Kursk an Rzhev

The battle of the Rzhev pocket occurred before the Battle of Kursk and was an effort by the Germans to hold onto Rzhev because it was the last city on the river before Moscow. German troops are encircled while they try to hold control of the city and are told to stay and defend the area no matter what happens. Soviets use Operation Mars and encircle the Germans on three sides. Germans are forced to give up their area.

The battle of Kursk was between the Soviets and Germans on the Eastern front. In effort to use a Pincer move on the city the Germans were defeated by the Soviets. Soviets had around four months to plan for defense, while the Germans waited for supplies. Stalin is more trusting of his officials after the success in Kursk.