Soviet and German Offenses 1941 – 1943 First Soviet Winter Offensive: December 1941-March 1942 German Summer Offensive of 1942 Second Soviet Winter Offensive: November 1942-March 1943 Operation Citadel
Jan 252012
Jan 252012
During the summer and fall of 1941 the Soviet armies retreated because they had to and not (as was claimed as long as Stalin lived) because of a masterful strategic plan. The nation suffered staggering losses, including two thirds of its prewar coal-producing areas, three fourths of its iron and manganese ore production, and a [...]
Jan 252012
By the spring of 1942, Hitler had assumed direct and complete control of operations on the eastern front. He used the chief of the Army General Staff, General Haider, as his personal chief of staff. During the winter he had reduced the discretionary authority of the army group and army commanders. From his headquarters at [...]
Jan 252012
While Army Groups A and B marched across southern European Russia to the edge of Asia, the Soviet Union raised, equipped, and trained new armies in preparation for the coming winter. During the summer the Soviet Army carried through a reorganization that did not (as Soviet historians have since claimed) place it at the pinnacle [...]
Operation Citadel
soviet and german offenses 1941 to 1943
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Jan 252012
For the past three years the coming of spring had heralded new German triumphs. The year 1943 was different. The victory on the Donets that ended the long winter retreat had restored German morale at the front, but not even Hitler deluded himself into believing that the next summer would see the swastika flag replanted [...]