The Soviet dive bombers ran into the German fighters, and the Germans were diverted from their planned mission and had to defend their airfields.To counter the barrage, the Luftwaffe scrambled to bomb the gun emplacements.The Soviets launched 84 Sturmoviks to attack German fighters at their bases and began an artillery barrage.The Soviets knew the tanks were coming and where they would strike.They were informed by British intelligence. The Germans launched Operation Citadel on 5 July 1943.In June, they destroyed 500 German aircraft at their bases.In May, they flew 1,400 sorties, destroying 300 ammunition rail cars.The Soviet Air Force began attacking German air bases in April, destroying 35 vital photo-reconnaissance aircraft.German pilots had years of aerial combat experience.Soviet pilots had trained in combat manoeuvres and methods of attacking small, mobile targets. Both German and Soviet aircraft flew combat missions controlled by ground liaison officers.
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