The terrain provided an advantage to the Soviets because dust clouds prevented the Luftwaffe from providing air support to German forces on the ground. The Battle of Kursk was fought between the Germans and Soviets on the Eastern Front. The Soviets knew months in advance that it would fall in the Kursk salient, and built up a large network of fortifications so they could defend in depth. The British Intelligence services had provided extensive information on where a likely attack would take place. The Soviets knew where the attack was going to take place This would allow Hitler to divert his forces to the Western Front. The Soviets had previously defeated and weakened the Germans at the Battle of Stalingrad in the winter of 1942-1943.Ĭode named ‘Operation Citadel,’ it was intended to eliminate the Red Army at Kursk and prevent the Soviet army from launching any offensives for the rest of 1943. The battle took place in 1943 between the Germans and Soviets from 5 July to 23 August. The Germans launched an offensive against the Soviets

In this fascinating episode, he discusses the worst maritime disaster in history: the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945. Go to for the latest news and support.Roger Moorhouse is an historian of the Third Reich and World War Two, author of The Devils' Alliance, Killing Hitler & Berlin at War. This game recreates that day with the player being able to play both as the Russians and Germans or against the AI. It was to last all day, in confused and savage fighting at close ranges. As dawn broke, the lead German elements ran head-on into the lead elements of the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army and the battle was on. Reorganizing during the night, the panzers struck northward before dawn on the 12th. During the late afternoon and evening of the 11th, they broke through and repulsed a counterattack by the Russian 31st Tank Corps. The 2nd SS Panzer Korps began it's attack on July 3rd, and spent the next 8 days breaking through the dense Russian defensive positions. Approximately 1000 tanks and assault guns met head to head near the town of Prochorovka, in a battle that became a desperate close range shoot-out which would decide the ultimate success or failure of Operation Zitadelle. A fan of WW2 strategy war games? Like to think about your next move rather than having quick reaction times? Battle Series Eastern Front - Kursk - Battle at Prochorovka is the game for you.īattle Series Eastern Front - Kursk - Battle at Prochorovka, covers one of largest single tank battle in the history of warfare.

Ww2 kursk tank battle video