Primary Sources

Wolff/Altvater. Sowjetunion.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle", Motorisierte Truppen (u.a. Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO), Motorrad) auf dem Vormarsch, Soldat weist den Weg; PK 637. German Federal Archives, 1943. JPEG file. - A German Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J14813, Ost is seen behind a motorcycle. The Raupenschlepper, Ost is a fully tracked tractor-like vehicle used to transport things. It was introduced as a response to the poorly maintained roads of Russia.

Kursk Soviet Machineguns. 1943. JPEG file. - Soviet Riflemen are seen at a defensive position. They are stationed here to prevent German soldiers firing anti-tank weapon, specifically Panzerfaust missiles, at Allied tanks and to prevent German assault infantry from advancing.

Lee Tanks. http://bronesite.narod.ru/index.html, 1943. JPEG file. - Russian M3 Lee tanks at Kursk advancing. Even though the M3 Lee tanks are American Tanks, they were supplied to the Soviet Union by the lend-lease act, passed by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Zschckel, Friedrich. Sowjetunion.- Waffen-SS-Division "Das Reich" bei "Unternehmen Zitadelle" mit Panzer VI "Tiger I" whrend der Schlacht um Kursk; SS-PK. German Federal Archives, 1943. JPEG file. Schutzstaffel Panzergrenadiere of the 2nd Panzer Division are seen marching through tall grass and vegetation. There is a Panzer VI tank shown in the background. Zschckel, Friedrich. Sowjetunion.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Kmpfe im Raum Belgorod-Orel.- Waffen-SS-Division "Das Reich", Besatzung whrend eines Halts vor ihrem Panzer III; SS-PK. German Federal Archives, 1943. JPEG file. - The crew of a Panzer III tank during a stop in the Battle of Kursk. The crew belongs to the 2nd Schutzstaffel Panzer Division Das Reich.

Sowjetunion, bei Pokrowka.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Soldaten / Kradschtzen z.T. in Deckung hinter Motorrad liegend; PK 694. German Federal Archives, 1943. JPEG file. - German Motorized corps mobilize. They are seen scouting, reloading their weapons, and preparing to advance.

Henisch. Bei Orel, Panzer VI (Tiger I). German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. - Panzer tanks advance near burning villages south of Orel during the German offensive.

Merz. Russland, Beginn Unternehmen Zitadelle, Panzer. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. - Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks are pictured during the beginning of Operation Citadel. Panzer tanks were the backbone of the German offensive at Kursk.

Koch. Sowjetunion, bei Pokrowka.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Gruppe von Leichten Feldhaubitzen 18/2 auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II (Sf) Wespe (Sd.Kfz. 124) in Frontlinie in einem Feld stehend; PK 694. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. - This is a Wehrmacht mobile artillery battery, sometimes called "Wespe". The vehicle itself is called a Hummel, German for "bumble bee". The Hummel pictured is strategically placed to provide fire support for the German offensive.

Zhdanov, Anatoli. Russian President Medvedev Visits Memorial Site in Kursk. 2008. Photograph. Photos, Kursk, Russia. EBSCOhost. Web. 8 Dec. 2013. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=imh&AN=imh475770&site=src-live> - In this photo the then-Russia President Dmitri Medvedev standing by the Kursk Memorial Site in Russia. The fact that the President visited the memorial site indicates that the Battle of Kursk is a very important event in Russian history and it had an impact on Russia. If this battle was not important, the President wouldn't have visited the memorial.

Cantzler. Sowjetunion.- Unternehmen Zitadelle, Soldaten der Waffen-SS in Panzerfahrzeugen beim Vormarsch. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file.

- Two tiger tanks are pictured here. There is also a Sturmgeschtz III assault gun with infantry units riding on top.

Mittelstaedt, Heinz. Sowjetunion.- Unternehmen "Zitadelle". Soldaten auf Panzer VI "Tiger I" (Turmnummer 123); PK 637. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-294905%2C_Russland%2C_Soldaten_auf_Panzer_VI_%22Tiger_I%22.jpg Cantzler. Sowjetunion.- Unternehmen Zitadelle, Angehrige der Waffen-SS in einer Stellung. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Cantzler-07739%2C_Russland%2C_Angeh%C3%B6rige_der_Waffen-SS_in_einer_Stellung.jpg Grnert. Ruland, Kursk.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle". Panzer VI "Tiger I" der Waffen-SS im Kampf. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101III-Groenert-01923A%2C_Schlacht_um_Kursk%2C_Panzer_VI_%28Tiger_I%29.jpg Koch. Sowjetunion, bei Pokrowka.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Erschpfte Soldaten in Kampfpause; PK 694. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-219-0553A07%2C_Russland%2C_bei_Pokrowka%2C_ersch%C3%B6pfte_Soldaten.jpg

Koch. Sowjetunion, bei Pokrowka.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Soldat beim Betrachten eines abgeschossenen, noch leicht qualmenden sowjetischen Panzer T-34; PK 694. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-219-0553A36%2C_Russland%2C_bei_Pokrowka%2C_russischer_Panzer_T34.jpg

Wolff, Paul Dr. Sowjetunion.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Reparatur eines Kettenschadens an einem Panzer VI "Tiger I" (Turmnummer 334); PK 637. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-294805%2C_Russland%2C_Panzer_VI_%28Tiger_I%29%2C_Kettenschaden.jpg

Grnert. Sowjetunion, bei Kursk.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle". Panzer VI "Tiger I" und Soldaten der Waffen-SS; SS-PK. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/crosssearch/search/_1387428994/?search[view]=detail&search[focus]=14

Zschckel, Friedrich. Sowjetunion, Kursk.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Panzersoldat der Waffen-SS-Division "Das Reich" in Turmluke eines Panzer VI "Tiger I"; SS-PK. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/crosssearch/search/_1387428994/?search[view]=detail&search[focus]=21

Horster. Sowjetunion, Kursk.- "Unternehmen Zitadelle".- Soldaten in leichtem Schtzenpanzer (Sd.Kfz. 250/3; Funk-Panzerwagen); PK 637. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/crosssearch/search/_1387430758/?search[view]=detail&search[focus]=20

Rottensteiner. Sowjetunion, bei Belgorod.- Kampf um Kursk / "Unternehmen Zitadelle".Versorgung eines Panzer VI "Tiger I" mit 8,8-cm Granaten. German Federal Archive, 1943. JPEG file. http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/crosssearch/search/_1387430758/?search[view]=detail&search[focus]=22

Secondary Sources

"The Battle of Kursk." History Learning Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. - After the Soviet victory at the Battle of Stalingrad, the Germans needed a way to prove that their army was still strong and stop the chain of German retreats on the Eastern front. Hitler and the rest of the German command ordered that "there must be no failure" and planned the offensive very carefully. The Russians, however, knew about the offensive and prepared as well. They setup anti-armor artillery and anti-tank mines. The Russians learned that the German offensive was going to begin on July 5th, and they began an artillery bombardment at 02.00 as to have an impact on the morale of the German army. The Germans began their main assault, supported by over 500 tanks. By July 10, the German army had lost two thirds of their tanks and the Russians launched a major counter-offensive and by the 19th they had pushed the Germans back the 6 miles from their initial assault and 45 more miles forward. The Battle of Kursk had major consequences for the Germans and around 500,000 German men were killed and the Germans never staged a major offensive in Russia again.

"The Battle of Kursk." University of Northern Iowa. N.p., 2004. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. <http://www.uni.edu/~licari/citadel.htm> - There are multiple misconceptions about the Battle of Kursk and they mostly stem from the book, The Tigers are Burning, by Martin Caiden. Until recently, this book was the only source of information for western readers about the Battle of Kursk. The first misconception is that Operation Citadel was a distinctly armor battle. This is not true. Operation Citadel spanned hundreds of miles, and most of the units in the battle were actually infantry, although most of the glamorous fighting was done by armor. The second myth is that the Battle at Prokhorovka was the largest tank battle in history. This is probably the most widespread myth about The Battle of Kursk. This is not true, and the biggest tank battle is actually The Battle of Gembloux. There, approximately 15 full strength Panzer Divisions fought.

"Battle of Kursk: Eastern Front 1943." Battle of Kursk: Eastern Front 1943. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec 2013. <http://www.battleofkursk.org> - The Soviet plans for The Battle of Kursk are exemplary and studied at War Schools. The Battle of Kursk is a direct continuation of the Battle of Stalingrad. Most of the battles during the

Eastern Front had come as a surprise to Russia, however this one was expected and the Russians prepared. (This is discussed in more detail at the citation of "'The Battle of Kursk.' History Learning Site.")

"1943: Battle of Kursk." Seventeen Moments in Soviet History. N.p., 2013. Web. 02 Dec 2013. <http://www.soviethistory.org/index.php?page=subject&SubjectID=1943kursk&Year=..> - The Battle at Kursk took place in the steppe region of the Kursk Oblast. It is commonly seen as a continuation of the Battle of Stalingrad. The Soviet army was comprised of approximately 1.3 million troops, while the German army had approximately 900,000 troops. Operation Citadel, initiated by the German side, had 2 major thrusts: each against the Soviet-held Northern and Southern salients. Both thrusts fell flat as the Soviet Forces began a counter-attack, pushing forward to Orel and eventually re-capturing and liberating much of the Ukraine. The D-Day invasion at Normandy is commonly seen as the turning point of the war, however Kursk is a more likely point.

"Battle of Kursk." The History Channel. A&E Television Network, 2013. Web. 02 Dec 2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/battle-of-kursk> After the German defeat at Stalingrad, the objective for Kursk was to destroy as much of the Soviet Army as possible. German Field Marshall Erich von Manstein urged to have the attack on the Kursk salient commence as soon as possible, but Hitler postponed the attack in order to allow as much of the newly produced German tanks reach the Eastern Front. However, this allowed the Soviets to fortify themselves. (This is discussed in more detail at the citation of "'The Battle of Kursk.' History Learning Site.") Faced with massive losses of land and armor, Hitler was forced to call off the Operation. After the Battle, the operational battle had swung entirely into favor of the Soviets and it is because of this that the Battle of Kursk is seen as a major turning point in WW2.

"The Kursk Gamble." The History Place. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec 2013. <http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/defeat/kursk-gamble.htm>

"Battle of Kursk Timeline." Second World War History. N.p., 2013. Web. 02 Dec 2013. <http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/kursk.asp>

Clark, Lloyd. "Kursk." World War II Jan. 2011: 44-53. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Dec. 2013. Roberts, Andrew. "WWIIs Greatest Battle: How Kursk Changed the War." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 31 Aug. 2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. <http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/08/31/wwii-s-greatest-battle-how-kursk-changedthe-war.html>.

Showalter, Dennis E. Armor and Blood: The Battle of Kursk: The Turning Point of World War II. New York, NY: Random House, 2013. Print.