The Russian Giant KV-1: Legend of '41

There weren’t that many of these powerful heavy tanks—only two or three hundred machines across the entire vast front. But they managed to become a true legend.

Lieutenant Yerofeev fought on the KV-1 throughout 1941, covering the retreat of our troops, defending crossings and railroads. Despite the enemy’s enormous numerical advantage, he managed to win and survive—literally grinding up German armored vehicles, sometimes destroying five or more enemy tanks in a single battle.

After the first clashes with Russian giants, the German command issued an order forbidding their troops from entering open duels with the KV-1. To clear the way for their mechanized horde, the Germans brought up heavy guns to the front line—only they could pierce the thick armor of “Klim Voroshilov.”

In the fierce, blood-soaked battles of the first year of the Great War, our tank crews foiled the lightning-strike plans of the Wehrmacht and gave hope to the Victory of the Red Army.