T-34 tank

T-34 tank

Russian T-34 tank was the most popular tank of World War 2 (over 80,000 were built) and considered the best construction of that time. It wasn’t best in any parameters, but had the best balance between firepower, armor and speed. Also, just like M4 Sherman, the construction was simple enough that could be repaired anywhere using only a handful of basic tools. When T-34 was developed in 1940 and at that time was superior to most of the German tanks, but when Germans introduced heavy tanks like Tiger or Panther the strong point of T-34 remained only the high number of them. During the battles, like Kursk, T-34 were quite often used to ram the enemy in order to damage or immobilize German tanks, because T-34 were expendable while Germans had problem with repairing their vehicles. The improved version of T-34, often called T-34/85 had improved gun (85mm, thus the name), improved armor and mobility, but still remained simple enough to be produced in high numbers.

After World War 2 T-34 was still widely used around the world in communist countries or poorer countries that needed to improve their armies cheap (Middle East, Asia, Africa). They were involved in Korean War, some of them were used in Vietnam War and several local conflicts (Iran-Iraq war, Russian invasion on Afghanistan and even Iraq War). Chinese version of this tank, Type 58, was also exported to many countries. Original T-34 are still in service in few countries around the world.

Battle of LeninoBattle of StalingradContinuation WarOperation BagrationOperation BarbarossaVistula-Oder Offensive

tanksworld war 2 tanks