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In the spring of 1943 the Wehrmacht considered a number of other possible offensive plans for the Russian Front. Two of these were Operations Habicht and Panther which were intended to clear the Izyum Salient . Habicht was a less ambitious plan that would only clear part of the salient but would not require Operation Citadel to be postponed. Panther on the other hand required some of the forces required for Citadel but would require a delay of Citadel.
Model is far from ready to start his planned portion of Citadel and it is therefore decided to postpone Citadel until July 16. The nore ambitious Operation Panther is ordered to clear the Izyum salient even though German forces are around 70% ready and von Lauchert's 10th Panzer Brigade is not expected too be available ubtil the end of June/early July
The artillery of 4th Panzer Army and Detachment Kampf backed by intensive air attacks by the Luftwaffe begin a short bombardment of the Red Army positions in the Izyum Salient. 30 minutes later the Panzers roll,
June 15 1943 1200 Moscow
STAVKA meets to discuss responses to the German offensive. Stalin favours early implementation of the planned Soviet summer offensives. Operation Kutuzov against the Orel Salient. Operation Rumantsayev against the Belgorod Salient and the Donbass Operation against Hollidt's 6th Army on the River Mius. The latter is intended as a diversionary offensive for the main attacks Operation Kutuzov and Operation Rumantsayev.
The struggle for Ukraine between mid June 1943 and the end of August 1943 would be a pivotal moment in WW2