"The "Valley of Death" is the area where the heaviest tank battles of the Soviet troops took place after crossing the Czech-Slovak border from 25 to 27 October 1944. It is a valley in the Ondava Upland, which was created by the Svidničanka stream. It was named after the largest tank battle that took place in the valley as part of the Carpathian-Dukla Operation.
Anti-tank obstacle - needle - Dragon's tooth
Armoured vehicles, and especially tanks, underwent considerable technical advances during World War II, and events on the battlefields of that conflict showed that they were often decisive in determining the outcome of the battle. For this reason, so-called active and passive means were dealt with in the zone of defence against tanks. The idea was to slow down the tanks and direct them into a zone where they could be easily neutralized by anti-tank weapons. „Dragon's teeth“ were used by several armies in Europe. The Germans used them extensively in the Siegfried Line and the Atlantic Wall. Mines were often placed between each „dragon's tooth“ to disarm tanks. The triangular needles were generally placed in a line and in a direction away from the enemy's anticipated advance.
Once every two years in the Hive of Death, 200 extras perform a reenactment of World War II battles.
source: village Kružlova
photo: village Kružlova, Military Historical Institute
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