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In August 1944, alone Soviet T-34/85 supported by SMG platoon, held defence near Ogledow village, Poland. Meanwhile, sPzAbt501 unit just got 45 brand new heavy tanks PzKpfwVIB. During a 50km march 37 (!) of them were immobilized due mechanical breakdowns. On 10 August, the rest of the KingTigers reached Ogledow. Next morning three KingTigers started attack to a bridge over Vislula river. Gds.lt. Oskin (the commander of the Soviet tank) spotted unfamous-looking German tanks on a road. The T-34/85 was excellently camouflaged, so Oskin decided to wait a little. When the Germans reached a distance less than 200m, the Soviets opened fire by APDS and regular AP rounds hoping to penetrate the side armor. One of the KingTigers was flamed by tree hits, and the Germans couldn't even spot where the fire came from. Another PzKpfwVIB took three hits, but its thick armor was not penetrated. 4th round impacted precisely under the turret, and the victim exploded. The last KingTiger tried to run, but it was impossible. The T-34 fired a smoke ammo, then did maneuver to intercept and killed him. The result: 11 men of German crews were killed, 1 captured by Soviet SMG platoon; two KingTigers were totally destroyed, and last one was repaired and moved to Soviet polygon Kubinka (where it was learned). Germans reported about "strong Russian anti-tank defense, impossible to penetrate it by existing forces".Lately, 3 more PzKpfwVIB were captured in Ogledow. Guards lt. Oskin was awarded with the Gold Star of the Hero of Soviet Union, the other crew members (incl. the excellent gunner serg. Abubakir Merkhaydarov and the loader A. Khalyshev) were awarded with an orders.
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