Battle of Prokhorovka official Soviet historiography called legendary.On the field of battle broke out battle that recognizes the greatest in the history of the oncoming tank battle, without specifying, however, the number of armored vehicles to participate in it.
For a long time the main source of information about this episode was the book War I. Markin "Battle of Kursk", published in 1953.Then, in the seventies, was filmed motion picture epic "Liberation", one of the series is dedicated to the Battle of Kursk.And the main part of it was the battle of Prokhorovka.Without exaggeration, it can be argued that the Soviet people studied the history of war to these works of art.The first ten years of the greatest tank battle in the world did not have the information.
legendary - so mythical.These words - synonyms.Historians are forced to turn to myths when other sources are not available.Battle of Prokhorovka was not in the Old Testament times, and in 1943.The reluctance of distinguished military leaders telling details so small events remote in time the certificate of approval of the tactical, strategic or other miscalculations.
In the early summer of 1943 near the city of Kursk, the front line was formed so that the arc-shaped protrusion formed deep into the German defense.The German general staff of ground forces responded to the situation fairly stereotyped.Their task was to cut off, surrounded, and later to crush the Soviet group, consisting of the Central and Voronezh fronts.According to the plan of "Citadel" the Germans were going to put the counter blows from the direction of Orel and Belgorod.
enemy's intentions were solved.The Soviet command took measures to prevent the breakthrough and was preparing a retaliatory strike, which was to follow after wearing down the advancing German troops.Both warring sides committed moving armored forces to implement their plans.
It is known that on July 10 the second SS Panzer Corps under the command of Gruppenführer Paul Hausser confronted with parts of the Fifth Panzer Army Lieutenant General Paul Rotmistrov, preparing to attack.The emerging confrontation lasted nearly a week.The climax came on him on 12 July.
With this information true and what is fiction?
Apparently, the battle of Prokhorovka was a surprise, both the Soviet and the German high command.Tanks are used for attack, their primary function - to support the infantry and bridging lines of defense.Number of Soviet armor was superior enemy, so at first glance, the Germans counter-fight was unprofitable.However, the enemy skillfully took advantage of the best terrain, can fire from a distance.Soviet tank T-34-75, have an advantage in maneuver, conceded "Tigers" in the armed tower.In addition, every third Soviet machine in this battle was a light reconnaissance T-70.
was important, and the element of surprise, the Germans discovered before the enemy, and were the first to attack.Their better coordination was caused by a well-organized radio.
In such difficult conditions, the battle began near Prokhorovka.The losses were enormous, and their ratio is not in favor of the Soviet troops.
According to the commander of the Voronezh Front and a member of the Military Council Vatutin Khrushchev result counterattack was supposed to be the defeat of German forces that tried to make a breakthrough.That did not happen, and the operation was declared unsuccessful.However, it later emerged that the benefits of her was still, and awesome.Wehrmacht suffered catastrophic losses, the German High Command had lost the initiative and offensive plan was foiled, though at the cost of bloodshed.Then there was retroactively coined in Prokhorovka battle plan, and announced a major military operation a success.
So, the official description of the events of Kursk rests on three myths:
first myth: premeditated operation.Although this was not the case.The battle took place on the grounds of lack of awareness of the enemy's plans.
Myth Two: The main reason for the loss of tanks parties began meeting engagement.This was also not the case.Most of the armor as German and Soviet, was hit by anti-tank artillery.
third myth: the battle took place continuously and in the same field - Prokhorovka.And that was not the case.The battle consisted of many separate battle scenes, from 10 to 17 July 1943.
