Hitler calls off 'Operation Citadel'

16th July 1943: The German offensive for 1943 is called off when it becomes clear that the spearheads of powerful new Panzers are not enough to break through

Munitioning a Tiger Panzer at Kursk. (Subsequently colourised).

German infantry moving forward near Pokrowka.

Motorcycle troops during the battle.

In the mind of Field Marshal Erich von Manstein the German aim for 1943 should have been to launch an early offensive to knock the Soviets off guard following their success at Stalingrad. This had been delayed as a consequence of bad weather, the early spring mud not being suitable for the panzers. The plan then had then moved on to a two-pronged attack on the salient of Soviet troops around Kursk. Manstein had been in favour of an attack in early May, as soon as the ground was ready for mass armoured battle.

And so the last German offensive in the east ended in a fiasco, even though the enemy opposite the two attacking armies of Southern Army Group had suffered four times their losses in prisoners, dead and wounded.

Russia, at Pokrovka, a group of armoured howitzers "Wespe" (Wasps), before the Battle of Kursk. The determined Red Army defence significantly degraded the mass of German armour so carefully built up before the battle.