Battle has begun. In the north the Germans advance. In the south, there’s the battle before the battle and Gen. Hoth had decided to change the attack plan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last of men and material are put into place. And though still doubting, the German leader orders Operation Citadel to begin. 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wwii45

TikTok-@wwiiguy

Instagram - rayharrisjr

youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

British writer Laurence Rees comes on the show to cover the 12 warnings he has learned from studying WWII.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While both Moscow and Berlin focus on the Kursk salient, Operation Mincemeat convinces the Germans to focus troops in the wrong place. Meanwhile, Zhukov convinces Stalin to let the enemy attack first, for they will be ready.

Want to go beyond the battlefield with The History of WWII Podcast? Dive deeper into the war with exclusive bonus episodes, expert interviews, and commercial-free listening for just $5/month! Every penny supports the show and keeps the history coming. Sign up now. 

Donations are always welcome and help keep the History of WWII Podcast free for all.

Follow The History of WWII Podcast:

RSS – https://feeds.megaphone.fm/history-of-world-war-ii

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wwii45

Twitter – https://twitter.com/WW2Podcaster

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rayharrisjr/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@wwiiguy

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manstein overcame Hitler’s objections and then two Soviet Fronts. By early March 1943, Kursk was exposed and open to attack.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having tasted defeat and now victory, Stalin wants more operations in southern Russia. And what he gets will change the course of the war on the Eastern Front.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Axis retreat from the Don River was haphazard. Armies were lost as was much equipment. Army Group South would regroup and form another line, but it was much reduced and the Soviets were only getting stronger.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer Becky Aikman tells the story of American female pilots that chose to go to Britain, to fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary. While flying Spitfires and Hurricanes, they live their lives to the fullest. It's a new land and a new chance to reinvent themselves. But not all will make it to the end.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Stavka made the South its main area of operations in 1942, saving Stalingrad was only the beginning. Next, the Italians were wiped out, then the Romanians were finished off. Now, it was the Hungarian’s turn and what was coming at them was a tidal wave of steel, shot and shell.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the 8th Italian Army destroyed, the Soviets will now focus on the German forces SE of Stalingrad and the 2nd Hungarian Army. The US liaison officer will see the results of these battles and report the slaughter to FDR. Meanwhile, Gen. Manstein is forced to order a pull back of all forces.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices