L12: Kursk

Question 1

why did Hitler want to attack at Kursk

Answer 1

• selected bc it was a vulnerable salient in the Soviet frontline + if Gr win then it could destroy 5 USSR armies
• although not help Gr win battle, it provides Gr with more time to strengthen their forces in Rus with more men

Question 2

Why were RUs better prepared for the battle of Kursk than Gr

Answer 2

• Rus= 1.3mil men, 20k artillery pieces
• Gr= 500k men, 10k artillery pieces
• bc Hitler delayed attack by 2 months bc of weather -> gave the Rus chance to create vast network of defensive position (eg. over 2500 miles of trenches)

Question 3

what were some key events of the battle

Answer 3

• 5 Jul 1943: 4:30am -> Gr launch a huge bombardment from N+S of salient = battle begin
• combination of tanks + infantry + assault gun into Rus frontlines
• Gr forces fell upon strong Rus defences -> attritional
• 12 Jul: Gr offensive stalled and Op Citadel = called off (failed to trap Rus forces + expose to counterattack)
• RUs overwhelm Gr forces+ forced them back to key strategic cities of Kharkov + Smolensk

Question 4

why is the battle of Kursk significant

Answer 4

• Rus= ~800k men died/ over 8000 tanks and guns damaged or destroyed
• Gr= ~200k men died/ over 4000 tanks and guns damaged or destroyed
• first time Gr being stopped from making major breakthrough
• Gr= never able to launch another major offensive
• Rus= have time to prepare for many offensive