KUR020 German Panther D with Metal Working Tracks and Suspension

 

KUR020 - German Panther D with Metal Working Tracks and Suspension

5 company 3 platoon 53 PzBat 39 PzReg - Attached to Großdeutschland Division

We are pleased to present you our first vehicle for our new Battle of Kursk series, KUR020 German Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf D at the battle of Kursk.  At the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, the Panther Ausf. D tanks attached to Panzer-Regiment Großdeutschland were intended to serve as the division’s primary armored spearhead during the southern pincer of Operation Zitadelle, leading the breakthrough of heavily fortified Soviet defenses and engaging T-34 formations at long range using the superior firepower and frontal protection of the 75 mm KwK 42 gun and sloped armor; concentrated in a temporarily attached Panther battalion, they were expected to open the way for following Panzer IVs and infantry as Großdeutschland advanced toward Oboyan, but in practice their role was severely constrained by catastrophic mechanical unreliability, with large numbers breaking down or catching fire before or shortly after entering combat, forcing the surviving Panthers to be used in reduced, piecemeal groups that nonetheless demonstrated strong tactical effectiveness when operational, destroying Soviet tanks at distances beyond effective return fire while contributing less to the overall offensive momentum than German planners had intended.