On the opening day of the 'Citadel' offensive Ferdinand tank destroyers were used to spearhead the attack.
Here, a platoon off Ferdinand's from Major Steinwachs' schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653, attack Soviet defences near Veselyi Berezhoi.
Soviet 76.2mm Zis-3 anti-tank guns pour fire at the approaching tanks, Soviet artillery plaster the area and infantry use small arms to try and halt the Ferdinand's- but even the 76.2mm shells of the anti-tank guns bounce off the 200mm thick frontal armour of the Ferdinand tanks.
Lacking machine guns, the Ferdinand's can not engage the Soviet anti-tank guns, while several tanks strike anti-tank mines.
Supporting German artillery fire takes a heavy toll on the Soviet anti-tank guns and enough Ferdinand's survive to punch through the breech. More than half the Ferdinand's were to be lost in such assaults.

From: Osprey Publishing's- Campaign 272, Kursk 1943

PRICE: £570.00 (unframed)
SIZE: Image approx. H 31 cm x W 46 cm (H 12 x W 18 inches)
MEDIUM: Watercolour and gouache