Kursk Shotlist
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THE WOLF BY THE EARS: THE BATTLE OF KURSK JULY, 1943
       27.00 “(2300) SOVIET VORONEZH FRONT HQ (SOUTH)” over a 
       wide, establishing-shot of Voronezh Front HQ

       27.10 CU of “General Nikolai Vatutin, Commander of the 
       Voronezh Front”

       27.20 Split screen of Vatutin and “General Nikita 
       Khrushchev, Military Council Member for the Voronezh 
       Front” on the phone

       27.30 Wide-shot of Vatutin as the conversation ends and 
       he makes the second call
       
       
       
       28.00 “Cracking the Ring (Thursday, July 8)” over black 
       screen fading into 29.10- (Warm and sunny; cloudy and 
       rain in the afternoon and roads remain passable)

       28.01 “(1200) RECON FLIGHT- 4TH (TANK-BUSTER) GROUP, 9TH 
       GROUND SUPPORT GESCHWADER (SOUTH)” over a wide, aerial-
       shot looking down as three Hs-129’s fly under and past 
       the camera

       28.02 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       28.03 Insert window:
       
       Hs-129 B-2/R-2 (Ground-Attack)
       Max. speed kmh(mph): 407(253)
       Service Ceiling m(ft): 8,995(29,530)
       Operational Range km(miles): 882(547)
       Armament: 6x7.9mm MG, 2x20mm MG, 1x30mm MK
       Bomb load, normal kg(lbs): 771(1,700)
       General: Heavily armored aircraft designed specifically 
       for ground-attack and “Tank busting”

       28.10 Slow, zoom toward one of the planes “Flight 
       Lieutenant Bruno Meyer, Commander 4th (Tank-Buster) 
       Group”

       28.20 Camera sticks with the plane as it breaks away

       28.30 Wide-shot from just inside the woods as the plane 
       flies past, several T-34’s lurking nearby

       28.40 90°, straight down shot above and moving with the 
       plane as the emerging, enemy armor moves out

       28.50 Fade to dozens of Hs-129’s forming up and diving at 
       the Soviet armor

       28.60 Several, quick shots of various ground attacks with 
       the aircraft and the mounting Soviet losses

       28.70 Slow, pan of the aftermath

       

       29.00 Map: Events in the southern sector; in particular 
       the left wing

       29.10 “(1300) SOVIET 3RD MECHANIZED CORPS SOUTH OF 
       VERKHOPENYE (SOUTH)” over a panoramic-shot of German 
       units entering Verkhopenye and crossing the Pena river

       29.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       29.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       29.20 Wide-shot from the bridge as German units spread 
       out and develop a bridgehead

       

       30.00 “SOVIET 3RD MECHANIZED CORPS HQ (SOUTH)” over the 
       camera following the Soviet officer from the bright 
       outside into the dimly lit command post

       30.01 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       30.10 Alternating side-shots of the two officers talking 
       ”General Semyon Krivoshein, Commander 3rd Mechanized 
       Corps” over the general

       30.20 The camera follows the officer to the opening of 
       the bunker to become washed in bright, white light; 
       Krivoshein on phone

       

       31.00 “SOVIET BATTLE GROUP OF 3RD MECHANIZED CORPS 
       (SOUTH)” over a wide-shot of the Soviet armor forming up

       31.10 Side/rear shot of Soviet armor engaging the Germans

       31.20 Wide-shot behind a few M-3’s as they duel with 
       German assault guns

       31.21 Insert window:
       
       7.5cm Sturmgeschutz 40 Ausf. G (Assault Gun)
       Weight (tons): 24
       Max. speed kph(mph): 40(25)
       Crew: 4
       Armament: 1x75mm StuK40 L/48, 2x7.92mm MG 
       Armor: 11-80mm
       Range km(miles): 155(96)
       General: A low silhouette made this vehicle a difficult 
       target; limited traverse with the main gun      

       31.22 Insert window:
       
       M3A3 Lee (Medium Tank)
       Weight (tons): 32
       Max. speed kph(mph): 47(29)
       Crew: 6
       Armament: 1x75mm M2 or M3, 1x37mm M5 or M6, 4x.30 MG
       Armor: 13-57mm 
       Range km(miles): 258(160)
       General: Supplied through Lend-Lease the M3 was not 
       popular with it’s Soviet crews due to it’s vulnerability 
       to German fire

       31.30 Panoramic-shot of wrecked vehicles and withdrawing 
       Soviet armor

       

       32.00 “Into the Breach (Friday, July 9)” on black screen 
       fading to 32.10- (cloudy, warm and dry; local 
       thunderstorms later in the day)

       32.10 “Near Verkhopenye (0500)” over a wide-shot of 
       battle behind the assembled officers

       32.20 Alternating flips of the speakers ”Lieutenant-
       General Walter Hoernlein, Commander Panzer Grenadier 
       Division Grossdeutschland”, ”General Otto von 
       Knobelsdorff, Commander XXXXVIII Panzer Corps” and 
       ”Colonel-General Hermann Hoth, Commander Fourth Panzer 
       Army” over each man respectively

       32.30 Rising-shot to show the forming German units around 
       the officers

       

       33.00 Map: Hoth’s assault on Oboyan

       33.10 “(0600) GERMAN FORWARD ELEMENTS OF 11TH PANZER 
       DIVISION (SOUTH)” over a panoramic-shot of German tanks 
       in wedge formation

       33.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       33.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       33.20 Wide, side-shot of German armor breaking through 
       the Soviet defenses

       33.30 Camera moves among the lead German units as the 
       combat moves forward

       33.40 Wide, side-shot of the attack’s aftermath as Soviet 
       prisoners are lead to the rear

       

       34.00 Map: Detailing the continuing attack on Ponyri

       34.10 “(1200) GERMAN 508TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 292ND 
       INFANTRY DIVISION PONYRI (NORTH)” over camera with the 
       attacking German infantry supported by Elefants

       34.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       34.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       34.20 Wide-shot of the developing close combat

       34.30 Wipes of the camera in the middle of the fight 
       which fades in a slow blur

       

       35.00 Wide, static-shot from the back of the barn as the 
       German troops enter

       35.10 CU of frantic soldier

       35.20 Mid-shot of nearby sergeant leveling his gun

       35.30 Mid-shot of the man being silenced

       35.40 CU of several Soviet grenades being tossed into the 
       room and the Germans scramble

       35.50 Side-shot moving with the attacking Soviets as they 
       pepper the room

       35.60 Slow pan behind the Germans as they are cut down

       35.70 Camera amongst the Soviets as they pick over the 
       dead Germans

       35.80 Low, floor-shot facing the Soviet doorway as they 
       leave the room

       35.90 Slow, low angle zoom through the confusion at the 
       sobbing soldier’s suicide
       
       
       
       36.00 “(1500) SOVIET 13TH ARMY HQ (NORTH)” over a shot 
       Rokossovsky and ”Lieutenant-General Nikolai Pukhov, 
       Commander 13th Army”

       36.10 Overhead-shot focusing on a map on the table

       

       37.00 Map: 50% of 36.10 map is the continual background 
       for the northern sector’s central combat zone

       37.10 “(1700) GERMAN BETWEEN TEPLOYE AND OLKHOVOTKA 
       (NORTH)” over a panoramic, establishing-shot of He-111’s 
       flying in to pulverize a few Soviet positions

       37.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       37.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       37.20 Wide-shot facing a German attack as it moves with 
       it

       37.30 Camera with the Germans as the assault is brought 
       to a halt

       

       38.00 The 50% map from 36.10 returns to 100%, but is 
       slightly changed as it is now a map in the German command 
       post with (”(2100) GERMAN NINTH ARMY HQ (NORTH)”) over 
       top

       38.10 Alternating flips between the two men ”Colonel-
       General Walter Model, Commander Ninth Army” and ”Colonel 
       Freiherr von Elverfeldt, Chief-of-Staff Ninth Army” over 
       each

       38.20 Wide, static, front-shot of both men

       

       39.00 “On the Verge (Saturday, July 10)” on black screen 
       fading into 39.10- (Cloudy with thunderstorms; roads 
       muddy and mostly impassable except for horses and cross-
       country vehicles)

       39.01 Map: Model’s final push in the central section of 
       the northern sector

       39.10 “(0900) SOVIET 70TH GUARDS RIFLE DIVISION NEAR 
       OLKHOVOTKA (NORTH)” over a panoramic-shot from no-man’s 
       land as the Germans launch a final attack

       39.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       39.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       39.20 CU shots of Soviet anti-tank units, mortar crews in 
       action and tank hunting groups

       39.30 Panoramic wipes of the fighting shifting eastward 
       toward Ponyri

       

       40.00 Map: XXXXVIII Panzer Corps’ movements to cover it’s  
       left flank as well as support II SS Panzer Corps as it 
       prepares for the coming attack on Prokhorovka

       40.10 “(1200) GERMAN COMBAT GROUP SCHIMMELMANN, 11TH 
       PANZER DIVISION (SOUTH)” over camera mounted on the tail 
       of a Stuka as the plane goes into a dive and drops its 
       payload

       40.11 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       40.20 Camera with advancing German units as they take a 
       hill overlooking the Psel river valley

       

       41.00 “ GERMAN COMBAT GROUP SCHIMMELMANN, TOP OF HILL 
       260.8 SOUTH OF OBOYAN (SOUTH)” over a panoramic-shot that 
       takes in the concurred hill then pans to show the Psel 
       river valley and Oboyan beyond

       

       42.00 Map: Totenkopf’s push to anchor II SS Panzer Korps’ 
       left flank and the Soviet reserves coming to meet them

       42.10 “(1045) GERMAN 3RD BATTALION, 6TH SS PANZER 
       GRENADIER REGIMENT THEODOR EICKE, SS TOTENKOPF (SOUTH)” 
       over a wide-shot from the riverbank as Totenkopf troopers 
       fight their way into the clear

       42.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       42.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       42.20 Camera with the troopers as groups move past and 
       enter the river

       42.30 Wide-shot from the far bank as the Germans force a 
       crossing

       42.40 Static, fade in to a panoramic-shot from the river 
       toward the German-held north side then fade into 43.00

       

       43.00 Fade into the same shot as 42.40, but now it’s 
       night and new forces are being sent across the Psel to 
       support the new bridgehead

       43.10 Wide-shot as the camera picks up mark III M’s 
       moving across the river which leads the shot into the 
       Totenkopf bridgehead and the Sergeant and his men

       43.11 Insert window:
       
       PzKpfw III Ausf. M (Medium Tank)
       Weight (tons): 23
       Max. speed kph(mph): 40(25)
       Crew: 5
       Armament: 1x50mm KwK39 L/60, 2x7.92mm MG
       Armor: 10-70mm
       Range km(miles): 155(96)
       General: Mainly used as flank cover and to replace front-
       line losses until more powerful vehicles became available

       43.20 Wide, static-shot of the Sergeant’s group that 
       slowly zooms in as the men drop in exhaustion

       

       44.00 Paced wipes of the area surrounding Rastenburg that 
       progressively move into the compound (”RASTENBURG: 
       HITLER’S HQ, EAST PRUSSIA”) over the top

       44.01 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of Rastenburg’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot
        

       

       45.00 Slow pan across the room to stop at the desk bound 
       orderly as the officer moves past, the ranting from the 
       other room louder as the door is opened off screen then 
       closed

       45.10 CU of the “Sicily invaded” scrap of paper

       

       46.00 “One more trench (Sunday, July 11)” over a black 
       screen fading to 46.10- (Heavy rains turn roads into seas 
       of mud; evening, cloudy with strong winds)

       46.01 Map: The Soviet assault into the Orel region

       46.10 “(0700) SOVIET 11TH GUARDS ARMY (NORTH)” over a 
       panoramic, establishing-shot of the Soviet recon units 
       moving forward in fog as friendly artillery bombards the 
       woods

       46.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       46.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       46.20 Wide, side-shot of Soviet units probing into the 
       tree line

       46.30 Shot from behind an M3 half-track as the Soviets 
       take on enemy fire

       46.31 Insert window:
       
       M3 Half-track (Armored Personnel Carrier)
       Weight (tons): 10
       Max. speed kph(mph): 45(28) 
       Crew: 2+10 passengers 
       Armament: 1x.50 MG, 1x.30 MG 
       Armor: 6-12mm
       Range km(miles): 215(134)
       General: Semi-tracked vehicle designed to carry troops 
       into the battle across most types of terrain

       46.40 Panoramic-shot from behind the Soviets as they move 
       laterally

       46.50 Wide-shot down the line of attack to show 
       additional Soviet units moving up in the distance
       
       
       
       47.00 Map: Prelude to the coming Prokhorovka battle in 
       the southern sector as XXXXVIII Panzer Corps thrusts 
       north; II SS Panzer Corps towards Prokhorovka

       47.10 “(0905) GERMAN 13TH COMPANY, SS LIEBSTANDARTE NEAR 
       OKTIABR’SKII STATE FARM (SOUTH)” over a low-angle shot of 
       Liebstandarte Tigers moving in to attack

       47.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       47.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       47.20 Soviet units being inserted into combat as they 
       arrive on the field

       47.30 Panoramic-shot of the Soviet units being pushed 
       back, air attacks helping to pave the way

       

       48.00 “(1000) GERMAN BETWEEN OLKHOVOTKA AND PONYRI 
       (NORTH)” over a panoramic-shot from slightly above the 
       German units as many begin to disengage and move toward 
       the camera and the rear

       48.10 Wide-shot from the German trenches to zoom to the 
       fighting at Ponyri to the east

       

       49.00 CU of Rokossovsky as he smiles on the phone, 
       showing his stainless steel teeth

       49.10 Split screen of the conversation

       

       50.00 “(1415) GERMAN III PANZER CORPS (SOUTH)” over the 
       camera’s aerial, downward shot of the lead armored units 
       of III Panzer Corps as they fight through a river 
       crossing, a 75mm gun giving cover

       50.01 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       50.02 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       50.03 Insert info: 25 kilometers from III Panzer Corps to 
       Prokhorovka

       50.04 Insert window:
       
       75mm PaK 40 (Antitank Gun)
       Weight kg(lbs): 1,427(3,142)
       Rate of Fire, shots/ min.: 15-20 
       Muzzle Velocity mps(fps): 990(3,250) 
       General: Essentially an enlarged 50mm PaK 38, the PaK 40 
       was used with great effectiveness in the open terrain of 
       Kursk

       50.10 Static, wide-shot from behind Breith as he takes in 
       the crossing ”General Hermann Breith, Commander III 
       Panzer Corps” over the general

       50.20 Mid-shot from the side of Breith as blurred German 
       units speed past

       

       51.00 Map: The Soviets attempt to counter the German 
       advance with newly arriving units

       51.10 “SOVIET 29TH TANK CORPS WEST OF PROKHOROVKA 
       (SOUTH)” over a mid-shot with the unit as they are 
       rapidly thrust into battle

       51.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       51.12  Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       51.20 Wide-shot from behind the advancing Soviet armor as 
       they are forced back

       51.30 Aerial-shot of fresh Soviet forces moving into 
       position near Prokhorovka

       

       52.00 “(1900) SOVIET 5TH GUARDS TANK ARMY HQ, PROKHOROVKA 
       (SOUTH)” over a panoramic, establishing-shot of Soviet 
       tank crews mounting up and moving out; Rotmistrov 
       watching a short ways off

       50.01 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       52.02 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       52.10 Wide, static-shot of the two men ”Marshal of the 
       Soviet Union, Aleksandr Vasilevsky, Chief of the Red Army 
       General Staff” and ”Lieutenant-General Pavel Rotmistrov, 
       Commander 5th Guards Tank Army” over each respectively

       52.20 Alternating flips between the two as they discuss 
       the situation

       

       53.00 Map: Breith’s III Panzer Corps as they slug their 
       way north to link up with II SS Panzer Corps

       

       54.00 “Prokhorvskoe Poboishche- Slaughter at Prokhorovka 
       (Monday, July 12)” over a black screen fading to 54.10- 
       (Initially clear, but cloudy with heavy rain throughout 
       most of the day)

       54.10 “(0630) GERMAN II SS PANZER CORPS’ FORWARD 
       POSITIONS (SOUTH)” over a panoramic-shot of II SS Panzer 
       Corps forming up and moving out

       54.11 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       54.12 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot
        

       

       55.00 “(0800) SOVIET 2ND BATTALION, 181ST TANK BRIGADE, 
       NEAR PETROVKA (SOUTH)” over a panoramic-shot of the 
       assembled Soviet armor and senior officers

       55.01 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       55.02 Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       55.10 Low angle, skyward shot as Soviet tankers view the 
       air battle

       55.20 Panoramic shot of the German armor forming up in 
       the distance along with purple smoke

       

       56.00 Map: The dispositions for the Prokhorovka battle; 
       III Panzer Corps and Group Trufanov to the south

       56.10 “(1000) 1ST SS PANZER REGIMENT, LIEBSTANDARTE, NEAR 
       OKTIABR’SKII (SOUTH)” over the lead armored units

       56.20 Low, side-shot of the lead German units rushing 
       past

       56.30 3/4, front-shot of a Tiger stopping to fire it’s 
       main gun

       56.40 Panoramic-shot from behind the first echelon of 
       German armor as it disappears in a hail of rocket fire

       56.50 Wide zoom to the fast approaching T34’s and T-70’s

       56.51 Insert window:
       
       T-70 (Light Tank)
       Weight (tons): 10
       Max. speed kph(mph): 52(32)
       Crew: 2
       Armament: 1x45mm L/46 Model 1938, 1x7.62mm MG
       Armor: 10-60mm
       Range km(miles): 350(217)
       General: Limited use; primarily flank protection for 
       heavier Soviet tanks

       56.60 With the Liebstandarte as they reform and fire on 
       the enemy armor

       56.70 CU of a Mark IV’s hull machine gun firing

       56.80 Wide-shot with the Soviet armor as their 
       accompanying infantry is forced off from the German fire

       56.90 Panoramic, side-shot of the Soviet attack being 
       pushed back before it could close with the German armor

       

       57.00 Map: II SS Panzer Corps pressing the attack around 
       Prokhorovka and the Soviet’s reaction

       57.10 “(1200) GERMAN 3RD SS PANZER REGIMENT, TOTENKOPF, 
       PSEL BRIDGEHEAD (SOUTH)” over camera with Totenkopf as it 
       is assailed by overwhelming Soviet forces

       57.20 Wide, side-shot of the continuing fight
       
       
       
       58.00 “GERMAN 4TH SS PANZER REGIMENT DER FÜHRER, DAS 
       REICH, NEAR IASNAIA POLIANA (SOUTH)” over a wide-shot of 
       the German officers, “SS-Obersturmbannführer Sylvester 
       Stadler, Commander 2nd SS Panzer Regiment” over the 
       newcomer as the battle raging in the background

       58.10 Alternating flips between Hausser and Hoth

       

       59.00 Slow, panoramic pan of the intense clash of 
       opposing armor

       59.10 Camera with a T-34 as it rams an unaware Tiger

       59.20 Wide-shot in the thick of the fight

       

       60.00 “(1700) GERMAN 19TH PANZER DIVISION, SOUTH OF 
       RYNDINKA (SOUTH)” over a mid, side-shot of Breith as he 
       dismounts, thick smoke plumes in the distance

       60.01 Insert info: Listing of pertinent unit strengths

       60.02  Insert map: Semi-transparent map of the unit’s 
       location overall marked with a blinking dot

       60.10 Static-shot facing the two officers as they talk 
       “Major General Walter von Hünersdorff, Commander 6th 
       Panzer Division” over the one

       60.20 Static-shot behind the two as they look to the 
       fires to the north

       

       61.00 Slow, panoramic-shot of the battle’s aftermath

       

       62.00 “Stalemate and Withdrawal (Tuesday, July 13)” on a 
       black screen fading into 62.10- (Heavy rains continue 
       making resupply difficult)

       62.10 “RASTENBURG: OUTER GATE” over a low, static-shot at 
       the forested roadside and guardhouse as Manstein’s staff 
       car comes into view

       62.20 Static, side-shot of the car moving in front of the 
       guardhouse to stop, then moving on out of the frame

       62.30 Camera with the car as it moves into the compound

       62.40 Wide-shot from the compound center as the car stop 
       and the occupants exit

       

       63.00 Mid, front-shot of a speaking “Adolf Hitler, 
       Supreme Commander of the German Armed Forces”

       63.10 Mid-shot of ”Field Marshal Gunther von Kluge, 
       Commander Army Group Center” and his reaction

       63.20 Wide, side-shot of the two groups

       

       64.00 “SOVIET 29TH TANK CORPS HQ (SOUTH)” over wide, 
       static-shot of the Soviet CP

       

       65.00 Map: Strategic operations on the southers front

       65.10 Slow wipes of German units pulling out

       65.20 Slow wipes of advancing Soviet units moving over 
       recently vacated German positions

       65.30 Panoramic pans of German prisoners being marched 
       off and the surrounding devastation

       65.40 Fade to End before Credits
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