The BATTLE of STALINGRAD (23 August 1942 – 2 February 1943) was the largest confrontation of World War II, in which GERMANY and its allies fought the SOVIET UNION for control of the city of STALINGRAD (now Volgograd) in Southern RUSSIA.
   Marked by fierce close quarters combat and direct assaults on civilians in air raids, it was the largest (nearly 2.2 million personnel) and bloodiest (1.8–2 million killed, wounded or captured) battle in the history of warfare.
   The German offensive to capture STALINGRAD began in August 1942, using the 6th Army and elements of the 4th Panzer Army. The attack was supported by intensive Luftwaffe bombing that reduced much of the city to rubble.
   On 19 November 1942, the Red Army launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged attack targeting the weaker Romanian and Hungarian armies protecting the German 6th Army's flanks.
   By the beginning of February 1943, the Axis forces in STALINGRAD had exhausted their ammunition and food. The remaining units of the 6th Army surrendered. The battle lasted five months, one week and three days (i.s.).