September 24, 1942: The Day Germany Fired Its Best General for Being Right
General Franz Halder, Chief of the German General Staff, stood before Adolf Hitler with a briefing that would end his career.
Halder had done the mathematics, concluding that the German Sixth Army required 700 tons of supplies daily, but the Wehrmacht could only deliver 300 tons on good days.
- Soviet reinforcements were flowing across the Volga every night.
- The flanks were held by poorly-equipped Romanian and Italian forces.
- Intelligence indicated a major Soviet counteroffensive was imminent.
His assessment was clear:
“Mein Führer, we cannot take Stalingrad with the forces available. I recommend we consolidate positions and prepare winter defenses.”
Hitler’s response was immediate and furious, believing that
“Wars are won by will, not mathematics. By determination, not logistics.”
Author's summary: Hitler fired General Halder for his truthful briefing.