History knows no pity. Especially the history of weapons and military equipment. Probably, it is connected with the very essence of these samples of human thought, since the war with the development of technology are becoming more transient. And in the run-time, buildup and work on mistakes virtually no.
Here it is very accurately describes all the, what happened to the hero of our story. Discussed in this article will focus on the armored vehicle, which very few people saw, and the special interest it does not cause, except that connoisseurs all moving on two rails. Even in specialized publications about this item written just a couple of lines. And they created a total of five units.
However, not all so simple.
so, bronedrezina heavy (BDT). Most amateurs and professionals is more commonly known under the name BTC-35. clear, that the figures in this embodiment indicate the year of adopting Red Army.
In the previous article we mentioned two directions of development of the rail armament, which arose from bronepoezdnoy topics. Bronevahonы and bronedrezynы.
And there went the nuances. composition.
It all started with, that virtually disappeared difference in running challenges and opportunities of technology. agree, what bronevahon type MBV-2 - it is not an armored train of the First World and the Civil War.
And if you attach to it a couple of platforms with anti-aircraft guns and a car repair equipment? It's already that, light armored train turns? And so did.
Light bronedreziny type database «Arrow» tyazhelel give sufficiently powerful weapons. Speed, it is natural, falling, but intensified firepower. So what? The output does not bronevagon, but no longer bronedrezina.
Most importantly - for what all?
The railway network required the creation of a system of protection. It proved the Civil War, who were able to control the path of the delivery and the transport of the entire row, and he won the.
Plus, let's not forget two things: country scale, even taking into account the lost territories, and the presence of neighbors across virtually the entire perimeter of the Soviet borders, dreaming how to bury a young Union, and simply press "historically ancestral" territories.
In the end, all it took the command of the Red Army to create the conditions of logistics, in which the movement of troops by rail would be safe not only inside the country, but also on its borders.
Talk about bronedrezine, able to accompany the troop trains at the troop, and perform security functions of railways, It was long enough. but, this task was hindered by the lack of chassis.
This chassis has appeared in 1933 year. It constructors Kaluga machine factory this year launched the most massive rail car prewar Ms (3339 pcs) with 73 horsepower from ZIS-5. In addition to the engine, The rail car designers have given the new chassis and bodywork.
Development of requirements for the new armored railway car in the Department of mechanization and motorisation of the Red Army was finished in 1934 year. The military insisted on the development of three types bronedrezin. The main railcars were well-armed heavy database. Besides, were necessary trolley-carriers and trolleys and staff vehicles.
This raises the question about arming. Zachem BD gun?
The thing is, that the main purpose of the database in the 30s has added another challenge. Protection of bridges and railway facilities at a distance from transportation hubs.
In principle, the, than previously engaged an armored train and bronevagony, but with a certain admixture of espionage. I.e, DB could very quickly arrive at the scene, the crew assessed the situation and then act according to circumstances. I.e, or tried to solve the problem yourself (for which the usual machine guns trolley may not be enough), or using a relatively high speed, step back.
The rapid development of the tanks at the time and pushed the Red Army Command to arm DB antitank guns. These weapons would be used against the enemy bronedrezin. And even against armored trains, Using a higher speed railcar.
The latter is slightly doubtful, but say documents. I.e, plan could be anything, the question was only for the use of.
so, at 1934 year at the Moscow plant zheleznodorozhnoremontny ("Mozherez") received an order for the production of heavy bronedrezin. Designing this product was factory CB "Mozhereza" under the direction of H. Gulenko. but, immediately became the chief designer engineer F. underpants, head «military branch of KB».
We have repeatedly written about, how quickly executed military orders in the 30-ies. So it was with a new bronedrezinoy. Already at the end 1934 Year of the gate spetstseha "Mozhereza" came the first database!
If you look closely at this car, can be seen, that it was done in the traditional style of the time «tachanki». Remember first Soviet armored H. AND. Dyrenkova? Especially aft. The machine must be movable firing point. A kind of mobile pillbox.
Besides, in our opinion, when you create a database designers clearly relied on the development of more 1916 of the year. Is meant light bronedrezina «Arrow». In fact, the database "Mozhereza" repeated the outlines «Arrows» magnified. Except for towers.
Bronedrezyna «Arrow»
At the factory the machine has received the traditional name for the enterprise E (experimental) — 7 (severe). but, when transferring the product into the Red Army was given a new name - the BDT. Bronedrezina heavy. In some documents added numbers, As we wrote above.
Tests were conducted with BDT 30 November 1935 year on 26 Martha 1936 year in a separate regiment of armored trains on the route Bryansk - Smolensk. Generally, tests deemed successful.
Design changes, which followed after the test, It caused rather a desire to improve the design, than necessary. Total trolley passed 1060 km.
Consider the car closer.
Kaluga rail car chassis Ms remained virtually unchanged. The successful design of the chassis and the engine is quite powerful enough to cope with the armored corps. Reinforcing structures are not needed.
BDT removable housing. Is attached to the frame by bolts. welded. The side walls have reservations 16 mm. Roof clad sheet thickness 10 mm. The same book on the walls, close to horizontal. horizontal-roof sheets and a bottom, thick 8 mm.
For the embarkation and disembarkation of crew, that was 9 human, in case there were two doors. The doors are located on both sides, making it possible to evacuate the crew under fire.
BDT commander had the opportunity to observe the railroad tracks through the top hatch. Luke is in the right side and tilts up.
An interesting solution is found for the review of the driver in a combat situation. Designers did not develop anything new, We used the, that already is in the army. In combat, the driver used the periscope «Scout», whom, creators of opinion, It was enough for the proper control of the railway track.
Armament BDT is impressive even today. The car turned out really «zubastaya» for such a small crew.
Tower from the T-26 with a 45 mm cannon and coaxial machine gun DT. The tower is located in the middle part of the trolley. reservation tower 13 mm.
On the sides there are three machine guns «Maksim» (two on the right and one on the left). Aft gun DT. The rear housing portion is coupled antiaircraft machine gun «Maksim». special hatch was necessary to move to its use.
For such weapons there, and the corresponding amount of ammunition. Ammunition ammunition BDT also command respect. 21 thousands of rounds of ammunition to the gun «Maksim»! 1536 ammunition for the machine gun DT. 154 shell to tank gun.
The machine was equipped with a tank 71 shortwave radio-TK-1 with handrail antenna. Communication can be maintained over a distance of 10-30 km in motion and 40 km in the parking lot.
There is another little-known, but quite an interesting fact of life in this armored vehicle. BDT could change the way. Simply put, the machine can be moved on parallel paths! Truth of the matter is quite difficult.
The mechanism of lifting and moving on a parallel path looked like this. Trolley on a mechanical lift is raised above the rails and turned on 90 degrees on a special spherical bearing lift. Across the path laid special beam, which with the help of winches BDT rolls onto a different path. Further, in the reverse order.
Production bronedrezin had to do Podolsky krekingoelektrovozostroitelny plant. The reason for this decision is simple. The plant already had experience of manufacturing armored corps for the T-27 and T-37. In fact, the production database has been organized just for production buildings.
In fact, instead of the declared 10 bronedrezin plant could produce up to end 1936 just two years. The reason is simple and old as the hills. summed allied. In particular, Plant did not receive armored turret. In total, all were released during the production of heavy bronedrezin 5 machines.
It is interesting to combat use of the BDT. Why such terrible machine is not actually participated in the defeat of the German fascist hordes?
The thing is, In mid-30's opinion has been formed to guide the Red Army, that the main purpose of the BDT - guard the railway line in Siberia and the Far East. This opinion did not come out of the blue.
The infrastructure of Siberia and today put it mildly, It leaves much to be desired. In the prewar years,… So the main ways of delivering troops, and in general transportation remained railways and rivers. It is their defense and declared a priority units and formations in the east.
The average speed of the armored train of the time was near 50 km / h. BDT also dispersed to 75th. Another advantage was bronedrezin power reserve. It exceeds that of BP in 2 more than doubled. 250 km against 100. There is a third advantage. Engine!
Car engine did not require such frequent maintenance, as boilers of locomotives armored trains. Enough daily MOT and routine maintenance after a certain number of kilometers traveled.
In the end,, 28 May 1936 the Chief of the General Staff ordered the formation of an experienced bronedrezin battalion based on separate regiment of armored trains with the task in the future to relocate to the eastern regions of the country.
The battalion was supposed to be quite serious fighting unit for the eastern theater. Only BDT-35 should be 10 pcs. A plus, on the same basis trolley LH (The Staff). Add here 21 3ƶd, 9 FAI-rail and other machines. Only officers in the battalion was 40 human. Sergeants and sergeants - 86 human. ordinary - 134 man, in total 268 personnel of the.
The battalion was formed 15 August 1936 of the year. but, armored vehicles in a new subdivision in full is not received. From BDT battalion arrived in only one machine.
In July 1937 the battalion has received a new staff and a new number, the 5th separate battalion bronedrezin (5 oʙʙdr) and in September of the same year he transferred to the Khabarovsk Krai in the Bureya station. According to the new staff battalion was supposed to 5 bronedrezyn (4 BDT and 1 Mon), 39 armored vehicles with rail travel and other equipment.
That's the way bronedreziny and appeared in the east, where there were virtually the entire war. Can we call this participation in the war? Do not know. but, enemy, knowing the BDT and other armored vehicles in the Soviet railway no provocations using its own railway armor did not hold.
But the Japanese battalion still beat. 4 years of waiting and provocations… After the march, the battalion joined the battle 12 August 1945 of the year. He fought in Manchuria. Covered roads. Carrying generals units and formations. And even accompanied by the Military Council of the 2nd Army to negotiate the surrender of the city Sun-U. Bronedreziny guarded railroad.
2 November 1945 year came the order to disband the battalion and the transfer of armored vehicles to the military warehouse. This day became the official date of completion of military service BDT-35.
Evaluate bronedrezinu BDT-35 with hindsight silly. Already at the time of this machine it was not so much a revolutionary, as consisting of the tools and weapons on other samples tested art.
The machine is reliable, powerful, well armed and able to fight with almost any opponent. Enemy tank or armored vehicle, Another bronedrezyna, artillery or enemy infantry. Basically, even for aircraft BDT was not the most simple goal. Speed plus guns - this is not a simple composition.
The most important thing, it was a machine in its place, even if it's Siberia and Far East. As is known, Service can not choose a place especially, it is obtained the appointment.
