The Battle Of Stalingrad By softball1996 Jul 17, 1942 Battle of Stalingrad begins. Battle of Stalingrad begins as the Luftwaffe begins to bomb the city and Soviet shipping on the Volga River. Period: Jul 17, 1942 to Feb 2, 1943 The Battle Of Stalingrad Aug 23, 1942 Panzer column reaches Volga River. Sep 13, 1942 German ground offensive starts in the city.