Russia anticipated Kursk incursion months in advance - The Guardian

Prelude to the Kursk Battle

Russia was well aware of the upcoming German invasion of Kursk months in advance. This was due to a number of factors, including intelligence reports, captured German documents, and the overall strategic situation on the Eastern Front.

One of the most important sources of intelligence for the Russians was the Sorge spy ring. Richard Sorge was a German-born journalist who had been working in Japan since the 1930s. He had cultivated a network of contacts within the Japanese government and military, and he was able to provide the Russians with a wealth of information about Japan's plans.

In addition to the Sorge spy ring, the Russians also had access to captured German documents. These documents included plans for the invasion of Kursk, as well as other sensitive information.

Defensive Preparations

The Russians used the intelligence they had gathered to prepare for the German invasion of Kursk. They constructed a series of defensive lines around the city, and they amassed a large force of troops and equipment.

The Russian defensive lines were designed to slow down the German advance and to inflict heavy casualties on the German forces. The first line of defense was a series of anti-tank ditches and minefields. Behind this line was a series of fortified bunkers and pillboxes.

The Russians also deployed a large number of artillery pieces in the Kursk area. These artillery pieces were used to shell the German forces as they advanced, and they played a major role in the Russian victory at Kursk.

Conclusion

The Russian victory at Kursk was a major turning point in the Second World War. It marked the beginning of the end of German dominance on the Eastern Front, and it paved the way for the eventual Allied victory in the war.

The Russian victory at Kursk was due in no small part to the intelligence that they had gathered about the German invasion plans. This intelligence allowed the Russians to prepare their defenses in advance, and it helped them to defeat the German forces.