Figurines

Panzergrenadiers

Brand DRAGON

SKU DRA-6159 EAN 089195861597

Features

Nation: Germany

Period: WWII

Scale: 1/35

Type: Figurini

Price 17,85 €

Description

1/35 Panzergrenadiers, LAH Division (Kursk 1943)

Panzergrenadier is a German term for a formation of panzer grenadiers, i.e., infantry units trained to fight closely with their tanks. This term was officially used in 1942, when infantry divisions were renamed grenadier divisions and motorized infantry divisions to panzer grenadier divisions. It is worth adding that in the years 1937-1942, Schützen regiment was used to describe infantry regiments serving in armored units. Theoretically, the basic equipment of armored grenadier divisions was supposed to be armored half-tracks, particularly Sd.Kfz.251, but due to insufficient production, these infantry were often transported by truck. As a rule, an armored grenadier division consisted of three infantry regiments, two battalions in each regiment, and numerous support units, including antitank, antiaircraft, engineer, and communications units. Self-propelled guns, such as the StuG III, were often used in these formations. It is worth adding that armored grenadier divisions were formed not only in the Wehrmacht, but also in the Waffen SS, for example, the Totenkopf Division or the Hohenstaufen Division.

The Battle of Kursk (German code name: Operation Zitadelle) is widely recognized-not entirely accurately-as the largest armored battle of World War II and the largest armored battle on the Eastern Front. It happened after the German defeat at Stalingrad in February 1943, but also after the victorious German counteroffensive at Kharkiv in March of the same year. The German side, joining the battle, counted on the full acquisition of the strategic initiative, the task of the Soviet side with the greatest possible losses, as well as the nipple of the Soviet offensive planned for the summer of 1943. The Red Army adopted a defensive posture, trying to bleed the attacking Germans dry in the initial phase of the operation, and then proceeded to a counteroffensive. The battle on the Kursk arc began on July 5, 1943, and, together with the Soviet operations at Orlowo and Belgorod, lasted until August 23 of that year. In its course, despite the involvement of significant forces by the German army and the new Tiger and Panther tanks, as well as Ferdinand fighters, the Soviets achieved victory, which they prepared very well for this battle and, despite suffering huge losses, managed to go on the counteroffensive. The Battle of Kursk proved to be one of the turning points in World War II. It is estimated that as a result (from July 5 to August 23) the German Army lost about 240,000 soldiers - killed, wounded and captured, about 1,300 tanks and about 1,000 aircraft. The Red Army's losses were undoubtedly greater.