Civilians
In the battle of Stalingrad, some civilians escaped or were evacuated before fighting reached the city, but the vast majority were not allowed to leave until the battle was well underway. This caused thousands of civilian casualties.
The presence of civilians added some interesting elements to the battle for Stalingrad. While many did remain in hiding as much as possible, they still needed to leave for food, water, and other necessities. Some were forced into serving the German attackers. Others fought against the Germans as part of irregular forces.
At least one German soldier actually used the presence of the civilians to gain a (temporary) tactical advantage: he dressed up as an old woman in order to gather water at a stream each day; while gathering water, he observed Soviet positions, which allowed him to serve as a sort of spotter for German artillery. Once the Soviets discovered this ruse, they shot the "old woman."
The presence of civilians added some interesting elements to the battle for Stalingrad. While many did remain in hiding as much as possible, they still needed to leave for food, water, and other necessities. Some were forced into serving the German attackers. Others fought against the Germans as part of irregular forces.
At least one German soldier actually used the presence of the civilians to gain a (temporary) tactical advantage: he dressed up as an old woman in order to gather water at a stream each day; while gathering water, he observed Soviet positions, which allowed him to serve as a sort of spotter for German artillery. Once the Soviets discovered this ruse, they shot the "old woman."