Soviet heavy tank KV-2 from the 6th tank regiment of the 3rd tank division of the 1st mechanized corps from the Armored Forces of the Red Army, destroyed in the battle for the city of Ostrov on July 5, 1941.
The armor of the KV-2 has traces of numerous hits. The starboard side was destroyed by a large-caliber artillery shell, the gun barrel was pierced.
Serial number of the KV-2 heavy tank is B-4754.
The surviving write-off certificates about the KV-2 tank # 4754 stated the following: “The tank was hit – the caterpillar that fell down was destroyed. The shell pierced the side armor of the transmission and damaged the control rods and side clutches, the movement of the tank was impossible. Since the knocked-out and burning tanks blocked the passageway of the bridge, the retreat was impossible due to the knocked-out control of the tank and the fallen tracks, and the tank was not able to turn around. The battalion commander gave the order to get out of the tank, while he himself remained in the vehicle to disable the tank. The further fate of Captain Rusanov is still not known, the rest of the crew returned to the unit. The battlefield was immediately occupied by the enemy and the evacuation of the remaining vehicle from the battlefield became impossible. “
According to the Memorial WBS, Captain Ivan Ivanovich Rusanov from the 6th Tank Regiment died on July 5, 1941. With a high degree of probability, the dead tanker, whose body lies on the armor of the tank, is I.I. Rusanov.
KV-2 crew:
- vehicle commander Captain Rusanov;
- driver-mechanic Zhivoglyadov;
- gun commander Osipov;
- radio operator Volchkov;
- Loader Hantsevich.
From July 1, 1941, the 3rd Tank Division of the 1st Mechanized Corps fought for the city of Ostrov, Pskov Region.
Source: army.lv.
Source of information about the KV-2 heavy tank photo: kv1ehkranami.narod.ru
Location: Ostrov, Pskov region, USSR
Time in the photo: June-July 1941