[5] The operation was launched on 10 January 1943 with a mass artillery bombardment of the German positions outside the city, with 7,000 field guns, launchers and mortars,[6][7] by the seven encircling Soviet armies.

The 3rd (Motorised) Infantry Division, deployed on the southwestern corner of the cauldron since the end of Nov. 1942, was ordered to retreat to new defensive positions to avoid encirclement.

Understanding the desperate nature of the struggle, on the 19th, Paulus requested permission from OKH to lead a breakout to the South:[12] The Fortress can only be held for a few days longer [...] The heroism of the soldiers is still unbroken.

In order to exploit this to the last beat, on the verge of collapse I intend to command all of the units to make an organised breakthrough to the South.

Individual groups will get through and at least create confusion in the Russian front, whereas while staying where they are all will certainly perish and as prisoners will die of hunger and freeze to death.

Paulus on 22 January sent a radio message to OKH: Russians in action in 6 km wide on both sides Voroponovo, some with flags unfurled to the east.

[13] On 26 January, detachments of 21st Army met up with the 13th Guards Division to the north of the Mamaev Kurgan, which cut the Axis pocket in Stalingrad in two.

The northern pocket was led by XI Corps commander General Karl Strecker and centered in the area around the tractor factory.

Soviet forces reached Paulus's headquarters in the Univermag Department Store and the remaining German soldiers ceased their resistance.

Soviet forces then followed up, destroying any remaining bunkers, often with direct fire at short range from tanks or artillery.

At 07:00 Strecker sent a radio message to subordinate units: "All fighting will cease; weapons will be destroyed; expect the Russians in about an hour".