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 Recently, Dan was lucky enough to meet Charles Clarke OBE, a prisoner in Stalag Luft III during World War Two who witnessed the audacious three-tunnel escape attempt now famously known as the Great Escape.

Tank battle ww2 russia