Liveblogging World War II: November 16, 1942
November 16, 1942: The first snow fell in Stalingrad….
[A]n angry von Richthofen phoned Zeitzler at the Führer’s headquarter and demanded either the necessary combat actions should be ordered or the attack altogether aborted…. General Paulus was the wrong man in this position….
[T]he Germans and Soviets alike stayed relatively quiet in their sectors. Only Kampfgruppe 577 attacked together with Pionier Bataillon 336, and captured two houses in the so-called 70-es row…. After a brief, but intense artillery barrage, the assault company of 24. Panzerdivision, supported by Pionier Bataillon 389, finally broke through to the Volga. Their objectives were the bridgeheads of 37th Guards Rifle Division east and northeast of “Red Barrikady”. However, the rest of 389. Infanteriedivision did not follow up, since they were held down by flanking fire from 118th Rifle Regiment. A third of the company died and their commander, Beyersdorff, was badly wounded. Their objective, to split both bridgeheads was not achieved. The remaining combat worthy parts of 24. Panzerdivision were still in the “Lazur” factory area.
