Originally conceived by Manstein as a follow-up to his triumphant recapture of Kharkov earlier in the month, it was delayed several times, over several months, for new weapons and further building-up. German planning for the offensive had begun in March.

So, while at Stalingrad the Germans had still hoped for a conclusive victory over the Soviet Union, at Kursk they wanted to force a draw. Each, in its own way, required resources committed to the all consuming Eastern Front. Yet the strategic bombing campaign had become significant and forced substantial elements of the Luftwaffe to defend the homeland, the battle of the Atlantic had effectively been decided in the Allies favor, and the Axis surrender in Africa threatened to unhinge the Italian war effort. Nothing that the Allies did in this period constituted a decisive contribution. This is primarily because the military weight of the western Allies was noticeable at the front at this time while it was effectively discounted by German planners earlier in the war. The war had already turned against the Axis in Europe by the time the battle of Kursk took place. However, the context in which Kursk took place should also be kept in mind.

At Kursk the Red Army proved that it could defeat a German summer offensive - something that even the victory at Stalingrad had failed to show. During the battle the last hope of a Nazi victory over the Soviet Union faded into oblivion and it has since been considered to be a turning point in the war. This was the last major offensive launched by the Germans on the Eastern Front. It began on July 5th, 1943 and it ended ignominiously eight days later. The greatest tank battle in history occurred at Kursk.

Battle of kursk tank battle