Army Group Don
By the early morning of 2 February, Strecker was informed that one of his officers had gone to negotiate surrender terms with the Soviets. He then decided to put an end to the fighting. At 07:00 Strecker sent a radio message to subordinate units: "All fighting will cease; weapons will be destroyed; expect the Russians in about an hour". A final message was transmitted to Army Group Don at 08:00: "The XI Army Corps, consisting of 6 divisions, has fulfilled its duty by the heaviest fighting to the very last. Hail to the Fuhrer! Hail to Germany!". With a further incomplete message being picked up at 09:20: "The Russians are penetrating ... fighting ... Tractor Works ..." After which no more messages were sent. Organized Axis resistance in the city then ended.