In the last days of 1942, air traffic picked up. From December 27 to 30, 489 tons of materials were shipped in, an average of more than 120 tons a day. On 31 December, 146 aircraft loaded 200 tons of supplies (11 tons of ammunition, 64 tons of fuel, 125 tons of food). In 1942, a total of 18,410 wounded and sick were transported. In particular, 4120 people were evacuated in the last week.
Despite receiving some supplies, Paulus's situation was even more desperate. On 31 December, the area of the encirclement was compressed to 1,400 square kilometers, 53 kilometers wide from east to west and 35 kilometers long from north to south. The Germans outside the encirclement were driven 200-250 kilometers away. On the same day, the bread ration was reduced to 80 grams. To survive, only more horses can be killed. On 24 November, the 6th Army had 8,000 horses. On 23 December, it was reduced to 7,300 military horses, with another 15,700 livestock for transport. This probably did not include the Romanian war horses. Later, the commander of Roth Infantry Division confessed to the Soviets that he had 6,500 horses, all of which had been eaten by the Germans by January 1, 1943.
On the same January 1, 1943, Paulus's New Year's message was replaced by a gracious pompous face: "Our victory is unshakable, and the new year will surely bring us liberation." I'm not sure when that day will come. But the Fuehrer never broke his promise, and the day of liberation was inevitable. On the same day, Hitler also sent a New Year's message to Paulus: "In the name of all the German people, I extend my most sincere New Year's greetings to you and your brave Army Group. I am well aware of the hardships of your dangerous situation and pay my highest tribute to your heroism. You and your soldiers can enter the New Year with firm confidence, and I and the entire German armed forces will do everything in our power to assist the defenders of Stalingrad. Your indomitability will be the most glorious feat in the history of the German army. Adolf hitler. ”
Paulus immediately called back: "My Fuehrer." Your unwavering words in the New Year inspire great enthusiasm and respect here. We will not fail your trust. You can trust us. From the oldest generals to the youngest infantrymen, we will persevere with your encouragement and contribute our strength to the final victory. Paulus. Two days earlier, Paulus had written in his last letter home: "I, of course, must remain vigilant. ”