Read review of Zitadelle: The SS-Panzer-Korps on the Attack, July 1943

Kylie Newton

posted on 2 years ago — updated on 2 years ago

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A great photographic record of an epic battle focused on SS-Panzer-Korps.

The SS-Panzer-Korps on the Attack, July 1943

Zitadelle: The SS-Panzer-Korps on the Attack, July 1943 by Massimiliano Afiero, from Kagero, Aug 2022. 96 pages, soft back book.

Synopsis: A photographic record of SS Panzer Korps in July 1943 at the battle of Kursk, arguably the greatest tank battle of World War Two, and potentially military history to date.

Contents

Plans for the new offensive
The attack begins
SS Panzer Regiment 2 in action
Operations on 7 July
Operations on 8 July
Operations on 9 and 10 July
Operations on 11 July
The battle of Prochorowka
Orders for 13 June 1943
The Knight’s Cross for SS-Unter scharführer Simon Grascher
The attacks resume
Soldiers of the Waffen SS on the Kursk front
The Waffen SS combat photographers
Bibliography

This book covers a defined battle over a defined period of a specific Korps, namely SS Panzer Korps at the battle of Kursk in July 1943, and does it very well. There are numerous previously unpublished images from the battle,which show everything from the staging, to engagement, and the aftermath of the battle, including multiple images in sequence and some iconic images in context.The images are of men and their mounts going about their business from all angles, and clearly illustrates the environment the battle was fought in.

I was surprised at the number of images showing the SS soldiers tending to either wounded Soviet soldiers, or civilians, which is refreshing and brings balance to the book.

The breakdown by day is good, but I’d be none the wiser if it wasn’t as there is nothing to identify the date the image was taken.

This book has definite appeal from a modelling perspective as there are multiple images of Tigers, including several images of the same vehicle,among other German armour, including Panzer III and IV, Stug, and soft skins. There is also Russian armour and a Churchill tank, too, just for good measure. All images are black and white, which would be about the only criticism of the book, but may reflect the fact that there were no colour images available.

There is text to support the images, this is brief and gives context to the images, which is helpful. There are also supporting maps, albeit small, to show direction of attack and general location of the battle. This is not an in-depth analysis of the battle, but rather it shows the men and machines of SS PanzerKorps in battle.

Recommended as a useful reference or for modelling inspiration.