Considered by many to be the biggest armor battle of all time took place during Operation Zitadell in battles for the Kursk Salient during 1943. This was a time when the Germans had to at least slow down if not stop the growing Soviet advance as the Germans were pushed back across the steppes.

In this new book by Mark Healy, primary sources were used as reference to take a look at what really did happen during those times. As is often stated, victors do write history and as often as not, it isn't exactly accurate. Many have considered that Kursk was where the German panzer units fell apart against wave after wave of victorious Soviet tanks. Well, not exactly. The truth was that the Germans were not only out numbered in terms of tanks and troops by the Soviets, but delayed the start of the operation several times due to Hitler's desire to use the Panther tank, a vehicle that was not at all ready. In fact, it was as much the meddling of Hitler and the usual infighting between his generals that caused problems in the field for the Germans. It was the eventual abilities of Soviet commanders, who were not held to as rigid a plan, that was to win the day for them.

This is not a quick read by any account and it took me a while to read it through. But I was time and again, impressed by the thoroughness of the research that went into the book. The author draws out details that most others who have written on the subject did not include or simply missed. The opening of the book, for example, truly sets the stage for the upcoming operation and looks carefully into the character of the major players on both sides of the conflict. This allows us to see why these men behaved as they did in the coming battle. The conclusions drawn also make a lot of sense. Even had the Germans won, the tide had certainly turned. The men and equipment the Soviets lost were quickly made up, something the Germans could not do.

Throughout the book, there are a superb collection of photographs from the events that adds even more to the events being described. These are scattered throughout the book an in places where the images match up with the prose. The center section of the book has several pages of superbly drawn profiles of both armor and aircraft that took part in the battles, further adding to the interest of the book.

The book has to be the finest ever done on the subject and is both a fascinating look at the event and what lead up to it. It is a book that I found to be a thoroughly enjoyable read and one that I can easily recommend to you.

August 2009

My thanks to Mark Healy for providing the review copy. Visit www.thehistorypress.co.uk to order your copy today.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.