Design Overview & Tactical Role
When Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the KV-1 heavy tank stood virtually impervious to standard German anti-tank weaponry. Wrapped in 75 mm of homogeneous steel on all sides, standard 3.7 cm PaK 36 shells harmlessly bounced off its hull, earning the German gun the sarcastic moniker of the 'Door-knocker'. Only heavy 8.8 cm FlaK anti-aircraft guns or direct artillery fire could halt it.
Combat History & Battle Records
Named after Defense Commissar Kliment Voroshilov, the KV-1 gained legendary fame during the Battle of Raseiniai in Lithuania (June 1941), where a solitary KV-1 held off the entire 6th Panzer Division for an entire day, repelling waves of tanks, artillery, and engineer squads.
Related Armored Vehicles (World War II)
Cold War
1948
Cold War
1961
Cold War
1964
Cold War
1973