Like Za said, the Germans in the South were exhausted at this time, the "final" assault on Stalingrad really finished them.

On a larger scope, it was overextended all over USSR at this time. Large scale combats had also occured in the North and Central sectors since spring 1942.


I think numbers I posted here are significative : by october 20 : 1000 planes available but only 600 of them were serviceable, which means the lack of spare parts, tools and mechanics (pilots I doubt ?) grounded 40% of the Luftwaffe planes !

This obviously means they also were counting each bomb, shell and fuel gallon they put in the serviceable planes.

I think this example might be representative of the state of logistical crisis - to say the least - of the Germans at this place and time, and it's one full month before the encirclement !