"Winter Storm" reaches Stalingrad

WI German relief operation in december 1942 manages to break through to Stalingrad. Either Germans are somewhat stronger, Soviets slower in reacting (including launching Little Saturn) and germans reach the city. Paulus does not meet them on the way, he sits in the city.

So coridor is open, but threatened. Now what?
 
Hitler cackles triumphantly that he can now supply the city till he can renew the attack. And by spring 1943 the Nazis have lost even more troops.
 
I see the war lasting slightly longer with more casualties on both sides, but by this time, especially with Hitler in charge(he was the allies secret weapon nearer the end) German victory is unlikely.
 
Hitler cackles triumphantly that he can now supply the city till he can renew the attack. And by spring 1943 the Nazis have lost even more troops.
Indeed, trying to keep open that supply line against attacks along its entire length, and supplying the army there using ?trucks? (fueled by what, maintained how in the Russian winter and then mud of spring). It could be an absolute and total disaster for Germany.
 
Dont know if their were any generals with this sort of mind set, but if a general got his division to start withdrawing against orders, other generals might follow his action resulting in a general withdrawal from Stalingrad, in that case Hitler would be forced to abandon Stalingrad.
 
Dont know if their were any generals with this sort of mind set, but if a general got his division to start withdrawing against orders, other generals might follow his action resulting in a general withdrawal from Stalingrad, in that case Hitler would be forced to abandon Stalingrad.

that happened at Stalingrad. Seylidz, IIRC, on northern part of Kessel did just that, burned his supply dumps and started to break out hoping others would follow. They didn't.
 
IMO, if the German forces attempting to break through (under Hoth I believe) do succeed, I can't see Hitler ordering a retreat because now he would be of the opinion that Stalingrad can be held, so in his mind there is no need to withdraw. You will probably see an attempted German spring-summer offensive to stabilize the line along Stalingrad, then have it rebuffed by the Soviets who follow through with an inevitable counter-offensive, with much deadlier results than the original one in the winter.
 

Deleted member 1487

What about Paulus decides to disobey orders and orders the entire pocket to breakout towards the relieving offensive? That way the army is already on the move to leave and "Winter Storm" is given extra backup. That could work and be plausible. Many more men saved, something on the order of 150,000-200,000 men, minus most of the heavy equipment and wounded.
 
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