The Battle of Kursk
1943

Turns 1-8

by Mark Anderson
Photos by Jim Meldrum

SITUATION REPORT

The following narrative is a compilation of reports from several German units who served in the 48th Panzer Corps during operation Citadel and intelligence reports which detailed Russian operations during the battle. Since the reports were written as the battle was in progress some distortion, exaggeration, or downright falsehoods might have occurred. One can only hope that further reports will be discovered at some future time which will clarify any report which may be confusing to the reader. (Also it could be added, confusing to another player in the game.)

Turn 1.

Russian:

The Russian 31st Corps' 100th and 237th tank brigades broke off into a dust filled column as they flanked marched toward C1. Elements of the 65th Motorized Rifle Brigade advanced cautiously to defensive positions in B3 and B2. The 6th Tank Corps remained in support positions in A3.

German:

The Corps commander has outlined his overall plan for the destruction of the Russian forces in our area of operations. The Panzer Grenadier Grossdeutschland Division is positioned in the center and will delay their attack on the Russian positions until the Russians commit their heavy forces against them. The 3d Panzer will attack on the left and the 11th Panzer will attack on the right. Their attacks will become the pincers when the Russians move to counter the Grossdeutschland Division attack when it comes. The hammer blows from the Grossdeutschland Division should allow our forces to move forward to Kursk via the road exiting on A5.

Our opening bombardment can be heard for miles and it is hoped that the 11th and 3d Panzer Divisions have begun the operation which will destroy the Russians.

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn, G.D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment.

We have received our orders to begin to advance from our assembly points in E4 to positions from which we can attack the Russian forces(the 1241st Regt of the 375th Inf. Div.) in the redoubt in D4. The redoubt has been given the code name of Hotel. We have had the 13th co. (GW38-t, 150mm IG) and the 14th co.(engineers) attached to help destroy the redoubt. Our orders are to flank the position and hit them from the right while the reinforced 2nd Bn. of the G. D. Panzer Grenadier Regiment attacks from the left. The movement begins well for us as the Russians have totally ignored us to shell the 2nd. We have received reports that the redoubt in D6 has been torn to pieces by our Corps and 11th Panzer Division artillery.

Turn 2

Russian:

Elements of the not so elite 242nd Tank Brigade(Grants) have moved into a defensive position on the ridge line located in position B3. The 237th and the 100th Tank Brigades continue to move toward the positions which will flank the Nazi's.

The 1243th Regt of the 375th Rifle Division continues to hold the redoubt in D6 even in the face of a furious attack by the German 11th Panzer supported by large amounts of artillery. The 1241st Regt of the 375th Rifle Division is preparing to resist the Grossdeutschland assaults on our redoubt in D4.

The 51st Guards Division is being assaulted by elements of two German Divisions, but are continuing to hold in the woods in D1, the redoubt in D2 and the town of Syrtsevo.

German:

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn. G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

The Russians have moved in anticipation of our blows, but it will be to no avail. We had a great display of fighting prowess provided by our brothers in the Luftwaffe. They engaged the Soviet air force who were attempting to fly interdiction missions in our area. They shot down all of the YAK fighters in the area and came out of the combat unharmed.

We are continuing to move up on the flank of the redoubt code named Hotel(D4) without encountering resistance. However the 2nd Bn. of the Grenadier's is very heavily engaged. We fired smoke to mask our approach, but we had very poor results.

Turn 3

Russian:

The 237th and 100th Tank Brigades are itching for the fight and are finally in position to flank march in C1. This should bolster the morale of the green 152nd and 156th Guard Rifle Regts. who are fast approaching the breaking point after suffering heavy artillery and aircraft attacks.

Our redoubts in D4 and D6 are holding in the face of very heavy attacks.

German:

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn, G. D. Panzer Regiment

The Russians again are moving to new positions in advance of our assaults. They must have a spy in our area who is informing them of our intentions.

Our forces are continuing to move against the flank of the redoubt code named Hotel(D4).

Mines! Our engineers have found 2 belts of anti-tank mines flanking the redoubt.

We are now getting some mortar fire from the redoubt, but it has had no effect. Some machine gun fire has driven our engineers to ground.

Turn 4

Russian:

The 242nd Tank Brigade chomping at the bit for action with the Germans was finally released to the control of the aspiring Lt. Gen. Gallitzin. The 154th Guards requesting tank support had its morale bolstered after they found out that 2 companies of KV-1's would be included in the tank brigade. Only time will tell what fate will befall Lt. Gen. Gallitzin.

The 152nd Guards Rifle Regt. received very badly needed support from the 145th Engineer Bn. and the 98th motorcycle SMG Bn.

German:

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

We have arrived on the flank of the redoubt code named Hotel(D4) just in time to witness our pre-planned artillery devastate the position. We have suffered our first loss, one of our engineer platoons was destroyed in a heavy mortar attack. Our forward units have attacked and eliminated several Russian elements, but they are still holding onto the position. Our friends in the 2nd Bn. of the Grenadier's are also aiding in the assault by attacking on the left. Our next push should take the position. The engineers report that they have almost cleared the minefields.

Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G.D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

Our Regimental commander has ordered that we begin moving up from our assembly area in E4 so that we can follow up the success of our forward elements. We have also been told that the 1st Bn. of the G. D. Panzer Regiment has been ordered to move with us so that nothing can stand in front of us.

Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment

We have been ordered to move up with the 1st Bn. of the Fusilier's so that we can continue the advance. Some platoons are having some mechanical problems with our new Pzkw - V, Panthers and we are not moving as fast as we would like.

Turn 5

Russian:

The 152nd and 156th Guards had their morale uplifted by the arrival of Soviet air power. Two Pzkw III's were destroyed by one of the Sturmovik's. The 237th and 100th Tank Brigades have taken up an excellent ambush position on the ridge line in C1. The 6th Panzer Regt. of the 3d Panzer Div. is moving into our trap. The excellence of our forces coupled with this position should enable us to spring the trap on the invaders.

German:

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

The Luffwaffe made an appearance but was driven off by flak and Russian fighters. Our forces are in the redoubt(D4) however, our engineers have suffered another loss. The Russians seem to be motivated to fight to the last man. The grenadiers attacking on the left are taking ground but are taking losses from artillery fire. The flame tanks attached to their Bn. should help to complete the destruction of the Russian Forces.

Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment.

We have reached the position assigned to us as the jump off point which will enable us to exploit the victory at the redoubt(D4).

Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment

We are experiencing problems. The -*%$ Panthers are still having mechanical problems which are holding us back from supporting our troops. The --!*# designers can't get it right yet!

Turn 6

Russian:

The green 156th and 152nd Guards Regts unbelievably are still holding the Fascist 3d Panzer Division at bay in the woods in sector D1. They withstood withering infantry fire, artillery and air strikes and yet they still stand. There will be many songs sung in the motherland about these men.

The 242nd Tank Brigade is engaged with the 6th Panzer Regt of the German 3d Panzer Division and their reports are not encouraging.

News from the center redoubt at D4 is not good, in spite of a tenacious defense it appears our forces in the trenches will be eliminated.

There is also the rumor that the redoubt at D6 has already fallen, if that is true, the fascists will soon find that our reserves are poised to destroy them.

German:

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

The Russians are still moving to support the redoubt(D4) although our forward troops vow that it will be too little, too late. The 3d will clear the redoubt.

Air attack! The Sturmoviks attack, but fortunately they bomb their forces in the redoubt by mistake. We suffered no losses from this attack. We and 2nd Grenadiers almost have the position in our hands. We have destroyed or eliminated many Russian formations, but there always seem to be one more down the trench.

Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

We are holding our position in front of he redoubt in D4. Our battalion commander has received our orders. We are to attack straight ahead after the redoubt falls with our objective being to flank Bremutshy in C5. We will be supported by the 1st Bn., of our Panzer Regiment. Some of the men are complaining that we still have not seen elements of the Panzer Regt, so we may have to attack alone.

Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment

Our commander is having a fit. The mechanical breakdown of our tanks and the radio messages from headquarters are driving us all crazy. It seems that whenever one platoon can move, two can not due to mechanical problems. One platoon of 2d company is still back at the start point.

Turn 7

Russian:

The German 3d Panzer Division has forced our 242nd Tank Brigade to withdraw and they are pushing forward to pursue our valiant tankers. This should be a ride to their destruction since the 237th and the 100th Tank Brigades are waiting(C1) in ambush on the flank of the Germans. They will push forward from the ridgeline when the moment is right.

The valor of our infantry in the redoubt at D4 has been presented by our commissar as the goal for all our forces in this most important battle for the motherland. We have been told that they will hold out until the last man can not hold a weapon.

The redoubt at D6 is also gone, hopefully, they will be an inspiration also.

We have attacked with everything in the Battalion, and our forces have finally prevailed in the redoubt. We have advised our Regt. commander that the Russian fortifications at D4 are in our hands and we await new orders. These orders were not long in coming, we are to push forward on the left flank of the 1st Bn. of the Fusilier Regiment and occupy the high ground and the road at the junctions of sectors B4 and B5.

Our engineers have been ordered to clear the remaining anti-tank mines which flank the redoubt.

Notes: 2d Grenadier Bn., G. D. Panzer Grenadier Regiment

We have prevailed in our assault on the redoubt in D4! Even as we complete our tasks here, our commander has received orders to redirect our attack to take the river line and bridge at the junction of sectors D3 and D4. This will allow us to support the attacks taking place there. It is rumored that a large number of Russian tank formations are advancing in this area. The 10th Panzer Brigade's Panthers will destroy these formations.

Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment

Our Panzer battalion has most of its Panthers broken down due to the many mechanical problems which seem to plague this wonder weapon. Our commander is cursing the design and all those connected with the design of this machine.

Turn 8

Russian:

The 242th Motor Rifle Bn. was finally released from the reserve. They have been ordered into battle along with the 150th, 145th Engineers and the 98th Motorcycle SMG Bn. They have been ordered to prevent the German occupation of D1.

The 52d Guards Rifle Division has been ordered forward to block the German exploitation of the fall of the redoubt in D4. They are to occupy the river line at the top of D4 and to fall back to the ridge in front of Verkopena if that line is pierced. They are to hold as long as possible and buy time for our reserves to come forward.

The 1st Guards Tank Brigade and the 49th Tank Brigade are positioned on the reverse sloop in the valley in C6. They have thwarted the 11th Panzer's drive forward. The Panzer Division has been forced to redirect its attack to the left on the road to Bremutshy.

Our air units have reported destroying several of the new panzer, the Pzkw V, Panther.

German:

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

The battalion has been ordered to regroup before moving forward again. This will give our engineers time to finish clearing the anti-tank mines. It will help our Panzer Regiment proceed if they ever get the damn things to move.

Notes: 1st Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

We have launched our attack and have leapfrogged ahead of the 3d Bn. We immediately began receiving soviet mortar fire. We still do not have the 1st Bn. of the Panzer Regt. supporting us. Their tanks must be still giving them trouble.

Notes: 1st Bn., G. D. Panzer Regiment

!%$&%%*^$%XXXXXX (These notes seem to be unintelligible.)

German:

Notes: 3d Fusilier Bn., G. D. Panzer Fusilier Regiment

More Kursk 1943

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