April 1943

Eastern Front

Zeitzler outlines a plan calling for the recently formed Kursk salient to be nipped off by 2 armored pincers moving from the north and south. The northern pincer will be formed by the newly released 9th Army, substantially reinforced with armored divisions, while the southern pincer comprises the striking forces of Manstein's Army Group South. However, the proposal splits the German command into 2 distinct factions, those for the attack and those against. Kluge and Keitel are for the attack, proposing that the Ostheer must inflict a crushing blow on the Red Army before it can mount its own offensive. However, Guderian, the recently appointed Inspector General of Armored Foeces, is opposed to the plan, protesting that the weakened Panzerwaffe requires time to be strengthened sufficiently. Manstein, the commander of Army Group South, is generally in favor of the attack but only if it begins as soon after the thaw as possible, even before the attack forces have been fully assembled. Any delay will give the Red Army the chance to reinforce its armies in the salient and dig extensive defenses.