| − | The Battle of Kursk in 1943 was the largest [[tank]] battle in [[history]]. [[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. | + | The Battle of Kursk in 1943 during [[World War II]] was the largest [[tank]] battle in [[history]]. [[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. |
| | According to Colonel General and military historian Grigoriy Krivosheev, total Soviet casualties for the Kursk Strategic Defensive Operation (July 5-23, 1943) amounted to 177,847 with KIAs and [[MIA]]s count being 70,330. After that, Strategic Offensive Operation Kutuzov started (July 23-August 18, 1943), with total casualties resulting in 429,890, with KIAs and MIAs count being 112,529. From July 5 to August 18, 1943 in the two operations combined, the [[Red Army]] sustained 607,737 casualties, with total of KIAs and MIAs being 182,859. | | According to Colonel General and military historian Grigoriy Krivosheev, total Soviet casualties for the Kursk Strategic Defensive Operation (July 5-23, 1943) amounted to 177,847 with KIAs and [[MIA]]s count being 70,330. After that, Strategic Offensive Operation Kutuzov started (July 23-August 18, 1943), with total casualties resulting in 429,890, with KIAs and MIAs count being 112,529. From July 5 to August 18, 1943 in the two operations combined, the [[Red Army]] sustained 607,737 casualties, with total of KIAs and MIAs being 182,859. |