Soviet Union • TANKS
T-34
T-34/76 Medium Tank
The T-34 is widely regarded as the most important tank of WW2 and one of the most influential tank designs in history. Its combination of firepower, protection, and mobility shocked the Germans when first encountered in 1941.
- Introduced
- 1940
- Manufacturer
- Kharkov Locomotive Factory
- Retired
- 1960
- Type
- medium tank
Key Technical Details
- Crew
- 4
- Weight
- 26.5 t
- Main Armament
- 76.2mm F-34 gun
- Armor (front)
- 47 mm
- Max Speed
- 53 km/h
- Range
- 400 km
- Production
- 84,000 built
Combat Context
When the T-34 appeared in 1941, it outclassed every German tank then in service. The Germans were forced to develop the Panther as a direct response. The T-34 formed the backbone of Soviet armored forces throughout the war, with the later T-34/85 variant carrying an 85mm gun.
- • Battle of Kursk - largest tank battle in history (1943)
- • Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943)
- • Operation Bagration (1944)
