[Jimbuna]

In the Battle of Kursk most of the control and planning was given to the Generals. Basically it was a last ditch attempt to defeat the Soviets and regain the initiative on the Eastern Front. Hitler's delays to the operation did give the Soviets more time to build up their defences, and the Allied landings in Italy drew attention away from the Eastern Front.

The Blitzkrieg in each of the pincers quickly fizzled out against the weight of so much Soviet tanks and infantry. The Germans had no reserves, while the Soviets had tons. They had no choice but to stop the operation.