So where are we with the the last question?

OK I'll ask another, quick, easy one.

Everyone's heard of the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, but what was significant about the planning and execution of it from the German side? A bit vague I know but trying not to make it too obvious.

Originally Posted by Doppleganger

OK I'll ask another, quick, easy one.

Everyone's heard of the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, but what was significant about the planning and execution of it from the German side? A bit vague I know but trying not to make it too obvious.

Well I guess I will start the ball rolling, Kursk was one of the few battles where Hitler allowed the General Staff a high level of control over the planning and execution of the battle.

Well he did but that isn't the answer I'm after. Keep trying.

OK another clue. Look at the earlier German operations in WW2 and compare then with Zitadelle (Kursk).

OK no-one else is biting so here's the answer...

The significance about the planning and execution of it from the German side was that it largely ignored Blitzkrieg methods and instead reverted to Kesselschlacht (cauldron battle) operations more reminiscent of WWI, using the traditional double-pincer movement. It could be argued that this battle marked the end of the first era of combined arms operations and the Soviet counterattack marked the beginning of the second era of combined arms operations. In this battle the Germans gave up their advantages (greater tactical ability and mobility) and played directly into the strengths of the Red Army (massed firepower and a large operational reserve) and the outcome was really never in doubt.

Perhaps had the gone for Mansteins plan instead it would have been a different outcome?

Manstein's plan was more daring as there were more things that could go wrong. It also required a small degree of luck but had it gone to plan it would have given Stalin a very bloody nose, perhaps the loss of 2 Soviet Fronts, equivalent to 2 German field armies. More importantly though it would have helped dictate German strategy on the Eastern Front to be one of elastic defence. This would have maximized the strengths of the Wehrmacht and would have inflicted even heavier Soviet casualties than historically.

In 1945, the Red Army was beginning to run short of manpower. Had Manstein been allowed his head (with either him or Guderian being given Manstein's proposed role of commander-in-chief in the East (Oberbefehlshaber Ost)), then I think that it might have been possible for the Germans to bleed the Red Army white. This would not have saved Germany from ultimate defeat but might have changed the face of post-war Europe.

I guess the two day limit is up so I will try a question:

June 29 1942 a flight took place which was the only one of its kind during WW2 (although there are a lot of myths that others took place):
- Who flew the mission (nationality)
- What was its point of origin and destination.

On June 29, 1942, Capt. Charles Kegelman and his crew, 2d Lt. Randall Dorton, TSgt. Robert Golay, and Sgt. Bennie Cunningham flew the first combat sortie by a USAAF bomber crew in the European theater as part of a 12 plane formation of 226 Squadron Bostons against Hazebrouck marsalling yard.

I'm not sure of the origin, but these may have been the 15th Bomb Squadron who's aircraft had not yet arrived from the US. They were working under the guidance of RAF 226 Squadron at Swanton Morley.

This suggests to me that they may have flown British registered bombers or flew with British crews?