The Wehrmacht's winter campaign had pushed the Soviets back over the Northern Donets, but it had left a large bulge protruding into the German lines around Kursk. During the long respite from fighting, the German High Command made preparations to eliminate the bulge. So began "Operation Zitadelle". On the first day of the German offensive, the 5th Guards Tank Corps was ordered to advance along the dusty road to Tetervino when German tanks were spotted moving through the rolling terrain.
Objectives: Your regiment will engage the armor to the southwest and prevent any enemy units from breaking through the lines to the south. Your company will move in concert with the regimental line. The Fascists will have their "Panther" and "Tiger tanks; strike them on the flank and let our SU-152 Mechanized Guns do their work on them.
