By late November the Soviets launch a major counterattack, and the 6th Army is encircled. As rations get lower, the Germans begin to starve. Erich von Manstein’s forces attempt to break the encirclement, bringing hope to the besieged soldiers, but he is defeated. Hoffman’s final journal entry is on 26 December, with the final phrase “A curse on this war!” While the exact fate of Hoffman is unknown, it is believed that he perished not long after in the bitter fighting.