July 5 - August 23, 1943
By the spring of 1943, there was a lull on the battlefields. Both belligerents were preparing for the summer campaign. Germany, having carried out total mobilization, concentrated by the summer of 1943 on the Soviet-German front more than 230 divisions. The Wehrmacht received many new heavy T-V tanks I "Tiger", medium tanks T-V "Panther", assault guns "Ferdinand", new aircraft "Focke-Wulf 190" and other types of military equipment.
The German command decided to regain the strategic initiative lost after the defeat at Stalingrad. For the offensive, the enemy chose the "Kursk ledge" - a sector of the front, formed as a result of the winter offensive of the Soviet troops. The idea of the Nazi command was to encircle and destroy the group of Red Army troops with converging strikes from the Orel and Belgorod regions and again develop the offensive against Moscow. The operation was codenamed Citadel.
Thanks to the actions of Soviet intelligence, the plans of the enemy became known at the headquarters of the Supreme High Command. It was decided to build a long-term defense in the depths of the Kursk ledge, wear down the enemy in battles and then go on the offensive. Troops of the Central Front (commanded by General of the Army K.K. Rokossovsky) operated in the north of the Kursk Salient, and troops of the Voronezh Front (commanded by General of the Army N.F. Vatutin) operated in the south. In the rear of these fronts there was a powerful reserve - the Steppe Front under the command of General of the Army I.S. Konev. Marshals A.M. were instructed to coordinate the actions of the fronts on the Kursk salient. Vasilevsky and G.K. Zhukov.
The number of Red Army troops in the defense was 1 million 273 thousand people, 3,000 tanks and self-propelled guns, 20,000 guns and mortars, 2,650 combat aircraft.
The German command concentrated around the Kursk ledge more than 900,000 people, 2,700 tanks and assault guns, 10,000 guns and mortars, and 2,000 aircraft.
At dawn on July 5, 1943, the enemy launched an offensive. Fierce fighting unfolded on the ground and in the air. At the cost of huge losses, the Nazi troops managed to advance 10–15 km north of Kursk. Particularly heavy fighting took place in the Oryol direction in the area of the Ponyri station, which the participants in the events called "Stalingrad". Battle of Kursk". Here there was a powerful battle between the strike units of three German tank divisions with formations of Soviet troops: the 2nd Panzer Army (commander Lieutenant General A. Rodin) and the 13th Army (commander Lieutenant General N.P. Pukhov). In In these battles, Junior Lieutenant V. Bolshakov accomplished a feat by covering the embrasure of an enemy firing point with his body. Sniper I. S. Mudretsova replaced the out-of-service commander in battle, but she was also seriously wounded. She was rightfully considered one of the best snipers in the army, destroyed 140 Nazis.
In the Belgorod direction, south of Kursk, as a result of fierce fighting, the enemy advanced 20–35 km. But then his advance was stopped. On July 12, near Prokhorovka, on a field approximately 7 by 5 km, the largest oncoming tank battle World War II, which involved about 1,200 tanks and self-propelled guns from both sides. The unprecedented battle lasted 18 hours in a row and subsided only well after midnight. In this battle, the Wehrmacht tank columns were defeated and retreated from the battlefield, losing more than 400 tanks and assault guns, including 70 new heavy Tiger tanks. For the next three days, the Nazis rushed to Prokhorovka, but they could not break through it or bypass it. As a result, the Germans were forced to withdraw the elite SS Panzer Division "Dead Head" from the front line. The tank army of G. Hoth lost half of its personnel and vehicles. Success in the battles near Prokhorovka belongs to the troops of the 5th Guards Army under the command of Lieutenant General A.S. Zhadov and the 5th Guards Tank Army, Lieutenant General P.A. Rotmistrov, who also suffered heavy losses.
During the Battle of Kursk, Soviet aviation achieved strategic air supremacy and held it until the end of the war. The Il-2 attack aircraft, which widely used the new PTAB-2.5 anti-tank bombs, were especially helpful in the fight against German tanks. Together with Soviet pilots the French squadron "Normandie-Niemen" under the command of Major Jean-Louis Tulian fought courageously. In heavy battles in the Belgorod direction, the troops of the Steppe Front, commanded by Colonel General I.S. Konev.
On July 12, the counteroffensive of the Red Army began. The troops of the Bryansk, Central and part of the Western fronts went on the offensive against the enemy's Oryol grouping (Operation Kutuzov), during which the city of Orel was liberated on August 5. On August 3, the implementation of the Belgorod-Kharkov offensive operation (Operation Rumyantsev) began. Belgorod was liberated on August 5, and Kharkov on August 23.
On August 5, 1943, by order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin in Moscow, the first artillery salute was given in the Great Patriotic War. On August 23, Moscow again saluted the troops of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts in honor of the liberation of Kharkov. Since then, every major new victory of the Red Army has been celebrated with salutes.
Operation "Citadel" was the last offensive operation of the German Wehrmacht on the eastern front in World War II. From now on, the fascist German troops forever switched to defensive actions in battles against the Red Army. In the Battle of Kursk, 30 enemy divisions were defeated, the Wehrmacht lost more than 500,000 people killed and wounded, 1,500 tanks and assault guns, about 3,100 guns and mortars, over 3,700 combat aircraft. The losses of the Red Army in the Battle of Kursk amounted to 254,470 people killed and 608,833 people wounded and sick.
In the battles on the Kursk Bulge, the soldiers and officers of the Red Army showed courage, steadfastness and mass heroism. 132 formations and units received the title of guards, 26 units were awarded the honorary titles "Oryol", "Belgorod", "Kharkov", etc. More than 110 thousand soldiers were awarded orders and medals, 180 people received the title of Hero Soviet Union.
The victory in the Battle of Kursk and the withdrawal of the Red Army troops to the Dnieper ended in a radical change in the course of World War II in favor of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition.
After defeat Nazi German troops in the Battle of Kursk, the offensive of the Red Army began along the entire front from Velikiye Luki to the Black Sea. At the end of September 1943, the troops of the Red Army reached the Dnieper and, without an operational pause, began to force it. This thwarted the plan of the German command to detain the Soviet troops on the Dnieper, using a system of defensive fortifications " Eastern shaft on the right bank of the river.
The grouping of the defending enemy consisted of 1,240,000 men, 2,100 tanks and assault guns, 12,600 guns and mortars, and 2,100 combat aircraft.
The troops of the Red Army on the Dnieper amounted to 2 million 633 thousand people, 2,400 tanks and SA, 51,200 guns and mortars, 2,850 combat aircraft. Warriors of the Central, Voronezh, Steppe, South-Western fronts, using improvised means - pontoons, boats, boats, rafts, barrels, boards, under artillery fire and enemy bombing, crossed a powerful water barrier. During September-October 1943, the troops of the Red Army, crossing the river and breaking through the defenses of the "Eastern Wall", captured 23 bridgeheads on the right bank of the Dnieper. Leading fierce battles, on November 6, 1943, Soviet troops liberated the city of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The entire Left-bank and part of the Right-bank Ukraine was also liberated.
Tens of thousands of soldiers and officers of the Red Army have shown examples of bravery and courage these days. For the exploits committed during the crossing of the Dnieper, 2,438 soldiers, officers and generals of the Red Army were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The beginning of the combat path of the Ural Volunteer Tank Corps
The defeat of the fascist German army near Stalingrad in the winter of 1942-1943 shook the fascist bloc to its foundations. For the first time since the beginning of the Second World War, Nazi Germany, in all its inevitability, faced the formidable specter of inevitable defeat. Its military power, the morale of the army and the population were thoroughly undermined, and the prestige in the eyes of the allies was seriously shaken. In order to improve Germany's internal political situation and prevent the disintegration of the fascist coalition, the Nazi command decided in the summer of 1943 to conduct a major offensive operation on the central sector of the Soviet-German front. With this offensive, it hoped to defeat the grouping of Soviet troops located on the Kursk salient, seize the strategic initiative again and turn the course of the war in its favor. By the summer of 1943, the situation on the Soviet-German front had already changed in favor of the Soviet Union. By the beginning of the Battle of Kursk, the overall superiority in forces and means was on the side of the Red Army: in people by 1.1 times, in artillery - by 1.7, in tanks - by 1.4 and in combat aircraft - by 2 times.
The Battle of Kursk occupies the Great Patriotic War special place. It lasted 50 days and nights, from July 5 to August 23, 1943. This battle has no equal in its bitterness and stubbornness of the struggle.
The goal of the Wehrmacht: the general plan of the German command was to encircle and destroy the troops of the Central and Voronezh fronts defending in the Kursk region. If successful, it was supposed to expand the front of the offensive and return the strategic initiative. To implement his plans, the enemy concentrated powerful strike groups, which numbered over 900 thousand people, about 10 thousand guns and mortars, up to 2700 tanks and assault guns, about 2050 aircraft. Great hopes were placed on the latest Tiger and Panther tanks, Ferdinand assault guns, Focke-Wulf-190-A fighter aircraft and Heinkel-129 attack aircraft.
The purpose of the Red Army: the Soviet command decided to first bleed the enemy strike groups in defensive battles, and then go on the counteroffensive.
The battle that began immediately took on a grandiose scope and was of an extremely tense character. Our troops did not flinch. They met the avalanche of enemy tanks and infantry with unprecedented stamina and courage. The offensive of the enemy strike groups was suspended. Only at the cost of huge losses did he manage to separate sections break into our defenses. On the Central Front - 10-12 kilometers, on the Voronezh - up to 35 kilometers. Hitler's operation "Citadel" was finally buried by the largest oncoming tank battle near Prokhorovka in the entire Second World War. It happened on July 12th. 1200 tanks and self-propelled guns simultaneously participated in it from both sides. This battle was won by the Soviet soldiers. The Nazis, having lost up to 400 tanks during the day of the battle, were forced to abandon the offensive.
On July 12, the second stage of the Battle of Kursk began - the counteroffensive of the Soviet troops. On August 5, Soviet troops liberated the cities of Orel and Belgorod. On the evening of August 5, in honor of this major success, a victorious salute was given in Moscow for the first time in two years of the war. Since that time, artillery salutes have constantly announced glorious victories Soviet weapons. On August 23, Kharkov was liberated.
Thus ended the Battle of the Kursk Fiery Bulge. During it, 30 selected enemy divisions were defeated. The Nazi troops lost about 500,000 men, 1,500 tanks, 3,000 guns and 3,700 aircraft. For courage and heroism over 100 thousand Soviet soldiers, participants in the Battle of the Fiery Arc, were awarded orders and medals. The Battle of Kursk ended with a radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War in favor of the Red Army.
Losses in the Battle of Kursk.
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Type of losses |
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Wehrmacht |
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Personnel | |||
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Guns and mortars | |||
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Tanks and self-propelled guns | |||
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UDTK on the Kursk Bulge. Orlovskaya offensive
Baptism of fire in the Battle of Kursk was received by the 30th Ural Volunteer Tank Corps, which is part of the 4th Tank Army.
T-34 tanks - 202 units, T-70 - 7, BA-64 armored vehicles - 68,
self-propelled 122-mm guns - 16, 85-mm guns - 12,
installations M-13 - 8, 76-mm guns - 24, 45-mm guns - 32,
37 mm guns - 16, 120 mm mortars - 42, 82 mm mortars - 52.
The army, commanded by Lieutenant General of the Tank Troops Vasily Mikhailovich Badanov, arrived at the Bryansk Front on the eve of the battles that began on July 5, 1943, and during the counteroffensive of the Soviet troops was brought into battle in the Oryol direction. The Ural Volunteer Tank Corps under the command of Lieutenant General Georgy Semenovich Rodin had the task of advancing from the Seredichi region to the south, cutting off the enemy’s communications on the Bolkhov-Khotynets line, reaching the area of the village of Zlyn, and then saddling the Orel-Bryansk railway and highway and cutting off the escape route of the Oryol grouping of the Nazis to the west. And the Urals fulfilled the order.
On July 29, Lieutenant General Rodin set the task of the 197th Sverdlovsk and 243rd Molotov tank brigades: to cross the Nugr River in cooperation with the 30th motorized rifle brigade (MSBR), capture the village of Borilovo and then advance in the direction of the settlement Vishnevsky. The village of Borilovo was located on a high bank and dominated the surrounding area, and from the bell tower of the church it was visible for several kilometers in a circle. All this made it easier for the enemy to conduct a defense and hampered the actions of the advancing corps units. At 20:00 on July 29, after a 30-minute artillery preparation and a volley of guards mortars, two tank motorized rifle brigades began to force the Nugr River. Under the cover of tank fire, the company of Senior Lieutenant A.P. Nikolaev was the first to cross the Nugr River, capturing the southern outskirts of the village of Borilovo. By the morning of July 30, the battalion of the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade, supported by tanks, captured the village of Borilovo despite the stubborn resistance of the enemy. All units of the Sverdlovsk brigade of the 30th UDTK were concentrated here. By order of the corps commander at 10:30, the brigade launched an offensive in the direction - height 212.2. The assault was heavy. The 244th Chelyabinsk Tank Brigade, which was previously in the reserve of the 4th Army, graduated from it.
Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Petrovich Nikolaev, company commander of a motorized rifle battalion of the 197th Guards Sverdlovsk Tank Brigade. From personal archiveON THE.Kirillova.
On July 31, in the liberated Borilovo, the heroically dead tankers and submachine gunners were buried, including commanders of tank battalions: Major Chazov and Captain Ivanov. The mass heroism of the corps soldiers, shown in the battles from July 27 to 29, was highly appreciated. Only in the Sverdlovsk brigade, 55 soldiers, sergeants and officers were awarded government awards for these battles. In the battle for Borilovo, the Sverdlovsk sanitary instructor Anna Alekseevna Kvanskova accomplished a feat. She rescued the wounded and, replacing the artillerymen who were out of action, brought shells to firing positions. A. A. Kvanskova was awarded the Order of the Red Star, and later for her heroism she was awarded the Orders of Glory III and II degrees.
Guards sergeant Anna Alekseevna Kvanskova assists the lieutenantA. A.Lysin, 1944.
Photo by M. Insarov, 1944. TsDOOSO. F.221. OP.3.D.1672
The exceptional courage of the Urals warriors, their readiness to carry out a combat mission without sparing their lives, aroused admiration. But the pain from the losses suffered was mixed with him. It seemed that they were too great in comparison with the achieved results.
A column of German prisoners of war captured in the battles in the Oryol direction, USSR, 1943.
Destroyed German vehicles during the battles on the Kursk Bulge, USSR, 1943.
Battle of Kursk became one of the most important stages on the way to the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany. In terms of scope, intensity and results, it ranks among the largest battles of the Second World War. The battle lasted less than two months. During this time, in a relatively small area, a fierce clash of huge masses of troops took place with the involvement of the most modern military equipment at that time. More than 4 million people, over 69 thousand guns and mortars, more than 13 thousand tanks and self-propelled guns and up to 12 thousand combat aircraft were involved in the battles on both sides. On the part of the Wehrmacht, more than 100 divisions participated in it, which accounted for over 43 percent of the divisions that were on the Soviet-German front. The tank battles victorious for the Soviet Army were the greatest in World War II. " If the battle of Stalingrad foreshadowed the decline of the Nazi army, then the battle of Kursk put it in front of a catastrophe.».
The hopes of the military-political leadership did not come true " third reich» for success Operation Citadel . During this battle, Soviet troops defeated 30 divisions, the Wehrmacht lost about 500 thousand soldiers and officers, 1.5 thousand tanks, 3 thousand guns and more than 3.7 thousand aircraft.
Construction of defensive lines. Kursk Bulge, 1943
Especially heavy defeats were inflicted on the tank formations of the Nazis. Of the 20 tank and motorized divisions that took part in the Battle of Kursk, 7 were defeated, and the rest suffered significant losses. Nazi Germany could no longer fully compensate for this damage. Inspector General of the German Armored Forces Colonel General Guderian I had to admit:
« As a result of the failure of the Citadel Offensive, we suffered a decisive defeat. The armored forces, replenished with such great difficulty, were put out of action for a long time due to heavy losses in people and equipment. Their timely restoration for conducting defensive operations on the eastern front, as well as for organizing defense in the West, in case of the landing that the Allies threatened to land next spring, was called into question ... and there were no more calm days on the eastern front. The initiative has completely passed to the enemy ...».
Before Operation Citadel. From right to left: G. Kluge, V. Model, E. Manstein. 1943
Before Operation Citadel. From right to left: G. Kluge, V. Model, E. Manstein. 1943
Soviet troops are ready to meet the enemy. Kursk Bulge, 1943 ( see comments on the article)
The failure of the offensive strategy in the East forced the command of the Wehrmacht to find new ways of waging war in order to try to save fascism from the impending defeat. It hoped to transform the war into positional forms, gain time, hoping to split the anti-Hitler coalition. West German historian V. Hubach writes: " On the eastern front, the Germans made a last attempt to seize the initiative, but to no avail. The failed operation "Citadel" was the beginning of the end of the German army. Since then, the German front in the East has not stabilized any more.».
The crushing defeat of the German fascist armies on the Kursk Bulge testified to the increased economic, political and military power of the Soviet Union. The victory near Kursk was the result of the great feat of the Soviet Armed Forces and selfless labor Soviet people. It was a new triumph of the wise policy of the Communist Party and the Soviet government.
near Kursk. At the observation post of the commander of the 22nd Guards Rifle Corps. From left to right: N. S. Khrushchev, commander of the 6th Guards Army, Lieutenant General I. M. Chistyakov, corps commander, Major General N. B. Ibyansky (July 1943)
Planning Operation Citadel , the Nazis had high hopes for new equipment - tanks " Tiger" and " panther", assault guns " Ferdinand", planes" Focke-Wulf-190A". They believed that the new weapons received by the Wehrmacht would surpass Soviet military equipment and ensure victory. However, this did not happen. Soviet designers created new models of tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts, aircraft, anti-tank artillery, which, in terms of their tactical and technical data, were not inferior, and often surpassed similar enemy systems.
Fighting on the Kursk Bulge , Soviet soldiers constantly felt the support of the working class, the collective farm peasantry, and the intelligentsia, who armed the army with excellent military equipment and provided it with everything necessary for victory. Figuratively speaking, in this grandiose battle, a metalworker, designer, engineer, and grain grower fought shoulder to shoulder with an infantryman, tanker, artilleryman, pilot, sapper. The feat of arms of the soldiers merged with the selfless work of the home front workers. The unity of the rear and the front, forged by the Communist Party, created an unshakable foundation for the combat successes of the Soviet Armed Forces. A great merit in the defeat of the Nazi troops near Kursk belonged to the Soviet partisans, who launched active operations behind enemy lines.
Battle of Kursk was of great importance for the course and outcome of events on the Soviet-German front in 1943. It created favorable conditions for the general offensive of the Soviet Army.
was of great international importance. It had a great influence on the further course of the Second World War. As a result of the defeat of significant Wehrmacht forces, favorable conditions were created for the landing of Anglo-American troops in Italy in early July 1943. The defeat of the Wehrmacht near Kursk directly influenced the plans of the Nazi command related to the occupation of Sweden. The previously developed plan for the invasion of Hitler's troops into this country was canceled due to the fact that the Soviet-German front absorbed all the enemy's reserves. As early as June 14, 1943, the Swedish envoy in Moscow stated: “ Sweden is well aware that if it still remains out of the war, it is only thanks to the military successes of the USSR. Sweden is grateful to the Soviet Union for this and speaks directly about it.».
The increased losses on the fronts, especially in the East, the grave consequences of total mobilization and the growing liberation movement in the countries of Europe affected the internal situation in Germany, the morale of the German soldiers and the entire population. Distrust of the government increased in the country, critical statements against the fascist party and state leadership became more frequent, and doubts about achieving victory grew. Hitler went on to further intensify repression to strengthen the "internal front". But neither the bloody terror of the Gestapo, nor the colossal efforts of the propaganda machine of Goebbels could neutralize the impact that the defeat at Kursk had on the morale of the population and the soldiers of the Wehrmacht.
near Kursk. Direct fire on the advancing enemy
Huge losses of military equipment and weapons made new demands on the German military industry and further complicated the situation with human resources. Attracting foreign workers to industry, agriculture and transport, whom Hitler's " new order"was deeply hostile, undermined the rear of the fascist state.
After the defeat in Battle of Kursk German influence on the states of the fascist bloc weakened even more, the internal political situation of the satellite countries worsened, and the foreign policy isolation of the Reich intensified. The outcome of the Battle of Kursk, catastrophic for the fascist elite, predetermined the further cooling of relations between Germany and neutral countries. These countries have reduced the supply of raw materials and materials " third reich».
The victory of the Soviet Army in the Battle of Kursk raised the prestige of the Soviet Union even higher as the decisive force opposing fascism. The whole world looked with hope at the socialist power and its army, bringing deliverance from the Nazi plague to mankind.
victorious end of the Battle of Kursk intensified the struggle of the peoples of enslaved Europe for freedom and independence, intensified the activities of numerous groups of the resistance movement, including in Germany itself. Under the influence of the victories at the Kursk Bulge, the peoples of the countries of the anti-fascist coalition began to come out even more resolutely with the demand for the speediest opening of a second front in Europe.
The successes of the Soviet Army were reflected in the position of the ruling circles of the USA and Britain. In the midst of the Battle of Kursk President Roosevelt wrote in a special message to the head of the Soviet government: During the month of gigantic battles, your armed forces, with their skill, their courage, their dedication and their perseverance, not only stopped the long-planned German offensive, but also launched a successful counter-offensive with far-reaching consequences ... "
The Soviet Union can rightly be proud of its heroic victories. In the Battle of Kursk the superiority of the Soviet military leadership and military art manifested itself with renewed vigor. It showed that the Soviet Armed Forces are a well-coordinated organism in which all types and types of troops are harmoniously combined.
The defense of the Soviet troops near Kursk withstood severe tests and achieved their goals. The Soviet Army has enriched itself with experience in organizing a defense in depth, stable in anti-tank and anti-aircraft terms, as well as experience in decisive maneuvers of forces and means. Pre-established strategic reserves were widely used, most of which were included in the specially created Steppe District (front). His troops increased the depth of defense on a strategic scale and took an active part in the defensive battle and in the counteroffensive. For the first time in the Great Patriotic War, the total depth of the operational formation of fronts in defense reached 50–70 km. The massing of forces and assets in the directions of expected enemy strikes, as well as the overall operational density of troops in the defense, have increased. The stability of the defense has increased significantly due to the saturation of the troops with military equipment and weapons.
Anti-tank defense reached a depth of up to 35 km, the density of artillery anti-tank fire increased, barriers, mining, anti-tank reserves and mobile barrier detachments were more widely used.
Captured Germans after the collapse of Operation Citadel. 1943
Captured Germans after the collapse of Operation Citadel. 1943
A major role in increasing the stability of the defense was played by the maneuver by the second echelons and reserves, which was carried out from the depths and along the front. For example, in the course of the defensive operation on the Voronezh Front, about 35 percent of all rifle divisions, over 40 percent of anti-tank artillery units, and almost all individual tank and mechanized brigades were regrouped.
In the Battle of Kursk The Soviet Armed Forces successfully carried out a strategic counteroffensive for the third time during the Great Patriotic War. If the preparation of the counteroffensive near Moscow and Stalingrad proceeded in an atmosphere of heavy defensive battles with superior enemy forces, then conditions near Kursk were different. Thanks to the successes of the Soviet military economy and purposeful organizational measures for the preparation of reserves, the balance of forces had already developed in favor of the Soviet Army by the beginning of the defensive battle.
During the counteroffensive, the Soviet troops showed great skill in organizing and conducting offensive operations in summer conditions. Right choice the moment of transition from defense to counteroffensive, the close operational-strategic interaction of the five fronts, the successful breakthrough of the enemy’s defenses prepared in advance, the skillful conduct of a simultaneous offensive on a wide front with strikes in several directions, the massive use of armored forces, aviation and artillery - all this was of great importance to defeat the strategic groupings of the Wehrmacht.
In the counteroffensive, for the first time during the war, second echelons of fronts began to be created as part of one or two combined arms armies (Voronezh Front) and powerful groupings of mobile troops. This allowed the front commanders to build up first-echelon strikes and develop success in depth or towards the flanks, break through intermediate defensive lines, and also repel strong counterattacks by the Nazi troops.
The art of war was enriched in the Battle of Kursk all types of armed forces and branches of service. In defense, artillery was more resolutely massed in the direction of the enemy's main attacks, which, in comparison with previous defensive operations, ensured the creation of higher operational densities. The role of artillery in the counteroffensive increased. The density of guns and mortars in the direction of the main attack of the advancing troops reached 150 - 230 barrels, and the maximum was up to 250 barrels per kilometer of the front.
In the Battle of Kursk, Soviet tank troops successfully solved the most complex and diverse tasks both in defense and in the offensive. If until the summer of 1943 tank corps and armies were used in defensive operations primarily for delivering counterattacks, then in the Battle of Kursk they were also used to hold defensive lines. This achieved a greater depth of operational defense and increased its stability.
During the counteroffensive, armored and mechanized troops were used massively, being the main means of front and army commanders in completing the breakthrough of enemy defenses and developing tactical success into operational success. At the same time, the experience of combat operations in the Oryol operation showed the inexpediency of using tank corps and armies to break through positional defenses, since in carrying out these tasks they suffered heavy losses. In the Belgorod-Kharkov direction, the breakthrough of the tactical defense zone was completed by advanced tank brigades, and the main forces of tank armies and corps were used for operations in operational depth.
Soviet military art in the use of aviation has risen to a new level. V Battle of Kursk more resolute massing of forces of front-line aviation and long-range aviation in the main directions was carried out, their interaction with the ground forces improved.
has been applied in full new form the use of aviation in a counteroffensive - an aviation offensive in which ground attack and bomber aircraft continuously acted on enemy groups and objects, providing support to ground forces. In the Battle of Kursk, Soviet aviation finally won strategic air supremacy and thereby contributed to the creation favorable conditions for subsequent offensive operations.
In the Battle of Kursk successfully passed the test organizational forms of military branches and special troops. Panzer armies new organization, as well as artillery corps and other formations played an important role in winning the victory.
In the battle on the Kursk Bulge, the Soviet command demonstrated a creative, innovative approach to decision critical tasks strategies , operational art and tactics, its superiority over the military school of the Nazis.
Bodies of the strategic, frontline, army and military rear have acquired extensive experience in providing comprehensive support for the troops. characteristic feature organization of the rear was the approach of the rear units and institutions to the front line. This provided uninterrupted supply troops with materiel and timely evacuation of the wounded and sick.
The enormous scale and intensity of hostilities required a large amount of material resources, primarily ammunition and fuel. During the period of the Battle of Kursk, the troops of the Central, Voronezh, Steppe, Bryansk, South-Western and left wing of the Western Fronts were supplied by rail from the central bases and warehouses with 141,354 wagons with ammunition, fuel, food and other materiel. By air, 1828 tons of various supply cargoes were delivered to the troops of the Central Front alone.
The medical service of the fronts, armies and formations has been enriched with experience in carrying out preventive and sanitary and hygienic measures, skillful maneuvering of the forces and means of medical and sanitary institutions, and the widespread use of specialized medical care. Despite the significant losses that the troops suffered, many of the wounded already during the Battle of Kursk, thanks to the efforts of military doctors, returned to duty.
Hitler's strategists for planning, organizing and conducting Operation Citadel used the old methods and methods that had become a template, which did not correspond to the new situation and were well known to the Soviet command. This is recognized by a number of bourgeois historians. Thus, the English historian A. Clark in work "Barbarossa" notes that the fascist German command again relied on a lightning strike with the widespread use of new military equipment: Junkers, short intensive artillery preparation, close interaction of the mass of tanks and infantry ... without due consideration of the changed conditions, with the exception of a simple arithmetic increase in the corresponding components. The West German historian W. Görlitz writes that the attack on Kursk was basically carried out “in in accordance with the scheme of previous battles - tank wedges acted to cover from two directions».
The reactionary bourgeois investigators of the Second World War made no small effort to distort events near Kursk . They are trying to rehabilitate the command of the Wehrmacht, obscure its mistakes and all the blame for failure of Operation Citadel to lay on Hitler and his closest associates. This position was put forward immediately after the end of the war and has been stubbornly defended to this day. So, the former chief of the general staff of the ground forces, Colonel-General Halder, back in 1949, was at work "Hitler as a commander", deliberately distorting the facts, claimed that in the spring of 1943, when developing a war plan on the Soviet-German front, “ In order to overcome the great operational threat posed in the East, the commanders of the army groups and armies and military advisers to Hitler from the High Command of the Ground Forces unsuccessfully tried to direct him on the only path that promised success - the path of flexible operational leadership, which, like the art of swordsmanship, consists in rapid alternation of cover and strike and compensates for the lack of forces with skillful operational leadership and high fighting qualities of the troops ...».
Documents testify that miscalculations in planning the armed struggle on the Soviet-German front were made by both the political and military leadership of Germany. The intelligence service of the Wehrmacht also failed to cope with its tasks. Statements about the non-involvement of the German generals in the development of the most important political and military decisions contradict the facts.
The thesis that the offensive of the Nazi troops near Kursk had limited goals and that failure of Operation Citadel cannot be regarded as a phenomenon of strategic importance.
In recent years, works have appeared that give a fairly close to objective assessment of a number of events in the Battle of Kursk. American historian M. Caidin in the book "Tigers" are burning" characterizes the Battle of Kursk as " the greatest land battle ever fought in history", and does not agree with the opinion of many researchers in the West that it pursued limited, auxiliary" goals. " History deeply doubts, the author writes, in German statements that they did not believe in the future. Everything was decided near Kursk. What happened there determined the future course of events.". The same idea is reflected in the annotation to the book, which notes that the Battle of Kursk " broke the back of the German army in 1943 and changed the course of World War II... Few outside of Russia understand the enormity of this stunning clash. In fact, even today, the Soviets are bitter as they see Western historians belittling the Russian triumph at Kursk.».
Why did the last attempt by the fascist German command to carry out a major victorious offensive in the East and regain the lost strategic initiative failed? The main reasons for the failure Operation Citadel the ever-growing economic, political and military power of the Soviet Union, the superiority of Soviet military art, the boundless heroism and courage of Soviet soldiers appeared. In 1943, the Soviet war economy provided more military equipment and weapons than industry Nazi Germany, which used the resources of the enslaved countries of Europe.
But the growth of military power Soviet state and its Armed Forces were ignored by the Nazi political and military leaders. Underestimation of the capabilities of the Soviet Union and overestimation own forces were an expression of the adventurism of the fascist strategy.
From a purely military point of view, complete failure of Operation Citadel to a certain extent due to the fact that the Wehrmacht failed to achieve surprise strike. Thanks to the precise work of all types of reconnaissance, including air, the Soviet command knew about the impending offensive and took the necessary measures. The military leadership of the Wehrmacht believed that powerful tank rams, supported by massive air operations, could not be resisted by any defense. But these predictions turned out to be unfounded, the tanks, at the cost of huge losses, only slightly wedged into the Soviet defenses north and south of Kursk and got stuck on the defensive.
An important reason the collapse of Operation Citadel was the secrecy of the preparation of Soviet troops both for a defensive battle and for a counteroffensive. The Nazi leadership did not have a complete understanding of the plans of the Soviet command. In prepared July 3, that is, the day before German offensive near Kursk, department for studying the armies of the East "Assessing the actions of the enemy during Operation Citadel there is not even a mention of the possibility of the Soviet troops going on a counteroffensive against the shock groups of the Wehrmacht.
The major miscalculations of Nazi intelligence in assessing the forces of the Soviet Army concentrated in the area of the Kursk ledge are convincingly evidenced by the report card of the operational department of the General Staff of the ground forces of the German army, prepared on July 4, 1943. It even contains information about the Soviet troops deployed in the first operational echelon are reflected inaccurately. German intelligence had very fragmentary data about the reserves located in the Kursk direction.
In early July, the situation on the Soviet-German front and the possible decisions of the Soviet command were assessed by the political and military leaders of Germany, in essence, from their previous positions. They firmly believed in the possibility of a major victory.
In the battles near Kursk, Soviet soldiers showed courage, steadfastness and mass heroism. The Communist Party and the Soviet government highly appreciated the greatness of their feat. On the banners of many formations and units flashed military orders, 132 formations and units received the title of guards, 26 formations and units were awarded the honorary titles of Oryol, Belgorod, Kharkov and Karachev. More than 100 thousand soldiers, sergeants, officers and generals were awarded orders and medals, over 180 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, including private V.E. Breusov, division commander Major General L.N. Gurtiev, platoon commander Lieutenant V.V. Zhenchenko, Komsomol organizer of the battalion Lieutenant N.M. Zverintsev, battery commander Captain G.I. Igishev, private A.M. Lomakin, platoon commander senior sergeant Kh.M. Mukhamadiev, squad leader sergeant V.P. Petrishchev, gun commander junior sergeant A.I. Petrov, senior sergeant G.P. Pelikanov, sergeant V.F. Chernenko and others.
The victory of the Soviet troops on the Kursk Bulge testified to the increased role of party political work. Commanders and political workers, party and Komsomol organizations helped the personnel understand the significance of the upcoming battles, their role in defeating the enemy. By personal example, the communists carried away the fighters. The political organs took measures to preserve and replenish the party organizations in the subdivisions. This ensured continuous party influence on all personnel.
An important means of mobilizing soldiers for combat exploits was the promotion of advanced experience, the popularization of units and subunits that distinguished themselves in battles. The orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief with the announcement of gratitude to the personnel of the distinguished troops had great inspiring power - they were widely promoted in units and formations, read out at rallies, and distributed with the help of leaflets. Extracts from the orders were given to each soldier.
promotion morale Soviet soldiers, confidence in victory was facilitated by the timely information of the personnel about events in the world and in the country, about the successes of the Soviet troops and the defeats of the enemy. Political bodies and party organizations, while actively working to educate personnel, played an important role in achieving victories in defensive and offensive battles. Together with the commanders, they held high the banner of the party, were the bearers of its spirit, discipline, steadfastness and courage. They mobilized and inspired soldiers to defeat the enemy.
« Giant battle on the Oryol-Kursk Bulge in the summer of 1943, - noted L. I. Brezhnev , – broke the back of Nazi Germany and incinerated its drums armored troops. The superiority of our army in combat skills, weapons, and strategic leadership has become clear to the whole world.».
The victory of the Soviet Army in the Battle of Kursk opened up new opportunities for the fight against German fascism and the liberation of Soviet lands temporarily occupied by the enemy. Firmly holding the strategic initiative. The Soviet Armed Forces were increasingly deploying a general offensive.
Preparation of the Kursk strategic defensive operation (April - June 1943)
6.4. Directive of the Supreme Command Headquarters on the creation of a Reserve Front (since April 15 - Stepnoy MD) consisting of 5 combined arms, 1 tank and 1 air armies and several rifle, cavalry, tank (mechanized) corps.
8.4. Report of Marshal G.K. Zhukov to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on the possible actions of the Germans and Soviet troops in the spring and summer of 1943 and on the advisability of switching to deliberate defense in the Kursk region.
10.4. Request of the General Staff by the commanders of the troops of the fronts about their views on assessing the situation and possible actions of the enemy.
12–13.4. Based on the report of Marshals G.K. Zhukov and A.M. Vasilevsky, General A.I. Antonov, and also taking into account the considerations of the commanders of the fronts, the Supreme Command made a preliminary decision on the transition to deliberate defense in the Kursk region.
15.4. Order No. 6 of the Wehrmacht Headquarters on preparations for an offensive operation near Kursk (code name "Citadel")
6–8.5. Operations of the Soviet Air Force to destroy enemy aircraft at airfields and in the air on the central sector of the Soviet-German front.
8.5. Orientation by the General Headquarters of the commanders of the troops of the Bryansk, Central, Voronezh and South-Western fronts on the timing of a possible enemy offensive.
10.5. Directive of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command to the commander of the troops of the Western, Bryansk, Central, Voronezh and South-Western Fronts on improving defense.
May June. Organization of defense in the zones of the Bryansk, Central, Voronezh and Southwestern fronts, the creation of defense lines in depth, the replenishment of troops, the accumulation of reserves and materiel. Continuation of the operations of the Soviet Air Force to destroy enemy aircraft at airfields and in the air.
2.7. The directive of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command by the commander of the fronts, indicating the timing of the possible start of the enemy offensive (3–6.7).
4.7. The Germans conducted reconnaissance in combat in the defense zones of the 6th and 7th Guards. armies of the Voronezh Front. The advance of several reinforced enemy battalions was repulsed.
5.7. At 02:20 on the basis of reconnaissance data on the time of the start of the German offensive (scheduled for 0300 min. 5.7), artillery counter-preparation was carried out and air strikes were carried out against enemy troops concentrated in the initial areas.
5.7. The Germans with the main forces of the Army Groups "Center" and "South" went on the offensive on the northern (05.30) and southern (06.00) faces of the Kursk salient, inflicting massive blows in the general direction of Kursk.
The troops of the Central Front (commanded by General K. K. Rokossovsky) participated in the operation - 48, 13, 70, 65, 60, 2nd tank, 16th air armies, 9 and 19 shopping malls - in the Oryol direction; Voronezh Front (commanded by General N.F. Vatutin) - 38th, 40th, 6th guards, 7th guards, 69th, 1st guards. tank, 2nd air army, 35th guards. sk, 5th Guards. shopping mall - in the Belgorod direction. Strategic reserves were deployed in their rear, united in the Steppe Military District (since July 9, the Steppe Front, commanded by General I.S. Konev), - 4 Guards, 5 Guards, 27, 47, 53rd, 5th Guards. tank, 5th air armies, one sk, three mk, three mk and three kk - with the task of preventing a deep breakthrough of the enemy, and in the transition to a counteroffensive, increase the force of the blow.
5.7. At 05:30 The shock group of the 9th German Army (9 divisions, including 2 tank divisions; 500 tanks, 280 assault guns), with the support of aviation, attacked the positions at the junction of the 13th (General N.P. Pukhov) and the 70th (General I. V. Galanin) of the armies in the area of 45 km, concentrating the main efforts on the Olkhovat direction. By the end of the day, the enemy managed to penetrate into the defense of the armies for 6–8 km and reach the second defensive zone.
6.7. By the decision of the front commander, a counterattack was launched against the wedged enemy in the Olkhovatka area by part of the forces of the 13th and 2nd tank armies and 19th tank armies. The advance of the enemy here was stopped.
7.7. The transfer by the Germans of the main efforts to the strip of the 13th Army in the direction of Ponyri. Counterattacks 15, 18 Guards. sk and 3 tk.
7-11.7. Repeated attempts by the 9th German Army to break through the defenses of the Central Front were unsuccessful. During the seven days of the offensive, the enemy advanced only 10–12 km.
12.7. The transition of the 9th German Army to the defense in the zone of the Central Front. Completion of the defensive operation.
13.7. At a meeting at Hitler's headquarters, a decision was made to switch to the defense of the troops of the 9th Army in the north and to continue the offensive by the troops of the 4th Panzer Army in the south of the Kursk salient.
5.7. At 06:00 after artillery preparation and massive air raids, the shock group of Army Group South, consisting of the 4th Panzer Army and the Kempf task force (1,500 tanks), went on the offensive.
The enemy sent the main forces (2 SS TCs, 48 TCs, 52 AKs) against the 6th Guards. army of General I. M. Chistyakov in the Oboyan direction.
Against the 7th Guards. The army of General M.S. Shumilov in the Korochan direction was attacked by three tank and three infantry divisions of 3 tk, 42 ak and ak "Raus".
The intense battles that unfolded lasted all day and were of a fierce nature.
The counterattack undertaken by part of the forces of the 1st Guards. the tank army of General M. E. Katukov did not give a positive result.
By the end of the first day of the battle, the enemy managed to penetrate the defenses of the 6th Guards. army for 8-10 km.
On the night of July 6, by decision of the front commander, the 1st Guards. tank army, 5th and 2nd guards. shopping malls were deployed on the second defensive strip of the 6th Guards. army on a 52-kilometer front.
6.7. The enemy in the Oboyan direction broke through the main line of defense of the 6th Guards. army, and by the end of the day, advancing 10-18 km, broke through narrow section and the second line of defense of this army.
In the Korochan direction, the 3rd TC of the enemy went to the second line of defense of the 7th Guards. army.
7.7. At night, I. V. Stalin gave a personal instruction to General N. F. Vatutin to wear down the enemy on prepared lines and not allow him to break through before the start of our active operations on the Western, Bryansk and other fronts.
7-10.7. There were fierce tank battles in the Oboyan and Korochan directions. The German tank group managed to break through to the army defensive zone of the 6th Guards. army, and in the Korochan direction, the enemy broke into the second line of defense of the 7th Guards. army. However, the further advance of the Germans was delayed, but not stopped. The Germans, having advanced to a depth of 35 km and having failed to overcome the resistance of the front's tank troops on the Oboyan Highway, decided to break through to Kursk from the south through Prokhorovka.
9.7. In the alarming situation that had arisen on the Voronezh Front, the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command ordered the commander of the Steppe Front to advance the 4th Guards, 27th, 53rd Army to the Kursk-Belgorod direction and transfer the 5th Guards to N.F. Vatutin. Army of General A. S. Zhadov, 5th Guards. the tank army of General P. A. Rotmistrov and a number of separate tank corps. The commander of the Voronezh Front and Marshal A. M. Vasilevsky, who was on this front, decided to launch a powerful counterattack on the German group advancing on Kursk from the south.
11.7. The enemy unexpectedly delivered a strong tank and air strike and pressed the formations and units of the 1st Guards. tank, 5th, 6th, 7th guards. armies and captured the line planned for the deployment of the 5th Guards. tank army. After that, the 1st Guards. tank and 6th guards. armies were unable to participate in the counterattack.
12.7. One of the largest oncoming tank battles took place, which received the name "Prokhorovskoye" in history. About 1500 tanks participated in it from both sides. The battle took place simultaneously in two areas: the main forces of the parties fought on the Prokhorovka field - 18, 29, 2 and 2 guards. shopping mall 5th Guards. tank army and division of the 5th Guards. army, they were opposed by the SS divisions "Adolf Hitler" and "Reich" of the 2nd SS Panzer Corps; in the Korochan direction against the 3rd German TC, brigades of the 5th Guards operated. mk 5th guards. tank army.
23.7. The defensive operation of the Voronezh Front was completed.
12.7. A turning point in the Battle of Kursk in favor of the Red Army. On this day, simultaneously with the battle of Prokhorov, the offensive of the troops of the Western and Bryansk fronts began in the Oryol direction. The plans outlined by the German command suffered a complete collapse.
It should be noted that as a result of tense air battles during the Kursk defensive operation, Soviet aviation firmly seized air supremacy.
Includes Oryol and Belgorod-Kharkov strategic offensive operations.
Participated left wing Western front(Commander General V. D. Sokolovsky) - 11th Guards, 50th, 11th and 4th Tank Armies; Bryansk Front (commander General M.M. Popov) - 61st, 3rd, 63rd, 3rd Guards. tank and 15th air armies; the right wing of the Central Front - 48, 13, 70 and 2 tank armies.
12–19.7. Breakthrough of the enemy defense by the troops of the Western Front. Promotion of the 11th Guards. army of General I. Kh. Baghramyan, 1, 5, 25 shopping malls to a depth of 70 km and the expansion of the breakthrough to 150 km.
15.7. The operation includes the Central Front.
12–16.7. Breakthrough of the enemy defense by the troops of the Bryansk Front - 61st (General P. A. Belov), 63rd (General V. Ya. Kolpakchi), 3rd (General A. V. Gorbatov) armies, 1 guards, 20 shopping malls to a depth of 17–22 km.
19.7. The commander of the Bryansk Front, at the direction of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, introduces the 3rd Guards into battle. tank army of General P.S. Rybalko (800 tanks). The army, together with combined arms formations, breaking through numerous defensive lines, suffered heavy losses. In addition, she repeatedly regrouped from one direction to another and was eventually transferred to the Central Front.
19.7. Fierce fighting in all directions. The slowdown in the advance of the Soviet troops.
20.7. The commissioning of the 11th Army, General I.I. Fedyuninsky, who arrived from the reserve of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, General I.I.
26.7. Entering into battle the 4th Panzer Army of General V. M. Badanov, transferred from the reserve of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command to the Western Front (650 tanks). She broke through along with the 11th Guards. army, the enemy's defensive lines and in 10 days advanced 25–30 km. In just 30 days, the army fought 150 km and was withdrawn for resupply at the end of August.
29.7. The troops of the 61st Army of the Bryansk Front captured a large enemy defense center, the city of Bolkhov.
3–5.8. Departure of the Supreme Commander in the army. He visited the headquarters of the Western and Kalinin fronts.
5.8. The liberation of Orel by the troops of the 3rd and 69th armies of the Bryansk Front. By order of I.V. Stalin, who was in the army, the first artillery salute was given in Moscow in honor of the liberation by the Soviet troops of the years. Belgorod and Orel.
7.8. The armies of the Western Front went on the offensive north of the Oryol bridgehead, which forced the Germans to weaken resistance in the Bryansk direction, and the Soviet troops began to pursue the enemy.
12.8. The troops of the 65th and 70th armies of the Central Front liberated the city of Dmitrovsk-Orlovsky.
13.8. The commander of the troops of the Central Front received a directive from the General Staff, which noted serious shortcomings in the use of tanks.
15.8. The troops of the Bryansk Front liberated the town of Karachev.
18.8. Soviet troops reached the approaches to Bryansk and created the conditions for a new operation. During the 37 days of the Oryol operation, Soviet troops advanced 150 km to the west, liquidated the enemy bridgehead, from which the Germans threatened Moscow for two years.
Belgorod-Kharkov strategic offensive operation "Commander Rumyantsev" (August 3-23)
The troops of the Voronezh and Steppe fronts (38th, 47th, 40th, 27th, 6th guards, 5th guards, 52nd, 69th, 7th guards armies, 5th guards and 1st guards tank armies) were involved in the operation , 5th separate shopping mall and 1 separate MK).
3–4.8. Breakthrough of the enemy defense by the troops of the Voronezh Front, the introduction of tank armies and corps into the breakthrough and their exit into the operational depth.
5.8. Liberation of the city of Belgorod by units of the 69th and 7th Guards. armies.
6.8. Promotion of tank formations to a depth of 55 km.
7.8. Promotion of tank formations to a depth of 100 km. Capturing important strongholds of the enemy Bogodukhov and Grayvoron.
11.8. Exit of tank troops to the area of Akhtyrka - Trostyanets.
11–16.8. Enemy counterattack on the troops of the 1st Guards. tank army.
17.8. The troops of the Steppe Front started fighting on the outskirts of Kharkov.
18.8. Enemy counterattack from the Akhtyrka area against the 27th Army. Directive of the Headquarters of the Supreme Command to the commander of the Voronezh Front on the shortcomings in the conduct of the operation.
23.8. With the introduction of new forces, the Voronezh Front succeeded in completing the task and, by 25.8, again liberated Akhtyrka.
23.8. The troops of the Steppe Front, with the assistance of the Voronezh and Southwestern Fronts (53rd, 69th, 7th Guards, 57th Army and 5th Guards Tank Army), liberated Kharkov after stubborn battles. During the operation, the troops advanced 140 km in 20 days.
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In world history there are no analogues of the Battle of Kursk, which lasted 50 days and nights - from July 5 to August 23, 1943. The victory in the Battle of Kursk was a decisive turning point in the course of the Great Patriotic War. The defenders of our Motherland managed to stop the enemy and deal him a deafening blow, from which he could not recover. After the victory in the Battle of Kursk, the advantage in the Great Patriotic War was already on the side Soviet army. But such a radical change cost our country dearly: military historians still cannot accurately assess the losses of people and equipment on the Kursk Bulge, concurring in only one assessment - the losses of both sides were colossal.
According to the plan of the German command, the Soviet troops of the Central and Voronezh fronts defending in the Kursk region were to be destroyed as a result of a series of massive attacks. The victory in the Battle of Kursk gave the Germans the opportunity to expand their offensive plan against our country and their strategic initiative. In short, victory in this battle meant victory in the war. In the Battle of Kursk, the Germans had high hopes for their new equipment: Tiger and Panther tanks, Ferdinand assault guns, Focke-Wulf-190-A fighters and Heinkel-129 attack aircraft. Our attack aircraft used the new PTAB-2.5-1.5 anti-tank bombs, which pierced the armor of the fascist Tigers and Panthers.
The Kursk Bulge was a ledge about 150 kilometers deep and up to 200 kilometers wide, facing west. This arc was formed during the winter offensive of the Red Army and the subsequent counter-offensive of the Wehrmacht in Eastern Ukraine. The battle on the Kursk Bulge is usually divided into three parts: the Kursk defensive operation, which lasted from July 5 to 23, Oryol (July 12 - August 18) and Belgorod-Kharkov (August 3 - 23).
The German military operation to seize control of the strategically important Kursk Bulge was codenamed "Citadel". Avalanche-like attacks on Soviet positions began on the morning of July 5, 1943 with artillery fire and air strikes. The Nazis advanced on a broad front, attacking from heaven and earth. As soon as it began, the battle took on a grandiose scope and was of an extremely tense character. According to data from Soviet sources, the defenders of our Motherland were opposed by about 900 thousand people, up to 10 thousand guns and mortars, about 2.7 thousand tanks and more than 2 thousand aircraft. In addition, aces of the 4th and 6th air fleets fought in the air from the German side. The command of the Soviet troops managed to collect more than 1.9 million people, more than 26.5 thousand guns and mortars, over 4.9 thousand tanks and self-propelled artillery installations and about 2.9 thousand aircraft. Our soldiers repelled the attacks of the enemy's strike groups, showing unprecedented stamina and courage.
On July 12, Soviet troops on the Kursk Bulge went on the offensive. On this day, in the area of the Prokhorovka railway station, 56 km north of Belgorod, the largest oncoming tank battle of the Second World War took place. About 1,200 tanks and self-propelled guns took part in it. The battle near Prokhorovka lasted all day, the Germans lost about 10 thousand people, over 360 tanks and were forced to retreat. On the same day, Operation Kutuzov began, during which the enemy’s defenses were broken through in the Bolkhovsky, Khotynets and Oryol directions. Our troops advanced inside the German positions, and the enemy command gave the order to retreat. By August 23, the enemy was driven back 150 kilometers to the west, the cities of Orel, Belgorod and Kharkov were liberated.
Aviation played a significant role in the Battle of Kursk. Air strikes destroyed a significant amount of enemy equipment. The advantage of the USSR in the air, achieved in the course of fierce battles, became the key to the overall superiority of our troops. In the memoirs of the German military, admiration for the enemy and recognition of his strength are felt. The German General Forst wrote after the war: “Our offensive began, and a few hours later a large number of Russian aircraft appeared. Air battles broke out over our heads. During the entire war, none of us saw such a spectacle. A German fighter pilot from the Udet squadron, shot down on July 5 near Belgorod, recalls: “Russian pilots began to fight much harder. Looks like you have some old footage. I never thought that I would be shot down so soon…”
And about how fierce the battles were on the Kursk Bulge and about what superhuman efforts this victory was achieved, the memoirs of the battery commander of the 239th mortar regiment of the 17th artillery division M. I. Kobzev will best tell:
– The fierce battles on the Oryol-Kursk Bulge in August 1943 especially stuck in my memory,” Kobzev wrote. - It was in the Akhtyrka area. My battery was ordered to cover the withdrawal of our troops with mortar fire, blocking the way for the enemy infantry advancing behind the tanks. The calculations of my battery had a hard time when the Tigers began to pour a hail of fragments on it. They disabled two mortars and almost half of the servants. The loader was killed by a direct hit of the projectile, the enemy bullet hit the gunner's head, the chin of the third number was torn off by a fragment. Miraculously, only one battery mortar remained intact, disguised in corn thickets, which, together with a reconnaissance officer and a radio operator, dragged 17 kilometers together for two days until we found our regiment that had retreated to the given positions.
On August 5, 1943, when the Soviet army clearly had an advantage in the Battle of Kursk in Moscow, for the first time in 2 years since the beginning of the war, an artillery salute was fired in honor of the liberation of Orel and Belgorod. Subsequently, Muscovites often observed fireworks on the days of significant victories in the battles of the Great Patriotic War.
Vasily Klochkov
