@Tank_Archives

Military history writer specializing in armoured warfare in the 1930s and 1940s.

tankarchives.com/
Joined January 2016
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Dissatisfied with the LT vz.35, the Czechoslovakian Ministry of Defense issued requirements for a new tank #OTD in 1937. ČKD's LT vz.38 won the tender. Unfortunately, the Czechs were outplayed on the political battlefield and these tanks fell into German hands. #tanks #history
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The Cruiser Tank A30 entered trials #OTD in 1942. A design inspired by the TOG II* turret was installed on a lengthened Cromwell chassis. This vehicle saw limited service in 1944-45 since the Sherman Firefly was both a better design and more numerous. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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#OTD in 1941 a second attempt to lift the Siege of Leningrad began. The Second Sinyavino Operation was no more successful than the first one, failing to link up the forces of the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII
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#OTD in 1943 Hitler was shown a wooden model of the future Jagdtiger. Despite his excitement over the monstrously huge vehicle, only a small number were built and it failed to have any impact on the course of the war. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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#OTD in 1942 the Soviet State Committee of Defense approved the development of light SPG prototypes. This included the SU-12, which would later be accepted into service as the SU-76. The SU-12 was followed by the superior SU-15M (SU-76M). #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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The first production Medium Tank T23 was finished #OTD in 1943. Production continued into the summer of 1944, even though it was clear that this tank was not going to see widespread service due to difficulty in servicing the transmission. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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#OTD in 1942 Stalin signed a decree ordering the production of several SPG prototypes. One of these was the U-35, a 122 mm M-30 howitzer on the chassis of a T-34 tank. This vehicle would be accepted into service as the SU-122. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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Two Valentine tanks built in Canada were sent to the UK for testing. A report on the trials was completed #OTD in 1942. The tank with WD number T.41105 ran for nearly 3000 miles before failure, split evenly between cross-country and roads. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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#OTD in 1943 the Object 240 (future IS-2) tank arrived at the Gorohovets artillery proving grounds. Note that the muzzle brake is painted a different colour. It actually arrived separately from the tank and was only installed on the following day. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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Two methods of concealing the Firefly's long gun were examined #OTD in 1944. The first was relatively straightforward and consisted of a fake muzzle brake and white paint to hide the shadow of the forward half of the barrel. #tanks #history #WWII #WW2
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The second was more complicated and inconvenient. The turret was turned around, the real gun hidden on the engine deck with foliage while a fake gun was attached to the back of the turret. This method required the crew to rotate the turret 180 degrees before entering battle.
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100 mm guns tested in Object 245 and Object 248 tanks were good candidates for replacing the heavier 122 mm D-25T gun. However, #OTD in 1944 Malyshev spoke against the replacement, as the heavier shell allowed fighting German tanks at a greater range. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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The Germans entered the Second World War with a type of unit called a Light Division composed of light tanks transported on trucks. This concept proved unsuccessful, and #OTD in 1939 the Light Divisions were reformed into ordinary tank divisions. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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Tank Archives retweeted
Yuri Pasholok@YPasholokOct 18
Historical correct IS-152. Yes, it's real idea of tank), october 1943 date. "Artillery" tank, with IS (Object 240, or IS-2 turret, and ML-20 based gun. New gun, not just barrel from ML-20. Actually something like D-25T gun. Idea was rejected too hard for reaload. #is2 #tankguns
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After assembling one full Maus tank out of the V1 hull and V2 turret, the Red Army shipped the tank to Kubinka for testing. #OTD in 1945 it was reported that the tank was stuck in transit since lifting equipment for such a heavy load was unavailable. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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Soviet mobility trials of a captured King Tiger tank began #OTD in 1944. Even though the tank was fresh out of repairs, the left drive sprocket, 4 track links, and 15 track pins broke after driving for just 80 km and the tank became inoperable. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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The Red Army composed requirements for a small and fast tank destroyer armed with a 45 mm gun #OTD in 1942. This vehicle was intended to support mechanized units in fighting infantry and tanks. Only concepts existed and the vehicle was never built. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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Requirements for the Tank všeobecného použití (universal tank) were approved #OTD in 1945. This Czechoslovakian tank combined elements of Soviet and German tank design. The requirements changed constantly and as a result no tank was ever built. #tanks #history
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Loading Matilda and Valentine tanks onto ships bound for the USSR. Liverpool #OTD in 1941. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
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#OTD in 1933 prototypes of the P-I tankette were sent to Milovice for trials. Shortly after it was accepted into service as the Tc vz. 33. This tankette was the first armoured vehicle to be mass produced in Czechoslovakia. #tanks #history
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