William E. Hiestand has worked for over 30 years as a US Department of Defense analyst, focusing on military issues and serving in a wide variety of analytic, leadership and representational roles. He holds an MA in History from Cornell University, and has a lifelong interest in military history with a particular focus on Soviet military history. He lives in Virginia near Washington DC.Graham Turner is a renowned illustrator and member of the Guild of Aviation Artists.

• INTRODUCTIONCHRONOLOGYATTACKER'S CAPABILITIESThe Luftwaffe under pressureLuftwaffe DoctrineAircraft Aircrew Quality Tactics Basing and Logistics LeadersLuftwaffe order of battle DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIESThe VVS Battles backSoviet aviation doctrine Aircrew quality and training Command and control Order of battle CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVESAxis Soviet THE CAMPAIGNPreliminary operationsZitadelle: The first day, July 5 The Southern Front The Northern Front The VVS Strikes Back July 7-11: Stalemate in the North Prokhorovka, Kutusov, and the end of ZitadelleThe end of Zitadelle in the south ANALYSISThe air battleAir-to-ground operations Tank-killing from the air The turn of the tide: The Luftwaffe and VVS after Kursk FURTHER READINGThe campaign The Luftwaffe The VVSINDEX

The author provides a very readable account of each side’s capabilities, plans, and combat activity.

William E. Hiestand has worked for over 30 years as a US Department of Defense analyst, focusing on military issues and serving in a wide variety of analytic, leadership and representational roles. He holds an MA in History from Cornell University, and has a lifelong interest in military history with a particular focus on Soviet military history. He lives in Virginia near Washington DC.Graham Turner is a renowned illustrator and member of the Guild of Aviation Artists.

• INTRODUCTIONCHRONOLOGYATTACKER'S CAPABILITIESThe Luftwaffe under pressureLuftwaffe DoctrineAircraft Aircrew Quality Tactics Basing and Logistics LeadersLuftwaffe order of battle DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIESThe VVS Battles backSoviet aviation doctrine Aircrew quality and training Command and control Order of battle CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVESAxis Soviet THE CAMPAIGNPreliminary operationsZitadelle: The first day, July 5 The Southern Front The Northern Front The VVS Strikes Back July 7-11: Stalemate in the North Prokhorovka, Kutusov, and the end of ZitadelleThe end of Zitadelle in the south ANALYSISThe air battleAir-to-ground operations Tank-killing from the air The turn of the tide: The Luftwaffe and VVS after Kursk FURTHER READINGThe campaign The Luftwaffe The VVSINDEX

The author provides a very readable account of each side’s capabilities, plans, and combat activity.

William E. Hiestand has worked for over 30 years as a US Department of Defense analyst, focusing on military issues and serving in a wide variety of analytic, leadership and representational roles. He holds an MA in History from Cornell University, and has a lifelong interest in military history with a particular focus on Soviet military history. He lives in Virginia near Washington DC.Graham Turner is a renowned illustrator and member of the Guild of Aviation Artists.

• INTRODUCTIONCHRONOLOGYATTACKER'S CAPABILITIESThe Luftwaffe under pressureLuftwaffe DoctrineAircraft Aircrew Quality Tactics Basing and Logistics LeadersLuftwaffe order of battle DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIESThe VVS Battles backSoviet aviation doctrine Aircrew quality and training Command and control Order of battle CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVESAxis Soviet THE CAMPAIGNPreliminary operationsZitadelle: The first day, July 5 The Southern Front The Northern Front The VVS Strikes Back July 7-11: Stalemate in the North Prokhorovka, Kutusov, and the end of ZitadelleThe end of Zitadelle in the south ANALYSISThe air battleAir-to-ground operations Tank-killing from the air The turn of the tide: The Luftwaffe and VVS after Kursk FURTHER READINGThe campaign The Luftwaffe The VVSINDEX

The author provides a very readable account of each side’s capabilities, plans, and combat activity.