1942 - as the Germans storm across the Soviet Union, Hitler becomes obsessed with taking Stalingrad - the city which bears the name of his arch-enemy Joseph Stalin. The German army is led by General Paulus, a meticulous war gamer. Facing him across the map table is Soviet General Chuikov - a hardened fighter, not afraid to get his hands dirty. Paulus is confident he will soon bring the city to its knees. But the German army reduces Stalingrad to rubble so successfully, that the ruined city actually works against them. It blocks their tanks and creates the perfect killing ground for Russian snipers and street fighters. The battle degenerates into bloody pockets of fierce hand-to-hand combat. The Germans eventually gain control of 90% of the city. Then the Russians unleash a counter-offensive. The Russian "rats" spring the trap back onto their attackers and encircle the German army. Paulus insists on waiting for the order from Hitler to break out, but the order never comes. Ultimately Paulus is forced to make the hardest decision of his military career, and his life….
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