Kursk: The World's Greatest Tank Battle

by Rupert Matthews

The Battle of Kursk was one of the most pivotal campaigns of World War II and Germany's final strategic offensive on the Eastern Front. Soviet armies had recently occupied the city of Kursk and the Germans aimed to pinch off the salient and cut off its supply chain. But Commander Erich von Manstein did not anticipate the Soviet's dramatic counter offensive, resulting in one of the bloodiest encounters of the Second World War which turned the tide against Adolf Hitler.

Rupert Matthews narrates these dramatic events, outlining the strategic situation in 1943, the breakdown in Nazi chain of command and the circumstances of the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest tank battles in military history.

Also included
• A play-by-play account of the battle, set within the context of surrounding conflict
• Profiles of key characters, including German commander Erich von Manstein who led the offensive
• Powerful photographs of the battle, as well as useful diagrams of the military manoeuvres

The Battle of Kursk is a fascinating account of a major campaign that involved more than 3 million men, 8,000 tanks, 40,000 guns and 5,500 aircraft. The Soviets suffered extreme casualties, but their eventual victory left the road to Berlin open...

Genres: History

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2015

Reviews

[Hilmi Isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite surprisingly,I found this book an enjoyable read. Even though this book lacks a reference system,it makes my reading quick and easy without needing to refer to foot/end notes. Recommended to read especially to beginners who want to study the Battle of Kursk of July 1943. The author presented his writing by unfolding events and stages which happened during the battle in a concise and easy to understand basis.

[Pedro Exposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the Battle of Kursk (Operation Citadel). After the battle, the Germans never recovered...

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise overview of the WWII battle of Kursk, accessible to casual readers and military historians alike. Matthews explains the political and military environments leading to the battle and provides detailed information about key figures and the chains of command. He also lays out the technical developments of the panzers, which played a crucial role in the battle. Only a few basic tactical maps and photographs are included.