The Cook Who Destroyed a Tank with an Axe

Ivan Pavlovich Sereda’s role in the Red Army began far from the front lines. Born in 1919 in Ukraine, he trained as a cook and was assigned to the 91st Tank Regiment, 46th Tank Division, 21st Mechanized Corps. His task was simple yet crucial: prepare meals for soldiers returning from battle. But in the summer of 1941, during the opening days of Operation Barbarossa, Sereda found himself facing a far greater challenge than feeding troops.

An Unexpected Encounter

While preparing dinner at the North-Western Front near Dvinsk, Sereda heard the unmistakable rumble of approaching tanks. Three German Panzer 38(t) vehicles rolled toward his camp. Two passed without notice, but the third halted, and its commander climbed out to inspect the encampment. The cook had no rifle at hand, only a firewood axe. Recognizing the danger, he made a bold decision.

Taking the Fight to the Tank

Sereda sprinted toward the German commander, evading gunfire and using a tarp and his apron to cover the tank’s vision ports. With relentless strikes, he hacked at the tank’s machine gun until it bent and became unusable. He then used clever deception, calling out imaginary orders to comrades and creating the illusion of a larger force. Believing they faced a well-armed unit, the German soldiers surrendered, tying themselves up under Sereda’s orders.

Recognition and Advancement

When his fellow soldiers returned, they were astonished to see a captured tank and four prisoners. Sereda’s bravery earned him a promotion to scout, and later platoon commander. He continued to fight throughout the war, participating in the Siege of Leningrad and the Battle of Moscow. For his actions, he received the Order of Lenin and the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

A Lasting Legacy

Sereda’s story demonstrates how courage, quick thinking, and improvisation can turn an ordinary soldier into a wartime hero. A cook by training, he faced one of the most feared weapons of the battlefield and emerged victorious. His actions remind us that heroism often appears in the most unexpected forms, and that ingenuity and bravery can make a decisive impact, even against overwhelming odds.