What verifiable sources are there that I can have access to that proves/disproves the existence of Zaytsev?
So far by his own account I notice a few flaws
The SS were not in Stalingrad
There are no records that I can find (perhaps it is due to them being in the Deutsche Dienst, the modern equivalent of the Wehrmachtauskunftstelle, and to my knowledge access requires the consent of the family?)
There are a few flaws in his story that don't add up (directionally, the setting sun would not have been reflected in Konig's lens if he was looking east while Zaytsev was looking west, true to the position of the front relative to the two countries)
There are no records of any such sniper school in Berlin, something of that nature would surely at least be "google-able"
Zaytsev, who characteristically gave precise dates and details, could not give details about this particular 'battle'
Given the nature of Stalin's usage of propaganda, I feel this could easily be fabricated in the interest of troop morale. As an example, what is immediately brought to mind is Emily Blunt's role in Edge of Tomorrow.
Stalingrad, the battle Zaytsev was in, is among the debated 'turning points' of the war for the Eastern Front (along with Moscow and Kursk)
This is for a paper I'm trying to do, so any help at all would be greatly appreciated!
Also, I apologize for breaking any rules as this is an extremely well-moderated subreddit :)
Just to clarify, Vassili Zaitsev definitely existed. The account of the sniper duel is in doubt. You have already covered the basics of why that particular story is in doubt.
A similar question has an excellent answer
Yes the sniper duel was more than likely fiction or propaganda. Which is a shame because Zaitsev was a brilliant sniper there are enough true stories to make him a hero without needing a fictional one.
As /u/iwinagain already stated; Zaitsev without a doubt existed, as did others with much more in the way of kills; such as Chekov (who was shadowed for a time by the writer Grossman). Zaitsev became a hero for his ingenuity and willingness to train other Snipers in the art. He has more than enough true occurrences to make him legendary (such as his jerry rigged anti material rifle).
The propaganda coup of 'sniperism' was something that the Soviets had fall into their lap, and was one of the few areas where little doubt can probably be cast. Kill counts - probably exaggerated, but definitely large in the celebrities that emerged from WWII.
A note on the "SS"; Soviets made little effort to distinguish between Feldgendarmie and the SS; the 'chain dogs' were no better, especially as the Soviets began to advance into occupied territories. That's one potential explanation for the discrepancy; try to remember that Zaitsev was in essence, a grunt, and one from rather humble backgrounds. Many Soviet soldiers were largely kept in the dark about the general situation (example: Many in the 62nd Army were never told about Operation Uranus until after the rumble of the guns were heard to their north). Mis-identification is a common theme among enlisted men in all armies in WWII.
The entire story over this elusive "Major Koenig" is, however, a load of bull. The only material evidence we have is supposedly this Major's lens; which now rests in the armed forces museum. This 'evidence' could have come from any enemy sniper struck down by Zaitsev and the entire story is a combination of the rumor mill and Soviet propaganda running wild with it.