Chuikov's "most critical day" BATTLESTORM STALINGRAD E29

[@bookaufman9643]

You are using Jones history to state that Chuikov lost his command. Are there other sources that agree with this assumption? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass but I am curious about something that seems pretty relevant to the story of the battle of Stalingrad.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

It's a good thing that you question what you hear, so don't feel like you're a "smart-ass" or anything. History lies in the heart of the debate after all. So, it's a bit more complicated than this, but essentially Jones is using the primary sources, most of which have been verified by Anton Joly and Egor Kobiakov. But a few days ago, Egor let me and Anton know that there were a couple of issues with the evidence which may cast doubt on Jones's interpretation. It was too late for me to alter the script for this video to mention this, so this video is what it is. However, I'm thinking of doing a follow-up Addendum video to discuss this further. That said, some people are arguing that I spent too much time discussing this in this video, so perhaps people won't want to hear more about it 🤔

[@bookaufman9643]

@@TheImperatorKnight wow. Thank you for your honesty. I understand it might be difficult to correct this without another video because you did spend a good amount of time on it and it would take a good amount of time to explain the situation and it's implications. So many sources with so much conflicting evidence..

[@arteljus983]

@@TheImperatorKnight It's about the man, the legend, that almost died so many times. If you found evidence that what you said in the video could be wrong do a follow up or just mention it in the beginning of the next Battlestorm Stalingrad. Thank you for doing what you are doing by the way. There is nothing like this anywhere. I have been following your channel long time now and how you/your channel have evloved. Good job!

[@utvara1]

@@TheImperatorKnight add that in the addendum video. How humans function during moments where existence of their entire civilization is at risk is extremely important.

[@somerandomvertebrate9262]

@@TheImperatorKnight I like the theory though. It reveals the human being underneath, so secretIy I still hope Jones will mainly win the argument.

[@krisfrederick5001]

Whenever you're having a bad day...Remember you didn't have a Chuikov bad day...

[@leannmeddings4068]

Thanks for the laugh! I'm stealing that one!

[@elliottboomsluiter7214]

That's true, as long as you aren't Chuikov, it could always have been worse.

[@2PaweL]

[@raylast3873]

Hitler definitely had a Chuikov bad day when Chuikov came to visit him in Berlin.

[@kenduffy5397]

@@raylast3873 Lol, yes he did!

[@erikgranqvist3680]

Chuikov loosing his nerve for a while is no surprise. I mean, he must have been tired beyond belief at that time.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

As someone who is extremely tired right now, I can completely understand him

[@shoofly529]

What is the direct times he escaped injury/death? 9??

[@andrewblake2254]

He might have downed the odd bottle of vodka or two. Not unlikely.

[@andrewblake2254]

which might also explain why Krylov gave the orders and Chuikov was quickly forgiven. In Russia, even Stalin could not be too down on a comrade for having the odd drink on a bad day.

[@dixztube]

@@shoofly529 why did your comment make me laugh lol

[@mixererunio1757]

Just when my tea is warm enough to drink and I found the last piece of cake. I'm going to enjoy it profoundly.

[@lif3andthings763]

Real homies drink piping hot tea right out the kettle.

[@laszlomiskei9138]

Good times, mate

[@robert48044]

what kind of cake?

[@gingernutpreacher]

Yes what kind of cake?

[@pathfinder3754]

Imagine now that Russians and Germans in that film are starving...

[@uconnjames]

Breaking his nerve or not, Chuikov is still a hero to me, just like many other defenders of the city. Loosing confidence in defending the city, under overwhelming pressure from the enemy, only shows that Chuikov is human. Asking for retreat or not, he stayed in Stalingrad, stood his ground facing his possible imminent dearth. If this was not bravery I didn't know what it was.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Heroes that are perfect are called Mary Sue's. They're not good heroes. The best heroes are those with flaws and character. Chuikov was definitely a character, and he was also human.

[@razorbird789]

Chuikov knew the battle was lost and tried to flee the field. I wouldn't call him a hero. The only thing that stopped him was a gun on the other side of the Volga. He attempted to leave his entire army to die in Stalingrad and save his own skin. Self preservation is the strongest human instinct but if an admiral or captain can go down with a ship then so can a general go down with his army.

[@dreisiglps2451]

@@TheImperatorKnight Hey TIK, I left you comments in your previous video that you uploaded 1 week ago. Please read my comments and do research and make a video or answer my questions that I have asked you there! There are TOTALLY DIFFERENT things like 'George Orwell described National Socialism as a form of Conservatism' etc!

[@dreisiglps2451]

@@TheImperatorKnight And I don't label Adolf Hitler and Mussolini as Right wingers. But I have written questions in your previous video that you have uploaded 1 week ago. Please answer them, TIK! You are the best historian I've ever met on KZbin! The questions I've written there have things that confuse me! And I also quoted comments, from people you might not like. But one of them TOTALLY TELLS DIFFERENT things like this: 'Orwell explained National Socialism as a form of Conservatism' Please TIK, answer me what those things mean!

[@dreisiglps2451]

@@TheImperatorKnight To prove that I don't label Adolf Hitler as a Right winger, here's a quote: 'The truth is that Fascism was always a form of Socialism. Benito Mussolini, the founder of Fascist Italy, had been an international Socialist before a national Socialist, the latter being the essence of Fascism. National Socialism was also content to allow private business to survive, as long as it was directed by government subsidies and policy, a form of Socialist control that in our own country goes by the name "Crony Capitalism", where government rewards its political friends rather than allowing the operation of a free market.' ~Thomas James DiLorenzo, Book: 'The Problem With Socialism'

[@HOTSHTMAN53]

That thumbnail photo though. You just know he's the person you call to get shit done. Massive props to the person who colored it.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Terri did the thumbnail, but she didn't colour that photo of Chuikov. You can find the coloured photo online though.

[@Zveebo]

It’s weird - sometimes colourised photos add very little. But this one is really well done - makes Chuikov look much more ‘real’ and like a total badass.

[@julianshepherd2038]

Chuikov and everyone around him must have been terrified for days at a time. So would I.

[@dleechristy]

Who wouldn't have shat their pants seeing what happened to those to their left and right? Bad got worse, then getting buried alive etc

[@ShamanKish]

They must have changed their mind several times a second. TIK is too harsh 😯

[@bryangrote8781]

How did the few survivors not go completely mad in such a hell!? Cannot imagine current generations in any country enduring all of that terror and loss.

[@StanleyKewbeb1]

"If we're still here, we're winning" is pretty good. It's like when the oil tanks got hit and he said, "We're where all the smoke is."

[@mirola73]

Wouldn't you be with thousands out there to kill you ? Unless you're a robot that has no feelings everyone would be.

[@peterlynchchannel]

At 0930 hours, Chuikov was on the phone with front commander Eremenko explaining in no uncertain terms that the army couldn't survive without ammunition. Suddenly, a shell burst inside his command post, smashing the telephone, but failing to explode. Chuikov had to send volunteers swimming across the Volga to get the message to Eremenko. By 1000 hours, the swimmers fired a signal flare to confirm that they had succesfully made the crossing. By 1250 hours, the message had gotten through and ferries were being loaded with ammunition to be sent to the west bank of te Volga. The Volga was boiling, burning, and exploding, the men on the west bank couldn't tell if it was day or night. They hadn't seen the sun all week. The Germans were a mere 400 yards from Chuikov's command post and the HQ unit of the 62nd army had nothing heavier than rifle ammunition to stop the oncoming armored vehicles. No sooner had the first ferry pulled alongside the shore than Chuikov leaped aboard and grabbed the frst crate off the deck. He tore the wooden lid off with his bare fingers revealing a stock of anti tank mines. "These should do!" Cried Chuikov. As the HQ staff hastily emptied the munitions from their packings, Chuikov's attention fell upon the instruction manual at the bottom of the crate. With the diesel engines of the enemy rumbling closer and closer Chuikov frantically flipped through the flimsy pages before his eyes settled on giant bold printed words that brought clarity and instruction to the beleagured Soviet general. The simple instructions for the anti tank mines leaped off the page, shouting "JUST STICK TO TANKS!!!"

[@mohammadshabih5293]

😂😂😂

[@peterlynchchannel]

@@mohammadshabih5293 Well thanks for reading that all the way through.

[@user-oz5wt5jk9y]

Lmao

[@zunami64]

Lmao

[@MaFo82]

For me learning that even Chuikov who I have thought of as an 'unbreakable rock of a man' completely lost his nerve shows more then anything what hell the Battle of Stalingrad really was. My admiration for soldiers on both sides who fought on through it all have grown immensely while watching this great series.

[@skyhappy]

Admiration for men who were not fighting and killing each other of their free will? What?

[@user-me5oq3kl4h]

@@skyhappy soviets defended their land. What it is, if not free will

[@iljagaimovic9166]

@@skyhappy You are saying like, when Germans killed almost all my family who was simple workers and farmers, it was nothing personal for my grandfather? :/

[@vasilirikardsson]

It was quite intensive, maybe he drunk some vodka one evening and went to sleep. He also might considered a withdrawal. Germans had a good run in this TIK episode. Probably a withdrawal to save the remaining men in the ruins, including himself (nice bonus?). But maybe higher ups refused, maybe they knew that the germans were exausted (ammo, logistics, morale, cold) and it's even possible they were a sacrifice (not fair says the soy boy @ the tube) to destroy the 6th army.

[@vasilirikardsson]

"In fact the average Soviet soldier had no idea that their sacrifice in the city would buy time to encircle the German army, since the preparations for Operation Uranus were made with the utmost secrecy. Most Red Army soldiers would have no idea their sacrifice was to play such an important role in the greater course of the war"

[@slavazipp240]

Chuikov was 42 at the time. Approximately my age. This inevitably forces me to imagine his circumstances on me. Am I fit enough to take what this man has gone through? I do not want to hear an honest answer to this question I am afraid. Those men were giants.

[@skyhappy]

Being put into the meat grinder that is war is a scary experience for any adult male, thank god we were not in their situation

[@MarkVrem]

A body in motion tends to stay in motion.. You'd do fine! lol

[@stochasticwhistles]

No worries, Chuikov was forged in to steel well before WW2. During Russian civil war at the age of 19 he was already a commander of a regiment. Got wounded 4 times. He even participated in Second Sino-Japanese War as instructor for Chiang Kai-shek 1940-1942.

[@bencarter1666]

I did the same.. Cheered me no end

[@Melanrick]

You most likely would not hold up as they did. And the main reason is: Those men by the time the Second World War broke out have been forged in the fires of the first world war and the Russian Civil War so by the time they have to be really tested they have seen so much and spent most of their lives in the military craft. We, as civilians and some in the channel as peace time military cannot hope to have lived a portion of what they went through so our nerves are lacking.

[@dmcgill8978]

Chuikov was mentally spent and the anxiety in combat makes it worse. Can't blame him and you can have thousands of voices in your head telling you what to do to survive. So when you write them down shit won't make sense.

[@Pellagrah]

Thinking clearly when your life is on the line and your veins are pumping with cortisol + adrenaline takes a special (and deadly) kind of crazy. Difficult to fathom how many (most?) soldiers fighting so brutally were conscripted into service. Meanwhile, I curl up into a fetal position after drinking too much coffee.

[@bludfyre]

I really think TIK is misunderstanding Chuikov here. My interpretation is that he was asking permission to send some of his staff officers across the Volga in case the main command post was destroyed. Especially since he specifically stated that no members of the military council would be evacuated.

[@user-oz5wt5jk9y]

@@Pellagrah thank God post coffee shits are all we have to worry about

[@user-oz5wt5jk9y]

@@bludfyre Including his brother, yes.

[@Activated_Complex]

This was a spellbinding episode, thanks, TIK! The details of what the Soviet commanders were going through, and a light, economical sprinkling of anecdotes from the soldiers, really put those movements on the map into context. And entire regiments being down to mere dozens of men, or less, yet still expected to hold the line, is an absolutely haunting reminder of how desperate these days were.

[@sylvainprigent6234]

How can you blame him from losing his nerves... I'll join the military, as a junior officer, am not a coward. But I can for sure say that the weight of such a hard situation would be crushing for anyone

[@konstantinriumin2657]

Not to mention several near death experiences and constant stress, lack of sleep etc. for many weeks.

[@Vonsiatsky]

Exactly! Save his ass...coming from someone who even never been to the army

[@joshualoganhoi4]

TIK's mental health when 31 minutes of content which took so many hours of research are dedicated to a single day in Stalingrad: *chuckles* "I'm in danger!"

[@milosmevzelj5205]

Another battlestorm Stalingrad video. Great. Long time enjoying this series. Greetings from Slovenia.

[@MarkVrem]

Some of the previous ones in the past have felt at times to me like they dragged out a bit. These last couple of ones and the upcoming ones make all the previous little details and introductions to building etc, all worth it!

[@markotisovic8233]

Vidim, da nisem edini. Great series. I took time to watch the entire series (and other TiKs work).

[@milosmevzelj5205]

@@markotisovic8233 Gre za res super dela v katerih uživam in nekatera pogledam večkrat. Pozdrav iz Litije.

[@godweenausten]

Še en Slovenec se javlja in pridružuje pozdravom :)

[@unlearningcommunism4742]

@@milosmevzelj5205 Honorary Slovenec tukaj. Delal leto in pol v Ljubljani.

[@obsidianjane4413]

That Krylov issued an order is slim evidence the Chuikov was relieved. Any of that would have been documented., especially if Stalin was involved. Its much more likely it was a command decision by Krylov, or simply Chuikov was doing something else or even sleeping. Chuikov requested the withdrawal of his headquarters because they were under direct fire and you can't run an army like that, not that he personally wanted to save himself. Like you mentioned, he would have been very aware that that wasn't going to happen.

[@lovablesnowman]

If you know anything about the Soviet Union its that if Stalin wanted a certain version of events to be true then that's exactly what happened. If Stalin ordered that Chuikov was never relieved of command then he was never relieved. And who's going to disagree with Stalin?

[@obsidianjane4413]

@@lovablesnowman If you know anything about the Soviet Union is that after Stalin died a lot of his "dirt" cam to light and there were plenty of witnesses in high places who would have had motivation to "set the record straight". In addition, Stalin had absolutely no incentive to build up Chiikov as a hero at this point. You are making the mistake of trying to shoehorn the facts to fit a theory. That isn't how you history.

[@bludfyre]

Especially since he explicitly said no member of the military council would be evacuated. I understand his request to be like "can I send some people across the Volga to set up in the emergency command post in case we all die? I don't want them to get shot for cowardice."

[@Moredread25]

The battle of Stalingrad is amazingly complex. It makes me think about the "fog of war" and how no grand strategy simulation has yet captured how difficult it is to know exactly what is going on, and every single variable that causes even a single engagement to go the way it goes.

[@adaslesniak]

For real fog of war in game you would need fog over your troops - so you are sending orders to your troops, but are not sure in what state they are, how many of them are there and where exactly they are. Additionally there would need to be some AI which could twist your orders, how they are executed. Not sure if that would be playable and fun.

[@louissteven8862]

@@adaslesniak There are games that sort of do that, like a Vietnam one on steam. Total War is one game I guess where units aren't totally mindless who wjll do anything forever.

[@konstantinriumin2657]

I am a Soviet Soldier and i'm digging a hole Diggy Diggy Hole Diggy Diggy Hole! I am a Soviet Soldier and i'm digging a hole Diggy Diggy Hole Diggy Diggy Hole... Seriously though, what a hellish day... To those soviet soldiers who survived, the shock alone would be forever etched into memory

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I would enjoy a Stalingrad version of that song 😂

[@dyingearth]

@@TheImperatorKnight I'm looking for whatever protein I can find regardless of the source?

[@windalfalatar333]

According to Tolkien himself, the Dwarves were Jews and not Germans (they had been portrayed as having a German accent in a BBC Radio adaptation of "The Hobbit"). Lewis Brindley (of the Yogscast) has said that he thinks they're Scandinavian or Scottish, but maybe they should be considered Soviet, because they mine and build stuff out of metal, though I don't think they generally dug 'too' deep at Stalingrad.

[@yochaiwyss3843]

@@windalfalatar333 Tolkien took several dwarf names from the Scandinavian sagas, so it's not entirely wrong an assumption.

[@markotisovic8233]

That is how we were also trained. If you were on some spot for forseeable future check the weapons and then start digging.

[@Axisjampa]

What a great job TIK. I'm going through the entire series again so can keep up with all the info you just pour in. Best docu-series ever made!!!

[@michaelsemyanovsky9638]

At this point Chuvikov character should get a movie directed by somebody like Christopher Nolan or Denis Villeneuve. It would have long expositions or the destroyed city, dreadful soundtrack and triple A actors rising tension in bitter dialogues. Too bad Hollywood is interested in Dunkirk and Normandy, I think a realistic portrayal of Eastern Front (without using goofy accents and without trying to fit all the possible agendas against soviets in the span of two hours) can make a great drama

[@fakeplaystore7991]

@@allaireko What anti-Soviet agendas? Hollywood loves their Communism (admittedly, their own weaksauce, "inclusive", LGTBBQ+-friendly version of Communism that has nothing to do with real life Communism). They are also, however, terribly lazy, and I'm willing to bet that no writer, director, or producer even knows of the details of the Stalingrad struggle (look at how many books TIK had to read for this documentary; do you think Bravo Nolan or Hack Fraud Villeneuve have the time and willpower to employ the effort?) to be able to even make a pitch about it. Then, of course, you have the problem that a Soviet-centric WW II movie would be a hard sell to both Murrican and Chinese markets (even if the Chinese are commies themselves, remember the Sino-Soviet split and the fact that Stalingrad was before Communist Chine existed...).

[@kjragg1099]

That would be awesome. I’d love to see him do an epic movie about battle of the bulge too but from the perspective of both the allied and Germans.

[@Blazo_Djurovic]

@@fakeplaystore7991 It's less of an agenda and more that Hollywood is a business and it tends to present heavily flanderised picture of events that would be most engaging to the average Joe. This means that if it's set in USSR, every NKVD fucker needs to be a mustache twirling villain, you need to show people getting shot all the time, to the point that you might think that they were executing more people than Germans are killing, etc. That is if they put into their heads that this will be "WWII Chernobyl", since they most of the tame have no creativity and can only copy things that recently worked. OR they could go with the most heroic interpretation possible, but that is HIGHLY unlikely given present situation vis a vis Russia.

[@haveraygunwilltravel]

They would just ruin it with woke writers. The hero would be a Mary Jane not the thousands of soldiers that gave their lives by holding the ground with their last breath.

[@firingallcylinders2949]

1993 Stalingrad is the closest thing we're going to get to a realistic Eastern Front movie.

[@Centurion101B3C]

Hm, This scrutiny of Chuikov based solely on Jones is imho a bit shaky. It makes on me the impression as if trying to find fault with a Heroic commander who by luck and/or by proficiency has managed to keep the fight going for so long without evidencing any real inclination of giving up. He knew (and was likely rightfully convinced) of having to expect to meet with an acute and likely terminal case of lead-poisoning if he would cross the Volga, so in the end it would make very little difference to him personally whether he stayed or escape over the Volga. It would be a jump from the frying pan into the fire for him, so why would he risk losing his reputation over this? It was basically all he had left, after all. The fact that he continued to remain in Stalin's good graces is also telling in this context. Also, in the given situation one can imagine a certain sense of unease settling in with Chuikov's in which his expectations of success in his (then) current position (unable to maintain proper overview, let alone control of the situation) would be subject to a fair amount of diminishing. He might have truly contemplated better odds of success from his secondary HQ of 62 Army, regardless of his personal wellbeing. I mean, his units are getting walloped accross the board, his command-post is in spitting distance of the German onslaught and being shot, bombarded and strafed to shreds with his staff being basically exterminated and on top of that he had to execute several of his subordinates, which may not have done much for his equilibrium and good cheer, I guess. Fortunately (at least where it concerns to me) we know now that in the end it worked out for the Soviets.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Nobody is "trying to find fault" with Chuikov, or anyone else. In fact, Jones does nothing but praise Chuikov throughout his book (perhaps being a bit too far "pro-Soviet"). All we're trying to do here is figure out what happened. In my opinion, I'd rather see Chuikov as a good-but-flawed general who's also human and real, than a mythical Mary Sue that was perfect in every way, but apparently I'm in the minority there... It was clear to me by just reading Chuikov's memoirs that something was off. So even without Jones, I was still doubtful of the narrative. Jones then provided extra context. Jones is using primary sources (most of which have been verified by Anton Joly and Egor Kobiakov). As I said in response to the pinned comment, there is a potential issue or two which I may need to do an Addendum video on, but otherwise it's fine. So I'm not relying on Jones, so much as relying on the primary sources he's provided. Jones places the blame on Eremenko, not Chuikov. I also think Eremenko was at fault for not sending reinforcements to Chuikov. What's important though is that nobody is saying that Chuikov was wrong to do what he did, or that he was a coward or whatever. A coward would have fled without permission, and wouldn't have prepared to fight to the end when permission to withdraw wasn't granted. Clearly, Chuikov wasn't a coward, and I don't think less of him for wanting to withdraw in the face of collapse. If Eremenko had sent him the reinforcements he needed, he probably wouldn't have been in that position in the first place.

[@Centurion101B3C]

@@TheImperatorKnight Agreed and this was not intended to cast aspersions on your as always very good and thorough presentation. The operative phrase in my initial comment was ''makes on me the impression". That does not make it to be actually so, but conveys my (correct or not) initial interpretation of what was presented. If or when you look at the other comments, you'll see that I am definitely not the only one in that respect. Anyway, now that I'm actually retired, I may find the time to more thoroughly read up on the matter so that I can at least for myself avoid giving in to misconceptions.

[@andrewblake2254]

@@TheImperatorKnight Have you considered the possibility that Chuikov just got drunk? Chuikov, drunk, sends demands to Eremenko, Chuikov gets sacked, Eremenko contacts Krylov to establish situation, and finds out Chuikov is drunk, tells Krylov to issue orders and perhaps after speaking to Kruschev or even higher ups, Chuikov is reinstated. There is probably no evidence for this but it was not unknown for a Russian general to have a few. And it is a hypothesis that covers what we do know about the events.

[@Martina-Kosicanka]

Thank you marshal Chuikov and your soldiers for enabling me and other Slavic people to be born. God bless your souls

[@LavrencicUrban]

CAME HOME FOR HOLIDAYS AFTER 2 YEARS AND FOR THE PAST WEEK I'VE BEEN TELLING MY DAD ABOUT THE NEXT EPISODE OF STALINGRAD BATTLESTORM. TODAY I'VE BEEN CHECKING EVERY 10 MINUTES IF THE VIDEO IS OUT. WHEN IT FINALLY CAME WE STRAPPED UP INTO TIK'S TIME MACHINE FOR 40 MINUTES OF HISTORICAL EXTASY. NOW WE'LL TRY TO MARATHON THROUGH THE WHOLE SERIES BEFORE THE NEXT EPISODE IS OUT; TWO YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS VISITING LAST WE MARATHONED KURLAND SAGA, WHICH WAY BEYOND MY DAD HAS EVER SEEN; BUT STALINGRAD REALLY IS A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. YOU TIK REALLY ARE AN INTELECTUAL AND ENTERTAINMENT JEWEL!

[@csansolo]

This was one of the most interesting chapters of the series. Amazing.

[@tomm9963]

So lucky that we were born in a time and place where we didn't have to experience this firsthand. Truly a hell on earth

[@alex20776a]

Bright side is that TIK may narrate it. Not everything is a loss.

[@tanzimabir2910]

@TIK I wish you would make a series of Battle of Moscow, the main turning point of the war. Thanks for the Stalingrad and Courland series.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I would like to one day!

[@walterdogg]

Dont you think Stalingrad was more of a turning point than Moscow? You are watching TIK afterall...

[@TheImperatorKnight]

@@walterdogg They're both turning points, but it's been argued by a few historians (I think Stahel, Glantz and Citino if memory serves me right?) that the main turning point of the war was even earlier than Moscow. The war in the East was probably decided somewhere in the summer of 1941. I've even argued that they lost the war before it started because of the oil... but that's just me going out on a limb

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Actually, thinking about it - I remember that there's a Citino lecture where he said he deliberately went out of his way not to use the term "turning point", so I don't think he said there was a main turning point. Here's the lecture if you're interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3-nmaate5Z6gc0 or it might be this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4THgGCYqbComtU (I forget)

[@gargravarr2]

@@TheImperatorKnight Battlestorm Smolensk could be interesting to show the evolution of the strategic situation in summer 1941. The Germans were expecting no resistance, but were first surprised by the Soviet reserves in front of Smolensk, then the newly mobilized forces coming from the east. This killed the momentum of Army Group Center completely, and then Hitler ordered the panzers to go north and south instead of Moscow (lots of Madman Hitler Cards to play in the arguments about that decision). It is perhaps the first turning point, alongside various slowdowns in the north and south that occurred around the same time. Operational Combat Series calls the battle "Barbarossa Derailed".

[@tankgirl2074]

Excellent assessment of Chuikov's mental state on the 14-15th.

[@warrenflood2809]

Great analysis on Chuikov!!! Wow, always love your historical videos but this was one of those that blew me away. What an eye for the details! Even though this was a story about Chuikov's breakdown, your narration makes it far more tangible just how brave characters like Chuikov and the many others stuck on west bank of the Volga were. Incredible to think that many who survived something like that were able to return to peaceful society without their sanity completely disintegrating. I'm sure they had their share of returning terrors, but simply holding down a job or keeping a few close relationships are incredible achievements after living through something like Stalingrad.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Glad you enjoyed it! Some people are now trying to argue that I was disparaging Chuikov, but I'm glad you and others are seeing that that isn't the case at all. Chuikov was still brave even if he had a moment of doubt when everything appeared to be collapsing.

[@bl4173]

Crazy to see how much efforts you’re putting in making those videos. Thank you so much for your hard work. Bravo!

[@ciuyr2510]

Your expression, when you say "....Or Else!" Priceless

[@Swellington_]

Chuikov just looks like a tough dude, and it sounds like he was fair,or somewhat anyway

[@oslier3633]

Every time I listen to these videos I ask myself "This is exciting, I wonder who is going to win?".

[@fakeplaystore7991]

At the end? Well, there was a certain group who won it all, alright, but we are not allowed to talk about them.

[@narancauk]

Europeans

[@narancauk]

15:48 What would you expect the General to say in his memoirs '' I was scarred sh....less''

[@stalinchinguetas4805]

Thank you for documenting the glorious struggle of the Soviet Union!!!!

[@sniperboom1202]

Chuikov loosing his nerve makes total sense. A man can only almost be killed so many times before he snaps at least once. That it took this long and the fact Stalin recognized or at least suspected the reason for his snap is a good sign as a leader. Richthofen also being of the mind to send luftwaffe troops to the army is shocking as well from his previous attitude of the army being "constipated" in its advances. Maybe a trip to the front on the ground vs the air told him a different story. (Stalin is not a good person, shouldn't have to say it but it's KZbin comment section).

[@benholroyd5221]

Omg. Stalin's just misunderstood. Stop drinking the Nazi koolaid.

[@sniperboom1202]

@@benholroyd5221 I can't tell if you misunderstood what I was saying or think I'm genuinely defending Nazis? I'm going to hope it's the former and not the later. I'm not defending Stalin or the Nazis what I'm saying is as a leader you try and understand your subordinates and give them the tools they need to succeed. Stalin in the beginning wasn't doing that and now that he sees how bad the situation has become and seeing even chuikov snap under the pressure is sending a message higher up. Stalin makes more troops go in to reinforce the lines while gurring kept 200k troops from the front.

[@benholroyd5221]

@@sniperboom1202 I was attempting to be humourous. I was reacting to your parenthetical.

[@sniperboom1202]

@@benholroyd5221 okay thank you. Wooooooo! You seriously never can tell with KZbin comments these days, I meant no offense and hope you see my reasoning. :)

[@benholroyd5221]

@@sniperboom1202 don't worry about it. If someone accuses me of being a nazi/commie/racist/sexist on KZbin. I tend to just assume I'm correct.

[@danny_strange2105]

This series is the best I have seen about Stalingrad!! It is not possible that any history book is 100% accurate. BUT the is a most honest account. (My second time watching)

[@victorydaydeepstate]

Brother, you are intense. I wish I had 10% of your creative energy. Your service to furthering the understanding the so huge, only time can tell

[@Trojanponey]

It's amazing to think about the end of these videos and the snapshot of time that they represent. It's hard to imagine getting from here, October 15th 1942, all the way to where things will be in roughly 35 days. Its something that leaves me stunned to think about how close to oblivion the Soviets were, and how close to victory the Germans were... and then just over a month later the world would turn upside down...

[@schweinhund7966]

Although you are not alone, you are among the very best for World War II military history! Outstanding work.

[@invictus84]

@TIK I’ve been watching since your first video. This episode is your finest work. Thank you for all that you do.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I'm glad you liked it! I actually thought the editing on this video was a bit sloppy and rushed at times, so it's surprising to hear you think this is my finest video

[@Arashmickey]

Chuikov: "I can't hear the individual shells anymore." Eremenko: "Maybe you should take a break?" Stalin: "No breaks! Hang on for Uranus!"

[@martinkafka9510]

Chuikov being sacked and Stalin reversing the order is quite a theory. I sure hope its based on more than just Jones source, for while the situation presented sure is one of possible options, there seem several other viable explanations for what was said and done. Not sure it would stand the "but is it really so?" test, for while results are clear, some things might be safely deduced, some might be at least reasonably guessed at (breaking lines, emotional pressure, etc...)". However it seems to me that this time quite a lot details is presented as fact or at least very probable way the events unfolded without solid evidence to back it up. Unless of course there is much more proof than was mentioned in the video itself. For without proven facts, even the most beautiful theory, is just that...a theory. To make it clear, I do not claim better knowledge of what happened, am not even disputing that it actually might have gone the way it was presented, but for example - Chuikovs signature missing on the order - just off the top of my head it might have been because he wasnt at the command post at the moment (or Krylov wasnt), trying to contact troops (destroyed communications), shooting brigade commanders and comissars etc. Sure, standard procedure was Chuikov, Krylov, Gurov, but there was very little standard of anything on 14th October. Lines were crumbling, germans on the attack and only several hundred meters to the Volga, so in case it was necessary to issue a situation saving order and for some reason whole complement of commanders wasnt present, doubt there was time to spare to try to get them all together. Did it happen this way? I do not know. However taking from same information that Chuikov was sacked (for whatever reason) and then promptly reinstated, I think that my theory has at least 50-50 chance. Simply said, just because Chuikovs memoirs might be wrong in this instance, doesnt mean that Jones is automatically right.

[@hudsona4004]

I would also like more critical thinking about the utility of crossing the Volga. Just because both command posts were under fire doesn't mean they were both equally as useful. Pros of the west bank: easier to communicate via messenger. Pros of east bank: likely less damage and less chance of staff and communications equipment being destroyed in the future. Obviously there's a lot more to it than this. It is possible that both Chuikov lost his nerve and moving the command post was a rational thing to do.

[@kamilh3268]

Best series about stalingrad campain ever done! Thank you for doing it so well!

[@Becks670]

Ohhh, this stalingrad battlestorm is epic!

[@azanjac]

I lose my nerve I smoke a couple of cigs and contemplate my pending failure. Chuikov looses his nerve and shoots 6 people and decides he's dying on the Volga.

[@caylarabdk8389]

lol, "Are we still taking about crossing the Volga or raising interest rates?"

[@MarkVrem]

But! wait! If it's not capitalism, how is there Interest Rates

[@TheImperatorKnight]

"But! wait! If it's not capitalism, how is there Interest Rates" Interest rates exist in a Socialist economy. The problem is you can't accurately calculate them in a Socialist economy because without free market prices (or money) you cannot make economic calculation. That's why interest rates are currently at or near or below zero for the entire world - because the Central Banks (called for by Karl Marx in the Communist Manifesto) have centrally planned and artificially set interest rates too low. In a free market capitalist system, negative interest rates wouldn't be possible, yet here we are. Thank you Central Planners!

[@Raskolnikov70]

@@TheImperatorKnight Look at the bright side, the interest rates won't matter after the currency collapses.

[@MarkVrem]

@@TheImperatorKnight It's not just the central planners, and it seems giant corporations might also be playing a role. The current scenario playing out is that Walmart and Amazon are ordering far more products than they need out of China. This is done as a way to bulldoze products out of the Chinese supply chain issues. Sort of like when people stockpiled toilet paper. So currently, Amazon/Walmart, etc., are having warehouse shortages to store all these products. Once this initial stage of inflation passes, all these excess products sitting in warehouses will have deflationary forces. So Central Planners are printing too much money YES!... But also giant corporations trying to maintain their market share, about to flood the market YES also!

[@user-qh4mw6nf2h]

So, Chuikov didnt ask permission to retreat, he asked permission to move his HQ to east bank to regain control of his army. Please do not confuse us.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

In his heavily edited memoirs, Chuikov says he wanted to withdraw parts of his HQ. But the actual request at the time, quoted at 18:54 doesn't say that. He only asks for permission to withdraw.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

Apparently the best English language video series about the Stalingrad campaign. I can think of none even rivalling it.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

"Apparently the best English language video series about the Stalingrad campaign." Is there one rivaling it that's not in English?

[@QuizmasterLaw]

@@TheImperatorKnight In Russian, of course. Several. It's a topic of perennial horse beating. Not much in German, in contrast. Also the horse flesh has been stripped bare. The horse is undead.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

@@TheImperatorKnight Your Russophone friend and aide ANTON will have insights. Star Media is where I would check first. Just the tractor factory has a dozen or more videos.

[@jonnyreb3032]

Yes...TIK this series is amazing..anticipating being able to watch this after work.

[@andrewshaw1571]

Is the conversation between Khrushchev and Chuikov mentioned in Khrushchev's memoirs? Would be interesting to confirm things if he remembers the events very differently to Chuikov.

[@raylast3873]

Wait what was the evidence that asking to withdraw was down to Chuikov losing his nerve? After all, regardless of his attempts to sweep it under the rug, it‘s hardly an irrational idea, including militarily. Yes we can wonder how much self-preservation was involved vs. tactical consideration, but the risk of having your command post overrun by the enemy by itself is certainly a valid reason to move it, even if doing so brings no immediate improvements. Likewise, the question of whether Chuikov was temporarily removed by the front commander for asking to withdraw is entirely separate from the question of whether he was thinking rationally when he made that request. The former theory certainly seems to have at least some evidence pointing towards it in the form of Krylov giving out Army Orders and seems plausible enough, as is the possibility that Stalin could have intervened. The temporary insanity thesis, on the other hand, I really don‘t see any evidence for, and while also theoretically plausible, it certainly isn‘t required to explain what happened. Nor does it seem irrational that Chuikov was expecting the Germans to win. That was a pretty plausible assumption at this point.

[@gezbo66]

Suddenly saw it while making scones. Absolutely loving it and will wait until my scones are ready and I will finish of both the scones and the video….

[@DaveSCameron]

Pity those German soldiers were bereft of sconen*

[@billosby9997]

Thanks, I looked up what a scone is, looks like a biscuit.

[@gezbo66]

@@DaveSCameron Ya, ya but i read der Ruskies had ample supplies of Sconski's !!

[@DaveSCameron]

@@gezbo66 They did but its all scone now*

[@communistagitator]

I apologize for calling you a fascist. I was frustrated by your constant anti-soviet remarks in your Stalingrad series. Overall you did a great job and I thank you for it. I continue to watch and enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@christopherenge4934]

Do Chuikov's requests to withdraw deserve a tick or two on the "Chuikov Almost Died" meter? In a way, I'd kind of say they do given the official attitude toward retreat.

[@Raskolnikov70]

His headquarters getting hit and losing 30 or so people should probably count. Makes it sound like Chuikov was standing knee-deep in corpses while talking to Eremenko and Kruschev.

[@nilloc93]

Given that he requested permission to retreat and then didn't actually doesn't violate order 227 in any way. Punishment was for retreating without orders not for requesting to withdraw.

[@Raskolnikov70]

@@nilloc93 With someone at his level of command, I think the optics were a bigger concern than anything else. That kind of fear and hopelessness coming from a top commander might have been enough to get him shot if Stalin hadn't intervened. Pretty sure the commisars were already sharpening their pencils to write about the heroic last stand of Chuikov and the 64th Army; having the senior commander begging to withdraw throws a wrench in that narrative.

[@winstonsmith8482]

​@@Raskolnikov70 I think EVEN Stalin must have been aware of the horrendous losses being suffered in and around the city and for once seems to have been somewhat sympathetic to his subordinate who was having to battle for every inch of ground in those hellish conditions. And especially given that Chuikov hadn't actually abandoned his post and retreated across the river, but only requested permission to do so, it seems logical enough.

[@rodneyholland1867]

At 16:20 mins - Fantastic dig. Works no matter what country you are from.

[@hakdov6496]

We're finally getting up to scenario 1 in Squad Leader.

[@mathewm7136]

Great Post!

[@jocelynpageau9249]

Like usual your content is top tier Been watching Since Episdo 1. You outclass many many Tv show/Docu i saw. Love your perspectiv and intergrity keep the good work!

[@calumdeighton]

Still going through your video, at the 7 minute mark. But looks like this will be the make or break day for Chuikov and Stalingrad. Soviets need their Artillery if they are going to win this. That. And a lot of guts, steel, and fortune.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I do say this later in the video, but their artillery was taking its toll

[@neillaverty4042]

The thing is that Chuikov does not know that the logistics position of 6th Army does not allow Paulus to sustain this all out effort. He also does not know about the big strategic picture including the transfer of 5th Guards Tank Army from Tula to the Don and the coming operation Uranus. From his point of view he has just been hit by the greatest tactical bombardment by the Luftwaffe in WWII - how does he know that the Demyansk airlift has forced the Germans to prioritize short term logistics (ammo, food, fuel) over long term logistics (fix dual track railways, esp the don bridge). I think most commanders would been driven nearly insane under that kind of pressure. It was a most cruel test and it only increases my respect and frankly awe that he managed to recover so quickly. The Demyansk airlift continued after a narrow corridor had been established to the pocket - the air transport squadrons could not be transfered to AG South during Blau to patch up the Logistics crisis. Even a trickle of supplies builds up over six months. Awesome synthesis of historical sources TIK, simply unmatched. But the Maps, the way you do them, its something that should be shown in West Point and Sandhurst, they are just sublime excellence when it comes to analysis of the incredible complexity of modern war.

[@RinaRavyn]

Because of this series ive been picking up Red Orchestra 2 Heroes of Stalingrad again... and my gawd does it do the slaughter in the city justice. it is truly impressive how quickly the germans cleared the tractor factory, altho to be fair to the russians, the resistance was fairly broken.

[@thatcampingmann9543]

Check out darkest hour Europe 44-45 it’s a red orchestra mod

[@spacebar5670]

Stumbled upon this series a month ago, have binged it all the way to this point, and all I can say is bravo, the most detailed and accurate piece on this battle to date, you put most major networks to shame!

[@mineplow1000]

Gripping stuff as always, Sir. Thank you.

[@finalchapter24k]

The fact that the city's fate hung in the balance and might have been lost and that Chuikov briefly lost his nerve is what makes The Battle of Stalingrad so interesting. The uncertaintly of the outcome and the subsequent encirclement of the 6th Army is why Stalingrad is the most interesting battle in all of military history imo.

[@calumdeighton]

Finished and I've got a few things in my head: 1: Chuikov's repeated requests for withdraw from Stalingrad and his ego in his memoirs: If he had kept thoughs in his memoirs I'd have more respect for him as a person. He was only human, and trying to cover up his (not the right word to use) "errors" at the time does little for him in my opinion. 2: The shooting of his officers was a needed action if he was going to hold on: He took the right approach that if he couldn't go, then no one could. - Speaking as a 40K person, but this is a somewhat normal behaviour and approach in the Imperial Guard. Not all Regiments require it, but it is a recorded necessity when fighting & holding off the grimdark stuff that take place there. And it being necessary in this situation, highlights I think just how much of a make or break situation it was for the Soviet Union. And again. Officers being shot, not rank & file troops. Although some of them did get it. 3: I found the 650th Regiment crossing a little interesting in that, the Germans were trying to bomb and bombard the Soviet crossings at Night. Think I'm missing something on this, but I think its a somewhat wasteful use of much needed ammunition for the Germans. If they were using flares, that would help and explain them trying. But I believe I am missing a relative detail here. And 4: The German manpower crisis. Good god Luftwaffe! You can't win a ground war without the Army! Air planes can't hold or take ground! And initially, when Paulus was planning to strike into Chuikov's remnants in the south with the Panzer Divisions, I was initially. "No! And with What!?" As the German units really needed reinforcing, rest & support before even thinking of going in. But with the ammo supply situation going on behind the lines. This is make or break with everything we have. Final turn on some board or video game where you just have to through everything you got left, even the kitchen sink and try to win. If Chuikov can somehow hold on and break this assault, the battle is winnable. If Paulus'es drunk, depleted and exhausted troops can win this. Well enough said and had to get this all out of my head before I forgot some bits & bobs I was thinking. Some key things here I know I'm missing, but heck, this is a bloody day. "Make or Break" really needs to be the next episode title of this offensive. If "most critical day" is the first, then the next one should be 'Make or Break', or whenever this is more appropriate. Heck of a day in Stalingrad for sure.

[@fakeplaystore7991]

As far as we know, Chuikov may not had the last word about what was published or not. Even if he intended to be honest about his own thoughts at the time (and he had basically no incentive to do so, of course), there was no guarantee that the Soviet editors wouldn't "correct" his own thoughts and he'd have to keep his damn mouth shut about it or else.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Good suggestion on the next episode title - I like it! 1. Don't forget the censorship. Chuikov may have wanted to tell the truth, but may have been prevented. 2. I obviously don't support the execution of people, but it was desperate times and Chuikov may not have had a choice. I can see both sides, so I'll let others be the judge on that. 3. Yes, people were complaining previously how the Germans didn't target the ships on the Volga, but here's an example of where they did and they failed. In other instances, they did destroy boats, so it's not a clear yes or no answer. German artillery and Stukas was somewhat effective in interdicting the 62nd Army's supply lines, but there's no real way of calculating how effective it was or wasn't. All we can really say is that their actions weren't enough. And was it a waste of shells? Apparently not because they kept doing it.

[@calumdeighton]

​@@fakeplaystore7991 True, very true. But it does diminish him a bit and make him less impressive. People don't like their heroes exposed and all that.

[@calumdeighton]

@@TheImperatorKnight 1: Aye, Fake made a good point on that. 2: True, the execution of people is not a nice thing. -But honestly, I think it was a necessary move under the circumstances. but that's IMO. 3: And yes, thank you for reminding me. Forgot they did try previous in other episodes, and do some damage as well. Its the small details that easily get forgotten. So damn much stuff.

[@cccpredarmy]

did you seriously just made a point about "executing officers" with copied meme-like 40k reference? Let me get this straight... some nerd writing 40k universe read or heard somewhere that in military (and most probably in Red Army itself) there were cases of shooting own officers. He took this without even reading deeper into it and made a lol-meme-stereotype to make the Imperial Guard look "cool". Now YOU take it and use it back on the Red Army. It's a stereotype inception xD Most certainly the executions of soldiers or officers always had a meaning behind it, so those who saw it with their own eyes knew what they get executed for. Imperial Guard on the other hand, since it was written by some random nerd who never grew up is "just shoot random dude and *BOOM* ==> MORALE BOOST! EVERYONE FIGHTING HARDER!!! WOOOOW!". Real life is different lol

[@Kawabongahlive]

Having to wait an entire month for the next battlestorm stalingrad episode is almost torture, but I'll endure. Thank you as always for your fine work.

[@hugod2000]

Thank you for these great quality videos.

[@dmitriyparfenov]

A great episode. Even history most praised commanders are still human and can lose their nerve. A great look into Chuikov suffering a tragedy on Oct. 14th.

[@andrew5036]

Very interesting video, I have just started reading the Death of the Leaping Horseman. Keep up the great work

[@user-qp7ug8pd4x]

Hi from Russia, writing you from Volgograd-Stalingrad. Thank you for your videos about Stalingrad battle, it always has a good visual part. That's nice to see that some foreign people have good knowledge about history and still remember that greatest battle. Sometimes i'm not agree with your assumption, it also depends on what sources you based on. Chuikov loosing his nerve is a "litmus test" shows what terrible hell and hard days were there in Stalingrad.

[@WhiteBandit]

Cut a little slack for Chuikov. Can you really blame him for loosing nerves? Anyone who served in armed forces know the lack of sleep and the constant stress from the ever growing threat of death that you would face in that situation. There are no sane persons in the hellfire cauldron of Stalingrad.

[@darthcalanil5333]

He's not blaming him for anything. All this about is that Chuikov said one thing in his memoirs, and the facts contradicts what he said. doesn't diminish what the guy achieved.

[@edgarbumblefoot7467]

Fantastic work as always TIK can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this series, the definitive work on Stalingrad. Makes me whoop with joy when I see you've uploaded a new one. Keep up the great work, and I wish you every success in your endeavors.

[@formgrya6927]

Hey TIK, a question comes to mind when I see the Germans trying to wipe out the nothern pocket: You mention Paulus being on a tight schedule for this offensive, so it would make sense for him to concentrate his forces on the most important objectives. Which I imagine is Chuikov's headquarters, the landing zones, and the fortified positions in the big factories. If that is the case, then why do Janecke and Heim's divisons stay up north to try and wipe out that pocket? Wouldn't it they be a lot more useful if, after reaching the volga and pushing the soviets away from the tractor factory, they would be wheeled around and sent back south. So as to gain a bigger concentration of force against the most important objective. You mention these two divisions succeeded in pushing away the soviets by the afternoon of the 15th. So that's, I think, enough time to put them in position for an assault on the 16th. If Paulus did feel himself to be under a tight schedule in taking the city, then it would make sense if he prioritized the most important objectives of his offensive. Rather than the relatively unimportant task of wiping out a cut off pocket of defenders that no longer posed a threat, nor held an important position. What do you think of this idea? Concentrating all available forces on the most important objective is what you would expect Paulus to do. Yet it seems as if he isn't doing that here.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I didn't show the movements at the end, but 14th Panzer and 305th Infantry Divisions were sending their units south. Not all had arrived by the start of the next day, but they were concentrating on Chuikov's thin northern line.

[@andrewpease3688]

Pualus number 1 priority is retreat

[@russell7489]

Seems both sides so weak that moving anyone risked any enemy attack breaking the weakened line.

[@danny_strange2105]

I don't think Chuikov lost his nerve as much as he was being pragmatic about the Germans chance to overwhelm forces west of the Volga. His commander's were loosing their nerve as a few of them were shot. Also, Chuikov's inclination of putting his HQ close to the front suggest that he was stubbornly holding on at all cost. If the West bank was taken, someone would need to coordinate a defense so setting up an alternative HQ of the island makes sense. Great video as always!!!!!!!

[@tvanb8729]

Never knew Chuikov measured distances in yards and miles 🙄

[@thecolonel3995]

In the Courland series part of one of Schorner's order said "not to give up one foot of ground". I've noticed a lot of Soviet and German use of feet and miles as opposed to meters and kilometers

[@secretagent86]

an excellent video with amazing depth.. subscribed. Just my amateur opinion, but "losing one's nerves" is not the same as realistically determining that Chuikov's position was untenable. Most/all commanders would have thought retreat was logical. This seems to be one of the few times in history where "not one step back" actually had the desired result and went a long way to changing the outcome of the war overall.

[@mnk9073]

Stalin being actually a competent leader doing the right things at the right time is somewhat strange to see.

[@nikitosnu]

He actually made a lot of good strategic decisions throughout the war, but was used as a scapegoat by the generals after his death. For the generals it was much easier to blame "madman Stalin" for everything, rather than to admit their own mistakes

[@dyingember8661]

Stalin's mistakes were mostly made in the early stage of the war, but he was an excellent general in the Russian civil war after all, his achievement in Tsaritsyn was so successful that the city was changed to his name, of course he is confident in his decision, although he did make mistakes, unlike that German leader(who was just a corporal in WWI), who had always stubborn until the end of the war, Stalin admitted that he had made mistakes and handed over the command to his generals, and those generals（most of them anyway）did not failed him, Stalin was a capable leader on this point alone.

[@matsvayconstantin]

как вы думаете некомпетентный лидер мог бы успешно управлять 30 лет такой большой и сложной страной как СССР в такое непростое время?

[@mnk9073]

@@matsvayconstantin Not at all my friend but it's the usual narrative.

[@johnj7918]

Great job on this series. I appreciate all the work that went into it. It is by far the best and more detailed account of this battle on the internet. Great work!!

[@muskett4108]

Churikov might have been sacked for a day, or everyoone just thoiught he must be dead for a few hours as he could have been off coms??? That cat has more than 9 lives. What is the count now? Would be interesting to know what artillery was available and what reach it had?? What counter battery went on??? Did the Soviets have any idea how low on fuel, ammunition, and manpower Paulus was at? That this was the last shove the 9th Army had? Or was it!

[@shoofly529]

Wow!! At 22:13 Eremanco disregarded a direct order from Stalin! That is either really brave or suicidal. Why would he do that? Love to find out & also see a timeline from when the order to reinforce Chuikov was given & received, to when the unit was available to reinforce, to how many hours/days it took to be sent over. Also surprised given this crucial situation, Stalin didn’t address Eremanco’s failure to comply with this specific order with an order to report to the KGB so he can give an “explanation.” Where was Eremanco’s Commissar?? What actions/inactions did he take? If, “It takes a brave man to be a deserter in the Red Army”, it may take a much braver general & commissar to disregard a direct order from Stalin. As always with history, the more we learn, the more questions we have. Great post TIK!

[@georgefassuliotis5745]

So Chuikov escaped death again! (This time by possible firing squad). What number are we up to?

[@dlifedt]

The recent Velikaya Voina show (all over YT) also mentions that Chuikov didn't believe Stalingrad could be held at this stage. Series is surprisingly accurate, if at times patriotic (Isaev seems to have been a lead)

[@narancauk]

18:30 ''Chuikov did not tell the true story. ''------In the West people would say ''Ah it was the fog of war''

[@steeltrap3800]

I'm raising this because I know you take getting things accurate on the basis of evidence VERY seriously; it's part of what makes your work so great to take in. You claim at 16:35 - 16:40 on the basis of Chuikov's OWN account "it's blatantly obvious that Chuikov wanted to get out of the City to save his own neck". That's a pretty serious accusation, and I believe you can't make that claim legitimately on the basis of his OWN account. Perhaps there are others that DO justify it, but not his own. Here's why: 1. I'm assuming Chuikov himself must have been part of the Military Council. 2. the request was made "on condition that the entire Military Council stayed in the city" (at 14:55 to 14:59). 3. It follows that even IF the request were granted on that condition, HE WOULD HAVE STAYED. Seems to me it's not that he wanted to save his OWN skin, but that his (likely rather traumatised HQ; they lost 30 people didn't they?) might perform better in its work away from immediate danger of being overrun. He WASN'T trying to evacuate himself, he was staying, but he DID want to send large parts of his HQ across the river. If that is accurate, and I'm basing it on what you've quoted, I'm intrigued that you've represented it as though it must be false, contradicted by Chuikov's own words. There may well be evidence to show it was false, but if that's the case I still think you jumped the gun by claiming Chuikov's own words exposed the lie when it's entirely possible to withdraw some or most of his HQ while HE and other members of the MC did NOT leave. Thus he HIMSELF wasn't thinking of withdrawing even if he DID want to remove much of his HQ. One might argue that while moving across the river may not have improved things much, having the entire Army command overrun by the Germans ("only 300yds away") most certainly would have been WORSE. You won't be doing much communicating with your forces if you're dead or captured. Isn't he arguably being responsible to his HQ and Army? Does he GAIN anything risking it further when he himself, and the rest of the Military Council, REMAIN? Is that not a more accurate portrayal of what Chuikov claimed? Seems to me his explanation while clumsy is NOT obviously dishonest or even contradictory in itself IF one accepts moving part of the HQ was requested "on condition that the entire Military Council stayed in the city" and that was his intention. Further evidence may say otherwise, but if that's the case I'd suggest you ought not to have made the claim he was being dishonest until presenting evidence that showed clearly it to be the case. Have I missed something? Seems a rather serious accusation that is not at all supported by Chuikov's OWN account despite you claiming otherwise at the point you did (you expanded on the evidence, but that WASN'T from "Chuikov's own words".) Might seem pedantic, but I think it matters. Hope you have time to comment, but understand if not. Loving the series, absolutely remarkable achievement. Cheers

[@steiglitzfletcherburger8636]

I really like how you get into the personal side of the combatants. But I keep wondering if there's a way to figure out how things played out on the tactical level. Do any German battle reports survive from this period? It would be interesting to see how platoon or squad-sized elements fought in the city, and it would be cool to have examples to dissect.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

My original intention was to go down to company level, but the sources simply don't allow it. For platoon level or lower, I would suggest Jason D. Mark's books (see the link in the description). His are the most in-depth for the units they cover. Croatian Legion, Panzerkrieg, Into Oblivion, Death of the Leaping Horsemen, Island of Fire... they're all great and as close to the individual actions as you can get.

[@kden9772]

I’m very surprised you’ve been able to make a long form, in depth breakdown on a very specific historical topic viable on KZbin’s model. Congratulations TIK, one of the only people to make good content successful.

[@alexhodskins8426]

Every time I watch the battle storm series I get so enthralled that I assume any day now the Germans will clear Stalingrad great work

[@louissteven8862]

Even if they did it wouldnt have mattered.

[@alexhodskins8426]

@@louissteven8862 great point I was simply saying the way TIK asks questions and pushes the narrative even though I know the outcome makes it compelling

[@christianlibertarian5488]

I just love these videos! I cannot wait for the next ones to come out. By coincidence or design, Indy Nidel is covering this same time frame (in much less detail). Great stuff.

[@amadeokomnenus1414]

Chuikov couldn't have retreated. The Volga flotilla didn't have a barge big enough to carry those balls of his.

[@loungelizard3922]

What a tense moment on the Volga. Phobos rules the battlefield. Have a relaxing time off, each episode is getting better than the last.

[@davidlisovtsev6607]

I think this is the most succefully German episode so far

[@aniruddhbhatkal1834]

Actually... I like the idea of Chuikov losing his nerve. Or at least, believing that Stalingrad was lost. It makes the ultimate victory a lot more powerful somehow. The soldiers of the Red Army really turned things around. Also... victory being that close to possible changes the perspective a little on whether high command really was off its rocker for thinking it could be done

[@CalebNorthNorman]

I've fallen so far behind in watching the Battle of Stalingrad its going to take me weeks to catch up.

[@DaveSCameron]

*Spoileren

[@CalebNorthNorman]

@@DaveSCameron Not too much...we all know how it ultimately ended.

[@clarkdewar7122]

Once again,thru the power of deduction and great surminsizum along with researched docs,I have read,watched and listened to, you have now reenlightened me to disseminate. Cudous Bro...Van BC Canada says... Salute.

[@charlesthepaperman]

Finally the next stalingrad episode 😀

[@winstonsmith8482]

This series is completely amazing and awe-inspiring, I'm sad that you will be taking a few weeks off, but I know it's for the best, I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say we will be eagerly awaiting the next episode.

[@bookaufman9643]

Eremenko sacked Chuikov without Stalin's permission? I had no idea that he had the ability to even do that.

[@jczeus]

Eremenko was the front commander, Chuikov one of his army commander. Why not?

[@adamwarne1807]

This series is a magnificent effort and praiseworthy in so many ways. The attention to detail is unwavering and for that the series must be applauded. For Chuikov October must have felt like it lasted for years.... With the Germans making a great assault that almost swept 62nd Army into the Volga and his troops so reduced in number and supply that any German advance might trigger a total collapse of the Soviet position.

[@robert48044]

I have an economic question today, With hyper inflation in Germany how long did it take employees to get a raise? How far behind was raises to inflation. Was compensation from working eventually capped or was the workers getting a raise every week? I ask because if I made a dollar and hr but tomorrow that dollar only has 50 cents of buying power when do people stop showing up to work and the riots start? I heard that wages were fixed but I wonder how far behind compensation got before wages were fixed?

[@TheImperatorKnight]

I've taken a screenshot of your question as it's perfect for a future video I'm intending to make. I'll give you your answer then

[@robert48044]

@@TheImperatorKnight thanks

[@mathewm7136]

It was a Union thing. Got a problem with that?

[@whiskey_tango_foxtrot__]

Read "When Money Dies" by Adam Fergusson. Great book. Explains all.

[@robert48044]

@@whiskey_tango_foxtrot__ thanks for the recommendation

[@lorimeyers3839]

It’s amazing how you’re able to put us inside Chuikov’s head during those critical days in Stalingrad. The whole attack on divisional HQs is one I wish I could paint a better picture in my head about. What armaments did divisional HQs have to defend themselves in case they are on the cusp of being overrun? How much protection? Artillery? Tanks? How many officers? I assume all of this depends on size of organization. Considering Germany’s pincer movement tactics that shook the foundation of military strategy, I’m sure a number of Russian HQs defended or died as a result of the Germans overwhelming them.

[@mjugendomen]

Come on. Lost his nerve? No reinforcements, crippling losses on all fronts and a breaking line. Only an idiot would not try to squeeze out a ordered retreat from a battlefield situation like that. Eremenko carries the blame. Not sending the rifle division earlier might have turned the battle a month earlier. Lost his nerve? Come on. Extra unseemly for a channel that prides itself of ”just the facts” not feels and amateur psychology.

[@TheImperatorKnight]

Ironically, it is you who's letting your emotions cloud your judgement. The fact is that I didn't say that Chuikov wasn't right to request a withdraw, or that he was wrong, or that Eremenko wasn't to blame (I actually told you that Eremenko was wrongly keeping reinforcements across the Volga). Nor did I give any opinion on whether Chuikov was an "idiot", or a coward, or anything else. All I was doing was providing the facts as they are. However, you have falsely assumed that I was trying to disparage Chuikov in this instance, but that is far from the case. I believe most human beings placed in Chuikov's position would have also requested a withdrawal, and I think that his willingness to make a last stand at the Volga's edge after being refused the right to withdraw shows that he was anything but a coward. It is actually a good thing that Chuikov lost his nerve, because it makes what comes after this even more remarkable. The fact that he stayed in Stalingrad and managed to hold on for another month (when Uranus began and stopped the German attempt to take the city) means he managed to overcome the overwhelming odds he faced. That's a decent general.

[@KidoKoin]

Well, "an ordered retreat" would be an impossibility at that stage. Chuikov could orderly retreat himself and maybe parts of his staff. And, while his situation was beyond dire, and in itself explains any attempts to escape to a better position, he did indeed "lost his nerve" in a sense that he was openly talking about his intention to control his machinegun and not his remaining units. If a general is talking about inevitable enemy breakthrough, and it turns out to be not that inevitable in a hindsight - that is the definition of "losing his nerve". I mean, it is totally understandable - just about any human person would break in his position (and an absolute majority would break much earlier). Still, the fact that he appeared to be out of it for a time is there.

[@mjugendomen]

@@TheImperatorKnightFirst of all. Thank you for your work. Very, very impressive. And yes Eremenkos tomfoolery is also a gift from you in this fantastic series. And, I have to agree that I got into some feels. It might be my english but ”losing ones nerves” implies a sort of weakness that belies that he did the only prudent thing; faced with imminent collapse he tried to retreat and save what could be saved.” Losing ones nerve” just sounded a bit too emotive for your style and you used the phrase a little too many times for a snowflake like me after a glass or three of the old claret. Excuse me the bitter phrasing and juvenile tone my good sir. This Stalingrad series is a masterpiece. Cheers to you! Edit: And he, Chuikov, DEFINITELY lied his ass off in that memoir

[@simplicius11]

@@TheImperatorKnight Jones doesn't link any document for that 'request' in his book. Jones also have mistaken the number of that combat order that Krylov signed, 205 instead 204 (at least in his e-book).