![]() Konev, numbered 1.3 million troops, 3,600 tanks, and 2,800 aircraft. Vatutin’s Voronezh Army, and the reserve army of the Steppe Front under General I. Rokossovskii’s Army of the Center, General N. The Soviet forces, consisting of General K. It was initiated by the Germans who, in retreat after their spectacular defeat in the Battle of Stalingrad, concentrated 50 divisions, two tank brigades, three tank battalions, and eight artillery assault divisions comprising 2,700 Tiger and Panther tanks, some two thousand aircraft, and 900,000 men in all. It could sustain heavy attacks and proved its worth as a strategic bomber.The Battle of Kursk, which involved the largest tank battle of the Second World War, was fought on the steppe of Kursk oblast between July 5 and August 23, 1943. The wings represented those of a gull, making them easy to recognise by the enemy.Ī German bomber that was most recognised by the green tip at the nose of the plane. Ju 87s were German dive bombers that were used specifically for ground attacks. Its wooden structure meant it was easy to maintain, as well as incredibly fast. It was used for tactical attacks, allowing Soviet forces to have better bombing accuracy.įar smaller than Il-2 or the Pe-2, this aircraft was little but robust. This soviet dive bomber was known for being fast and durable. Although heavy armour meant it had a lot of protection, some referred to it as the ‘flying tank’. Due to its weight, the Il-2 could only carry light bombs loads. ![]() This aircraft was used for ground attacks against German forces. The significance of this battle resonates throughout history, as the Germans were then limited with their attacks towards Soviet defences. The change of tactics and the sheer manpower involved gave the forces on the ground the time they needed to push forward with their offensive. Without gaining air superiority, the possibility of the Germans pushing over the Eastern front may have become a reality. Gaining control of the forces in the sky gave Soviet tank commands the precious time they needed to re-group and evaluate their current stance without the added pressure of gunfire from above. The SSV had managed to claim an advantage in the sky far before there was a noticeable difference on the ground. The Stuka ranks were completely destroyed by Soviet fighters, severely damaging the number of Ju 87s. July 9 was a major turning point that had a large impact on the entire battle. But they simply did not have the resources to continue their onslaught. With no parachute deployed or any evidence of an explosion, 21-year-old Lydia Litvyak was never seen again.Īfter the Luftwaffe attacked with such force on the first day, they gave off the impression that they would be attacking with the same vigour throughout. Yet the Battle of Kursk was her final mission.Īs she travelled back to the base in Orel, two Bf 109 fighters tailed Litvyak as she was attacking a large number of German bombers. The word of her ferocity spread throughout German forces as she became a fighter pilot to be dreaded. Litvyak was also recognised as having the highest number of kills for a female pilot. Many knew her aircraft from the white lily that was painted on one side, which became a statement of her wrath. Lydia Litvyak was amongst the many Soviet fighter pilots that fought to defend the Eastern front from German offensive. They were known for their high success rate whilst attacking targets on the ground, however, this made them severely vulnerable to fighter aircraft. Ju 87 dive bombers were deployed as a heavy defence towards the SSV along the southern wing of the Eastern front. The German air forces fought hard to maintain their position in the sky. This also meant they were able to replace aircraft constantly, something the Luftwaffe was unable to achieve. Although this may not have been enough for the Soviets to completely overrun the Luftwaffe, they were fortunate to have a clear advantage in numbers. In January of 1943, the Russians had initiated a programme for pilots to help them gain much-needed practice in preparation for the battlefield. German fighters were certainly more advanced than the SSV, they had years of tactical experience on their side. After a few days of fighting in the air, it appeared as though the Luftwaffe were weakening significantly, allowing the Soviet forces to try and claim back air superiority. Germany had never lost a summer offensive, so it would take a great deal of power to change that. After suffering many losses on the first day of fighting, the future seemed bleak for the Soviets.
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