Operation Citadel & The Red Army’s advancement West SZ and A CL

Thesis Through Hitler’s delay of Operation Citadel and the depletion of German resources after Stalingrad, the Soviet Union was at and advantage allowing them to defeat Germany and gain German Territory, ultimately confirming German exhaustion and enabling the Soviets to march on Berlin.

German Goals -Weaken Soviet forces -Reassert German strength -Soviet prisoners for slave labor

Thesis Through Hitler’s delay of Operation Citadel and the depletion of German resources after Stalingrad, the Soviet Union was at and advantage allowing them to defeat Germany and gain German Territory, ultimately confirming German exhaustion and enabling the Soviets to march on Berlin.

GERMAN WEAKNESS Loss at Stalingrad - Germany on the defensive - Lost half a million soldiers - Germans became more critical of Hitler - Lost image Hitler’s delay of the Operation - Hitler postponed the battle for 2 months - Soviets were able to prepare for the war

Germany’s attack Kursk salient Tank battle Battle of Kursk Kursk salient Tank battle Flanked from both the North and South (pincer attack)

Map and Germany’s Battle plan Video! Map and Germany’s Battle plan

Activity!

Soviet Preparation Foreknowledge of the attack In depth defensive belts German delay Mobilizations

Thesis Through Hitler’s delay of Operation Citadel and the depletion of German resources after Stalingrad, the Soviet Union was at and advantage allowing them to defeat Germany and gain German Territory, ultimately confirming German exhaustion and enabling the Soviets to march on Berlin.

Soviet Counteroffensive Both the north and south Strategically timed German supply routes Diverted Germans Delay Territorial gains

Thesis Through Hitler’s delay of Operation Citadel and the depletion of German resources after Stalingrad, the Soviet Union was at and advantage allowing them to defeat Germany and gain German Territory, ultimately confirming German exhaustion and enabling the Soviets to march on Berlin.

Impact Summer offensive Last German offensive on the Eastern front Soviet initiative Soviet march on Berlin

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