Operation Winter Tempest

Operation Winter Tempest (December 12, 1942) was the code-name for an operation by Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal)  Manstein during the Battle of Stalingrad. It was an attempt to liberate about 250,000 troops trapped inside Stalingrad by the Russians. To gather forces and finalize his plans, it took about 18 days. On December 12, Manstein attack a Russian defensive line, held by Infantry divisions of the 51st Army, with Panzer divisions. Luftwaffe attacks were also a key part of the success of the operation. The fight tipped in the balance of the Germans, but by 20 December 1942, only eight days into Operation Winter Tempest, the Panzers ran low on fuel. Supply lines were created and started moving again but then ran into the Red Army's Second Guards Army. The Panzers were stopped in their tracks. Then, Thunderclap, also known as Operation Donnerschlag in German, (not to be confused with the Thunderclap plan) began.