Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege, 1942–1943

The book begins on June 21, 1941, in Berlin. The Soviet ambassador urgently tried to make contact with Nazi officials. A large military buildup on the German-Soviet border was noticed, and though Joseph Stalin was convinced this was a scare tactic, the ambassador was ordered to find out what was happening. Later that night the German diplomat Joachim von Ribbentrop met with Soviet officials and declared war on an invasion that was already occurring. Before the Russian officials left, Ribbentrop confided in them that he was against this invasion.

In Russia, reports from the frontline were confused. Stalin’s insistence that no war was close meant frontier units were not prepared when the German attack began and war was only formally declared two hours after the beginning of the assault. Over the first few days of the attack, the Wehrmacht (German army) was able to exploit this confusion, scoring rapid successes against the Soviets. Stalin even considered surrender but was talked out of this by the Bulgarian ambassador.

At midday on June 22, the invasion was reported to Soviet citizens. This news prompted a powerful reaction; many immediately signed up for the military or began to help the war effort in factories.