PC No Operation Citadel = W allies in Berlin?

If the Germans don’t launch an attack on Kursk but instead try to hold the front, could this delay the Soviet advance into the Reich long enough for the Western Allies to reach Berlin first?
 

Deleted member 1487

If the Germans don’t launch an attack on Kursk but instead try to hold the front, could this delay the Soviet advance into the Reich long enough for the Western Allies to reach Berlin first?
Perhaps? Depends on how much delayed the Soviet steamroller is due to having to fight through full strength German defenses and resulting casualties. If say the Soviets realize there is going to be no German offensive in summer 1943 they might well attack in May before the Panzer divisions are fully rebuilt and the defenses of the Orel Bulge are built up, which may make things a bit easier for them. IMHO 1943 would be significantly bloodier if the Soviets don't wear the Germans down at Kursk first and they attack in May 1943 rather than wait for an ITTL non-existent German offensive. The thing is as time goes on and butterflies accumulate if the Germans have preserved more forces and have taken fewer losses in the East in 1943-44 then the Wallies would feel that on their fronts as the Germans are able to move additional forces to face them if they are advancing quicker than the Soviets. That might well maintain the balance of East to West advance rates and end up with the same result as IOTL, just later and with more Allied casualties.
 
Chuck the Allied back in the water in Italy could be an idea? There would be enough troops if no Kursk.

If the Italian invasions are unsuccessful, surely Overlord will be re-looked?

If Manstein's elastic defense is carried to the limit instead of attacking at Kursk, leaving the Russians to attack, would the Russian losses be too significant for a continued offensive in 1943?

If so, that would not look for Overlord?

Ivan
 
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