Sign In

- Or use -
Forgot Password Create Account
Description

This map, titled Defensive Operations on the Approaches to Stalingrad, was created as a visual aid for educational purposes during the Soviet period. It is a historical depiction of the Soviet defensive operations leading up to the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II, specifically between July and September 1942.

The map was published by the Soviet publishing house Знание (Znanie) as part of their educational and experimental materials division. The production order number (Наглядных пособий заказ №1-4-52) and the identification number (04414) indicate it was part of a series of instructional tools used for military or educational lectures.

The map’s authors are Ю.В. Плотников (Yu.V. Plotnikov)   and Б.В. Панов (B.V. Panov), with editorial oversight by В.В. Титова (V.V. Titova). The artistic editors were Е.Е. Соколов (E.E. Sokolov) and illustrators И.А. Павлинов (I.A. Pavlinov) and А.П. Кузнецов (A.P. Kuznetsov).  

The map visually represents the Soviet military defense lines and operations against the advancing German forces (represented in red) from the period of July to September 1942, a critical time leading up to the famous Battle of Stalingrad. The colored arrows and lines show the positions and movements of both Soviet and German forces. The blue lines depict Soviet defensive operations and counterattacks, while the red lines and arrows show the directions of the German offensive thrusts.

  • The map is divided into sectors, showing the positioning of the various Soviet armies, including the 62nd, 63rd, and 64th Armies, along with key geographic markers such as the Don River and important towns like Kalach and Serafimovich.
  • The legend (Условные обозначения) provides symbols for different defensive lines (external, middle, internal, and urban) and the direction of Soviet counterattacks.
  • The specific dates mentioned (23rd July 1942, 10th August 1942, and 12th September 1942) mark the progressive stages of the German advance and Soviet defensive adjustments, reflecting the critical phases of the battle.

This map reflects the crucial defensive operations that the Soviet Union undertook as the German Wehrmacht launched Operation Blau, aimed at capturing Stalingrad and securing oil fields in the Caucasus. The defense of Stalingrad marked a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front, with fierce resistance preventing German forces from capturing the city. This map, used as an educational tool, likely helped illustrate the complexities of the military strategy employed during this pivotal campaign.

The battle itself, which lasted from August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943, was one of the deadliest and most significant engagements of the war. Soviet forces successfully encircled the German 6th Army in Stalingrad, leading to its eventual surrender and a decisive Soviet victory. This map showcases the earlier stages of the conflict, emphasizing the strategic importance of defensive operations on the outskirts of Stalingrad.