Operation Koltso  Operation Koltso (Operation Ring) was the last part of the Battle of Stalingrad. It resulted in the capitulation of the remaining Axis forces encircled in the city. The operation was launched on 10 January 1943 with a mass artillery bombardment of the German positions outside the city by the seven encircling Soviet armies. On the 10th, it became clear the main goal was the Pitomnik airfield. "The 44th, 76th and 28th (Motorised) Infantry Divisions were badly hit." The 3rd (Motorised) Infantry Division, deployed on the southwestern corner of the cauldron since the end of Nov. 1942, was ordered to retreat to new defensive positions to avoid encirclement. In the first three days, the Soviets lost 26,000 men and over half their tanks. The western half of the Stalingrad pocket had been lost by 17 January. The fighting then paused for four days while the Soviet forces regrouped and redeployed for the next phase of the operation. Understanding the desperate nature of the struggle, on the 19th, Paulus requested permission from OKH to lead a breakout to the South :  The Fortress can only be held for a few days longer [...] The heroism of the soldiers is still unbroken. In order to exploit this to the last beat, on the verge of collapse I intend to command all of the units to make an organised breakthrough to the South. Individual groups will get through and at least create confusion in the Russian front, whereas while staying where they are all will certainly perish and as prisoners will die of hunger and freeze to death. OKH responded that "[t]he Fuhrer has reserved the final decision [about the breakout] for himself". The second phase of the offensive began on 20 January with a Soviet push toward the airfield at Gumrak. Two days later, the airfield was occupied by the Soviets. Its capture meant an end to the evacuation of the German wounded and that any further air supply would have to be by parachute. Paulus on 22 January sent a radio message to OKH:  Russians in action in 6 km wide on both sides Voroponovo, some with flags unfurled to the east. No way to close the gap. Withdrawal to neighboring fronts who are also without ammunition, useless and not feasible. Supply with ammunition from other fronts also no longer possible. Food at an end. More than 12,000 unprovided for wounded in the encirclement.