Friedrich Paulus facts
While investigating facts about Friedrich Paulus Family and Friedrich Paulus Cause Of Death, I found out little known, but curios details like:
When Stalin's first son was captured, Hitler offered to trade him for Friedrich Paulus, a field marshal who led the 6th army into Stalingrad. When Stalin heard of this, he allegedly said, "I will not trade a Marshal for a Lieutenant."
how did friedrich paulus die?
Stalin's son Yakov was captured while fighting Nazis in 1941. Nazis offered to exchange him for Friedrich Paulus, the German Field Marshal captured by the Soviets, but Stalin turned the offer down allegedly saying, "I will not trade a Marshal for a Lieutenant."; Yakov died in captivity
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across. Here are 7 of the best facts about Friedrich Paulus Wife and Friedrich Paulus Death I managed to collect.
what happened to friedrich paulus?
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That, with the German Sixth Army hopelessly surrounded in Stalingrad in 1943, Hitler promoted their commander Friedrich Paulus to field marshal. There was no precedent of a German field marshal surrendering; Hitler had effectively ordered Paulus to commit suicide.
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During the siege of Stalingrad the commanding officer Friedrich Paulus was promoted to Field Marshal with the expectation he commit suicide rather than surrender. After he surrendered he was heard saying "I have no intention of shooting myself for a Bohemian corporal". He lived till 1957.
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During WW2, the Germans captured one of Joseph Stalin's sons. They offered to exchange him for the captured German Field Marshall Friedrich Paulus. Stalin refused, saying "I will not trade a Field Marshall for a Lieutenant."
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Two German generals, Friedrich Paulus and Walter Heitz, surrendered to the Red Army at Stalingrad and were arrested. Paulus collaborated with the Soviets and died in East Germany. Heitz refused to cooperated with the Soviets and died in custody in 1944.
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Stalin's eldest son, Yakov, was captured by the Nazi's during the Battle of Smolensk, in 1941. The Germans offered a prisoner exchange to obtain Field Marshall Friedrich Paulus from the Soviets for Yakov. Stalin turned down the offer saying"I will not trade a Marshal for a Lieutenant."