Problems of Using Armored Troops of the Voronezh Front in the Defensive Phase of the Battle of Kursk

Abstract

This article is devoted to the problems that arose in the tank and mechanized troops of the Red Army during the defensive stage of the Battle of Kursk.  Study of the documents of tank corps and combined arms armies, which included separate tank units and formations, revealed numerous shortcomings in the actions of the Voronezh front armies. Contemporaries of the events – the authors of army reports – noted periodic disruption of interaction with rifle units and formations, with artillery and aviation. Given a lack of motorized riflemen and artillery in the tank armies and separate formations and units, this led to lower combat ability and the failure to fulfill assigned tasks. The inability of combined arms commanders to properly use tank and self-propelled artillery units was also mentioned. At times, a low level of training of tankers and self-propelled gun operators was observed. The article attempts to reveal the causes of the above problems. A conclusion is made about the improvement of combat training of tank and mechanized troops of the Red Army.