The ISU-152 was a Soviet Self-Propelled gun produced in 1943 and nicknamed Зверобой
“Zveroboy” (The Beast Killer)”. It had no turret making it necessary to maneuver the entire tank.
One of the best uses for it was as a Tank Destroyer waiting to ambush German vehicles. The
ISU-152 was also used in fire support as long as it was accompanied by heavily armored
vehicles. The BL-10 main gun wasn’t always accurate and slow to aim but it did cause terrific
damage if its shell hit the target.
On January 13, 1945 1.5 million men entered East Prussia on their way to Konigsberg (now
Russian Kaliningrad) and Pillau (now Russian Baltiysk). After heavy losses due to German
resistance and mines the Soviet forces reached Konigsberg in late January. The assault on the
city was carried out by aircraft and tanks from the 1st Baltic Front and the 3rd Belorussian Front.
After four days of urban fighting; German forces surrendered on April 9. Pillau was a U-Boat
training port and U-78 was the one and only U-Boat sunk by land forces.
Soviet ISU-122S Specifications
Crew – 5 X Commander (Radio Operator), Gunner, Driver, 2 X Loaders
Engine – 520bhp, 12 cylinder diesel
Top Speed Road – 37 km/h
Operational Range – 240 km
Weight – 41.8 tonne
Dimensions
Length – 6.8 m
Width – 3.07 m
Height – 2.46 m
Armor
Gun Mantlet – 120 mm Thick
Armament
122 mm Main Gun
12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun (not all units)