Donets Triangle, The - Operatipon Roland at Kursk, July 14-17, 1943

As Operation Citadel at Kursk began to stalemate and Hitler began to waiver when the Allies invaded Sicily, the generals in charge of the 2nd SS Corps and the 3rd Panzer Corps continued
to plan. By July 13th, both the 1st SS and 2nd SS Divisions had stalled in their face off with the Russians at Prohovka. In fact, the 1SS was instructed to go into defensive mode to conserve further loss. The 2nd SS Das Reich was in better shape, having over 100 AFVs (by some accounts). Of course, opposite them were simply hoards of Russian AFVs. Despite Hitler’s objections and reservations, Operation Roland would be allowed to continue for a limited offensive to see if Prohovka could be by-passed from the east using elements of the 2SS while other elements continued to hold the front with 1SS. The target for the 2SS was ravorot and if it was taken, the 1SS would then resume attacking. The 2SS would then bypass Prohovka. It was hoped that this would allow the Germans to finally take the town.