0705_01: The Battle of Kursk - PzC 07 Kursk '43

Operation Citadel, Kursk Salient, July 4th 1943: It was patently obvious to both sides that the "pinching off" of the huge salient around Kursk was to be the target of the next German "summer offensive". Despite this fact, the attack was still to go ahead, but not quite as planned. Hitler wanted his new "superweapons", the Panther and the Elefant, to debut here. Consequently, the start date of early May was pushed back, and then further back, until it ended up in July. During all this time the Russians dug in, deeper and deeper, on both shoulders of the salient. By the time the attack started, there were seven defensive lines, including dug-in anti-tank strongpoints, anti-tank ditches, and millions of mines had been laid. The Soviets knew exactly what was planned and, for the first time, were prepared in depth for the huge assault. When the storm broke, they were ready, but despite this, it was to be a very close contest, with neither side giving any quarter. [Size, very large]