In the summer of 1941, with Operation Barbarossa in full swing, German divisions were sweeping through Lithuania with futile opposition.
As they approached the town of Raseiniai, a tank battle ensued, resulting in heavy losses for the Russians despite outnumbering the Germans 3 to 1.
On June 24, a lone Russian KV2 Heavy tank, with no fuel left, stopped on a crossroad near the town and decided to make a last stand.
The tank took out 12 supply trucks and in response, four 50 mm AT guns began pounding the vehicle, only to be destroyed by the K2.
A heavy 88 mm gun was moved behind the lone Soviet tank but was destroyed by the tank before it could manage to score a hit.
During the night, German combat engineers tried to destroy the tank with satchel charges but failed.
On the morning of June 25, German tanks fired on the KV from the nearby woodland while another 88 mm gun fired at the tank from its rear. Of several shots fired, only two managed to penetrate the tank.
German infantry then advanced towards the KV tank only to be mowed down by machine-gun fire against them.
The tank was finally knocked out when grenades were thrown into the hatches killing the 6 man crew.
The lone tank held back 2 German Mechanized Divisions for 22 hours.
The bodies were recovered and buried by German soldiers with full military honors in the near by woods.
General Erhard Raus of the 6th Panzer Div. recounted in his memoirs: "I am deeply shocked by this heroism, we buried them with full military honors. They fought to the last breath ... " #ww2 #stayzero #zerofoxtrot #fury