KURSK   July 9th, 1943 -

Operation Citadel was in full swing, having fought through several defense
zones, the men of the Elite GrossDeutschland (GD) Grenadier Divsion seemed 
close to making a break in the Russian lines. On July 9th, near the village of
Pokrovka, the GD Division and 3rd Panzer Division swung north and headed for 
the town of Verchopenya. It was here that the Russian launched a series of
strong armored counter attacks. Throughout the day the Germans would come
under fire from both T-34's and nearby anti-tank guns. By the end of the
day, the men of the GD could go no further, the 3rd Panzer had lost nearly
50 percent of its tanks. The battle of Kursk would prove to be the swan song
of the German panzer forces in the east front.
