Kursk : The World's Greatest Tank Battle

The Battle of Kursk was one of the most pivotal campaigns of World War II and Germany's final strategic offensive on the Eastern Front. Soviet armies had recently occupied the city of Kursk and the Germans aimed to pinch off the salient and cut off its supply chain. But Commander Erich von Manstein did not anticipate the Soviet's dramatic counter offensive, resulting in one of the bloodiest encounters of the Second World War which turned the tide against Adolf Hitler. Rupert Matthews narrates these dramatic events, outlining the strategic situation in 1943, the breakdown in Nazi chain of command and the circumstances of the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest tank battles in military history. Also included are: • A play-by-play account of the battle, set within the context of surrounding conflict • Profiles of key characters, including German commander Erich von Manstein who led the offensive • Powerful photographs of the battle, as well as useful diagrams of the military manoeuvres __The Battle of Kursk__ is a fascinating account of a major campaign that involved more than 3 million men, 8,000 tanks, 40,000 guns and 5,500 aircraft. The Soviets suffered extreme casualties, but their eventual victory left the road to Berlin open... Beginning With The Strategic Situation In 1943, This Compelling Tale Recounts The Circumstances That Led To This Decisive Battle That Was A Key Turning Point Of The Second World War On The Eastern Front. Considered By Both The Germans And The Soviets To Be A Highly Unpromising Place To Fight A Battle, Kursk Would Prove The Undoing Of The Germans. Never Again Would They Be Able To Mount A Major Offensive To The East And Never Again Was The End Result Of The War In Doubt. The Road To Berlin Was Open, Even Though Another Two Years Would Pass Before The Red Army Marched Into The German Capital. Recalling The Various Stages Of The Fighting, The Early Tactical Advantage Of The Germans And The Subsequent Soviet Victory, The Battle Of Kursk Is A Fascinating Account Of A Major Campaign That Involved More Than 3 Million Men, 8,000 Tanks, 40,000 Guns And 5,500 Aircraft.