Soviet losses on 5 VII 1943

[Jan Gazda]

Indeed, the Soviets took terrible beating on the first day of Zitadelle. The Soviet air raids against the German airfields in Kharkov area cost the Soviets at least 33 Il-2s and three fighters which is in accordance with some 40 claims from German fighters. Overall the fighting on the first day took incredible toll on Soviets with their losses amounting to some 250 aircraft. 2 VA lost 78 a/c (36 fighters, 27 Il-2s and 15 bombers), 16 VA lost 100 a/c (83 fighters, 16 Il-2s and one Boston) and 17 VA lost 70 Il-2s and some fighters. Apart from Rastrenin's book mentioned above some good detail can be found in Kursk: The Air Battle by Bergström and in Aviacia v Bitve nad Orlovsko-Kurskoj Dugoj by Khazanov and Gorbatch (also mentioned above and on-line can be found here : http://militera.lib.ru/h/hazanov_gorbach/index.html )

Jan