The Russian Ultimatum to the encircled German 6th Army

On January 7, 1943 the Russian High Command informed the Commander in Chief of
6th Army by wireless that they were sending three officers across the lines under a
flag of truce. Sixth Army expressed its readiness to receive them. The time fixed was
ten o'clock, on the morning of January 8.

On the appointed day, acting on behalf of the Commander in Chief of the Russians troops
on the Don Front, Lieutenant General Rokossovski sent his emissaries through the northern 
sector of the German lines with the following ultimatum, addressed to the 6th Army :
 

To the Commander in Chief of the German Sixth Army,   Colonel General Paulus, or his representative  and to all the officers and men of the German  units now besieged in Stalingrad.

The Sixth Army, formations of the Fourth Panzer Army, and those units sent to reinforce them
have been completely encircled since the 23rd of November, 1942.

The soldiers of the Red Army have sealed this German Army Group within an unbreakable
ring. All hopes of the rescue of your troops by a German offensive from the south or
south-west have proved vain. The German units hastening to your assistance were defeated
by the Red Army, and the remnants are now redrawing to Rostow.

The German air transport fleet, which brought you a starvation ration of food, munitions and
fuel has been compolled by the Red Army's succesful and rapid advance repeatedly to 
withdraw to airfields more distant from the encircled troops. It should be added that the 
German air transport fleet is suffering enormous losses in machines and crews at the hands
of the Russian Airforce. The help they can bring to the besieged forces is rapidly becoming
illusory.

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.

You, as Commander in Chief, and all the officers of the encircled forces know well that there
is for you no real possibility of breaking out. Your situation is hopeless, and any further 
resisitance senseless.

In view of the desperate situation in which you are placed, and in order to save unnecessary
bloodshed, we propose that you except the following terms of surrender :
 

1) All the encircled German troops, headed by yourself and your staff, shall cease to resist.
 

2) You will hand over to such persons as shall be authorised by us, all members of your
armed forces, all war materials and all army equipment in an undamaged condition.
 

3) We guarantee the safety of all officers and men who cease to resist, and their return after
the end of the war to Germany or to any other country to which these prisoners of war
may wish to go.
 

4) All personell of units which surrender may retain their military uniforms, badges of rank,
decorations, personal belongings and valuables and, in case of high ranking officers their
swords.
 

5) All officers, non-commissioned officers and men who surrender will immediately receive 
normal rations.
 

6)All those are wounded, sick of frost-bitten will be given medical treatment.

Your reply is to be given in writing by ten o'clock, Moscow time the 9th of January 1943.
It must be delivered by your personal representative, who is to travel in a car bearing a white
flag along the road that leads tothe Konny siding at Kotlubanj station. Your representative
will be met by fully authorised Russian officers in District B, 500 metres south-east of siding
564 at 10.00hrs. on the 9th of January, 1943.
Should you refuse our offer that you lay down in your arms, we hereby give you notice
that the forces of the Red Army and the Red Airforce will be compelled to proceed with
the distruction of the encircled German tropps. The responsibility for this will lie with you.
 
 

Representing Headquarters Red Army Supreme Command,  Colonel General of the Artillery Voronov.  The Commander in Chief of the Forces of the Don front,  Lieutenant General Rokossovski.