Luftwaffe Tactical Operations at Stalingrad Nov. 1942-Feb. 1943

[Uufflakke]

An interesting read on the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Stalingrad.

Maybe usefull for creating missions/campaigns.

 

Quote:

"This project examines the pivotal role played by Luftwaffe tactical operations in support of the German Sixth Army during its encirclement at Stalingrad, 19 NOvember 1942 - 02 February 1943. These operations are separate and distinct from the aerial resupply missions flown by VIII Fliegerkorps and represent close air support, air interdiction, and a air superiority. Their failure was just one element of the German combined arms failure at Stalingrad."

 

http://spitfirevsbf109.com/files/LuftwaffeStalingrad.pdf

[SYN_Vander]

Good find, thanks!

[F/JG300_OttoKlav]

Nice. thanks

[AX2]

Thanks for Sharing .

[PauloHirth]

 Very interesting.

[Allons]

Hi all, here is another one from Maj. Mike Thyssen dating 1997.

 

I put it on our webspace at http://www.ZG26.de/daten/Thyssen-1997-Stalingrad-Airlift-Review.pdf

 

Best to all, Allons!

 

 

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE TO SAVE A CONDEMNED ARMY–A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE STALINGRAD AIRLIFT
A Research Paper Presented To The Research Department, Air Command and Staff College
In Partial Fulfillment of the Graduation Requirements of ACSC by Major Mike Thyssen
March 1997

 

Abstract
Stalingrad is often described as the turning point of the German war with the Soviet Union, or perhaps even the entire European war. This paper argues that the actual turning point  was  probably  earlier  in  the  Barbarossa  campaign,  and  that  the  decision  to  hold Stalingrad,  while  a  serious  mistake,  followed  several  other  strategic  blunders  of  Adolf Hitler. Given that, this essay reflects a study of primary source material collected from key German  commanders,  as  well  as  numerous  documents  collected  in  1956  as  part  of  the “Karlsruhe Collection.” The focus was to determine where the airlift failed, why it failed, and what could have been done better.

Ultimately the failure could be attributed to the lack of a survivable and more capable transport aircraft, difficulties operating out of poorly prepared airfields which were under constant  threat  from  the  Red  Army,  the  absolutely  miserable  weather  which  frequently prevented any flying at all, enemy action which prevented daylight flights by much of the fleet, supplies which were not ideally suited for airlift, and finally difficulties organizing the airlift at  both  ends.  Many  commanders  involved  knew  it  was  bound  to  fail  and  warned Hitler and Paulus, to no avail. In the end, what could have been a tremendous feat ended as tragic folly.

[SOLIDKREATE]

Excellent information to have!

[Gunsmith86]

There is also a very good book here:

Stopped at Stalingrad: The Luftwaffe and Hitler's Defeat in the East, 1942-1943

http://www.amazon.com/Stopped-Stalingrad-Luftwaffe-Hitlers-1942-1943/dp/0700611460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381401257&sr=8-1&keywords=Stopped+at+Stalingrad

[andyw248]

Thanks for sharing these links! I always tend to dig into history at events like this; very interesting to learn something about the historical context.

[Allons]

The report Uufflakke mentioned is a treasure chest for mission designers btw.