German leadership planned for the Luftwaffe to act as an “air-bridge” to the Sixth Army, providing the supplies necessary for the army to survive. It was a fundamentally flawed idea, even before the challenges posed by weather and Soviet attacks on airfields were considered.

Most Germans in and outside of the Kessel had no idea how close the Sixth Army was to defeat. As the siege continued, rumors spread about an SS Panzer Corps moving to relieve the Kessel, and a division of infantry being flown in by air in mid-February. Other stories also spread, including one that claimed Paulus was betraying them to the Russians and refusing the relief. All the while, suffering within the Kessel was increasing. Pest infestations broke out because of the large number of dead bodies. Starvation and the cold meant that most became apathetic to their surroundings, doing nothing except when on sentry duty. Some soldiers continued to try and put on a good face when writing home, but by early January, the number of Germans who surrendered or deserted rapidly increased.

When General Hube arrived back in the Kessel, he told Paulus that Hitler had refused to consider defeat at Stalingrad.