The Totenkopf in action

To the south, the Das Reich Division was ordered to strike directly eastwards to seize high ground overlooking the main positions of the Waffen-SS corps. The Deutschland Panzergrenadier Regiment made some progress at first, but very strong anti-tank resistance prevented much progress being made thereafter.

Soviet counterattacks on the Psel bridgehead opened at 08:00 hours on 11 July with a heavy tank attack that was driven off by the Totenkopf's anti-tank gunners, who knocked out 27 Russian tanks. This allowed work to continue on the bridge, which was capable of carrying the heavy Tiger tanks. Heavy rain and Soviet shelling continued to hamper the work of the Waffen-SS engineers, who did not finish their work until just before midday. The division's 94 tanks then began to cross the river, and plans were put in motion for a major offensive the following day. Victory seemed to be within sight.

The Leibstandarte pushed forward again to take the last hill-top pak-front before Prokhorovka. Two panzergrenadier battalions led the attack on the hill, which was bristling with anti-tank guns. They laid down a withering wall of fire that stalled the Waffen-SS attack. Then a wave of T-34s was sent into action against the Germans.

The Waffen-SS tanks inch forward

Rocket fire and Stuka support was requested to neutralize the resistance in a barrage that began at 09:00 hours. The air support was directed with great precision by a Luftwaffe forward air controller in an armoured halftrack with the attack troops. The arrival of a detachment of Tiger attacks added to the weight of the assault. Within the hour, the panzergrenadiers had penetrated the Russian trench system and were clearing bunker after bunker. The fighting flowed back and forth as the Russians threw more men into that battle. Stuka raids continued throughout the morning.

Now the Leibstandarte panzer kampfgruppe was thrown into the battle, and this turned the tide in the Germans' favour for good. Soviet tank counterattacks against the flanks of the Leibstandarte were repulsed. The Russians lost 21 tanks and more than 30 anti-tank guns. More than 200 Waffen-SS men were killed or wounded during the bitter fighting for the hill. This degenerated into a tank duel along the length of the division's front, involving attacks by small groups of tanks.

Satisfied with their success over the Psel and in front of Prokhorovka, Hausser's staff now set about planning the following day's drive to complete the piercing of the Soviet third defence line. More artillery was to be brought up to blast the Russians out of their bunkers on the hill above the Totenkopf's bridgehead. Once this was complete, the Leibstandarte and Das Reich Divisions would surge forward to seize Prokhorovka. With the resistance destroyed, the panzers were to be unleashed into the open country beyond.

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