Battle of Kursk. Historical Background (sketch)

The German term Schlacht um Kursk covers the period of 5.-15.7.1943 or the so called Unternehmen Zitadelle, but the Russian term Battle on Kursk salient or Bitva na Kurskoj Duge has somewhat wider meaning and covers the dates from 5.7.-23.8.1943 (on 23rd August Charkow has fallen to Russian hands). I believe the latter date frame is more appropriate and logical.

The goal for offensive of Heeresgruppen Mitte and Süd, and strictly of 9. Armee in Orel area in the north and 4. Pz.Armee with Armee-Abt. Kempf (in August renamed as 8. Armee) around Belgorod was to cut off and destroy Russian forces (parts of Voronesh and Central Fronts) holding a bulge around Kursk. The aim of this pincer operation was very limited compared with objectives of earlier German offensives in Russia but nevertheless if the Germans succeded, the frontline would be shortened, easier to defend, which was vital for the German armies in the east, communication and railway centre Kursk would fall to German hands, that would allow a direct railway communication between Heeresgruppen Mitte and South parallel to the frontline, the Russian Army would suffer heavy losses which in turn would prevent Russians from mounting any large scale offensive in 1943.

On the other hand German positions at Orel posed a similar bulge, known as the Orel-Bogen with extremely weak front of Pz.AOK 2 (Gen.Oberst Rudolf Schmidt), left-wing neighbour of AOK 9, almost parallel to the line Brjansk-Orel. That was probably the most hazardous point of the German plan. Vastly outnumbered, with only 5. Pz.Division as armoured reserve (the lone division was consumed in a first days of Russian counteroffensive) 2. Pz.Armee had a little chance to hold a line in case of Russian assault on any considerable scale. 9. Armee started the doomed offensive on 5.7.1943 and made some very limited progress, paying a very high price for it. Then on 11.7.1943 the Russians counterattacked in German weakest place, the front of 2. Pz.Army between Kzyn and Bolchow heading for Karatschew and as a next phase from the line Mzensk-Nowosil aiming for Orel. That was not only the end of a German offensive in the north of the Kursk salient but, to be able to cope with a new danger, Model (now in command of both AOK 9 and Pz.AOK 2) desperately needed reinforcements to patch up holes in his defensive lines to north of Karatschew and north-east of Orel. The transfer of units of Pz.Gren.Div. Grossdeutschland from the south to the area of Karatschew allowed more or less to control the situation in that sector. To the east and northeast of Orel the Russians made relatively slow progress, but nevertheless they pressed very hard. Early in August position around Orel and the city itself was eventually abandoned and Germans retreated, in several phases, into Hagen-Stellung (just before Brjansk). New line was fully occupied and secured in mid-August. The Russian offensive in that sector was temporary halted. Meanwhile Model's left neighbour, the AOK 4, also had had a very hard time in Kirow area, but this battle falls out of range of what is called the Battle of Kursk.

In the south, offensive has started on 5.7.1943 (although for XXXXVIII. Pz.Korps the battle opened in rainy afternoon of 4.7.1943). The spear of the Hoth's 4. Pz.Armee was formed by SS-Panzerkorps, that actually made deepest penetration and met the counterattack of Russian 5. Gde.Pz.Army at approaches of small town of Prochorowka on 12.7.1943. It was the culmination of Zitadelle. Neither side succeded in that battle, although the SS-Korps was finally able to get in touch with III. Pz.Korps that fought its way to the east of Belgorod through Rschawez trapping some weak Russian forces. But that was the end of an offensive. Forced by the Russian success in northern part of salient and heavy fighting in Isjum area in the south, unit after unit was pulled off the line (entire SS-Korps and several Panzerdivisions which badly needed some rest), the front was shortened in several phases, and eventually late in July the Germans were back on their starting positions for Zitadelle.

On 3.8.1943 the Russian offensive in Belgorod sector has begun, and weak German defences between Belgorod and Tomarowka were virtually smashed. The German command was taken completely by surprise. Not that the Soviet offensive wasn't anticipated, but forces engaged on a relatively narrow sector were enormous indeed. The fall of Charkow and even Poltawa seemed to be a matter of a few days. While a German front to the east of Charkow was yet intact, there was no front at all to the north and north-west. Small Kampfgruppen of exhausted 6., 19. and 11. Pz.Divisions fought desperately, slowing down Russian advance. As was to be expected also the defenders of eastern and north-eastern approaches to Charkow were soon driven back when Russians stroke through the Donetz-River.

Reinforcements were thrown into the battle, most of all from Isjum area (three SS-Pz.Gren.Divisions and 3. Pz.Division) and also some units came back from north (as did Pz.Gren.Div. Grossdeutschland, just in time to take defensive positions in Achtyrka with forward units). The fierce battles were fought, with focal points at Achtyrka-Bogoduchow and approaches to Charkow.

According to Russian terminology the closing point for the battle of Kursk was 23.8.1943, last German soldiers left Charkow on that very day. All in all it was the fourth battle for Charkow, but this time the Germans were never to come back.

Stalingrad was both a tragedy and a meaningful victory, but the Battle of Kursk was surely the turning point of war in Russia.