The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany

by William L. Shirer

On the morning of January 8, 1943, three young Red Army officers, bearing a white flag, entered the German lines on the northern perimeter of Stalingrad and presented General Paulus with an ultimatum from General Rokossovski, commander of the Soviet forces on the Don front. After reminding him that his army was cut off and could not be relieved or kept supplied from the air, the note said: The situation of your troops is desperate. They are suffering from hunger, sickness and cold. The cruel Russian winter has scarcely yet begun. Hard frosts, cold winds and blizzards still lie ahead. Your soldiers are unprovided with winter clothing and are living in appalling sanitary conditions… Your situation is hopeless, and any further resistance senseless. In view of [this] and in order to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, we propose that you accept the following terms of surrender…