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The 1943 Battle of Kursk was one of the greatest military engagements in human history. In total, the battle involved over 4 million people, nearly 12,000 aircraft, over 69,000 guns and mortars, more than 13,000 self-propelled guns and tanks making it the largest [[tank]] battle in history.

The 1943 Battle of Kursk was one of the greatest military engagements in human history. In total, the battle involved over 4 million people, nearly 12,000 aircraft, over 69,000 guns and mortars, more than 13,000 self-propelled guns and tanks making it the largest [[tank]] battle in history.

The elite tactical units of [[Nazi Germany]] participated in the battles in the Kharkov, Belgorod and Kursk regions. The SS Division "Leibstandarte Adolf Hutler" originated as Hitler's personal Bodyguard of 100 before the war, was built to division strength by volunteers during the war and participated in the fighting.  

The elite tactical units of [[Nazi Germany]] participated in the battles in the Kharkov, Belgorod and Kursk regions. The SS Division "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler" originated as Hitler's personal Bodyguard of 100 before the war, was built to division strength by volunteers during the war and participated in the fighting.  

Immediately after the capture of Kharkov, the Germans with the reinforced remnants of the company of heavy tanks "Tiger", made a dash along the Kharkov-Kursk highway, as a result of which on March 17, 1943 they captured [[Belgorod]]. German forces attempted to encircle Soviet forces in the Kursk Salient on the eastern front, but strong Soviet resistance defeated the German assault. Kursk was the last German offensive of any strategic significance in the East; henceforth, they would conduct a fighting retreat. Germany already suffered from a grave shortage of war resources, when Hitler ordered the offensive and lost a huge number of tanks such as the new Tigertank and the Panther.

Immediately after the capture of Kharkov, the Germans with the reinforced remnants of the company of heavy tanks "Tiger", made a dash along the Kharkov-Kursk highway, as a result of which on March 17, 1943 they captured [[Belgorod]]. German forces attempted to encircle Soviet forces in the Kursk Salient on the eastern front, but strong Soviet resistance defeated the German assault. Kursk was the last German offensive of any strategic significance in the East; henceforth, they would conduct a fighting retreat. Germany already suffered from a grave shortage of war resources, when Hitler ordered the offensive and lost a huge number of tanks such as the new Tigertank and the Panther.