The History of the Twentieth Century 396 The Battle of Kursk
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Feb 16, 2025 Dive into the gripping tactics and events of the Battle of Kursk in 1943, a turning point on the Eastern Front. Discover why the German offensive floundered and how the Soviets capitalized on their preparation. Analyze the fascinating contrasts in tank production between the U.S., Germany, and the Soviet Union, and see the T-34 shine against German models. The innovative strategies of Soviet tank crews reveal how numerical superiority prevailed, shaping future warfare and leaving a lasting impact.
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Operation Citadel's Failure
- Germany's Operation Citadel aimed to retake Kursk, a key city in a Soviet salient.
- Hitler's delays gave Soviets time to prepare their defense, Operation Kutuzov.
Opposing Salient
- The front lines near Kursk featured opposing salients, a German one around Orel and the Soviet one around Kursk.
- Operation Kutuzov aimed to exploit this by attacking the northern side of the Orel salient.
Tank Production Philosophies
- German tank production prioritized skilled labor and bespoke manufacturing, like early European cars.
- This contrasted with American assembly line methods, influencing Soviet tank production.
