A MIDSUMMER DAY'S DREAM:
In the summer of 1943 Hitler launched what was to be his last gasp in the
east: Citadel, as the Germans called it, was designed to collapse the Kursk
salient at its base and pocket the Soviet Central Front. The result was the the
largest tank battle in history.
Manstein's original plans for a June offensive were brushed aside by the
Fuehrer, who insisted on waiting until more of the new Panther and Tiger
tanks were available. When the offensive was finally launched on July 5th it
met a fortified enemy waiting for the attack. Despite Soviet preparedness the
Wehrmacht and Waffen SSpanzers smashed through the fortified lines in rapid
succession.


