After the Battle of Stalingrad

[Segilla]

Born in 1934, I distinctly recall a BBC broadcast carrying news of the defeat of the Germans saying that Hitler had sent a message to Stalin asking? / demanding? that after the war those captured would be allowed to return to their homeland.

Young though I was in 1943 I remember thinking this was a strange statement for the defeated to make.

Is there any evidence that Hitler ever said this?

[Mick-Talbot]

Seeing as though Hitler would have preferred them to fight to the death, I would have doubts the he said it.

[seadogg]

If Hitler hadn't sussed Stalin's thinking by 1943 he must have been mad.

[Mick-Talbot]

I thinks it's safe to say even if Hitler had managed to suss Stalins thinking ........he was mad, Seadogg.

[mike11111]

Not particularly strange to ask for concessions prior to a negotiated surrender.

[argorstran]

I remember reading that one of Stalin's sons was captured by the Germans and that Hitler offered to exchange him for Field Marshall Von-Paulus (the Field Marshall who surrendered at Stalingrad) . Stalin refused and his son was later killed while trying to escape .

[Mick-Talbot]

Awww that was nice of Hitler trying to rescue Field Marshall Von-Paulus.

Had Hitler got some sort of special homecoming treat ready for Von-Paulus?

[sandyRoe]

A piano wire and a 8mm movie camera, perhaps?

[Segilla]

TKS to all who responded.