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Episode 5 – Stalemate By 8th July 1943

By 8th July 1943 a few more kilometres southwards were gained either side of Ponyri, but in and around the town the fighting had degenerated into a stalemate. By evening Model issued orders to 9th Army commanders to conduct “a rolling battle of attrition”, recognizing that the 50,000 casualties incurred in just 4 days scuttled any further hope of being the northern jaw of the giant pincer that would encircle the Soviet salient east of Kursk. By comparison the 4th Army’s drive northwards was making better progress, halting that evening only 10 kms from Prokhorovka.

A couple of previous sample photos make a second appearance here, but this time within the overall narrative. As always the aim is to turn up the realism as far as I can, mainly via genuine or implied movement.