objectives THE CAMPAIGN The turning point on the Eastern Front November 24–30: establishing an airlift Setting up the airlift – the task The airfields and logistics, late November, 1942 Weather and flight operations VIII Air Corps in command: December 1–11 The Soviet air blockade
Winter Storm (Wintergewitter),
Thunderclap (Donnerschlag), and
Little Saturn (Molnyy Saturn) The airlift, December 12–23 The raid on Tatsinskaya, December 24 A new year, fading hope: January 1–15, 1943 The end: January 16–February 2, 1943 Milch on the scene Milch and the airfields AFTERMATH AND ASSESSMENT FURTHER READING INDEX
