But it was this one-third of the city that had already cost the Germans at least 300,000 soldiers, a truly terrifying fact.
If this ratio were to continue, wouldn't Germany need to sacrifice at least 900,000 soldiers to capture the entirety of Stalingrad?
The one most concerned about the current situation in Russia was General Manstein, who was leading the second armored army group in a pincer move.
At a military meeting of the Southern Region Army Group in Germany, Manstein had once raised a critical topic, asking whether capturing Stalingrad could end the war?
When no one could provide an answer, the question led to the entire southern group's military meeting turning into a silent forest.
Manstein's concerns were reasonable, considering the current rate of German military losses, capturing one Stalingrad could lead to nearly a million casualties.
Even if Stalingrad were captured, the German Army would still need to occupy Moscow to end the war with Russia.
