Soviet Belgorod-Bogodukhov Operation

Panzerjäger Tiger Ferdinand n°232 of s.Pz.Jg.Reg. 656

Panzerkampfwagen Tiger n°211 of 2.s.Pz.Abt. 503

Waffen-SS Panzergrenadiers on the Eastern Front

The Belgorod (Russia) - Bogodukhov (Ukraine) Offensive Operation in August 1943 was another Soviet operation that followed the Battle of Kursk. In the fighting that took place on both sides of the Merla and Merchik rivers, the superiority of the Waffen-SS was clearly evident, in spite of being involved in combat operations continuously since July 5 1943. Whilst SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Wiking and 3.Panzer-Division of the Wehrmacht conducted primarily defensive operations, SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Das Reich and Totenkopf repeatedly blunted attacks of Soviet elements south of the rivers and Bohodukhiv. As at Prokhorovka, the Soviets enjoyed tremendous numerical superiority in tanks. Both 1st Tank Army and 5th Guards Tank Army began the operations with over 500 tanks each, while the SS Divisions never had more than about 30-50 tanks each at any time during this offensive, in spite of this, all Soviet attempts to penetrate to the railroad line were repulsed with bloody losses in men and tremendous loss in tanks. Belgorod was finally retaken on August 6 1943 and the way was now clear for the concentration of Soviet forces for the final battle of Kharkov. Credit: Wikipedia inter alia. Top image: Panzerjäger Ferdinand n°232 from schwere Panzerjäger-Regiment 656, named after SS-Oberführer Ferdinand Porsche, founder of Volkswagen and Porsche. The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653 fought at the Battle of Kursk in July 1943 and the subsequent Soviet counterattacks. In July 1943, the 653rd claimed 320 Soviet tanks and self-propelled guns and a large number of anti-tank guns and motor vehicles for 24 killed in action, 126 wounded and 13 vehicles destroyed. In August 1943, it fought around the Dnieper as the 1st battalion of s.Pz.Jg.Reg. 656. The Ferdinand heavy tank destroyer were later renamed Elefant. Credit: Rui Manuel Candeias. FU. Middle image: PzKpfw. Tiger n°211 of 2.s.Pz.Abt. 503 in the Belgorod area in August 1943. Credit: Ghermán Mihály. c. Bundesarchiv. Bottom image: battle-hardened SS-Panzergrenadiers in the summer of 1943, prepared to take down any Soviet armour which might come their way. Photo by SS-Kriegsberichter Max Büschel. U.S. National Archives.