The Soviets desired to survive so they died without honor. They packed themselves into the town in the center of the battle field, the western fields and hills and died like cowards. They did nothing to stop the Germans from amassing overwhelming forces on 3 sides of the city inflicting heavy casualties in the first 2 hours of combat,which lead to complete demoralization of their command and a rapid withdrawal from the battlefield. A newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant could have led the Germans to victory.