Footsteps of WWII · Russia & Belarus
Prokhorovka battlefield, Belgorod region
Battlefield · 12 Jul 1943
The story
On 12 July 1943, during the German Kursk offensive (Operation Citadel), Pavel Rotmistrov's 5th Guards Tank Army counter-attacked Paul Hausser's II SS Panzer Corps on the fields south-west of Prokhorovka, about 87 km south-east of Kursk. Some 500 Soviet tanks attacked in two waves against 294 German tanks and assault guns. The Germans stopped the attack, but the Red Army stopped the German advance; Hitler ended Citadel on 13 July, partly because the Allies had landed in Sicily. Soviet losses were heavy: Valery Zamulin counts 340 tanks and self-propelled guns, against about 60–80 German armoured vehicles damaged or destroyed. A memorial bell tower was built in 1995 and the 'Third Military Field of Russia' museum in 2010.
What to look for
The 52 m white bell tower stands on the open field with its bells ringing every 20 minutes. Look for the 'Tank Battle' sculpture of colliding tanks in front of the museum, the Church of Sts Peter and Paul, a tank museum, preserved Soviet armour, and the long rolling fields where the armour met.
Plan your visit
FCDO advises against all travel to Russia, and the Belgorod region borders Ukraine. Museum open Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00 (ticket office to 16:30), closed Mondays; memorial grounds open at all times. Check the website before you go.
Things change, so check opening times before you travel.
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