Ferdinands at Kursk 7/43 (Updated for V5)*
*
Date: July 5, 1943*
*
Battle Type: German Assault vs Soviet Defend*
*
Design:  CB Blackard*
*
*
Baron Ernst von Jungenfeld's 656th Heavy Panzerjaeger Regiment, comprised of Major Heinrich Steinwach's 653rd Heavy Panzerjaeger Battalion and the 216th Sturmpanzer Battalion, together with support from the 177th Sturmgeschutz Brigade and the 292nd Infantry Division, launch the assault on the northern Russian positions during Operation Citadel.*
*
On April 1, 1943, the 197th Sturmgeschutz Battalion was redesignated the 653rd Heavy Panzerjaeger Battalion under the command of Major Heinrich Steinwach and equipped with the new panzerjaeger "Ferdinand"(Sdkfz, 184) as its combat vehicle.  On June 8, 1943, the 656th Heavy Panzerjaeger regiment was formed consisting of three battalions:  I) Steinwach's 653rd Panzerjaeger; II) the 654th Panzerjaeger battalion under the leadership of Hauptmann Karl-Heinz Noak; and III) the 216th Sturmpanzer Battalion commanded by Major Bruno Kahl (equipped with the "Brummbaer" Sturmpanzer.*
*
The 656th Heavy Panzerjaeger Regiment was assigned to the 9th Army in
Operation Citadel, July, 1943.*
*
Your mission is to attack the Soviet lines and make a breach for follow on forces to take Kursk.*
*
SOURCE:  Munch, "Combat History of Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653", pp. 49-52.*
*
NOTE:  The Ferdinands depicted in this scenario include actual vehicle numbers and actual leader names of those assigned to the 653rd Battalion during Operation Citadel.*
*


