Corrected entry: One of the well known reasons the Germans were defeated in Stalingrad was - snow. But in this movie there is just mud on the ground, but no snow.
lionhead
5th Nov 2003
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
28th Sep 2005
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Factual error: The Junkers 88 bombers are flying far, far too low for a bombing run. They are barely clearing the buildings they are bombing. Low level bombing on an urban target would mean the bomber would be flying at between 600 and 700 feet whereas these bombers are flying at something like 30 or 40 feet above the rooftops of the buildings they are attacking. Even banking steeply would be a ridiculously dangerous manoeuvre, and at that height they would be sitting ducks for small arms fire and would be damaged by the explosions and debris from their own bombs. (00:40:15)
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Suggested correction: The JU 88 was a diver bomber used for low level bombing for precision. Because of the lack of sufficient JU-87's (Stukas), the JU-88 was used for ground support. It was normal for them to fly that low, despite being more vulnerable to small arms fire.
That isn't "low level" bombing - it's suicide. Low level bombing on an urban target would mean the bomber would be flying at between 600 and 700 feet. These bombers are flying at something like 30 or 40 feet above the rooftops of the buildings they are attacking. Even banking steeply would be a ridiculously dangerous manoeuvre. The original posting is correct.
Low level bombing is most definitely not 600 feet. They could easily operate at altitude below 100 meters. I've seen footage of low level bombing at exactly the altitude of the planes in the movie (by B-25s). Planes that fly that low won't be using bombs that explode right under them, they would use whats called "retarded-fall" bombs that have increase air resistance so there is a delay of their fall and won't explode right under the plane. They may even fly lower in Stalingrad to avoid AA fire, which have a harder time targeting low flying aircraft. They might also be flying as low as possible to get visual confirmation of their targets, to avoid hitting friendlies.
Ju88s had a climb rate between 700-800 feet per minute. Given that the primary German airfield was less than 15mi away at Pitomnik, their maximum altitude for a less-than-3-minute flight was a meager 2340 feet (~700m). Lower altitudes are within the realm of reason. Due to the Soviet strategy of keeping their front lines as close to the Germans as possible, it's almost necessary to fly low and get as accurate bombing runs as possible.
27th Aug 2001
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Factual error: The film map depicting the German advance showed Germany invading Turkey. Turkey did not enter the war until 1945 and never engaged in any combat. (00:05:05)
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Suggested correction: It does not show the German advancement in true historical order, but more like a red shadow that expands across Europe in a steady pace. And just as the camera starts zooming in on Stalingrad, you can see a small sliver of red starting to spread on the south-eastern coast of Norway.
It's not red but black. Norway was conquered by Germany, Turkey was an Allied country.
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Correction: Most of the battle was fought in late summer and autumn. Historical photographs look just like the movie set.
The Battle of Stalingrad lasted from August 1942 to February 1943. There most certainly would have been snow during the winter months. But in any case, the events depicted in the film occurred before the snow came in, the duel supposedly took place before the Soviet Counterattack (Operation Uranus).
However the problem here is that this film follows a fictionalised version of Vasily Zaytsev. The sniper with a total confirmed kill count of over 220 during the battle of Stalingrad. Vasily didn't join the battle until November 10th 1942. Meaning that the snow would already be on the ground when he joined making your point that the events took place prior to the snow coming in is null and void. Sorry.
Ssiscool ★
Vasily Zaitsev was in Stalingrad since September 1942. Also there is no indication there was snow untill the end of November, which is when Operation Uranus started. So he events probably took place in September or October. No snow has to be there.
lionhead