On 5 July 1943 the Germany army launched Operation Zitadelle (Citadel). Hitler’s belief was that the offensive would result in the encirclement and destruction of a larger Soviet force than he had lost at Stalingrad, thereby allowing Germany to regain the strategic initiative in the East and for Hitler himself to gain a prestigious victory. His confidence was misguided.
The operation focussed on attacking Kursk, an objective that was as obvious to the Russian command as it was to the German. As Hitler’s generals planned their attack, the Russians planned their defence.
The photo below shows German Tiger tanks spearheading the assault in the northern sector.
If you would like to know more about this battle take a look at Robert Forczyk’s Campaign 272 – Kursk 1943, illustrated by Steve Noon.
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