T-34 Soviet Medium Tank

The T-34 is one of the most iconic and influential tanks in military history, developed by the Soviet Union during World War II. Its combination of mobility, firepower, and armour revolutionised tank design and gave the Soviet Red Army a critical advantage on the Eastern Front. The T-34’s innovative sloped armour, powerful gun, and robust mechanics allowed it to dominate the battlefield against German forces, particularly in the early years of the war.

General Specifications:

• Country of Origin: Soviet Union
• Type: Medium tank
• Service Entry: 1940
• Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, driver, loader)

Dimensions:

• Length: 6.68 metres (21 ft 11 in)
• Width: 3.00 metres (9 ft 10 in)
• Height: 2.45 metres (8 ft)
• Weight:
• T-34/76: 26.5 tonnes
• T-34/85: 32 tonnes

Powerplant and Mobility:

• Engine: V-2-34 12-cylinder diesel engine
• Horsepower: 500 hp (373 kW)
• Maximum Speed: 53 km/h (33 mph) on road, 25 km/h (16 mph) off-road
• Range: 300 km (186 miles) on road
• Suspension: Christie suspension (which allowed for superior cross-country mobility compared to many contemporaries)

Armament:

The T-34 had two main variants with differing armament based on the gun calibre:

1. T-34/76 (1940–1944):

• Main Armament: 76.2 mm F-34 or L-11 tank gun
• Ammunition Capacity: 77 rounds
• Secondary Armament: 2 x 7.62 mm DT machine guns (one coaxial and one mounted in the hull)

1. T-34/85 (1944–1958):

• Main Armament: 85 mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun
• Ammunition Capacity: 60 rounds
• Secondary Armament: 2 x 7.62 mm DT machine guns

Armour:

• Hull Armour:
• Frontal: 45 mm sloped at 60° on early models (T-34/76), improved to 75 mm on later models (T-34/85)
• Side and Rear: 40 mm
• Turret Armour:
• Frontal: 52 mm (T-34/76), increased to 90 mm (T-34/85)
• Side and Rear: 45 mm
• The sloped armour design, especially on the front glacis, dramatically improved the tank’s survivability by increasing the likelihood of deflecting incoming shells.

Design Features:

• Sloped Armour: The T-34’s hull and turret were designed with pronounced sloping angles, providing better protection with relatively thinner armour, a major advancement in tank design.
• Christie Suspension: Provided excellent cross-country performance, allowing the T-34 to traverse difficult terrain that other tanks, especially German ones like the Panzer III and IV, struggled with.
• Diesel Engine: The T-34 was powered by a diesel engine, which was less flammable and offered better fuel efficiency compared to petrol engines used by many other tanks at the time.

Variants:

• T-34/76: The original production model, with a 76.2 mm gun. It was the main Soviet medium tank until 1943.
• T-34/85: Introduced in 1944, this version was up-gunned with an 85 mm main gun and featured a larger three-man turret (commander, gunner, and loader), improving the crew’s efficiency and firepower.

Operational History:

The T-34 first entered service in 1940 and saw extensive action in the Soviet defence during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Early in the war, it outmatched the lighter German Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks in both armour and firepower. However, initial deployments were hampered by poor Soviet tactics, inadequate training, and mechanical reliability issues due to rushed production.

By 1943, during the Battle of Kursk, the T-34 had evolved and adapted, and the introduction of the T-34/85 in 1944 provided an answer to newer German tanks like the Panther and Tiger. The 85 mm gun could effectively engage these heavier tanks, although it was still outmatched by the Tiger I in frontal engagements.

The T-34 remained the backbone of Soviet armoured forces throughout the war and continued in service with numerous countries well after the war ended. Its balance of mobility, firepower, and ease of production made it an ideal vehicle for large-scale mass production, with over 80,000 units built, making it one of the most produced tanks in history.

Legacy:

The T-34’s design influenced post-war tank development, especially with its sloped armour and ability to be produced in massive quantities. It remained in service in many countries well into the Cold War and even saw action in conflicts like the Korean War and various post-colonial wars in Africa and the Middle East. Its simplicity, ruggedness, and combat effectiveness left a lasting legacy in tank design.