It was in July 1943.This is the fifth day of the Kursk Bulge battle continued.Orel-Kursk section of the Central Front, successfully resisted the soldiers of the Wehrmacht.In the Belgorod area, on the contrary, the initiative was in the hands of the Germans: their advance continued in a southeasterly direction, that carried the threat immediately for the two fronts.The place of the main battle was to be a small field near the village of Prokhorovka.
Select Area for the fighting was carried out on the basis of geographical features - terrain made it possible to stop the German breakthrough and put the forces of the Steppe Front powerful counterattack.July 9 order of command combined arms 5th and 5th Panzer Army Guard moved into the area Prokhorovka.This is, by changing the direction of impact, advancing Germans.
tank battle of Prokhorovka.The central battle
Both armies concentrated in the village of large armored forces.It became clear that the meeting engagement is simply unavoidable.In the evening on July 11 began the battle of Prokhorovka.German divisions attempted to hit the flanks, and our forces to stop the breakout had to use considerable force, and even attract reserves.On the morning of July 12 at 8:15 am, the Soviet army launched a counteroffensive.Time it was chosen not by chance - aimed fire hampered the Germans as a result of the rising sun glare.An hour later, the Battle of Kursk in Prokhorovka acquired colossal scale.In the center of fierce fighting were about 1000-1200 German and Soviet tanks and self-propelled guns.
many kilometers was heard gnashing of facing combat vehicles rumble motors.Planes flying by a "swarm", recalling the clouds.Field burning, and more explosions shook the ground.The sun was covered in smoke, ash and sand.The air smelled of hot metal, burning, gunpowder.Choking smoke was creeping across the field, he tweaked the men's eyes, gave breathing.The tanks could be seen only in silhouette.
Battle of Prokhorovka.Tank battles
this day were fighting not only in the core area.To the south of the village of German tank group attempted to enter our forces in the left flank.The attack of the enemy managed to stop.At the same time, the enemy threw a hundred tanks out to possess a height near Prokhorovka.We confront them soldiers of the 95th Guards Division.The battle lasted three hours and eventually the German attack failed.
What ended the battle of Prokhorovka
Around 13 o'clock the Germans once again tried to change the direction of the central course of the battle and caused two divisions kick from the right.However, this attack was neutralized.Our tanks began to push the enemy back in the evening and were able to throw it to 10-15 km.Battle of Prokhorovka was won, the enemy's advance stopped.Hitler's troops suffered heavy losses, their attacking potential on the Belgorod sector of the front was exhausted.After this battle until the victory had our army did not let out of their hands the strategic initiative.
