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N0KFQ > TODAY 12.07.11 17:39l 49 Lines 2355 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Today in History - Jul 12
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Sent: 110712/1521Z 9881@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.0.4
Jul 12, 1943:
Russians halt German advance in a decisive battle at Kursk
On this day in 1943, one of the greatest clashes of armor in
military history takes place as the German offensive against the
Russian fortification at Kursk, a Russian railway and industrial
center, is stopped in a devastating battle, marking the turning
point in the Eastern front in the Russians' favor.
The Germans had been driven from Kursk, a key communications
center between north and south, back in February. By March, the
Russians had created a salient, a defensive fortification, just
west of Kursk in order to prevent another attempt by the Germans
to advance farther south in Russia. In June, the German invaders
launched an air attack against Kursk; on the ground, Operation
Cottbus was launched, ostensibly dedicated to destroying Russian
partisan activity, but in reality resulting in the wholesale
slaughter of Russian civilians, among whom Soviet partisan
fighters had been hiding. The Russians responded with air raids
against German troop formations.
By July, Hitler realized that the breaking of the Russian
resistance at Kursk was essential to pursuing his aims in Soviet
Russia and the defense of Greater Germany, that is,
German-occupied territory outside prewar German borders. "This
day, you are to take part in an offensive of such importance that
the whole future of the war may depend on its outcome," Hitler
announced to his soldiers on July 4. But on July 5, the Russians
pulled the rug out from under Hitler's offensive by launching
their own artillery bombardment. The Germans counterattacked, and
the largest tank battle in history began: Between the two
assailants, 6,000 tanks were deployed. On July 12, 900 Russian
tanks clashed with 900 German (including their superior Tiger
tanks) at Prokhorovka_the Battle of Kursk's most serious
engagement. When it was all over, 300 German tanks, and even more
Russian ones, were strewn over the battlefield. "The earth was
black and scorched with tanks like burning torches," reported one
Russian officer. But the Russians had stopped the German advance
dead in its tracks. The advantage had passed to the East. The
Germans' stay in Soviet territory was coming to an end.
73, K.O. n0kfq
Another old retired guy
E-mail: n0kfq@winlink.org
N0KFQ@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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