Battle of Kursk: Operation Zitadelle

Background

Operation Zitadelle, also known as Unternehmen Zitadelle, was a German offensive launched on July 5, 1943, during the Second World War. The operation was the largest armored battle in history, involving over 6,000 tanks and two million soldiers.

Objectives

The German objectives were to break through the Soviet defensive lines and recapture the city of Kursk, which had been lost to the Soviets during the winter of 1942-43. The Germans also hoped to destroy the Soviet forces in the Kursk salient and regain the initiative on the Eastern Front.

Order of Battle

The German forces involved in Operation Zitadelle included the Army Group Center, commanded by Field Marshal Günther von Kluge, and Army Group South, commanded by Field Marshal Erich von Manstein. The Soviets deployed three fronts (army groups) to defend against the German offensive: the Central Front, commanded by General Konstantin Rokossovsky, the Voronezh Front, commanded by General Nikolai Vatutin, and the Steppe Front, commanded by General Ivan Konev.

Outcome

The Battle of Kursk was a decisive Soviet victory. The Soviets inflicted heavy losses on the German forces and halted their advance. The battle marked a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front, as it ended the German offensive capabilities and allowed the Soviets to regain the initiative.