The Soviets knew they did not have the technology or time to create tanks with the firepower or protection to go up against the German tanks. The Soviets had more than double the number of tanks than the Germans The Battle of Kursk demonstrated that these tanks had a high kill ratio and could destroy other tanks from a long fighting distance.Īlthough these tanks made up under seven per cent of the German tanks, the Soviets did not initially have the power to counter them. Hitler introduced the Tiger, Panther and Ferdinand tanks into the armed forces and believed that they would lead to victory. There is a consensus that the Battle of Brody, fought in 1941, was a bigger tank battle than Prokhorovka. Soviets suffered heavy losses, but nonetheless prevailed. Approximately 500 Soviet tanks and guns attacked the II SS-Panzer Corps. The major clash in armour took place at Prokhorovka on 12 July when the Red Army attacked the Wehrmacht. It is estimated that there were as many as 6,000 tanks, 4,000 aircraft and 2 million men involved in the battle, though numbers vary.

It was one of the biggest tank battles in history The terrain provided an advantage to the Soviets because dust clouds prevented the Luftwaffe from providing air support to German forces on the ground. The Battle of Kursk was fought between the Germans and Soviets on the Eastern Front. The Soviets knew months in advance that it would fall in the Kursk salient, and built up a large network of fortifications so they could defend in depth. The British Intelligence services had provided extensive information on where a likely attack would take place. The Soviets knew where the attack was going to take place This would allow Hitler to divert his forces to the Western Front.

The Soviets had previously defeated and weakened the Germans at the Battle of Stalingrad in the winter of 1942-1943.Ĭode named ‘Operation Citadel,’ it was intended to eliminate the Red Army at Kursk and prevent the Soviet army from launching any offensives for the rest of 1943. The battle took place in 1943 between the Germans and Soviets from 5 July to 23 August. The Germans launched an offensive against the Soviets In this fascinating episode, he discusses the worst maritime disaster in history: the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945.

Roger Moorhouse is an historian of the Third Reich and World War Two, author of The Devils' Alliance, Killing Hitler & Berlin at War.

Ww2 kursk tank battle video