Background
The Battle of Kursk was a Second World War engagement between German and Soviet forces on the Eastern Front near Kursk (450 kilometres or 280 miles south-west of Moscow) in the Soviet Union, during July and August 1943. The battle began with the launch of the German offensive, Operation Citadel (German: Unternehmen Zitadelle), on 5 July, which had the objective of pinching off the Kursk salient with attacks on the base of the salient from north and south simultaneously. After the German offensive stalled on the northern side of the salient, on 12 July the Soviets commenced their Kursk Strategic Offensive Operation with the launch of Operation Kutuzov (Russian: Кутузов) against the rear of the German forces in the northern side. On the southern side, the Soviets also launched powerful counterattacks the same day, one of which led to a large armoured clash, the Battle of Prokhorovka. On 3 August, the Soviets began the second phase of the Kursk Strategic Offensive Operation with the launch of Operation Polkovodets Rumyantsev (Russian: Полководец Румянцев) against the German forces in the southern side of the Kursk salient.
The Battle of Kursk was the first time in the Second World War that a German strategic offensive was halted before it could break through enemy defences and penetrate to its strategic depths. The maximum depth of the German advance was 8–12 kilometres (5.0–7.5 mi) in the north and 35 kilometres (22 mi) in the south. Though the Red Army had succeeded in winter offensives previously, their counter-offensives following the German attack at Kursk were their first successful strategic summer offensives of the war
The panzergrenadier division Großdeutschland, commanded by Walter Hörnlein, was the strongest single division in the 4th Panzer Army. It was supported on its flanks by the 3rd and 11th Panzer Divisions. Großdeutschland’s Panzer IIIs and IVs had been supplemented by a company of 15 Tigers, which were used to spearhead the attack. At dawn on 5 July, Großdeutschland, backed by heavy artillery support, advanced on a three-kilometre front upon the 67th Guards Rifle Division of the 22nd Guards Rifle Corps. The Panzerfüsilier Regiment, advancing on the left wing, stalled in a minefield and subsequently 36 Panthers were immobilized. The stranded regiment was subjected to a barrage of Soviet anti-tank and artillery fire, which inflicted numerous casualties. Engineers were moved up and cleared paths through the minefield, but suffered casualties in the process. The combination of fierce resistance, minefields, thick mud and mechanical breakdowns took its toll. With paths cleared, the regiment resumed its advance towards Gertsovka. In the ensuing battle, heavy casualties were sustained including the regimental commander Colonel Kassnitz. Due to the fighting, and the marshy terrain south of the village, surrounding the Berezovyy stream, the regiment once more bogged down.
The panzergrenadier regiment of Großdeutschland, advancing on the right wing, pushed through to the village of Butovo. The tanks were deployed in an arrow formation to minimise the effects of the Soviet Pakfront defence, with the Tigers leading and the Panzer IIIs, IVs and assault guns fanning out to the flanks and rear. They were followed by infantry and combat engineers. Attempts by the VVS to impede the advance were repulsed by the Luftwaffe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kursk
The Game
The scenario was put together using a modified wargame scenario we found online. The Germans are the attackers and must clear 60 Soviets from the field to achieve victory. For every German unit exited off the opposite board edge, one less Soviet would need to be killed. The Soviets would win a minor victory if they stopped the Germans and a major victory if they could destroy 15 German tanks. The game would end after eight turns.
The Soviet forces included two Tank battalions of 31 tanks each and a Brigade HQ tank with 2iC. This was a total of 64 tanks. All tanks were confident conscript.
The German forces included a PXkwIV Kompanie with 19 PzkwIVg, a Panther Kompanie of ten Panthers and a Tiger Kompanie of 6 Tiger Is. The Panthers were confident trained and all the other tanks were confident veteran.
Early Game: The Soviets set up on the table mostly within the corner ravine, sending one of their battalions to the opposite side of the table to spread out the Germans. The Germans had to move onto the table and advance quickly. As the table was covered by a large hill in the center, there was not much visibility, so only limited fire took place as the Germans tried to secure the high ground.
Mid Game: While moving into position to secure the hill, the Germans were attacked by a Soviet tank company from the ravine. The Soviet player hoped to slow down the German advance and strike the Panthers in the flank before they could get any help. At the same time, the other Soviet battalion occupied all the defensive terrain on the flank and attempted to shoot off all the PzIVs on the German right flank. A gun duel then took place that resulted in the diversionary T34s being destroyed (not before destroying a Panther) and the flanking battalion of T34s clearing out about half the PzIVs (at a cost of all but 4 of their number).
Late Game: With most of their formation wiped out, the remaining T34s tried to use the terrain and stay out of the fight. The German player then sent all tanks forward to deal with the other battalion in the ravine before time ran out! The German player then closed on the ravine with all the remaining tanks and the shooting began! Unfortunately, the German gunnery was not up to the challenge and two T34s remained and almost all the remaining PzIVs were lost. The game ended as a Soviet victory.
– Manteuffel