---

After the German offensive fizzled out, the Soviets began theirs. The Battle of Kursk was and still is, by some measures, the biggest armored battle in history.

Although the Soviet side suffered far greater losses, it is regarded as their victory, as the USSR had much greater reserves of personnel and industrial capacity, while Germany was about at the end of its rope.

• Listen now:

Transcript.

---

Playlist:

Fanfare

Opening War Theme

Coro di zingari (“Anvil Chorus”) from Il trovatore
Composed in 1853 by Giuseppe Verdi. Public domain.
Public domain recording. Source.

Closing War Theme

---

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

---

Adolf Hitler insisted on a German offensive on the Eastern Front in 1943, even though he himself admitted the thought of it gave him butterflies in the stomach.

The oft-postponed attack finally began on July 5. It was called off a week later, after the Western Allies landed troops in Sicily and the USSR began an offensive of their own.

• Listen now:

Transcript.

---

Playlist:

Fanfare

Opening War Theme

Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Composed in 1808 by Ludwig van Beethoven. Public domain.
Performed by The Davis High School Symphony Orchestra. Public domain recording. Source.

Closing War Theme

---

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.