German Forces

Stalingrad, 31 January 1943.

Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus (left) and his Chief of Staff, Generalmajor Arthur Schmidt, following their surrender, 31 January 1943. This act effectively ended organised resistance by the German 6th Army, although scattered fighting continued in Stalingrad for a few days into February. Arthur Schmidt, in contrast to Paulus, was a strong character of distinctly Nazi disposition who is often "credited" with having exercised a decisive influence over the direction of the disastrous second half of the Germans' Stalingrad operations. Unfortunately, his military experience, skills and vision were not equal to the requirements of such an influential position. Best regards, JR.