Battle of Kursk

German Wehrmacht Panzer IIIs and IVs in the battle of Kursk

The Battle of Kursk was a World War II engagement between German and Soviet forces on the Eastern Front near Kursk (450 kilometres southwest of Moscow) in the Soviet Union during July and August 1943. Hitler thought that a victory here would reassert Germany's strength and improve his prestige with allies who were considering withdrawing from the war. It was also hoped that large numbers of Soviet prisoners would be captured to be used as slave labour in Germany's armaments industry. The Battle of Kursk was the first time a German strategic offensive had been halted before it could break through enemy defences and penetrate to its strategic depths.

Soviet KV-1 heavy tanks prepare to counter-attack

 Tiger tank of the German Wehrmacht

Kursk metro station in Moscow