Indeed Hitler needed a victory to show Wehrmacht was still in command in summer 1943. The new weapons were meant to lead the army to victory.

I think Hitler had been adviced on the Kursk situation but he only thought it had to be done.
Anyway, Hitler believed also that even if the attack would not make it, it would drain the Red Army as much as Wehrmacht and would stop the Russians from making any attempts of attacking for 6 months or more. Here´s where Hitler was totally wrong as the Russians had strong reserves to make their counter attacks and new offensives during or rigth after Zitadelle.

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