Maloarkangelsk and Belgorod marked the ends of a salient that had developed after the German capture of Kharkov and which was the main operational area of, FTP, this largest tank battle of WWII, a massive German defeat in July 1943.
The defending side at this battle knew the time of the initial offensive because of the capture of a sapper named Fermello. The other side's eventual attack was led by the army groups of Hoth [HOTE] and Modell [MOH-duhl] under the overall command of von Manstein, who later claimed he could have won if Hitler had allowed him to persist. The attacking forces, who referred to the battle as "Operation Citadel," had delayed the attack for two months while waiting for their new Elephant and Panther tanks to be ready, thus bringing the total tank force to nearly 3,000. Maloarkangelsk and Belgorod marked the ends of a salient that had developed after the German capture of Kharkov and which was the main operational area of, FTP, this largest tank battle of WWII, a massive German defeat in July 1943.
The defending side at this battle knew the time of the initial offensive because of the capture of a sapper named Fermello.
Battle of Kursk