Battle of Kalach

Battle of Kalach
Part of the Battle of Stalingrad during the Eastern Front of World War II
DateJuly 25 – August 11, 1942
Location
West of Kalach-na-Donu, Russia
Result German victory
Belligerents
 Germany  Soviet Union
Commanders and leaders

Nazi Germany Fp. Paulus
Nazi Germany G. Goth
Nazi Germany W. Geitz
Nazi Germany G. von Withersheim
Nazi Germany K. Strecker
Nazi Germany W. von Seydlitz-Kurzbach
Nazi Germany W. von Langerman

Nazi Germany Martin Fiebig

Soviet Union V. N. Gordov
Soviet Union V. Ya. Kolpakchi
Soviet Union V. I. Chuikov
Soviet Union K. S. Moskalenko
Soviet Union V. D. Kryuchenkin

Soviet Union T. T. Khryukin
Units involved

At least 270 thousand military personnel

150-160 thousand military personnel
Strength
Sixth Army
ca. 270,000 men
1st and 4th Tank Armies
62nd and 64th Armies
ca. 160,000 men
Casualties and losses
5,000-6,000 killed 35,000 captured
270 tanks destroyed or captured
560 guns destroyed or captured
Map showing the German (blue) attack in August 1942 that surrounded the Soviet (red) 62nd Army at the Battle of Kalach.
Terrain by the Don River south of Kalach.

The Battle of Kalach[nb 1] took place between the German Sixth Army and elements of the Soviet Stalingrad Front between July 25 and August 11, 1942. The Soviets deployed the 62nd and 64th Armies in a Don River bridgehead west of Kalach with the intent of impeding the German advance on Stalingrad. In the initial period of the battle, the Germans attacked and managed to surround part of the 62nd Army. In reaction, the Soviets counter-attacked and temporarily forced the Germans onto the defense. Following resupply of German forces, the roles again reversed and the Germans attacked into the flanks of the Soviet bridgehead, successfully collapsing it. The German victory positioned the Sixth Army to cross the Don River and advance on Stalingrad, which became the site of the Battle of Stalingrad.
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