In either case, the armament required a large, powered turret structure for which the crew could manage its functions and recoil while in relative safety from battlefield dangers and the elements. The 152mm gun became the largest caliber weapon ever fitted to a serial production tank. However, by the time the tank was thrown at the German Army - a much more studied, experienced and prepared group of soldiers with excellent anti-tank weapons and doctrine - soon shown the limitations of the KV-2 system to a high degree.Ī limited set of early KV-2 vehicles were fitted with the 122mm M1938 L/22.7 (4.8 inch) howitzer but this was eventually "upgunned" to become the more noted 152mm M1938 L/24.3 (6 inch) caliber weapon. The KV-2 was something of a success in that respect and was fielded to good effect against the Finnish Army during "Winter War". Production was handled out of the Kirov facility and ChTZ, a heavy machinery tractor plant.įor some time, Soviets were attempting to mate a variety of big guns to tracked hulls. Its design utilized the same running gear and hull of the KV-1 with design work undertaken from 1938 into 1939. The KV-2 received its designation from the acting Soviet Defense Minister of the time - Klimenti Voroshilov. As such, production was limited to approximately 255 vehicles before Soviet attention turned to other priorities and production of the type never resumed. However, this 152mm howitzer was set within an awkward, boxy turret that proved rather unwieldy in the heat of battle and limited the tactical usefulness of the design as a whole. Key to the form and function of the KV-2 was its 152mm main gun armament and stout armor protection which made for an imposing combat system. Whereas the KV-1 series was intended as a direct combat tank designed to tackle enemy tank systems and spearhead advances, the KV-2 was utilized moreso as a close-support/fire-support vehicle designed to lob large-caliber, high-explosive shells against enemy positions during such an advance. The KV-2 assault gun tank was developed from the KV-1 series of heavy tanks appearing in 1939-1940 with the Red Army.
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