Additional troops and tanks were redeployed to Kursk, the battlefield was mined and honeycombed with antitank ditches. Their plan was to attack the Germans after a successful defensive battle and to drive them back further.
The Soviet command also expected a German attack. Because of various shortages Hitler postponed the attack until summer, hoping to be able to attack with a larger army. Therefor the Wehrmacht High Command in 1943 planned to encircle the Russian troops in the Kursk bulge in a pincer movement. This sector was of of a highly strategic importance since it had become a stronghold for the Soviet forces and because from Kursk the Wehrmacht would be able to advance south or even towards Moscow. In 1942/43 the Red Army could successfully drive back the Wehrmacht westwards, their advances resulting in the 200 km deep Kursk salient (also known as the Kursk bulge).
0 kommentar(er)
