Battle of Kursk facts for kids

The Battle of Kursk was a massive battle during World War II. It took place from 5 July to 23 August 1943 near the city of Kursk in Russia. This battle was one of the largest tank battles in history and a very important turning point on the Eastern Front.

What Was the Battle of Kursk?

The Battle of Kursk was a huge clash between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. It involved hundreds of thousands of soldiers, thousands of tanks, and many aircraft. Germany hoped to win back control after a big defeat at Stalingrad. The Soviet Union, however, was ready for the attack.

Why Was Kursk Important?

After losing the Battle of Stalingrad, Germany wanted to strike back. They planned a big attack called Operation Citadel. Their goal was to surround and destroy Soviet forces in an area called the "Kursk Salient." This was a bulge in the front lines that stuck out into German-held territory. If Germany won, it could change the course of the war.

The German Plan: Operation Citadel

The German army gathered many new and powerful tanks, like the Tiger I and Panther. They also had new self-propelled guns called Ferdinand. Their plan was to attack the Kursk Salient from both the north and the south. They hoped to meet in the middle and trap the Soviet soldiers.

The Soviet Defense: Ready and Waiting

The Soviet Union knew about the German plans. They spent months building strong defenses. They dug many lines of trenches, laid millions of landmines, and set up anti-tank guns. They also brought in many reserve troops and tanks. Their goal was to wear down the German attack and then launch their own counter-attack.

The Battle Begins: German Attack

The battle started on 5 July 1943. German forces attacked from the north and the south.

Northern Attack: Ponyri and Olkhovatka

In the north, the German Ninth Army faced very strong Soviet defenses. The fighting was fierce, especially around villages like Ponyri and Olkhovatka. German tanks struggled to get through the deep minefields and heavy artillery fire. The Soviets held their ground, and the German advance was very slow.

Southern Attack: Prokhorovka and Beyond

The German Fourth Panzer Army and Army Detachment Kempf attacked from the south. They had more success at first, pushing deeper into the Soviet lines. The fighting here was also incredibly intense.

The Tank Battle of Prokhorovka

One of the most famous parts of the battle happened on 12 July near the village of Prokhorovka. This was a massive tank battle between German and Soviet forces. Hundreds of tanks clashed in a small area. It was a chaotic and deadly fight. While both sides suffered heavy losses, the Soviets managed to stop the German advance.

Soviet Counter-Attacks

Even while the German attack was happening, the Soviets launched their own counter-offensives.

Operation Kutuzov: Northern Counter-Attack

On 12 July, the Soviet Union launched "Operation Kutuzov" in the north. This attack targeted the German forces that were trying to push into the Kursk Salient. The Soviets pushed the Germans back, threatening to cut off their supply lines. This forced the Germans to pull troops away from their attack on Kursk.

Operation Rumyantsev: Southern Counter-Attack

Later, on 3 August, the Soviets launched "Operation Rumyantsev" in the south. This was a huge attack aimed at pushing the Germans out of the cities of Belgorod and Kharkov. The Soviets used many tanks and aircraft, overwhelming the German defenses.

Outcome and Importance

The Battle of Kursk ended on 23 August 1943. It was a major victory for the Soviet Union.

Why the Soviets Won

The Soviets won because they had excellent intelligence about German plans, allowing them to prepare strong defenses. They also had a huge number of reserve troops and tanks. Their ability to launch powerful counter-attacks while defending was key.

The Turning Point of the War

The Battle of Kursk was a critical turning point on the Eastern Front. After this battle, Germany lost the ability to launch large-scale attacks in the east. From then on, the Soviet Union had the upper hand and slowly pushed the German army back all the way to Berlin. It showed the world that the Soviet Union was a powerful force that could defeat the German war machine.

Images for kids

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  Manstein during a meeting with Hermann Hoth, commander of the 4th Panzer Army, June 21, 1943

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  Guderian being transported to the Eastern Front, 1943

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  A Raupenschlepper Ost, designed in response to the poor roads of Russia, moves materiel up shortly before the Kursk offensive.

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  Zhukov with Ivan Konev, commander of the Steppe Front, during the Battle of Kursk

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  A Soviet machine gun crew during the Battle of Kursk.

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  VVS Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack aircraft during the battle of Kursk.

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  Troops of Division Das Reich, Tiger I tank, in June 1943 before the battle

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  German Panzer IV and Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack

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  German penetration during the Battle of Kursk

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  German motorised troops prepare to move out.

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  Soviet troops of the Voronezh Front counterattacking behind T-34 tanks at Prokhorovka, 12 July 1943

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  Wespe self-propelled artillery battery in position to provide fire support

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  German soldiers move along an anti-tank ditch, while combat engineers prepare charges to breach it.

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  Soviet PTRD anti-tank rifle team during the fighting

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  Luftwaffe Flakvierling unit

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  Thunderclouds over the battleground. Intermittent heavy rains created mud and marsh that made movement difficult.

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  Disposition of Soviet and German forces around Prokhorovka on the eve of the battle on 12 July.

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  Vehicles of II SS-Panzer Corps advancing toward Prokhorovka on 11 July

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  German soldiers pause during the fighting.

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  Soviet counteroffensive, 12 July – 23 August 1943.

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  Operation Kutuzov

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  Soviet soldiers in Orel pass by the Church of the Intercession, 5 August 1943.

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  Operation Rumyantsev

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  Prokhorovka Cathedral, in Prokhorovka on the former battlefield, commemorates the Red Army losses and victory.

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  A German soldier inspects a knocked out T-34 during the Battle of Kursk at Pokrovka, 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest of Prokhorovka.

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  Memorial "Teplovsky's Hills" in Ponyri region in honour of the memory of the fallen on the northern face of the Battle of Kursk

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  Panzer IV tanks destroyed at Kursk

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Kursk para niños