Kursk — The Air Battle: July 1943 —
Prix régulier 75,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 9781903223888 |
| ISBN-10 | 1857802381 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( square back binding ) |
| Special Features | • Dust jacket |
| Condition | Slightly damaged dust jacket, inside perfect |
| Author(s) | Christer Bergström |
| Publisher | Ian Allan Publishing |
| Number of pages | 144 |
| Published date | 2007 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Collection / Series | Classic Publications |
| Size | 23 x 31 x 1 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • SECONDE GUERRE MONDIALE • AVIATION MILITAIRE |
Description
July 1943. The significance of the battle of Kursk in military history is founded traditionally on two fundamental precepts: firstly, it has been viewed as a 'turning point' in the Second World War and secondly, it was the greatest tank battle in history. It was certainly a turning point: after Kursk, the Soviet Union gained the strategic initiative and Germany attempted no further large offensive operations in the East for the remainder of the war. It was certainly a battle conducted on a vast—and quite unprecedented—scale. The opposing sides committed more than 6,000 armored vehicles to the fight including, for the Germans, some of the newest machines, such as the Tiger and Panther tanks and the Ferdinand self-propelled gun. Furthermore, it was a clash of 'elites', with, for example, the leading divisions of the Waffen-SS meeting Soviet Guards regiments at the now famous engagement at Prokhorovka. But there was another key element of the battle of Kursk that is often overlooked—in the air, thousands of aircraft of many differing types were deployed in support of the armies on the ground, conducting thousands of sorties. The Soviet Air Force lost just over 1,100 aircraft over the Kursk salient, while the Luftwaffe lost hundreds of machines from its inventory. This air battle marked the beginning of the end of the Luftwaffe's control over the Eastern Front. Christer Bergström, with the aid of new archival information, rare first-hand accounts, and fascinating photographs, provides the most detailed account of the air campaign at Kursk.
