The Battle of Kursk: Controversial and Neglected Aspects

by Stuart Britton (Translator), Valeriy Zamulin

In this book, noted historian of the Battle of Kursk Valeriy Zamulin, the author of multiple Russian-language books on the Battle of Kursk and Destroying the Myth: The Tank Battle at Prokhorovka, Kursk, July 1943: An Operational Narrative takes a fresh look at several controversial and neglected topics regarding the battle and its run-up. He starts with a detailed look at the Soviet and Russian historiography on the battle, showing how initially promising research was swamped by Party dogma and censorship during the Brezhnev area, before being resumed with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Zamulin then transitions to discussions of how the southern shoulder of the Kursk bulge was formed, preparations for the battle on both sides, and the size and composition of Model’s Ninth Army. He then examines such controversial topics as whether or not the II SS Panzer Corps was aware of the pending Soviet counterattack at Prokhorovka, and the effectiveness of the Soviet preemptive barrage that struck the German troops that were poised to attack. Zamulin also discusses whether or not General Vatutin, the Commander-in-Chief of Voronezh Front, erred when arranging his defenses. Zamulin also takes a look at how the myth of 1,500 tanks colliding on a narrow strip of farm fields became perpetuated in Soviet and foreign history books, when in fact it was impossible for the 5th Guards Tank Army’s tanks to attack in massive wave after wave due to the constrictions of the terrain. Zamulin also reveals incidents of the battle that were long kept “behind the curtain” by Soviet censorship. For example, the 183rd Rifle Division defending the Prokhorovka axis was repeatedly struck by friendly aircraft, and a Soviet tank counterattack overran the positions of one of its battalions. Zamulin discusses other cases of fratricide in the Voronezh Front, including the death of one of the 1st Tank Army’s foremost tank commanders in a friendly fire incident. In the process, he reveals that a wave of suicides swept through the junior command staff of the 5th Guards Tank Army immediately prior to the famous counteroffensive on 12 July 1943. All in all, Valeriy Zamulin with this collection of essays and articles, two of which have been reprinted from the Journal of Slavic Military History, makes a new contribution to our knowledge and understanding of this pivotal, epochal battle of the Second World War.

Genres: Military History

414 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2022

Reviews

[Chris Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent study of some of the aspects of The Battle of Kursk that have been allow to grow into accepted mythology but were in reality quite different. Access to Soviet archives has allowed the author to evaluated documents that illustrate that many mistakes were made during the conduct of the battle that resulted in the massive loss of men and material way in excess of what was expected, due to the less than optimum handling of these vast armies through both strategies and logistics and coordination of the various sections ie. artillery, armour, infantry and airforces. These failings were essentially covered up and myths allowed to flourish.
Also of note for me was the surprising pettiness and churlishness of the Soviet High Command towards each other as credit was unfairly claimed and blame for errors deflected elsewhere.
The book mainly concentrates on the Southern sector of the Kursk Salient, especially The Battle of Prokhorovka, which is central to the mythology regarding the Kursk campaign.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Eastern Front of World War II. It can be a bit of a slog at times but it is well worth the effort.

[Keith True · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched

New details that that lifts the myths of this great battle. As time goes on and through the diligence of authors we learn more facts.