Battle of Kursk

German Plans for the Battle

Russians didn't just expect the German attack, but also knew the German plans for the battle from the "Lucy" spy network in Germany

Hans Oster, the chief of staf to Admiral Wilhelm Canaris and one of the members of the "Lucy" spy network

This offensive is of decisive importance. It must end in swift and decisive success. Every commander, every private soldier, must be indoctrinated with awareness of the decisive importance of this offensive. Victory at Kursk will be a beacon for the whole world.

-Adolf Hilter, April 15th, 1943

• Hitler wanted the operation to succeed and postponed the operation in May 4th, 1943
• This allowed for the new "war winning tanks" to arrive at the battle
• Ruined the element of surprise

Panzerjäger Tiger (P)

"Elefant" tank

Panzerkampfwagen V

"Panther Ausf. G"

• The delay allowed the Soviets to fortify their defenses

• 300,000 civilians were drafted to build a series of defenses consisting of tank traps, mine fields, and various defensive positions

Czech hedgehog tank traps

Dragon's teeth tank traps

Soviet forces included:

• 1,300,000 men
• 3,600 tanks
• 20,000 pieces of artillery
• 2,400 aircraft

T-34-76

Il-2 Sturmovik

German forces consisted of:

• 800,000 men (including 3 Waffen SS divisions)
• 2,700 tanks
• 1,800 aircraft

Messerschmitt

Bf 109 E-3

Sturmgeschütz III

"Stug III Ausf. G"

Panzerkampfwagen VI

"Tiger Ausf. E"

Location on July 4th

Planned German attack movement

Soviet reserves

Boundary between German forces and Soviet forces

North Battle vs. South Battle

South

North

• German side had stronger forces
• Sent all of their reserves forward
• General Hoth, a German commander, decided to put the rest of the tanks, around 600, into a town past the Russian lines called Prokhorovka

• German side had weaker forces
• Germans only advanced 10 km into the Russian lines
• Lost 25,000 soldiers and 200 tanks
• Continued fighting until it was eventually stopped

General Hoth of the German army

The Battle of Prokhorovka

The Russian command predicted this movement

They ordered the 5th Guards tank army to meet the Germans

That began an 8 hour battle in thick smoke and dust

The Germans lost over half of the remaining tanks

The tanks going into the thick dust and smoke

The Battle Itself

The actual German attack began on July 4, 1943

There were multiple battles, in both North Kursk and South Kursk

Started with the tanks, then waves of the anti-tank aircrafts came in from both sides

The battleground areas in Kursk

What Operation Citadel looked to Accomplish

• Operation Citadel sought to regain the German initiative and severely damage Russian supplies while reinforcing German morale.
• Operation Citadel was a deciding battle in the outcome of the Eastern Front, and because of the German failure they lost control of the Eastern Front.

Operation Citadel

• Operation Citadel was the code name for the plan proposed by General Zeitzler.
• It consisted of a major decisive battle along the Kursk Salient, in an attempt to destroy the russian defense.
• Required an extremely large portion of Germany's offensive (1/3) as hitler stated "There must be no failure."

Germany Seeks a Decisive Victory

Consequences of the Battle

• Germany sought to decisively defeat Russia to boost the German Armies morale.
• Germany had substantially increased tank production in more advanced tanks.
• The advanced tanks however caused less production of the more adequate and efficient tank, such as the Panzer 4.

German Losses

• Soviets considered battle a victory
• Germany had updated tanks and experienced crew

• Germans kept fighting the Soviets, but due to:
• Large population
• Industrial production
• American lend-lease military aid
• Russia was able to survive the attacks

• The German's lost troops and equipment were irreplaceable
• 70,000 men
• 3,000 tanks
• 1,400 planes

• Russian losses were estimated to be higher, but because of the large population and industry, Russia could cope better.

All above numbers are estimates, and totals are controversial.

Germany's Position in the War

• In 1943 the tide of the war had begun to even out and the Russians had severely grown in strength.
• Germany seeked to go on a major offensive and regain the tempo of the war.
• Germany hoped to prove superiority in the eastern front and cause tense relations between Russia and the Allies.

Political Effects

• Hitler was convinced that his staff was incompetent
• Grew more and more involved with military movement
• Eventually started to make tactical decisions himself

• Stalin grew more confident in his advisers
• Relied more heavily on advisers for decisions
• Rarely overruled military decisions