Tanks of the Soviet Union
In 1926, the Soviet Union and Germany established a joint tank school at Kazan in the west of the Urals. This secret agreement violated the Treaty of Versailles restrictions on German industrial output. The partnership allowed both nations to legally produce weapons and build infrastructure for future tank manufacturing. British Vickers-Armstrong designs formed the basis for many early Soviet tanks like the T-26 and BT series. A contract signed on the 28th of May 1930 delivered 15 twin-turreted Vickers Mk.E tanks along with full technical documentation. Soviet engineers participated in assembly at the Vickers Factory that same year. Three British tanks were tested for cross-country ability near Poklonnaya Hill in January 1931. One hull was tested for gunfire resistance in August 1931. The Soviets purchased U.S. Christie M1930 prototypes which became the foundation for their fast BT tank series. By 1935, the Red Army possessed more armoured vehicles than the rest of the world combined. Joseph Stalin's enthusiasm for industrialization drove an aggressive military development program resulting in the largest tank inventory globally by the late 1930s.
Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941 when Germany invaded the Soviet Union. At that moment, the Red Army had 23,106 tanks but only about 7.2% were modern models like the T-34 or KV-1. Maintenance standards were poor and ammunition was in short supply. Many units lacked trucks needed for resupply beyond basic fuel loads. Despite numerical superiority, operational capabilities were inferior to German forces due to training deficits. The Great Purge between 1936 and 1938 decimated the officer corps with approximately 54,000 repressed officers. In September 1940, the first production T-34 tanks were completed at Kharkiv Komintern Locomotive Plant. Engineer Mikhail Koshkin convinced Stalin to develop a second prototype called A-32 with thicker frontal armor. This new design featured sloped armour plates likely to deflect anti-armour rounds. By November 1943, the Red Army had replaced light tanks entirely with T-34 and new T-34-85 models. During winter of 1941, 42, the T-34 dominated German tanks through ability to move over deep mud without bogging down. Panzer IV used inferior leaf-spring suspension and narrow tracks tending to sink in snow. Only 25 T-44 prototypes were built by end of 1944 despite plans for 300 monthly production. Lend-Lease shipments included 4,102 M4A2 medium tanks sent to Soviet Union starting late summer 1944.
North Korean invasion of South Korea began in June 1950 spearheaded by about 120 T-34-85 tanks. Task Force Smith from U.S. 24th Infantry Division could not repel these heavily armored vehicles on the 5th of July 1950 during Battle of Osan. American forces lacked widely distributed ammunition designed to combat such tanks. The Pusan Perimeter became defined as farthest advance of North Korean troops until Inchon landing counterattack. In Vietnam, PT-76 amphibious tanks formed part of NVA 202nd Armored Regiment attacking Lang Vei Special Forces camp the 6th of February 7, 1968. Thirteen PT-76s assaulted approximately 24 Green Berets and 500 irregulars defending the position. First tank-to-tank engagement occurred mid-1968 when a US reconnaissance airplane observed a PT-76 being washed in Bến Hải River. Forward Air Control pilot radioed position to nearby M48 Patton unit which fired three 90 mm rounds hitting with third shot. On the 9th of May 1972, TOW helicopters destroyed nine tanks including five T-54/55s and four PT-76s within first day alone. By month's end, TOW missiles had destroyed twenty-four total tanks. A single T-54 bulldozed through main gate of Presidential Palace at 10:45 the 30th of April 1975 ending Vietnam War.
Six-Day War fought between June 5 and the 10th of June 1967 involved over 2,504 Arab tanks against Israel's 800 tanks. Egypt lost 820 vehicles including 82 T-55s during conflict. After losses, Egypt ordered 800 T-54s delivered between 1967 and 1972 plus another 550 T-55s delivered 1969, 1973. Yom Kippur War started the 6th of October 1973 when Egyptian forces crossed Suez Canal using portable bridges laid across water. Some 850 Egyptian tanks crossed canal by following morning preparing for Israeli counterattack. Syrian attack on Golan Heights began simultaneously with three infantry divisions comprising 28,000 troops and 800 tanks. Syrians possessed T-55 tanks equipped with specially designed infrared nightscope giving advantage in night fighting. Coalition of Arab states lost 2,300 tanks destroyed or captured overall. Israeli tanks had better armor and L7 105 mm guns capable of depressing 10 degrees versus Soviet main guns limited to 4 degrees depression. The fact that Arab armies' T-54/55s were equipped with night vision equipment which Israeli tanks lacked gave them initial nighttime advantage.
Design bureau of Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183 located in Nizhny Tagil began working on future improvement vehicle under direct order from Stalin autumn 1943. Chief designer A.A. Morozov presented overall design November 1943 receiving designation T-44 Ob'yekt 136. Frontal armor protection more than doubled without disturbing center mass or drastically increasing weight. Original plans called for factory producing 300 T-44s monthly but only 965 total built by war end including 190 tanks completed 1944, 1945. Army needed new tank armed with powerful 100 mm gun leading to development of T-54 entering service February 1945 after trials March-April. T-54 featured thickened front armor reaching 120 mm upper section and 90 mm lower section. Armament included 100 mm D-10TK tank gun plus two 7.62 mm GWT machine guns. New V-54 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine developed 520 hp at 2,000 rpm. Weight increased to 35.5 tonnes reducing maximal road speed to 43.5 km/h. Heavy IS series replaced KV-series during 1944 beginning with IS-1 then IS-2 seeing combat late WWII against Tiger I and Panther tanks. IS-3 later served Chinese-Soviet border, Soviet invasion Hungary, Prague Spring and both sides Six-Day War before heavy tanks became obsolete due to mobility evolution main battle tank generations.
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Common questions
When did the Soviet Union and Germany establish a joint tank school at Kazan?
The Soviet Union and Germany established a joint tank school at Kazan in 1926. This secret agreement violated Treaty of Versailles restrictions on German industrial output.
What percentage of Red Army tanks were modern models like T-34 or KV-1 when Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941?
Only about 7.2% of the 23,106 tanks possessed by the Red Army were modern models like the T-34 or KV-1 when Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941. Maintenance standards were poor and ammunition was in short supply during that period.
How many PT-76 amphibious tanks assaulted Lang Vei Special Forces camp on the 6th of February 1968?
Thirteen PT-76 amphibious tanks assaulted approximately 24 Green Berets and 500 irregulars defending the position on the 6th of February 1968. These vehicles formed part of NVA 202nd Armored Regiment attacking the camp.
When did Egypt lose 820 vehicles including 82 T-55s during the Six-Day War fought between June 5 and the 10th of June 1967?
Egypt lost 820 vehicles including 82 T-55s during the conflict known as the Six-Day War which took place from June 5 to the 10th of June 1967. This loss occurred while fighting against Israel's 800 tanks.
What specifications defined the T-54 tank entering service in February 1945 after trials March-April?
The T-54 featured thickened front armor reaching 120 mm upper section and 90 mm lower section with a 100 mm D-10TK tank gun plus two 7.62 mm GWT machine guns. The new V-54 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine developed 520 hp at 2,000 rpm.