The Battle of Kursk was on of the most significant battles of the Eastern Front. German forces attempted to encircle the Soviet armies around Kursk and beat them. The won took the same manner as the Soviet troops had recently encircled and destroyed an entire German army at the battle of Stalingrad (Battle of Kursk Facts).
Name and date of Battle: Battle of Kursk 5 July-23 August it caused 257,125 to 388,000 casualties. Location: 51°30'04"N, 51°30'03"N, 36°03'05"E (The Battle of Kursk).
What was the overall allied stragtegy during the battle? The main objective for the Allied forces was to fight their way up from Southern Italy and gain control Rome (10 Bloodiest Battles of World War II).
Did resources and geography impact the battle? The Battle of Kursk included the largest tank battle and the bloodiest day of air combat in history. Soviets won decisive at Kursk, they expended massive resources manpower and materials. Although, the Soviets suffered horrific losses in infantry, tanks and aircrafts but the lost could all be made good in short order. (Battle of Kursk Facts).
Was it a turning point why or why not? For the Russians, the battle of Kursk was a major turning point in the war, and a great one in their nation’s history. They had broken the back of the German Army in Russia and could begin to expel Hitler’s soliderrs and SS men from the Motherland, knowing that the Third Reich was going down to defeat (The Battle of Kursk).
Description of battle: Any unusual circumstances or events: the battle involved over 4 million people from both sides. In addition to 70,000 artillery guns, 23,000 tanks and 12,000 warplanes. It lasted 50 days and nights and ended on 23 August with a victory of the Soviet army. About 200,000 residents of Kursk died in the battle. But in their memory their names have been inscribed in the Book of Memory. There are around 400 wartime monuments in the region of Kursk. It is estimated that the end of the battle destroyed around 350 German tanks. On the other hand around 600-800 soviet tanks were destroyed. The battle of Kursk is important because it represented the last German offensive on the Eastern front. (Battle of Kursk Facts).
The losses sustained by the countries involved: The material damage done to the German Army was massive-500, 000 men were killed, wounded or missing and vast amounts of armor had been lost and great material damage was done (The Battle of Kursk).
Events leading up to the battle/goals and objectives of countries involved: It was the final German strategic offensive on the Eastern Front and marked the point where the soviets were able to go on and attack the rest of the war. This is because, following the victory of Stalingrad, the Soviets lines contained what is called “salient" or a bulge around Kursk. Kursk area jutted into German lines making them longer and presenting possibility of Soviet pincer attacks. Germany decided to take away the salient, which would make the line short and protect against having large united encircled and destroyed (The Battle of Kursk).
The outcome (who won) and its impact on the war effort for the winning and losing side: If Germans had broken though the Russian lines in the Kursk salient and scored a decisive victory over the Red Army it is perfectly possible that they might have turned back the tide of ware in their direction, despite their defeats at Moscow and Stalingrad in 1941 and 1942. The Soviet Union won because they had the advantage of knowing the German’s plans before they attacked. Their Lucy spy ring, operating in Switezerland had provided detail information, as had the Bristish who had uncovered further information. The Soviet shortens the German lines. This left the defense considerable weakened. They had broken the back of the German Army in Russia and could begin to expel Hitler’s soliderrs and SS men from the Motherland, knowing that the Third Reich was going down to defeat (The Battle of Kursk).
Interesting facts: The Ferdinand: -German heavy self -propelled artillery vehicle -Tank destroyer -Elephant Battle of Kursk: -Largest tank battle WWII -Lasted approximately 49 days -Designed to destroy Hitler’s last chance in the East (Battle of Kursk Facts).
Summary: The Battle of Kursk was a decisive battle of WWII. Even today it remains the largest armored battle of all time. It included the most costly single day of aerial warfare in history. Originally planned as a German offensive, the Soviet defense was so strong and successful that they were able to turn it into a rout.
