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To: SAMWolf
Model was burdened with the Tiger "Ferdinands", named for Dr. Porsche, who submitted their design for consideration when the German Army decided to make the Tiger I. Porsche's Ferdinands were built at the order of Hitler. Basically an 88mm armed self propelled gun, Ferdinands Ad NO secondary MGs, so the couldn't protect themselves from infantry, except by using the main gun. Since one of the Russian tactics was to separate tanks from supporting infantry, the Ferdinands were destroyed by hunter - killer teams once they had passed the first Russian lines, and denuded of their accompanying infantry.

One the southern front, the Germans used the tactic of the Panzerkiele, or wedge, with Tigers and /or Panthers at the front of the formation, and "weaker" armed Mark IIIs and IVs echelon ed on the flanks.

While it is interesting to speculate on what might have happened, it can't be done in a vacuum. Model was immobile, and the Russians were on interior lines. Had the battle continued, I would have expected Zhukov to move some troops from north the south.

One thing the article doesn't give much play to is the extensive use by both sides, of dedicated "tank buster" aircraft. The Russians had the redoubtable Sturmovik, and the Germans not only found a new use for the Ju 87 Stuka, by mounting 37mm cannons on the wheel struts (Rudel became an ace at tank busting, but the Henschel 129, an aircraft dedicated to antitank ground support.

Suggested reading:"The Battle of Kursk", by Glantz and House; "Citadel:The Battle of Kursk" by Robin Cross; "Lost Victories" by von Manstein; "Panzer Battles" by von Mellenthin; "Tiger Ace: The Life Story of Panzer Commander Michael Wittman.
12 posted on 03/29/2005 2:30:29 AM PST by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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To: PzLdr
Morning PzLdr.

Thanks for the added insight and info.

The Germans were also using the Hs-129 Tank Buster.

40 posted on 03/29/2005 7:30:05 AM PST by SAMWolf (Liberal Rule #10 - Tax and spend often.)
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