Marshal Paulus divided the Stalingrad encirclement into 4 defensive zones:
The 62nd Army, which had been fighting the Germans in the city to the east, was still under trikov's command, with only 26,000 men and 3 tanks left on 10 January. For reasons that are difficult to understand, Paulus still suppressed Trikov with the heavy troops of 7 divisions. Of course, if the Russians were allowed to smoothly transport troops and supplies through the Volga, it would be very dangerous for Paulus. Therefore, the blockade of urban areas must continue.
The northwestern part of the encirclement was mainly the responsibility of the 8th Army, including the 113th, 76th, and 44th Infantry Divisions. The main faces were the 24th Army of the Red Army and the first part of the 65th Army.
The southwestern part of the encirclement was mainly the responsibility of the 14th Panzer Army. The position held by the Germans was called the "Marinowsky salient" by the Soviets, cutting off the railway communication line between the Soviet 21st and 57th Armies, and was also the closest area to the encirclement and the geographical location of the German army outside the circle. The main people in front of them were the 65th and 21st Army Groups of the Red Army. This position received special attention from Paulus. The defensive forces were originally the 3rd Motorized Division and the 376th Infantry Division, as well as part of the Romanian 1st Cavalry Division. But the 376th Division was too weak. Paulus ordered the 29th Motorized Division to the south to be transferred to the 376th Division. Paulus also deployed the Mobile Reserves, the 14th and 24th Panzer Divisions, on the Rossoska River line near the western defensive line. Paulus had the general reserve at his disposal, the 384th Division, in Groß rossoska.
The southern part of the encirclement was mainly the responsibility of the German 4th Army, including the 297th and 371st Infantry Divisions, the 29th Motorized Division, which was changing defenses with the 376th Division, and the 82nd Regiment of the Romanian 20th Infantry Division. The main people in front of them were the 57th and 64th Army Groups of the Red Army.