Unseen Pictures Of The Biggest Tank Battle of WWII

By Bundesarchiv - CC BY-SA 3.0
By Bundesarchiv - CC BY-SA 3.0

Following their defeat at Stalingrad during the winter of 1942-43, the German armed forces launched a climactic offensive in the East known as Operation Citadel on 4 July 1943. The climax of Operation Citadel, the Battle of Kursk, involved as many as 6,000 tanks, 4,000 aircraft and 2 million fighting men and is remembered, rightly or wrongly, as the greatest tank battle in history. There are massive differences between historians over the events of this time and it still remains a slice of history that is surrounded by myth and speculation.

Even now new information is being found as new archives are unearthed that have previously remained buried and hidden. As an example, the Waffen SS formation records were not declassified until around 1981 by which time many so-called ‘historical reports’ had already been produced.

The most discussed Battle was the one that occurred at Prochorovka (also spelled Prokhorovka as many of you will recognise) which began on 12 July. Here again historians hailed Prochorovka as a victory of improved Soviet tactics over German firepower and heavy tanks, relatively new evidence shows the events at the ‘gully of death’ in a somewhat different way.

The Germans’ main aim during Citadel was to secure a large salient in the Eastern Front that extended 70 miles toward the west. Field Marshal Günther von Kluge’s Army Group Centre would attack from the north flank, with the Ninth Army leading the effort, the XLVI Panzer Corps on the right flank and the XLI Panzer Corps on the left. General Joachim Lemelsen’s XLVII Panzer Corps planned to drive toward Kursk and meet up with Field Marshal Erich von Manstein’s Army Group South, the Fourth Panzer Army and the Kempf Army.

Schlacht um Kursk, Panzer VI (Tiger I)
Panzer IV with Waffen SS Troops – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0

Facing the German forces were the Soviet Central Front, led by General Konstantin K. Rokossovsky, and the Voronezh Front, led by General Nikolai F. Vatutin. The Central Front, with the right wing strengthened by the Thirteenth Army and Seventeenth Army, was to defend the northern sector. To the south, the Voronezh Front faced the German Army Group South with three armies and two in reserve. The Sixth and Seventh Guards Army held the center and left wing. East of Kursk, Col. Gen. Ivan S. Konev’s Steppe Military District (renamed the Steppe Front on 10 July, 1943) was to hold German breakthroughs, then mount the counteroffensive.

The potential was there, if all went to plan, for the Germans to destroy in excess of five Soviet Armies, however, the Ninth Army never came close to defeating the Soviet defenses to the North and likewise the III Panzer Corps faced tough opposition. Finally, on 11 July the Fourth Panzer Army was in a position to capture the town of Prochorovka and establish a vital bridgehead over the River Psel.

Schlacht um Kursk, Panzer VI (Tiger I)
A soldier of the SS Division “Das Reich” in the turret of a Panzer Mk VI “Tiger” – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0

As mentioned already, this action is one of the best-known battles on the Eastern Front and has been included in books, films and documentaries everywhere. Some are works of pure fiction and many varying accounts exist.

The most commonly accepted version is that three SS Divisions, side by side, attacked Prochorovka over tight and difficult terrain. Between 500 and 700 German Tanks, which included Mark V Panthers and the famous Mark VI Tiger, with the potent 88mm, advanced slowly. The Soviets in their agile T-34s threw themselves amongst them, causing confusion and chaos and not allowing the range of the 88s to gain the upper hand.

Russland, Kursk, Artillerie
Crew manning an artillery gun in support of operation Citadel – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0

The result was close to 400 German vehicles being lost.

If you study the combat records and strength reports of II SS Panzer Corps it reports only moderate losses. Reports of numbers of tanks involved also vary wildly. In fact, the report shows that, by 11 July, the II SS Panzer Corps had a total of 211 operational tanks –Totenkopf had 94 tanks, Leibstandarte had only 56 and Das Reich possessed just 61. Only 15 Tiger tanks were still in action at Prochorovka and there were no SS Panthers available.

On 13 July, the Fourth Panzer Army combat reports declared that the II SS Panzer Corps had 163 operational tanks, a loss of only 48 tanks. In comparison, Soviet reports show that on 13 July the army lost 400 tanks to repairable damage.

In addition, if you consider the statement about all three SS divisions attacking side by side this is both untrue and tactically impossible when you consider that the II SS Panzer Corps had a front of some nine miles wide.

12 July at 5am – Hundreds of Soviet T-34s and T-70s (with infantry on top) advanced from Prochorovka in groups of between 40 and 50. Infantry dismounted and the tanks continued the advance into the German lines. There was a pause in the attack and Leibstandarte pushed its armor towards the town and collided with elements of Rotmistrov’s reserve armor. A Soviet attack by the 181st Tank Regiment was defeated by the 13th (heavy) Company of the 1st SS Panzer Regiment, which consisted of several SS Tigers, one of which was commanded by 2nd Lt. Michael Wittmann – the most successful tank commander of the war.

Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Zschaeckel-207-12,_Schlacht_um_Kursk,_Panzer_VI_(Tiger_I)
Tiger Tanks of the SS Division Das Reich awaiting the start of Operation Citadel, the attack on the Kursk Salient – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0 

Wittmann’s group was advancing in flank support of the German main attack when it was engaged by the Soviet tank regiment at long range. The Soviet charge, straight at the Tigers over open ground, was suicidal as the frontal armor of the Tiger was more than a match for the 76mm guns of the T-34s at distance. None of the Tigers were destroyed but the 181st Tank Regiment was annihilated. Late in the day, the last Soviet reserves, elements of the 5th Mechanized Corps, were deployed. This finally halted Leibstandarte.

Das Reich attacked southwest of Prochorovka and was quickly engaged by battle groups of the II Tank Corps and II Guards Tank Corps. Battle groups of 20 to 40 Soviet tanks, supported by infantry and ground-attack planes, met with Das Reich’s regimental spearheads. The Soviets continued to push armour against the division and combat raged throughout the day with heavy losses of Soviet armor. Das Reich continued to push slowly eastward, advancing into the night while suffering relatively light tank losses.

Meanwhile, on the left flank, elements of the Soviet First Tank Army unsuccessfully tried to retake the bridgehead. The SS division fought off the 31st and 10th Tank Corps, supported by units of the 33rd Rifle Corps.

Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Groenert-019-21,_Schlacht_um_Kursk,_Panzer_VI_(Tiger_I)
Kursk, Panzer Mk VI Tiger and soldiers of the Waffen-SS – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0

The fighting, characterized by massive losses of Soviet armor, continued throughout 12 July without really any decisive success by either side –contrary to the accounts given in many well-known studies of the Eastern Front, which state that the fighting ended on 12 July with a decisive German defeat. Many historians have said the battlefield was littered with hundreds of destroyed German tanks. In fact, the fighting continued around Prochorovka for several more days. Das Reich continued to push very slowly eastward in the area south of the town until 16 July. This allowed the III Panzer Corps to link up with the SS Division on 14 July and encircle several Soviet rifle divisions south of Prochorovka. Totenkopf eventually reached the Kartaschevka­Prochorovka road and the division took several tactically important hills on the north edge of its perimeter as well.

Conclusion

So there are many complex and varying accounts by historians. Personally, I am somewhat skeptical that we will ever know the whole truth and believe the battle will remain the “stuff of legends.”  One thing, however, is very clear: the advance of theFourth Panzer Army was slowed dramatically due to the Panzer Corps’ failure to take Prochorovka on 12 July, regardless of both the number of tanks possessed by the Germans or Soviets and the misuse of German panzer reserves.

When Hitler abandoned Operation Citadel on 13 July, the Germans’ last opportunity to influence events on a strategic level in the East was lost.

Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Groenert-019-23A,_Schlacht_um_Kursk,_Panzer_VI_(Tiger_I)
A Tiger tank of the SS division “Das Reich” in action – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Schlacht um Kursk, Panzer VI (Tiger I)
Operation Citadel, soldiers of Waffen-SS division “Das Reich” in front of a Tiger tank. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, Kursk, Infanterie
German Soldiers in front of a destroyed Russian Pz.Kpfw. KW-1A – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Zschaeckel-208-25,_Schlacht_um_Kursk,_Panzer_III
Soviet Union – “Operation Citadel” – fighting in the area Belgorod-Orel – Waffen SS Division “Das Reich”, crew during a stop in front of their Panzer III – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, M‰nner der Waffen-SS
Waffen SS soldiers having a discussion with a Panzer Mk VI Tiger commander. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Merz-014-12A,_Russland,_Beginn_Unternehmen_Zitadelle,_Panzer
Belgorod – Self-propelled guns (Stugs), Panzer Mk III and Mk IV tanks are assembling and getting ready for operation Citadel – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-219-0553A-16,_Russland,_bei_Pokrowka,_Kradschützen
Near Pokrovka, German Motorcycle troops take cover near their vehicles – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
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Generalmajor v. Hünersdorff at operation Citadel – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, bei Pokrowka, leichte Flak
Near Pokrovka, German motorized troops on the left and a light (20mm) FLAK gun mounted on half track on the right. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, Unternehmen "Zitadelle", Fahrzeuge
Vehicles advancing during operation Citadel – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
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FLAK Vierling gun firing during operation Citadel – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2949-05,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Panzer_VI_-Tiger_I-
German Soldiers on a Panzer Mk VI Tiger with turret number 123 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2950-15A,_Russland,_Panzer_im_Einsatz
Looking down the barrel of a Panzer MK VI Tiger tank during operation Citadel – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2926-11A,_Russland,_Abschleppen_eines_Tiger_I
Operation Citadel, a Panzer Mk VI Tiger is being towed by an 18-ton FAMO – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2935-09A,_Russland,_Panzer_VI_-Tiger_I-
Two Panzer Mk VI Tiger tanks, a destroyed vehicle and a German on a horse – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, Kampf- und Schützenpanzer
Operation Citadel, Panzer MK III with turret number 943 and in the foreground a Panzer MK II with turret number 914 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, bei Pokrowka, Panzerhaubitze "Wespe"
Near Pokrovka, a group of light field howitzers mounted on Panzer Mk II chassis, know as the Wespe or Sd.Kfz. 124 in a field near the frontline. – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, Panzer VI (Tiger I), Munition
New shells are being loaded on a Panzer Mk VI Tiger – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-J14931,_Bei_Belgorod,_Panzer_VI_(Tiger_I),_Aufmunitionieren
Loading of new shells in a Panzer Mk VI Tiger tank – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, Jagdpanzer "Marder"
Panzerjäger Marder III Ausf. H (Sd. Kfz. 138) – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, Panzer VI "Tiger I"
Tiger 123, 1st Company sPzabt.503 – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
402px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-King-051-07A,_Russland,_Waffen-SS_beim_Angriff
Waffen SS soldiers in their vehicles, a Stug(?) and an armored half-track – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Cantzler-077-24,_Russland,_Vormarsch_deutscher_Panzer
Waffen SS soldiers on a Stug, followed by two Panzer MK VI Tiger tanks drive to the startline of operation Citadel – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
Russland, "Unternehmen Zitadelle", Marder III
Operation Citadel a Marder III 7,62cm Pak on the chassis of a Czech 38(t). – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0
ADN-Bildarchiv, II. Weltkrieg 1939-1945 An der Front in der Sowjetunion: Mitte Juli 1943. Vorbei an brennenden Häusern einer Ortschaft setzen "Tiger"-Panzer der deutschen Wehrmacht während der schweren Kämpfe südlich Orel zu einem Gegenstoß an. Aufnahme: Henisch 3621-43
South of Orel, Panzer Mk VI Tiger tanks attack, in the background a building burns – By Bundesarchiv – CC BY-SA 3.0

Damian Lucjan

Damian is a history geek that’s working for War History Online for almost a decade. He can talk about the history and its chain of events for hours and is 100% legit fun at parties. Aside of history, geography and etymology of all things are no less exciting for him! An avid video game player, meme distributor, and your comment section moderator all in one. Mythologies of all cultures are fascinating to him, Greek, Nordic, Slavic – you name it, and he’s in!

In his spare time, assuming he has some left, he gives it all to his family, enjoying morning walks, a good book, an exciting FPS, and a long nap…or a few. Definitely a cat person.