IN July 1943, 80 years ago, WWII, inherently horrific, as is all war, became still more so. On July 5, south-west of Moscow, a massive tank-centred attack by Nazi Germany commenced against the westward-leaning Kursk “bulge,” located between Nazi-occupied Orel and Belgorod, more than 150 miles further south.

Five days later, substantial landings of Western Allied forces took place in Sicily.

Information received in Britain about progress in both places was inevitably limited. On July 13 the Daily Worker commented: “The two battles, in Sicily and at Kursk, grow in intensity. The next days and hours are an anxious period in which big issues will be decided.” Two days later the paper announced: “From both the news is good.”