Thread: Operation Zitadelle

The Battle for Kursk took place betwwen July 4, 1943 to August 23, 1943.

The Battle for Kursk was called "Operation Zitadelle" by the Germans. The Soviets were aware of the German army plans to invade Kursk and were well prepared. They had knowledge of the German plans via their "Lucy" spy network in Germany, and from ULTRA codes intercepted by the British and passed on to the Soviets. The Soviets had concealed elaborate layered defense works, mine fields, and stage and disguise large reserve forces.
The Battle for Kursk will be well remembered for being the largest clash of armor during World War Two. The battle for Kursk saw the end of the German offensive on the Eastern Front. It also marked the start of the great Soviet offensives of 1944 to 1945. A cathedral on the Field of Prokhorovka commemorates the Soviet victory in the Battle for Kursk.

Germany Commanders:
Erich von Manstein,
Hans von Kluge,
Hermann Hoth
German Army Strength:
800,000 infantry,
2,700 tanks,
2,000 aircraft
German Army Casualties:
500,000 dead, wounded, or captured
900 tanks
200 aircraft


Soviet Commanders:
Georgiy Zhukov,
Konstantin Rokossovskiy,
Nikolay Vatutin
Sobiet Army Strength:
1,300,000 infantry,
3,600 tanks,
2,400 aircraft
Soviet Army Casualties:
607,737 dead, wounded, or captured
1,500 tanks
1,000 aircraft

This was a huge battle by any number, just look at the figures given by Jim in the other post.

I was wondering what types of tanks was used by the two parties, and how well supplied were the Germans in advance of the battle? Was there at this stage any lacking of fuel or amounition?