Focusing on the Soviet perspective, the book delves into the significant battle of Kursk, highlighting the Red Army's true costs and achievements, particularly at Prokhorovka. It analyzes the impact of strategic errors and poor decisions that hindered the Voronezh Front's ability to counter the Fourth Panzer Army's offensive. The narrative also emphasizes the courageous and selfless actions of Soviet soldiers during this critical conflict, providing a nuanced understanding of their experiences and sacrifices.
In this work, historian Valeriy Zamulin provides a fresh perspective on the Battle of Kursk, addressing several controversial and overlooked topics. He begins with an analysis of Soviet and Russian historiography, highlighting how early research was hindered by Party dogma and censorship during the Brezhnev era, only to be revived after the Soviet Union's collapse. Zamulin explores the formation of the Kursk bulge, the preparations made by both sides, and the composition of Model’s Ninth Army. He delves into critical issues, such as whether the II SS Panzer Corps anticipated the Soviet counterattack at Prokhorovka and the effectiveness of the Soviet preemptive barrage against German forces. He questions General Vatutin's defensive arrangements and debunks the myth of 1,500 tanks clashing in a narrow field, clarifying that the terrain prevented such massive assaults. Zamulin also uncovers incidents previously concealed by Soviet censorship, including friendly fire incidents involving the 183rd Rifle Division and the tragic suicides among the junior command staff of the 5th Guards Tank Army before the counteroffensive on July 12, 1943. Through this collection of essays and articles, including two reprinted from the Journal of Slavic Military History, Zamulin significantly enhances our understanding of this pivotal battle in World War II.
Examining the battle from primarily the Soviet side, Zamulin reveals the real
costs and real achievements of the Red Army at Kursk, and especially
Prokhorovka.
