Japan struggles to define its policy on China, but events take the decision out the military’s hands.
Operation Uranus is launched. The Axis forces, caught unawares, fall back. Berlin makes plans, but they simply do not have the means to counter the Soviet attack, not that they realize this yet.
While Stalingrad holds out, additional Soviet Armies are being assembled nearby. And in mid November they would be launched, to either side of Gen. Paulus’ 6th Army. If all goes well, those German troops within and near Stalingrad would be surrounded. But the trap...
Stalingrad’s defenders are pushed to the breaking point. Worse, they are only sometimes given help by Zhukov. The Germans attack again and the defense all but collapses. Fortunately, the attackers get tired and the Russians hang on. Meanwhile, while Zhukov is making...
