Chapter Four
In the south the German attack through the Kursk salient progressed considerably better than in the north. It was here in the south that the Wehrmacht and Panzerwaffe were supported by the elite formations of the Waffen SS. In front of the Soviet defensive fortress stood the cream of all the German combat formations at Kursk, the premier divisions of the Waffen SS. Here, the 2.SS.Panzerkorps, commanded by SS-Obergruppenführer Paul Hausser, formed part of the 4th Panzer Army. The corps comprised of the three premiere Waffen SS divisions, 1.SS.Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, 2.SS.Das Reich and the 3.SS.Totenkopf. The three divisions had a line strength of 390 of the latest tanks and 104 assault guns between them, including forty-two of the Army Group’s Tigers tanks. At their starting positions, the three SS divisions covered a sector that was 12 miles wide. The Totenkopf occupied the left flank of the advance, the Leibstandarte was in the centre and Das Reich held the right.
Within hours of the artillery bombardment, the three Waffen SS divisions were engaged in the opening stages of the greatest armoured clash in history. The task of the SS.Panzerkorps was to advance via Beresov and Sadeynoye, and break through the first defensive belt. Between Lutchki and Jakovlevo was the second line of Russian defensive positions, and when these were destroyed the advance would follow in a general northeastern direction. For this operation the 167nd Infantry Division would form part of the SS corps and would guard the left flank. The Leibstandarte’s first attack went well, and their armour soon encircled enemy units that were destroyed with supporting grenadiers. The 9th Company of the Leibstandarte’s 2.SS.Panzergrenadier Regiment captured two hills west of Byelgorod and took five fortified positions with explosive charges. The soldiers of the Totenkopf division too wasted no time and smashed onto a series of strong Soviet defence lines. At the same time the Das Reich division made considerable progress, and infiltrated enemy lines in front of them.
By evening of the first day of the attack Totenkopf, with its new Tiger tanks leading the advance, had reached the second Russian defensive belt and managed to capture the village of Yakhontovo and had taken an important command post of the Soviet 69th Army. Both the Leibstandarte and Das Reich had done equally as well. With their Tiger and Panzer.IV tanks they had penetrated some 13 miles into the Russian defences. By 7 July, the advance of the SS.Panzer Corps seemed more promising than ever. Totenkopf had managed to smash its way through more than 30 miles of Russian line, whilst the Leibstandarte and Das Reich were equally successful despite enduring bitter fighting. SS battle reports confirmed that given the amount of Soviet prisoners taken and the damage inflicted on their lines, it appeared that the SS.Panzerkorps was poised on the edge of victory. However, they had not even yet encountered the main enemy positions. The fact that they had advanced at such speed had enabled the Russians to take full advantage of attacking the SS flanks.
Elsewhere on the frontline the Wehrmacht and especially the Panzerwaffe caused considerable destruction against the first lines of Russian defence. As a direct result of the German ferocity, condition of the Red Army troops varied considerably. Whilst some areas of the front were demoralised often without sufficient weapons, other parts were heavily defended with a formidable force. For days dotted along the front were a motley assorted collection of Soviet soldiers engaged in a bitter blood-thirsty battle, trying in varying degrees of bravery to repulse the never ending stream of German troops and armour. Soldiers that had been embroiled in heavy contact with the enemy for long periods often found that their rear positions had already been evacuated. As a result the troops were regularly exposed to heavier fire without support, and in many circumstances were quickly encircled and then destroyed. Tiger and Panther tanks supported by well armed grenadiers continued with unabated ferocity to smash the Russian defences. It seemed that the battle of Kursk would soon be won. However, the Germans had totally underestimated the strength and depth of the Russian defences. Within days the Russians had managed to ground down many of the Wehrmacht units, including those in the SS.Panzerkorps, and throw its offensive timetable completely off schedule. It was here on the blood-soaked plains at Kursk that for the first time in the war the Red Army had savagely contested every foot of ground and was finally on an equal footing. Through sheer weight of Soviet strength and stubborn combat along an ever-extending front, the German mobile units were finally being forced to a standstill.
On 9 July, the SS.Panzerkorps renewed their offensive against very strong enemy forces. In the vicious battle that ensued, the SS received a series of sustained attacks, but fanatically held their ground. Although they were in danger of being cut-off and encircled, they received orders to push forward and attack Soviet troops northeast of Beregovoy. During the advance, Das Reich guarded the eastern flank of Totenkopf and Leibstandarte. En route it became embroiled in thick bitter fighting in a huge tank battle in the hills around Prokhorovka on 12 July. Here the Soviet 5th Guard and 5th Guard Tank Armies clashed with the powerful armoured SS units, consequently resulting in the climax of Operation ‘Zitadelle’. Throughout the attack the professionalism and technical ability of the SS was second to none. During the heavy fighting SS troops were often able to turn the balance even when the Russians had overwhelming superiority in numbers. In spite of the losses the units were imbued with optimism and continued to deliver to the enemy heavy blows.
During the climax of the battle both the Totenkopf and Leibstandarte attacked, whilst Das Reich remained on the defensive, repelling a number of armour and infantry attacks. Although Russian losses in both men and equipment far exceeded the German, their losses could be replaced. German losses, however, except where armour could be recovered, were total. Within less than a week of Zitadelle being unleashed both sides had lost several hundred tanks and thousands of troops. While the Red Army was able to repair and replace its losses, the SS divisions had to struggle on with what they had left at their disposal. Constantly, the soldiers were being slowly ground down in a battle of attrition. The Russians had committed no less than seven corps, with more than 850 tanks and SU-85 assault guns. Wave upon wave of Russian T-34 tanks poured a storm of fire onto the SS positions. When the Soviet tanks run out of ammunition, the crews often physically rammed the German tanks. Dismounted tanks crews then set about destroying the Panzers on foot using all weapons at their disposal, including grenades and mines.
Similar battles of attrition were fought in many parts of the 2.SS.Panzerkorps, but it was the soldiers of the Leibstandarte that were taking the brunt of the fighting. Everywhere enemy troops charged the SS positions, turning these once mighty soldiers from attackers to desperate defenders. The division’s 1.SS.Panzergrenadier Regiment had no sooner attacked and captured an important position, when it was repeatedly struck by waves of Russian tanks and mounted infantry and compelled to go over to the defensive.
By 13 July, the 2.SS.Panzerkorps was unable to make any further progress, and poor ground conditions were hampering its re-supply efforts. As a consequence Russian forces managed to drive back the 3.Panzerdivision in the area of the Rakovo-Kruglik road and recaptured hill 247, and the town of Berezovka. The following day, Totenkopf was forced out of its bridgehead on the northern bank of the Psel River, while further east Das Reich had made limited progress, capturing the town of Belenichino. The Grossdeutschland Division was ordered to attack westwards, in order to recapture the ground lost by the 3.Panzerdivision. Following another day of bitter fighting the division finally managed to link up with 3.Panzerdivision at Berezovka, but it was unable to dislodge Russian forces from Hill 247.
On 15 July, Das Reich made contact with the 7.Panzerdivision. However, the Russian offensive to the north of the salient was now threatening the 9th Army rear and it was forced to begin a planned withdrawal westwards to avoid encirclement. Following its withdrawal, almost all offensive action around Prokhorovka ceased and German forces in the area went over to the defensive. The battle of Kursk now seemed irretrievably lost.
A vehicle towing part of a pontoon section moves along a road which has seen some considerable action. In order for normal the Germans to sustain their momentum on the battlefield it was often paramount that pioneers kept pace with the advance echelons of an armoured drive in order to rapidly construct pontoons across rivers, and allow vital traffic to cross unhindered.
An Sd.Kfz.251 half-track advances along a road passing through a village. The crew have applied bundles of corn on the fenders of the vehicle and parts of the engine cover in order to try and break up the distinctive shape and help conceal it from aerial reconnaissance.
Two photographs taken in sequence showing Waffen SS troops and armoured vehicles mainly comprising of Sd.Kfz.251 half-tracks. All of the vehicles are purposely spaced out across the battlefield in order to reduce the threat of an aerial attack.
An Sd.Kfz.6/2 half-track armed with a 3.7cm Flak 36/37 has halted somewhere near the front line. The vehicle normally towed a special trailer, Sd.Ah.57, which carried the bulk of the Flak gun’s ammunition.
Two Waffen SS soldiers escort a normal captured Russian prisoner to the rear, probably for interrogation purposes. The leading SS soldier, who is a squad leader, is armed with an MP38 or 40 submachine gun, whilst the soldier behind him is armed with an MG34 machine gun.
An interesting photograph showing a number of VW Type 166 Schwimmwagen. These amphibious four-wheel drive off-roaders were used extensively by both the Wehrmacht and the Waffen SS throughout the war. The Type 166 was the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car to roll off the assembly plants in Germany.
In a forward observation post somewhere on the front line and a Waffen SS soldier can be seen looking through a pair of 6630 field binoculars.
A group of Waffen SS motorcyclists, probably from the famous Totenkopf Division, is seen standing next to one of their motorcycles. Three of the soldiers wear the motorcycle waterproof coat which was a double-breasted rubberised item of clothing. It was made of cotton twill coated rubber, with watertight seams and the coat was worn over the service uniform. The coat was loose fitting and the ends of the garment could be easily gathered in around the wearer’s legs and buttoned into position, which allowed easier and safer movement whilst riding the motorcycle. The motorcycle coat was grey-green in colour and had a woolen field-grey material collar with large pockets. When in use the wearer normally wore the army canvas and leather issue gloves or mittens. Normal leather army boots were often worn.
A group of troops pose for the camera next to a heavily camouflaged VW Type.82 Kfz.1 on 11 July 1943, near Prokhorovka. The soldiers belong to 2.SS-Panzer Division Das Reich, and it would be here at Prokhorovka that one of the greatest tank battles in history would be unleashed on 12 July.
A Waffen SS Sd.Kfz.251 half-track armed with a 7.5cm short gun barrel of a Pz.Kpfw.IV during operations at Kursk in July 1943. Note the white painted kill rings on the barrel of the 7.5cm gun.
Waffen SS troops with a flamethrower have captured a Russian position during intensive fighting. In spite of a number of successful engagements by the Waffen SS, the Red Army remained very strong and was clearly demonstrating that they were rapidly developing into a skilful army with enormous quantities of men and material.
An MG34 heavy machine gun on a tripod for long range firing covers an advancing rifle company. The infantry battalion’s machine gun company had two heavy machine gun platoons, each with four guns. In open terrain they would protect the flanks of advancing rifle companies, as in this photograph.
A soldier inside a dug-out prepares to fire one of the projectiles against an enemy target. It was very common for infantry, especially during intensive long periods of action, to fire their mortar from either trenches or dug-in positions where the mortar crew could also be protected from enemy fire.
An SS artillery crew prepares to fire a projectile from their 7.5cm le.IG 18 artillery gun. This weapon could not only be fired quickly and accurately but also had an advantage on the battlefield by having a low profile design and splinter shield.
A Waffen SS MG42 machine gunner and his team in a trench overlooking an enemy position. When times and conditions allowed, machine gun crews invariably prepared a number of positions. They appreciated the full value of the MG42, and along these positions the machine gunners were able to set-up advantageous offensive and defensive positions.
A group of Waffen SS troops in a trench along a typical German position at Kursk in the summer of 1943. On a clear day troops were able to identify enemy positions across miles of flat terrain often without the aid of field binoculars. This was regularly to the advantage of the defender, and as a result of the terrain factor many losses were incurred by German troops moving into action.
Waffen SS troops, one of them riding on a motorcycle, have captured a group of Russian soldiers during the last phase of the Kursk offensive.
Here Waffen SS troops move forward into action in the Kursk salient. This would be the last major offensive operation undertaken by the Germans in the East. What would follow in its wake would be almost two years of bitter, bloody defensive battles with the Waffen SS being rushed to one disintegrating sector of the front to another, plugging the gaps and fighting to the death in order to slow down the inevitable advance of the Red Army.
A Waffen SS soldier armed with a captured Soviet PPSh submachine gun. In the field, the PPSh was a durable, lowmaintenance weapon that could fire 900 rounds/min. Some 6,000,000 of these weapons were produced by the end of the war, and the Soviets would often equip whole regiments and even entire divisions with the weapon, giving them unmatched short-range firepower. The gun had proven such an effective weapon on the battlefield that both the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS used captured stocks extensively throughout fighting on the Eastern Front.
A photograph taken the moment a 15cm s.IG33 gun opens fire against an enemy target during bitter fighting in the southern sector of the Kursk salient. This particular infantry gun was a reliable and robust weapon and was used extensively by the Waffen SS until the end of the war.
A Waffen SS mortar crew are about to fire a light 5cm GrW 36 mortar against a Soviet target.
An MG42 machine gunner, carrying a spare barrel which can be seen slung over his back, is positioned in a trench somewhere on the front line. Through sheer weight of Soviet strength and stubborn combat along an ever-extending front, the German mobile units were finally being forced to a standstill. As a result, both SS and Wehrmacht troops used trenches to mount various attacks.
A Waffen SS machine gun crew with their MG34 machine gun. The primary gunner was known as the Schuütze 1, whilst his team mate, Schuütze 2, fed the ammunition belts and saw that the gun remained operational at all times.
A Waffen SS squad leader, or Rottenführer, confers with his men prior to going into action. Throughout the Kursk offensive the professionalism and technical ability of the SS was second to none.
Pz.Kpfw.IV advance across a field towards the battlefront. The Panzerwaffe’s failure at Kursk resulted in huge losses of tanks and material. After the battle only five Wehrmacht Panzer divisions and one Waffen SS Panzer division were sent as replacements to the Eastern Front in the latter half of 1943.
A Waffen SS motorcyclist smiles for the camera wearing his distinctive Waffen SS summer camouflage tunic and M1935 helmet cover. He is equipped with aviator goggles, 6630 field binoculars and is armed with the standard infantryman’s weapon, the Kar 98K bolt action rifle.
Grenadiers accompany an armoured personnel carrier towards the battlefront. By the 8th July German commanders in the field began to seriously doubt the success of the Kursk offensive. Prior to the attack they had not totally realised just how strong their opponent’s defences were, and just how many men and weaponry the Soviets had at their disposal.
Waffen SS troops can be seen operating in a field along with two Stug.III Ausf.G assault guns. With the help of divebombers and anti-tank cannons, the SS divisions at Kursk were able to penetrate more deeply than other formations, in the process repelling a series of armoured attacks.
A Hummel advances into action. Some 100 Hummel participated in the Kursk offensive and were successful in a number of fierce engagements. They served in armoured artillery battalions or Panzerartillerie Abteilungen of the Panzer divisions, forming separate heavy self-propelled artillery batteries, each with six Hummel and one ammunition carrier.
Wehrmacht troops march into action supported by a number of armoured vehicles. By the second week of the battle, fighting in many areas was slow and very costly in both men and material. Many foot soldiers soon became entangled in strong enemy defences and loss in men was horrendous.
A number of armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles have halted in a field during a lull in the fighting. One Sd.Kfz.250 light half-track can be seen with one of the crewmen asleep on the front of the vehicle. Note the national flag draped over the rear for aerial recognition.
A half-track advances at speed past a burning building. The vehicle is towing an anti-tank gun, the 5cm Pak 38. A motorcyclist and other vehicles can be seen in the column.
Waffen SS Panzergrenadiere move past destroyed Soviet T-34 tanks. The Red Army fielded some 2,000,000 men and over 5,000 tanks, an extremely potent array of military hardware. The Soviets were completely prepared for the German offensive, thanks to intelligence provided by an extremely effective spy network.
Numerous Pz.Kpfw.IV advance forward into action during the latter stages of Kursk. All the tanks still retain their side skirts, or Schürtzen, which was primarily designed to prevent anti-tank shells penetrating the wheels and tracks and disabling the vehicle.
Wehrmacht troops march along a dusty road bound for the front lines. The amount of dust clouds caused by heavy troop and armoured movement often located their position, and as a direct result artillery gunners and aircraft were able to attack with more accuracy.
A Tiger tank has halted next to a building, probably to afford some kind of concealment whilst its crew prepares their vehicle for another push forward against heavy Russian defences. Note the tank’s smoke candle dischargers attached to the side of the turret.
A Stug.III.Ausf.G assault gun advances across a field at speed. It has an interesting summer camouflage scheme of dark yellow base with bands of olive green. From 1943 until the end of the war the assault guns were slowly absorbed into the Panzer units, Panzer and Panzer grenadier divisions of the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS.
A Tiger tank belonging to the premier Waffen SS Das Reich Panzer Division rolls forward into action with SS troops on foot. SS Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions had become known as the ‘fire brigade’ of the Third Reich. Wherever they were committed to battle, they attacked. Sometimes the outcome was successful, but there were many times when they failed.
A Stug.III.Ausf.G attached to a Waffen SS unit. The assault gun has a summer camouflage scheme of dark yellow base with bands of olive green. Note half of the armoured skirting is missing, these light panels were easily ripped off.
By the latter stages of Kursk, the military situation was becoming more calamitous and it was fast becoming clear how rapidly the German armoured force was diminishing. The Russian defensive positions had become so difficult to penetrate that forward Sturmgeschütz units became increasingly confused and entangled in bitter bloody fighting. Here in this photo a Stug.III has halted in a field and a captured Red Army soldier moves forward into captivity.
An interesting photograph showing Sd.Kfz.251 in action. Note the Ausf.B half-track armed with the 3.7cm Pak 35/36 anti-tank gun. By this period of the war more German half-tracks were mounting various weaponry in order to deal with the growing might of the Red Army.
Two photographs taken in sequence showing Pz.Kpfw.IV moving along a dirt track towards the battlefront. In order to break up the distinctive shape of the tank, the crew has applied foliage over parts of the vehicle.
Somewhere in the Kursk salient two stationary late Pz.Kpfw.III can be seen in a field. One of the tanks is a command vehicle and has been fitted out with long range radio antennae. Commanding officers can be seen conversing, one holding a map board.
A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G halted on the Russian Steppe. The vehicle carries the old 1940 divisional emblem for the 4th Panzer Division painted in yellow on the side of the turret. The emblem is a standing bear. During the battle of Kursk the 4.Panzerdivision lost nearly 40 percent of it Panzer force.
Panzergrenadiere have hitched a lift on board a Pz.Kpfw.IV. The vehicle’s side skirts are still intact. These skirts were constructed of mild steel plates and were very effective against close range enemy anti-tank rifles and hollow-charge explosive shells.
During a temporary lull in the fighting, the crew of a Pz.Kpfw.III make minor repairs to their vehicle. During the battle of Kursk seven Panzer divisions in total were annihilated, with terrible effect on the German war effort.
A Pz.Kpfw.III command tank has halted on the Steppe with other armoured vehicles during the latter period of the battle.
A Pz.Kpfw.III command tank wades across a river towards the battlefront. In relatively shallow water the Panzer was a very versatile machine. However, quite often the engine was prone to water flooding, causing a number of mechanical and electrical failures.
Pz.Kpfw.IV move forward during the latter period of the battle. Note the Pz.Kpfw.IV with side skirt armour also carrying a line of steel M1935 helmets on the back of the engine deck for additional armoured protection.
A half-track negotiates a steep gradient. The vehicle is armed with a 2cm Flak gun. Note one of the crewmembers trying to hold the ammunition boxes in an attempt to prevent them from sliding off the vehicle. The hinged sides are down along with the rear railings, which indicates that this vehicle is ready for action.
A Nashorn tank destroyer hiding in some foliage during its debut at Kursk. The Nashorn’s gun was one of the most effective anti-tank guns deployed during the war. Its tungsten carbide-cored sub-calibre round, PzGr.40/43, was capable of penetrating 190mm of rolled steel armour at a 30-degree angle of impact at a distance of 1,000 metres. The gun’s tremendous performance enabled Nashorn to engage enemy tanks while they still were out of range themselves. These potent vehicles were issued to the schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilungen (specialised anti-tank battalions).
Wehrmacht troops examine the destruction wrought on horse drawn transport during the latter phase of the battle. In spite of the impressive amount of German armour at Kursk, there was a considerable amount of animal draught pressed into service and used as support.
A Stug.III advances across the vast Russian Steppe towards an enemy position. By the time the Stug.III saw action at Kursk, it had become a very common assault gun on the battlefield. It was at Kursk that it showed its true capabilities as a tank killer.
A Tiger tank advances through a destroyed Russian town. The heavy armoured plating of the Tiger was more resistant to combat damage than other lighter tanks and with a well equipped maintenance company they could be returned to the battlefield swiftly.
A half-track negotiates a gradient on the way to the front lines. The vehicle is towing a 10.5cm howitzer, one of the most common artillery pieces used in the Wehrmacht’s arsenal during the war.
A Waffen SS position overlooking ground littered with destroyed Russian and German equipment. These soldiers probably belong to the Das Reich division. They wear the ‘Plane Tree’ pattern camouflage helmet cover and a ‘Palm’ pattern camouflage smock.
A number of vehicles are purposely spread out across the Russian steppe in order to present a smaller target in case of bombing by ground or aerial attack.
One of two photographs taken in sequence showing an SS soldier standing over a Russian soldier who can be seen tending to his wounded comrade. Behind them a T-34/76 Model 1943 can be seen in flames.
The second photograph, taken a few moments later, shows the SS soldier giving the wounded soldier a drink from his field flask. It is quite probable that these photographs was staged for the camera.