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"Hills and forests surround a central lake, with the two opposing bases on each side and a central no-man's-land."

— World War II Anthology Edition Manual

The Battle of Kursk (Russian: Курская битва) was fought in Russia between Soviet and German troops in 1943. It remains both the largest series of armored tank clashes and the costliest single day of aerial warfare. It is a map featured in Battlefield 1942.

Description[]

"After a series of hard-fought Russian victories, the enemy seems to be on its heels now. Both sides have experienced tremendous losses on the Eastern Front, but the Red Army has been able to re-group faster, thanks in large part to additional supplies arriving from its Allied partners.

It comes as a surprise, therefore, to receive confirmed Intelligence reports that the Germans are mounting a massive offensive around Kursk. German command is gathering troops, tanks, and aircraft for an all-out assault on the Russian lines. This appears to be Berlin's last attempt to break through Russian defenses. It is imperative to stop the enemy now and keep them retreating all the way back to Berlin."

— Soviet Map Briefing

"With Operation Citadel, German command intends to strike back at the Russian offensive by driving through enemy lines around the town of Kursk. After hitting the Red Army on two sides, German troops will pinch off a large portion of the enemy army. This will also open a large hole in the Eastern front for the German Army to drive through and re-take key positions.

The German Army has amassed a large amount of troops, tanks, and airplanes. Even though the Russians have reaped the benefits of their partnership with their Allies, they will not escape this assault. This battle will once and for all squash any hope that Russia has for winning the war on the Eastern front. After the enemy is defeated at Kursk, German troops will not stop until they bring all of Russia to its knees."

— German Map Briefing

Conquest[]

"The Germans will not be allowed to win this battle. Our objective is to capture and hold the outposts. If we are successful, the Germans will be forced to withdraw."

— Soviet campaign briefing

"The Russians are no match for our Panzers. Hold the control points to defeat the Russian army."

— German campaign briefing

BF1942 Kursk campaign

Campaign briefing

Soviet and German forces each have an uncapturable base at opposing sides of the map. Between them lie two capturable points. Each base spawns two planes and three tanks. More tanks and artillery spawn at the capturable bases.

Equipment[]

Flag of the Soviet Union
Red Army
Light vehicle(s)

Willys MB

Main battle tank(s)

T-34

Light tank(s)

T-34-85

Armored personnel carrier(s)

M3 Half-track

Self Propelled Artillery

Katyusha

Fixed-wing aircraft

Yak-9
Ilyushin

Emplacement(s)

40mm Bofors

Flag Germany 1933
Wehrmacht
Light vehicle(s)

Kubelwagen

Main battle tank(s)

Tiger I

Light tank(s)

Panzer IV

Armored personnel carrier(s)

Hanomag

Self Propelled Artillery

Wespe

Fixed-wing aircraft

Bf 109
Ju-87 Stuka

Emplacement(s)

Flak 38


Bases[]

Soviet Base[]

Located at the north of the map, it spawns two T34-85, a M3A1, a T-34, a Willy, a Yak9, and an Ilyushin.

In singleplayer the Ilyushin will not spawn.

German Base[]

Located at the south of the map, it spawns a Tigers, two Panzer IV, a Kübelwagen, a Hanomag, a Bf 109 and a Stuka.

In singleplayer the Stuka will not spawn.

Lumber Mill[]

This control point spawns two mobile artillery vehicles (Katyusha for the Soviets, or Wespe for the Germans), and an AA emplacement (AA_Allies for the Soviets, or Flak 38 for the Germans). The building contains medical and ammunition supplies. This flag offers better cover than the Work Camp.

Work Camp[]

Situated west of the Lumber Mill is the Work Camp. One heavy tank (T-34 or Tiger) spawns here. It has little cover and is vulnerable to artillery, snipers and aerial bombardment.

In singleplayer, the tank will not spawn.

Capture the Flag[]

The control point layout is the same as Conquest. The Ilyushin and Stuka no longer spawn, but the T-34 at Work Camp spawns at the start. The flags to be captured are located at the main bases of each team.

Team Deathmatch[]

The control point and vehicle layouts are the same as Conquest.

Outcomes[]

"There is no doubt that the battle of Kursk was an important victory for Stalin's troops. German high command put everything they had left into this effort, but in the end the Red Army was able to defend the city and force German troops to pull back. It is believed that German commanders retreated even though Berlin ordered them not to give an inch. This could well mean the end of the Third Reich is now in sight."

— Red Army victory

"The failure to stop the Germans at Kursk will leave a bitter taste in Stalin's mouth. After gaining so much momentum in the period leading up to this battle, the Red Army will now have to re-group. This victory also provides a glimmer of hope to the Germans, who had been reeling badly in recent months. Fortunately for the Allies, American and British night raids over Germany are giving Berlin something else to think about besides this improbable victory."

— Red Army defeat

"This victory shows the world once again the superiority of the German war machine. For months, the Red Army has been claiming little victories in their snow-covered territories. Now, the German offensive has come to life and won a massive victory for the fatherland. Berlin can lead its forces to victory over the British, the Americans, and all of the other allied forces with renewed vigor. Soon, the enemy will admit defeat, and the Third Reich will stand victorious on all fronts."

— German Victory

"It is clear that Russia is receiving more and more equipment from the Allies. German troops moved quickly to secure the area around Kursk, But the Red Army had too many troops and better tanks. Even though Berlin gave the order to hold their ground, German commanders realized the futility of the effort and signaled a retreat. Operation Citadel has been catastrophic, and soon the eastern front will be lost to the enemy"

— German defeat

Gallery[]

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