January 31 is here. Probably unsettled, Zetzler called Paulus at 1.30 a.m.: "The Fuehrer pointed out to me that every day of holding the Fortress of Stalingrad was of the utmost importance. At 2 o'clock, Paulus's chief of staff, Schmidt (promoted to lieutenant general in mid-January), called back with enthusiasm: "A swastika is flying above our heads." The orders of our Supreme Commander will be carried out thoroughly. We will dedicate our loyalty to the motherland. Long live the Fuehrer. ”
It sounds like Paulus and Schmidt's resolve is unquestionable. However, another option was being plotted in the headquarters of the 6th Army. Receiving a telegram from Paulus promoted to marshal, everyone understood what it meant. They asked an officer named Sinden lang to tell Paulus the "good news" and ask if he would surrender. Paulus told Sindenlang that he opposed suicide. Similarly, Paulus said to some of the generals. In short, he had no intention of blowing himself up.
After Chief of Staff Schmidt congratulated Paulus, there were still more important things to face. He saw that the large group of German soldiers outside had stopped resisting and were gathering with soviet soldiers to smoke and chat. These Soviet soldiers were the aforementioned 38th Motorized Brigade. On the 30th and 31st, on Shumilov's orders, they eliminated the guards of the German 71st Division near the "Red Square" and cut off all telephone lines from the headquarters of the 6th Army.
At 6 a.m., the 38th Motorized Brigade reported to Shumilov that it had surrounded the department store. Schmidt told Paulus that the last moment had arrived. Perhaps to create a reason for surrender, at 4 a.m. on 31 January Schmidt sent the following message to the Don Army Group:
The 4th Army was no longer there; the 14th Panzer Corps had surrendered; there was no news of the 8th and 51st Armies. The final crash lasted no more than 24 hours.