When the time came to leave Volgograd and Volzhsky, I wished I could stay longer.  The time to return to work was approaching.  Instead of thinking about returning to work, I concentrated on the time I would spend with Alexandra and Mav in Moscow.  I always try to look at the bright side of things.

I planned my arrival time into Moscow for early morning so I could do as much as possible in the one day I would have there.  I wish I would have planned more time in Moscow.  Lesson learned.

My flight returning to Moscow was on Aeroflot Airlines on the same type of aircraft as I arrived on.  After we took off, I felt the same flight characteristics as when I had arrived and realized the same pilot was flying for my return.  This time, I would be prepared for the landing.  A wise decision since he floated the landing at Sheremetyevo 1 just as he did before in Volgograd.  The ride was as wild as the first time.

I stood around for about 30 minutes waiting for my baggage to arrive.  Luckily my baggage was the first to arrive and I got out of dodge fast.  I found the driver Alexandra and Mav sent me easily and within minutes we were on our way.  The excitement and anticipation of seeing my friends again was overwhelming.  Thoughts of American style pancakes Alexandra was preparing for my breakfast raced through my head.  It had been years since I have seen my friends and I couldn’t wait to see them once again.

When we arrived to the apartment complex, I was shocked to see FSB agents (Russian Federation version of the KGB which stands for Federal Security Service, and I should add, have more power than the KGB did) in the parking lot.  Audi A6’s, Mercedes, and BMW 7 series cars painted black with the single blue light mounted on the driver side of the roof.  I wanted to take a picture but I was warned by my driver not to pursue or I would be in a world of trouble.  I was easily persuaded.

In realizing the Soviets couldn’t be defeated in a single campaign, Hitler made plans for 1942.  The offensives that Hitler planned for the summer of 1942 would have been devastating to the Allies if he succeeded.  Hitler had two objectives in the east and one objective in the south.  General Halder would push east to capture the rich oil fields in the Caucasus as well as food and industry around Stalingrad.  Field Marshal Rommel would continue east defeating the British Desert Army, sweeping northeast capturing the Middle East and join the German armies in Russia.  From this point, Germany would attack Moscow with forces from the east and west.

Hitler not understanding the full concept of global warfare made vital mistakes during the summer of 1942, one of which was to dangerously expose the northern flank of the Sixth Army for 350 miles along the upper Don in Russia.  Another vital mistake was the continuing delay in capturing the island of Malta in the Mediterranean. By neither neutralizing nor capturing the island, Field Marshal Rommel could not be adequately supplied to continue the conquest.  The third, but not last mistake was when Hitler ordered Army Group A to capture the oil fields in the Caucasus simultaneously with the campaign of Stalingrad.  These three mistakes Hitler made started the cascading effect which allowed the turn of the world war, from the American landings in Western Africa behind Rommel, the resistance and victory in Stalingrad by the glorious Soviet Red Army, the British Desert Army pushing Rommel back, along with Nazi Intelligence misguiding Hitler, gravely underestimating Stalin’s reserves.  I personally believe that many people in the world today look too directly at one incidence claiming it was the turn of the war without realizing everything together, is what actually turned to tables against Hitler.

On November 8^th 1942, the Soviet Red Army began an offensive which broke through the Third Army and the Forth Panzer Division to the northeast and south of Stalingrad.  Four days later, continuing to push west from the north and south, the Soviet Red Army joined together forty miles west of Stalingrad on the Don bend.  With the Sixth Army now surrounded and without a supply line, it was only a matter of time for the Soviet Red Army to recapture the city.  Hitler yelling “I won’t leave the Volga!” denying the Sixth Army to retreat, sealed their fate as the Soviet Red Army began to retake the city in the concentrated street fighting.

The Russians gave more than one ultimatum to General Paulus and the Sixth Army, the first ultimatum on January 8^th 1943 read:

            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 is senseless.

            In view of this and in order to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, we propose that you accept the following terms of surrender….

The terms which were enclosed were honorable terms, normal food rations, adequate clothing, medical treatment to anyone wounded, sick, or frostbitten.  Personal belongings, badges of rank, and decorations, would be retained by prisoners.  Hitler refused the Sixth Army to surrender.  Hitler ordered, to the last man and the last bullet.

On January 30^th a squad of Russians led by a junior officer entered the command center and demanded the surrender of the German Commander in Chief.  General Paulus accepted.  Now, only one last pocket was left for the Soviet Red Army to mop up and on February 2^nd, surrendered as well.  Later in the day, a German reconnaissance aircraft flew over Stalingrad and reported no sign of any fighting in Stalingrad.  The Battle of Stalingrad was over.

The Battle of Stalingrad, along with the British and American forces in the deserts of Africa marked the turning point of World War II.  Because of his mistakes, Hitler would never again hold the upper hand, and with this came the inevitable fall of the Third Reich.

My visit to the Underground Museum in Volgograd (Stalingrad) where General Paulus surrendered to the Soviet Red Army was surreal.  Located under the department store, which has long since been rebuilt, the Underground Museum captures the peril that General Paulus was in, as well as displaying many German relics located in the basement.  Displays showing the infamous MG-42 as well as other German weapons of the time can be seen there.  Pictures, medical supplies, and other German military property are preserved.  Cameras were not allowed, but I did sneak a few pictures.  As you walk into the exhibit, you feel as if you are demanding the surrender of General Paulus.

View Photo Album: Underground Meseum

I can’t begin to explain my feelings as I stood at the same location that General Paulus once stood, where the Soviet Red Army defeated the Nazis in Stalingrad, showing the world that Hitler and his Nazi Regime could be stopped.  Knowing that I was at one of the locations in history where the turn of World War II began, thus ensuring the people of the free world a promising future, its overwhelming.  The underground Museum is a bit difficult to find.  It’s located next to Fallen Fighters Memorial.  Once you enter the department store, follow the footsteps on the floor, which lead to the Underground Museum.

I visited the Central Embankment a few times during my visit to Volgograd and Volzhsky.  This particular spot in Volgograd is a feast for your eyes to see the history of the city along with architecture and a great view of the Volga River. 

Upon arriving we first walked over to the Fallen Fighters Square and the memorial with the eternal flame.  Before the revolution, this square was named Alexander Square until 1920 when the Soviet Red Army took control.  Many communists were executed in the square after the resistance took back the square in 1919.  This memorial is for the memory of the fallen comrades which are buried in a common grave after their execution.

View Photo Album: Central Embankment

As you walk toward the Volga River, you come to the Alley of the Heroes.  This is where the names of fallen soldiers who lived in Stalingrad are honored.  As you walk toward Central Embankment, the names are written on both sides.

After the Alley of the Heroes, you reach Central Embankment.  This is where locals and tourists alike, come to walk and enjoy the day.  A stage is located at the bottom by the Volga River for entertainment.  Festivals, and holidays are both celebrated here, as well as fallen comrades are honored for their sacrifice.   Everything is peaceful, and truly is a spectacular place to visit.