Soviet KV1 tank escape hatch recovered from the area of the Seelow heights and the opening phase of the battle for Berlin

****NO SHIPPING POSSIBLE FOR THIS ITEM - COLLECTION ONLY FROM EITHER KENT OR ANY OF THE SHOWS WE ATTEND.***

The hatch is in fantastic condition with no major rust pitting. The catches are stuck solid but could be freed with work. A great addition to a collection and a rare item to find - especially in this condition! 

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

This battle is often incorporated into the Battle of the Oder-Neisse. The Seelow Heights was where some of the most bitter fighting in the overall battle took place, but it was only one of several crossing points along the Oder and Neisse rivers where the Soviets attacked. The Battle of the Oder-Neisse was itself only the opening phase of the Battle of Berlin.

The result was the encirclement of the German 9th Army and the Battle of Halbe.