-2-     #23, December 8, 6 p.m. (SECTION TWO) from Moscow
 
and attacked from the rear while the elements of the 21st  army attacked from in front.
These tactics were employed successfully again and again throughout the entire distance of the
advance.
        In the vicinity of Selyone and Marinovka, units of this division made contact with the two
Russian Armies of General Trufanov and General Talbukin which formed the Southern arm of the
pincer starting at Krasnoarmaisk, just south of Stalingrad.  The meeting of the Red forces at
Selyoni and Marinovka completed the encirclement of Stalingrad and of all enemy troops within
and in the immediate vicinity of the city.
     Establishing his headquarters at nearby Sokarevka, Major General Tovartkaledze then
faced his division eastward and attacked the enemy in the direction of Stalingrad. It was engaged
in this when we were with him.
     General Tovartkaledze showed us maps and details on the engagements which his troops
had fought in the past twelve days, and pointed out their further objectives. In their positions of
that date--December 1 they were about 51 kilometers west of Stalingrad.
     General Tovartkaledze reported that his anti-aircraft batteries had shot down two of the
junkers transports