During the summer of 1943, Germany unleashed its last major offensive on the Eastern Front and sparked the epic battle of Kursk, which included the largest tank engagement in history. Marked by fiery clashes between German Tigers and Soviet T-34s in the mud and dust of western Russia, the campaign began well enough for the Germans, but the Soviets counterattacked and eventually forced Hitler to end the operation. When it was over, thousands lay dead or wounded on both sides, but the victorious Red Army had turned the tide of World War II in the East.