[February 11, 2022] Sometimes, history presents us with unexpected lessons. I recently read Antony Beevor’s 1999 book, Stalingrad: The Fateful siege: 1942-1943. My objective was to learn as much as possible to help me be a better leader. But can we take lessons from a long-ago battle and make those lessons apply to us as an individual?
Yes, we can.
I had a general idea of the German goals under Operation Barbarossa and its failure to take its primary military objectives (the City of Stalingrad was one of them).1 However, my understanding was superficial.
The Battle of Stalingrad is seen today as the most brutal military campaign of the 20th century. Clearly, by any measure, it was the largest, longest, and bloodiest engagement in modern warfare history fought between August 1942 and February 1943. This month is the 79th anniversary of the end of the battle. Nearly two million people were killed or injured during the fighting.
This battle would go down in history as the significant turning point of WW2.
Here are three lessons I believe are worth exploring from the Battle of Stalingrad:
- Know yourself: This means knowing your strengths and how to leverage them to achieve your goals and knowing your weaknesses, and how to protect yourself from them. The strength of the German Army in WW2 was its ability to conduct a Blitzkrieg operation. This tactic was designed for speedy attacks and disorganizing enemy forces. The City of Stalingrad had been reduced to rubble by German Air Force bombing, meaning that the Blitzkrieg could not be used. The German military machine did not play to their strength. Chasing success, sometimes we focus too much on our weaknesses and fail to take advantage of our strengths.
- Know your enemy: This may sound obvious; alas, we often believe we know better. The German military had been fighting over an extended period in built-up areas. The strength of the Red Army was defense. The Russians were good at ambush, encirclement, mass attacks, heavy artillery barrages, and unconventional warfare (like the employment of snipers and special attack squads). Attacking Stalingrad played into the strengths of the Red Army and to the weakness of the Germans. Be careful of growing arrogant; your enemies will take advantage.
- Stick to your primary objectives: The German objective was the oilfields, not the City of Stalingrad itself. Yet, Hitler became obsessed with destroying and capturing the city itself. The city bore Stalin’s name. Hitler wanted not just a military victory but a psychological victory as well. In doing so, Hitler split his forces, spreading them too thinly, pulling away from the much-needed support for his infantry formations. We all want to do great things in life. Splitting up our resources or attention will detract from our primary objectives.
There were many turning points during WW2. The Battle of Stalingrad was one of them. It is one we can gain valuable personal leadership lessons. Will we pay enough attention to them?
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- Hitler and his Sixth Army conducted Operation Barbarossa to capture the oil fields of the Caucuses (to fuel his war machine). See the National WWII Museum’s website on this battle here: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/operation-barbarossa. There is an excellent discussion of the German attack and its consequences. I only touch gently on them as those lessons apply to the individual.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
Gen. Satterfield, we all appreciate this article but I will point out, with due respect, these lessons are probably the most common lessons that a good leader knows, understands, and adheres to …. consistently. Elaborating on them is helpful – much thankful for it. Alas, too many people simply don’t know or don’t follow these hard-learned lessons. Keep up the great work you are doing.
Hey, slightly off topic, did you guys/gals read this article, “Biden Pays Army Salaries to Iranian Ally?”
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/biden-pays-army-salaries-to-iranian-ally
How utterly shameful that Pres Biden is now paying the salaries of terrorists in the Middle East. What’s up with that?
I didn’t know. Beyond shameful. ✔
You got that right. I would have never imagined it. What justification could anyone make that passes the smell test.
Tragic. Here is evil for us all to see.
Is Pres. Biden stupid? Why would anyone do that. Pay enemies of freedom and America? Crazy!
If I had to identify three lessons, these are the ones I’d pick too.
Stick to your primary objectives:… I found this one, #3, to be the most interesting lesson. Now, Gen. Satterfield has pointed out in the past that we should also be constantly re-evaluating our goals/objectives. Circumstances can change, personal preferences change, and our resources can change. All these effect our objectives. But his point here is that once a proper objective is established, stick with it and don’t be distracted. Otherwise, doom on you.
Yes, and that is why I’m such a huge fan of this leadership blog. Gen. Satterfield continues to do a great job and I’m learning.
Stick with this blog and you will learn more than you can imagine. But always remember it is your responsibility to do the hard work required.
Of course, thank you The Kid. Good to see you back in the forums.
The three lessons that Gen. Satterfield points out are common. For those of us who read about lessons of leadership, I would venture to write that these are the most important and have already been identified as particularly useful. Once again, a great website for leaders to use and study.
Well, this was an unexpected Friday article. I know that Fridays are usually a time for an easy article, with much entertainment value but this one on the biggest, bloodiest, and most decisive battle of WWII, sure tops that trend. Thanks Gen. Satterfield for your leadership blog. I’ve not been reading your blog long, but I love it.
I think most of us would agree. 👍
Liked your today post.
Gen. Satterfield, you should name your article, PERSONAL lessons from the Battle of Stalingrad. Such would be more informative.
Perhaps. I think that he rejected that part of the title because he wanted to make it more generic, not less so.
Yes, I agree with Frank that Gen. S should add ‘personal’ or ‘individual’ to the title. More clear and more practical. Just me thinking a little. But I would also reference other major battles as well to ensure we get the picture. Oh, be sure to buy Gen. Satterfield’s book, ‘Our Longest Year in Iraq,’ if you’ve not yet bought it. Great book full of extremely interesting stories. A page turner if there ever was one.
I’m glad you liked Gen. S’s book. I’ve read exerts and yet to get it. You helped change my mind. thanks. If you want to read about Iraq, especially the beginning of the war, here is the book to read.
Good point. I liked the article anyway and will continue to read these articles until Gen. Satterfield decides to hang up his helmet.