Paulus had an abundance of artillery ammo but was terribly short of rifle ammo. As the circle grew tighter around his riverside positions, the airlift that did get through didn't bring in more personnel, it delivered 88mm rounds and some minimal food and took out critical, party political and wounded personnel. His infanty force had been reduced by hunger and the weather to very limited rifle and mortar fire. Foraging for food and seeking to avoid death by freezing consumed more of their collective efforts than battlefield tactics and contact.
True...
Nut the understimation of both enemy positions, and the combat ability of an exhuasted and weak Italian Corp, covering a HUGE area of the FEBA was the weak link in the chain...
Despite the weather, even a small mobile force reserve could have stemmed the tide long enough to allow the Italian and Romanians to regroup.Unsupportrd Cavalry alone cannot stand against T-34's..
The 20 hour loss of contact with the 2 Italian Divisions should have been the warning for Hoth's Armour, but alas, that is history...