2007-08-01 16:35:19 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
The Germans.
The Kursk battle was a logical continuation of the Manstein offensive of winter/spring 1943 that restored the situation for the Germans after Stalingrad. This offensive was highly successful but stopped due to the spring rains which turn everything in Russia to mud.
Many German commanders wanted to continue this attack as soon as the ground was dry but Hitler and other generals held back, building up a huge force, and new 'miracle weapons', to attack into the Kursk salient, which bulged into the German line and looked like an easy way to cut off a big Soviet force.
But this attack was obvious to the Soviets as well and while the Germans delayed they built up a massive defensive position in the Kursk salient. When the German attack finally went in the massive Soviet defence system absorbed it. Having lost huge amounts of men and tanks and with a British-American army landing in Sicily, Hitler called off the attack.
The Soviets then unleashed a massive counterattack to keep the pressure on the Germans, driving them back. The Germans were never again to mount a large attack on the Soviet line.
2007-08-01 18:41:43 · answer #1 · answered by llordlloyd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Germans had a plan to attack the Kursk salient. They delayed it, and the planned attack was leaked to the Soviets (not a surprise, since salients are always tempting to pinch off, and it was a big operation), and the Soviets were given time to prepare defense in depth and counterattack plans. By the time it finally did start, the Soviets were hoping for it, but it was a German operation.
2007-08-02 03:27:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Germans
2007-08-01 17:55:53 · answer #3 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Operation Zitadelle (Citadel) was a German plan to eliminate the Kursk salient. Therefore, it was initiated by the German army. It was a major defeat and the largest tank battle of the war.
2007-08-02 06:55:45 · answer #4 · answered by Bob Mc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Germans started it, calling it Operation Citadel. The Soviets stayed on the defensive as they had some idea of the German plan. They then launched a counteroffensive, Operation Kutuzov against the Germans. All in all, the Germans initiated it.
2007-08-01 16:49:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kursk was a German attack.
The British intercepted & decoded information about it. The Soviets obtained this information from one of their spies in Britain (Burgess, I think) so were aware that the attack was coming and prepared defenses against it.
2007-08-02 00:30:14 · answer #6 · answered by turenneuk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most history books agree that the Germans attacked on July 5th, 1943. But history books are written by the winners. Seeing as how it was an attack into Soviet territory I'd have to go with the books.
2007-08-01 16:41:45 · answer #7 · answered by Gunz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Until 1944 I really dont think the Germans DIDNT attack anything. So I'd go with the Germans attacking the Russians.
2007-08-01 16:43:43 · answer #8 · answered by Coach 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trick question, it was Cortez of the mighty aztec army. Viva la france
2007-08-01 16:43:32 · answer #9 · answered by Gangsta-Licous 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
do what i do-wikepedia
2016-05-20 22:23:38 · answer #10 · answered by marian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋