04.07.1943. (Patreon)

The situation before the battle of Kursk. For the last three months both sides have been building up. During the prior offensives the Soviets have had some bad experiences with the Germans counterattacking and cutting off their troops, so this time they are playing safe. They plan to let the Germans to attack first and have them pin down their offensive forces. After that they would launch a major attack of their own. In order to contain the expected German advance large scale fortification works are undertaken on long sections of the front.

The Germans are fortifying their lines too, hoping to create a stalemate by bleeding out the attacking Red Army. Another way, besides defence, to inflict casualties to the Red Army would be by conducting limited encirclements in the most promising sectors. After long preparations, one of these operations is about to spring into action around Kursk.