A German non-commissioned officer and a machine gunner zero in on an enemy Soviet position during the Battle of Kursk (German: Unternehmen Zitadelle); the Germans hoped to weaken the Soviet offensive potential for the summer of 1943 by cutting off a large number of forces that they anticipated would be in the Kursk salient. The Kursk salient or bulge was 250 kilometres (160 mi) long from north to south and 160 kilometers (99 mi) from east to west. By eliminating the Kursk salient, the Germans hoped to also shorten their lines, nullify Soviet numerical superiority in critical sectors (which would give the Germans time to regroup and plan another offensive against the Red Army) and regain the initiative from the Soviet Union. For the Germans, the battle was a failure, and the Soviets were able to gain back territory along a 2,000 km (1,200 mi) wide front following the battle. Kursk Oblast, Russia, Soviet Union. July 1943. Image taken by Franz Grasser.
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