Warfare
Battle of Kursk with James Holland
Aug 21, 2023
Historian James Holland joins the host to discuss the Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in history. They explore the motivations behind the battle, Hitler's delusions, the German offensive called Citadel, and the significance of the battle. Holland also announces his new book on the Italy Campaign.
26:22
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Quick takeaways
- The Battle of Kursk revealed the declining capability of the German army and set the stage for Germany's eventual defeat.
- Hitler's grand delusions and misguided objectives contributed to the ultimate failure of the Battle of Kursk and the German forces.
Deep dives
The Delusion of Hitler and the Grand Failure of the Battle of Kursk
The battle of Kursk occurred 80 years ago and was one of the largest battles in history. Hitler, deluded by his defeat in Stalingrad, aimed to reclaim the initiative and restore confidence in the Axis powers. However, the German offensive quickly stalled, facing formidable defenses set up by the Red Army. Despite launching the battle in July, the Germans made little progress, and after a week, the offensive was called off due to the Southern Front's strategic importance in the Mediterranean theater. The failure of the Battle of Kursk revealed the declining capability of the German army and set the stage for Germany's eventual defeat in the Soviet Union.
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