T-34
The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank.
| File:T-34 76 Westerplatte p m1.jpg (larger image) (view from flank) | |
| General Characteristics (T-34/76) | |
| Length: | 8.0 m |
| Width: | 3.0 m |
| Height: | 2.7 m |
| Weight: | 26 t |
| Speed: | 55 km/h (road) ~26 km/h (off-road) |
| Range: | 186 km |
| Primary armament: | 76.2 mm gun |
| Secondary armament: | two 7.62 mm machine guns |
| Power plant: | 373 kW (500 hp) Diesel |
| Crew: | 4 |
| File:T34 85 Wejherowo m.jpg (larger image) | |
| General Characteristics (T-34/85) | |
| Length: | 8.0 m |
| Width: | 3.0 m |
| Height: | 2.7 m |
| Weight: | 32 t |
| Speed: | 55 km/h (road) ~24 km/h (off-road) |
| Range: | 360 km |
| Primary armament: | 85mm gun |
| Secondary armament: | two 7.62 mm machine guns |
| Power plant: | 373 kW (500 hp) Diesel |
| Crew: | 5 |
Production history
The ancestry of the T-34 derives from prototype fast tanks built by American tank designer J. Walter Christie, which were sold to the Soviet Union after the American military declined to buy them. In particular the T-34 incorporates the Christie suspension.
Development proper commenced in 1936, and a prototype was completed in 1939. Full scale production started in 1940.
Between 1940 and 1944 over 35000 T-34/76 tanks were produced. The T-34 was produced in two major variants, the T-34/76 with a 76 mm gun and a T-34/85 with an 85 mm gun. After the war the T-34 was out of large scale production in the USSR by 1946, and was followed by the T-44 and the T-54. Production was later restarted in Poland and Czechoslovakia where many T-34/85 were made in the 1950's. Some of these ended up in various Cold War era conflicts all over the globe.
Variants
- T-34/76A - Production model of 1940
- T-34/76B - Production model of 1941 with heavier armor and a cast turret.
- T-34/76C - Production model of 1942 with heavier armor and a redesigned turret.
- T-34/76D - Production model of 1943 with welded turret.
- T-34/76E - Production model of 1943 with a commanders cupola.
- T-34/76F - Production model of 1943 with a cast version of the T-34/76D turret.
- T-34/85 - Production model of 1943 with a 85 mm gun and improved turret.
- Panzerkampfwagen T-34(r) - T-34s captured by Germany.
The T-34 chassis was used as the basis for a series of self-propelled guns such as the SG-122 and SU-85.
Some T-34 were fitted as self-propelled guns by Syria.
Combat history
The T-34 is often used as a symbol for Soviet resistance and German arrogance. As such, its actual performance and impact on the war is often overrated. Nevertheless, the appearance of the T-34 definitely was an unpleasant surprise for the German commanders, as it could combat all 1941 German tanks effectively. It was faster, had better armament (50mm was the predominant calibre of German tanks guns) and better armour protection, due to the technical innovation of sloped armour.
However, direct tank to tank combat was a relatively rare occurrence; the vast majority of losses suffered were from logistical and mechanical troubles (50% of Soviet tanks at the start of the German invasion), artillery and air strikes, anti-tank guns and later in the war self-propelled guns and tank destroyers.
At the outset of the war, only about 10% of all Soviet tanks were T-34 variants, this number increased to 50-60% percent till mid-1943. By the time the T-34 had replaced older models and became available in greater numbers, newer German tanks (including the improved German design based on the T-34, the Panzer-V 'Panther') outperformed it. Heavier Russian tanks designs (e.g. the IS-1 and IS-2) were also better-armed and better-armoured than the T-34.
The upgunned T-34/85 nevertheless remained the standard Russian medium tank until the end of the War and played an important role in the Allied victory. The huge numbers produced were a deciding factor.
Quotes
"The finest tank in the world" - Field-Marshal Ewald von Kleist
See also
- List of tanks
- List of common WWII combat vehicles
- List of Soviet tanks
- Soviet tank production during World War II.