Kalach-na-Donu, located west of Volgograd, was the scene of heavy fighting between Soviet troops and troops of the Nazi 6th Army under the command of Friedrich Paulus. Battles intensified in July 1942, and the standoff between the two armies lasted until 31 August 1942. In November 1942, Soviet troops to the southwest of the city, and troops from the Stalingrad fronts, met in the southwest of the town and eventually encircling Nazi troops near Stalingrad. In all, some 54,000 Soviet troops were killed in battles in the area of the city, and 454 Soviet aviators were killed in dog fights above the city.