(CASS SERIES ON SOVIET (RUSSIAN) MILITARY EXPERIENCE Series Editor: David M. Glantz ISSN: 1462-0944 “This series focuses on Soviet military experiences in specific camps or operations 1. David M. Glantz, Prom the Don to the Dnupr, Soviet Offensive Operations, December 1942 1 ugst 1943 (ISBN 0 7146 SO 8 cloth, 0 71464064 6 paper) 2. David Glantz, The Initial Period of War n the Bastrn Front: 22 June-August 1941 (ISBN (071463375 § cloth, 07146-4298 3 paper) 3. Carl van Dyke, The Soviet Inason of Finlend, 1939-40 ISHN 0 7146 4653 5 cloth, 071464314 9 paper) 4. Leoni Grenkevieh, The Soi Parnan Movement 1941-194, edited and with a Fore- sword by David M. Glantz (ISBN 07146 48744 cloth, 07146-4428 5 paper) Tony Le Tissier, Race forthe Reichstag: The 1945 Bate for Berlin (ISBN 0 7146 4929 8 loth, 07146 44897 paper) (CASS SERIES ON THE SOVIET (RUSSIAN) STUDY OF WAR Series Editor: David M. Glantz ISSN: 1462-0960 ‘This series examines what Soviet military theorists and commanders learned fram the study oftheir own military operations. Harold $. Orenstein, translator and editor, Soe Document om the Use of War Esperens, Volume 1, The Initial Period of War 194], with an Intoduction by David M, Glant, (SBN 0 71463392 5 cloth) Harold S. Orenstein, ansltor and editor, Soiet Document onthe Use of War Experience, Volume Il, The Winter Campaign 141-1942, wih a Taeoction by David M. Glantz ISBN 0 7146 3395 3 loch) Joseph G, Welsh, translator, Red Armor Cambat Order: Comb Regulation for Tank and ‘Mechanied Forces 1944, edited and with an Inzoduetion by Richard N. Armstrong. (SBN 0 7146 34018 loth) 4. Harold S. Orenstein, tansator and editor, Sevict Documents onthe Use of War Experience, Volume Ill, Miliary Operations 1947 and 7942, with an Introduction by David M Glan. SBN 0 71463402 6 cots) William A. Burhans, translator, he Nature of the Operations of Modern Armies by VK. Triandafio, edited by Jacob W. Kipp, with an Introduction by James J. Schneider. (OSBN 07146 4501 X cloth, 0 714641189 paper) 6, Harold S. Orenstein, translator, The Evolution of Soiet Operational Art, 1927-1991: The Documentary Bass, Volume I, Operational Ar, 1927-1964, with an lteoduction by David [M. Glanex ISBN 0 7146-45478 cloth, 0 7146 4228 2 paper) Haro S. Orenstein, translator, The Eeution of Soviet Operational rt, 1927-1991: The Decimentary Basis, Volume Ul, Operational At, 1954-1991, with an Tntradvtion by David ML Glantz (ISBN 07146 4348 6 cloth, 0 7146 4229 0 paper) 8. Richard N. Armstrong and Joscph G. Welsh, Winter Warfare: Red Army Orders and Espenencs (ISBN 0 71464699 7 cloth, 07146-4257 | paper) Lester W. Graty, The Bear Went Over the Mountain: Soviet Afghanistan, (SBN 0.7146 41744 cloth, 07146 4413 7 paper) 10, David M. Glantz and Harold. Orenstein, The Bat for Kursk 1943: The Soviet General ‘Staff Study (SBN 0 7146 4933 3 cloth, 0 91464493 5 paper) Cimbat Tactics in THE BATTLE FOR KURSK 1943 The Soviet General Staff Study Translated and edited by DAVID M. GLANTZ and HAROLD S. ORENSTEIN FRANK CASS LONDON + PORTLAND, ORFirst Published in 1999 in Great Britain by FRANK CASS PUBLISHERS Newbury House, 900 Fastern Avenue ‘London, 1G2 THF «and inthe United States of America by FRANK CASS PUBLISHERS «/o SBS, 5804 NE. Hassalo Street Portland, Oregon, 97213-3644 Website: www frankeass.com Copyright © 1999 David M. Glantz and Harold S, Orenstein British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data ‘The bate for Kursk, 193: the Soviet General Staff study. ~ (Cass series on the Soviet (Russian) study of war; 0. 10) 1. Kursk, Battle of, 1943 1. Glantz, David M. Tl Orenstein, Harold §, (Harold Steven), 148 9405421725, ISBN 0-7146-4933-3 (lth) ISBN 0-7146-4493-5 (paper) ISSN 1462-0960, Library af Congress Cataloging-in-Publiation Dats ‘The battle for Kursk, 1943: the Soviet General Staff study / ‘tanslated and edited by David M. Glantz and Harold S. Orenstein cm. ~ (Cass series on the Soviet (Russian) study of war, SN 1462-0960, 10) ‘Originally published: Moscow: Miltary Pub. House of the People’s (Commissariat of Defense, under title: Collection of materials for the study of war experience, no Includes bibliographical references and indes. ISBN 0-7146-4953-3 (cloth). ~ ISBN 0-7146-4493-5 (paper) 1. Kursk, Battle of, 193. 1. Glantz, David M. IL Grenstein, Harold $.(Hagold Steven), 1948 IL. Soviet Union, Raboche ~Krestfanskala Krasnaia Armia, General 'nyishta. IV, Series: (Gass series on the Soviet (Russian) study of war; no.10, D764.3KSB38 1999 940,5421735-de21 98.51126 cw [All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, of transited, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Publisher ofthis book ‘Typeset by Regent Typesetting, London Printed in Great Britain by MPG Books Ltd, Bodmin, Cornwall Contents List of Maps List of Tables Editor's Foreword Foreword by Major-General P. P. Vechnyi 1. ‘The Fundamentals ofthe Organization of the Kursk Bridgehead Defense ‘The Overall Situation Planning the Defensive Operation Correlation of Forces before the German Offensive General Concusions 2. Preparation of the Kursk Bridgchead for Defense Characteristics of the Defensive Works Organization of the System of Fires ‘Troop Combat Training Conclusions 3. Brief Characteristics of German Operations inthe July Operation Regroupings and the Creation of Reserves, ‘The German Command's Plan Enemy Preparation for the Offensive General Course of the German Offensive General Conclusions 4. The Defensive Battle for the Kursk Bridgehead ‘The Defensive Battle on the Belgorod-Kursk Axis ‘The Defensive Battle on the Central Fronts Right Flank Results and Conclusions 4 28 31 31 2 45 49 51 31 34 68 B B 107 n910. ‘THE BATTLE FOR KURSK 1943 ‘Troop Control during the Defensive Battle in the Kursk Bridgehead Operational Planning Control of Execution and Practical Assistance for Forces Organization of Troop Command and Control Conclusions Protecting Junctions in the Defense: From the Experience of the Voronezh Front Organization of Junction Defense between the ‘Voronezh and the Southwestern Fronts Protecting the Junction between the 6th and the 7th Guards Armies ‘Some Conclusions Artillery Suppor ofthe Kursk Bridgehead Defense Grouping of Artillery Preparation and Planning of Artillery Support Arsllery Operations during the Defensive Batle Bret General Conclusions “Tank Forces in the Defense ofthe Kursk Bridgehcad Gomiat Operations ofthe 2d Tank Army Combat Operations ofthe Ist Tank Army Combat Operations ofthe 5th Guards Tank Army Conclusions Regarding the Operational Employment of Tank Armies in the Defensive Operation Conclusions Air Operations in the Battle of Kursk reparation of Aviation for Combat Operations Air Operations during the Defensive Battle: the Belgorod-Kursk Axis Air Operations during the Defensive Battle the Orel-Kursk Axis ‘Some Questions Concerning the Combat Employment of Aviation General Conclusions Engineer Support of the Defensive Operation ‘Missions of Engineer Forces and Engineer Support Fortification of the Terrain Mine-demolition Obstacles [Minefields] Road and Bridge Work: Based on Voronezh, Front Information 129 133 138 143 147 151 154 158 161 163 174 134 193 196 196 200 228 234 238 238 249 262 287 270 273 223 215 283 291 CONTENTS ‘Maskirovka [Deception and Camouflage}: Based on ‘Voronezh Front Information Engineer Reconnaissance ‘The Work of Engineer Forces Headquarters General Conclusions 11. ‘The Maneuver of Mobile Antitank Reserves in a Defensive Operation ‘The Formation of the Antitank Defense ‘Mobile Antitank Reserves ‘The Fight of All Artillery Calibers with Enemy Tanks General Conclusions Editor’s Appendices Appendix 1: List of Abbreviations Appendix 2: Key Soviet and German Command Personnel Appendix 3: Editor’s Maps Index 292 293, 295 296 298 298 302 307 315 319 320 322 331