Soviet KV1 tank escape hatch recovered from the area of the Seelow heights

NO SHIPPING � COLLECTION ONLY FROM KENT OR ANY OF THE SHOWS WE ATTEND.

This hatch is in excellent condition with no significant rust pitting. The catches are currently stuck but could be freed with some effort. A rare and highly desirable piece, especially in this condition, it would make a fantastic addition to any collection.

The Battle of the Seelow Heights was part of the Seelow-Berlin Offensive Operation (16 April�2 May 1945). Fought over three days (16�19 April 1945), it was one of the last major assaults on entrenched defensive positions during the Second World War. Close to one million Soviet troops of the 1st Belorussian Front�including 78,556 soldiers of the Polish 1st Army�under Marshal Georgi Zhukov attacked the position known as the �Gates of Berlin.� They were opposed by approximately 110,000 German soldiers of the 9th Army, commanded by General Theodor Busse, as part of Army Group Vistula.

The Seelow Heights saw some of the fiercest fighting of the overall battle but was only one of several crossing points along the Oder and Neisse rivers. The Battle of the Oder-Neisse was the opening phase of the larger Battle of Berlin, ultimately resulting in the encirclement of the German 9th Army and the subsequent Battle of Halbe