During World War II, in 1943, on the Eastern Front began to change dramatically the situation.During this period there was a final break, which began with the Battle of Stalingrad, when the course of the operation "Uranus" was surrounded by Soviet troops and defeated the sixth army of the Wehrmacht.Then, during the offensive fighting the winter of 1943 were significantly pushed the German forces.The front was stabilized in the spring when the German troops during the counter-offensive failed to stop the movement of the Red Army.At the same time, and was formed by the projection, which in the summer of that year, broke out one of the bloodiest and major battles in history - the Battle of Kursk.Operation "Citadel" - a plan to defeat the German command of the Soviet armies in Kursk - a complete failure.
German command began to develop a plan for the deployment of military operations in the summer of 1943.One of the main proposals was to put a full-scale strike in the Kursk salient, which was accepted.In April it approved a plan called "Operation" Citadel "," according to which the German troops were in shock from two directions to cut the Soviet defenses in two.Start scheduled for mid-summer.
Through intelligence in the hands of the Soviet command were texts that fully discloses the operation "Citadel", its main tasks and directions.During the meeting, the Soviet Supreme Command was decided to hold the line, and after the enemy is exhausted and bled white, to start and develop their own counteroffensive.
By July 1943, in the area of the Kursk salient were concentrated significant forces from both the Germans and by the Soviet Union.Among the Wehrmacht armored vehicles and tanks were new developments, such as the "Tiger" and "Panther" and SAU "Ferdinand", but most were already obsolete by the time the series of tanks Pz III and IV.
According to the plan the German operation "Citadel" was supposed to start at night on July 5 with a large artillery barrage, but since the command of the USSR became aware of the upcoming actions of the enemy, it was decided to hold kontrartpodgotovku by which the German offensive was delayed for 3 hours and started only in the morning.
Percussion German armored units launched an attack on the Soviet positions on both sides.German Army Group "Center" was put forward with the Eagle, against which the Soviet side was the Central Front.Military forces under the name "South" moved from the position of Belgorod, Voronezh Front.During the first day there were bloody battles, the original German plans need to be adjusted as armored units did not come to the intended position.However, the operation "Citadel" was developing in full swing, and although with great difficulty and loss, but the Wehrmacht managed to break through the defense.
July 12 was the most largest tank clash in history.Under the railway station Prokhorovka broke out battle between the opponents.During heavy fighting and huge losses, Soviet troops were able to reverse the outcome of the battle in his favor.They forced the German troops to retreat.
Already by July 15, the troops of the Wehrmacht offensive resources exhausted, and went on the defensive.Completely failed German offensive operation "Citadel".The Second World War entered a new phase - from that moment the initiative is fully transferred to the anti-Hitler coalition.
