Stalingrad

The enemy has broken through your front with small forces. You have sufficient forces to destroy the enemy who has broken through. Concentrate the aviation of both fronts and fall upon the enemy who has broken through. Mobilize the armored trains and send them along the circular railway of Stalingrad. Make abundant use of smoke to confuse the enemy. Fight the enemy who has broken through not only by day but also by night. Make full use of the artillery and rocket artillery forces.

Lopatin for the second time is letting down the Stalingrad Front through his ineptitude and lack of initiative. Establish reliable control over him and organize a second echelon behind Lopatin's army.

The most important thing is not to give in to panic, not to fear the impudent enemy, and to preserve confidence in our success.

Stalingradskaya pravda. 1953. January 20.