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T-34 in comparison with the German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV

T-34 in comparison with the German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV

Legendary T-34 many years after the end of World War II, it causes a lot of controversy and conflicting opinions. Some prove, that he is the best tank of that war, others speak of his mediocre performance and implausible victories. Someone calls the best American "Sherman" or German T-VI "Tiger" and T-V "Panther".

Trying to talk about this and junior officers - tankers of the Spanish army. article "Panzer IV": secrets of armored legend Adolf Hitlera", published in January of this year, they admire the German tank "Panzerkampfwagen IV" (Pz.Kpfw.IV), comparing it with the T-34. draw conclusions, that the German tank is "one of the best battle tanks of its time", while recognizing, that "in the icy Russian steppe, he had to face off against a more modern and a priori much more deadly enemy - the T-34-76".

Recognizing the high performance of the Soviet tank, the authors speak disrespectfully about the tank and Soviet tankers. The technical characteristics of the T-34 are rumored, this can be seen from their statement, that in a German tank the crew rotated along with the turret, but in the T-34 this is impossible.

They proudly write about the mass production of Pz.Kpfw.IV in Nazi Germany: there was produced during 1937-1945 years 8686 tanks.

Apparently, they don't realize, what was produced during the war years in the Soviet Union 35312 T-34!

The fate of the T-34 requires an objective assessment and comparison of the real characteristics of tanks, as is customary in modern tank building. What were the T-34 and Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks, who had to face on the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War?

Tank Pz.Kpfw.IV was created as an assault tank, means of fire support for infantry to combat enemy firing points and break through fortified positions with light anti-bullet armor and crew 5 human.

T-34 in comparison with the German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV
German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV

The main armament was a short-barreled 75-mm cannon with a barrel length 24 caliber. The main emphasis was placed on a powerful high-explosive fragmentation projectile. Due to the low speed of the armor-piercing projectile (385 m / s) he did not pose a serious threat to enemy tanks. Tank ammunition was 80 shots.

Tank protection was bulletproof, frontal protection of the body 30-50 mm, forehead of the tower 30-35 mm, hull and turret sides 20 mm, the roof and bottom of the hull are only 10 mm. The tank did not use the inclined arrangement of armor plates. Naturally, with such protection, this tank became easy prey for anti-tank weapons and enemy tanks.

The mass of the tank in the process of modernization was constantly growing and to 1941 year increased from 18,4 t to 21 t. With a constant power of a 300-horsepower gasoline engine, the specific power was 13.6-14.3 hp / t, in a narrow caterpillar, the specific pressure for such a tank was high: 0,69 — 0,79 kg / sq. cm. In this regard, the patency and maneuverability of the tank were low., and this especially began to affect the off-road conditions in the war with the Soviet Union.

The tank provided good living conditions and visibility for the crew of the tank. The commander's cupola was installed in the tower, providing him with an all-round view, there were perfect at that time observation and aiming devices.

The T-34 tank was created as a high-speed medium tank with anti-ballistic armor protection., providing protection against 37 mm anti-tank guns, with powerful weapons, ensuring the defeat of enemy tanks, and was intended primarily for the development of an offensive in the operational depth of the enemy’s defense as part of large tank formations. It was a new concept of a universal breakthrough tank., combining strong firepower, good protection and high maneuverability.

The T-34 tank had anti-projectile protection, it provided reliable protection against all enemy anti-tank weapons existing at that time, including from 37 mm German Pak anti-tank guns 35/36 and almost all foreign tanks, which were equipped with guns with a caliber of no more 50 mm.

T-34 in comparison with the German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV
Tank T-34 1941 year of manufacture with cast turret

For the first time in world tank building, the T-34 was equipped with a long-barreled 76-mm L-11 gun with a barrel length of 30,5 caliber, replaced in January 1941 years for a more powerful 76-mm F-34 gun with a barrel length of 41 caliber. These guns with the initial speed of the armor-piercing projectile 635 m / s significantly exceeded all foreign tank guns existing at that time.

For the first time in world tank building, tank protection was built on an inclined arrangement of armor plates.. The forehead of the hull consisted of two 45-mm armor plates, the top, at an angle 60 city. the vertical, and bottom, at an angle 53 city, providing armor protection in the equivalent 80 mm.

The forehead and walls of the tower were made of 45-mm armor plates, located at an angle 30 city., the frontal plate was bent in the shape of a half cylinder. With a cast tower, the wall thickness was increased to 52 mm.

The sides of the hull in the lower part were located vertically and had a thickness 45 mm. Upper side of the boards, in the area of ​​the fenders, consisted of 40 mm armor plates, located at an angle of 40°. The aft part was assembled from the upper and lower 40 mm of armor plates, converging in a wedge at an angle 47 city. and 45 city.

The hull roof in the MTO area was made of 16 mm armor plates, and in the area of ​​​​the turret box was 20 mm. The bottom of the tank was thick 13 mm under MTO and 16 mm in the frontal part.

For the first time in tank building, the T-34 was equipped with a diesel engine with a capacity of 500 l. from. With a combat weight of 26.6-31.0 tons, the specific power was 19.0-16.0 hp / t, and the use of a wide caterpillar provided a low specific pressure 0,62 kg / sq. cm, which guaranteed high running characteristics of the tank.

Combination in T-34-76 high firepower, good projectile protection with high cross-country ability, maneuverability and mobility provided high combat characteristics of the tank. T-34-76 confidently hit the frontal projection of all German tanks and provided reliable protection against regular German anti-tank weapons.

The extreme simplicity of the design of the tank with high manufacturability ensured the rapid organization of mass production of tanks during the war., high maintainability in the field and good performance.

At the same time, the T-34-76 with the crew 4 a person had a serious handicap in terms of the working conditions of the crew members. The tower was tight, visibility is poor, viewing devices were imperfect. It was impossible to place another crew member in the tower. The commander also performed the functions of a gunner, in connection with which he could not fully perform the functions of a commander and search for targets. At the initial stage of serial production of the tank, its components and systems had low reliability..

Comparing the T-34-76 tanks and the Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks of the A-E series of production of the same period, we can conclude, that the T-34-76 tank was superior to the Pz.Kpfw.IV in all the main characteristics. In terms of firepower, the 75-mm T-34-76 gun was guaranteed to penetrate the armor of the Pz.Kpfw.IV at all real firing distances. The armor protection of the T-34-76 reliably protected the tank from German anti-tank weapons., and the 75-mm short-barreled gun of a German tank could not penetrate the armor of the T-34-76. It was possible to break through the armor of the T-34-76 from a distance 100-150 m, but at this distance it was still necessary to approach a deadly tank.

In terms of cross-country ability and maneuverability of the T-34-76 due to the higher power density of the engine, 13,6 hp / ton. against 19 hp / ton, and a wider track stood much higher than the Pz.Kpfw.IV and provided an undeniable advantage.

With the accumulation of experience in combat collisions of tanks, the T-34-76 and Pz.Kpfw.IV were improved. On a German tank in March 1942 of the year on the Pz.Kpfw.IV F modification, instead of a short-barreled 75-mm cannon, a long-barreled 75-mm cannon Kw.K.40 L / 43 was installed with a barrel 43 caliber, and in the spring 1943 gun Kw.K.40 L/48 with barrel length 48 calibres.

T-34 in comparison with the German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV
Tank Pz.Kpfw.IV F with 75-mm gun Kw.K.40 L/43

The firepower of the tank has increased dramatically, he became a universal tank, capable of solving a wide range of tasks and fighting T-34-76 tanks and the American M4 Sherman at most firing ranges.

The armor of the Pz.Kpfw.IV has also increased due to the installation of a solid-rolled 80-mm armor plate on the forehead of the hull, having reached the level of protection of the forehead of the T-34-76 hull, the tower defense was partially increased to 30 mm. The rest of the armor of the tank has not changed and was weak. Besides, additional protection measures were introduced on the Pz.Kpfw.IV - hinged anti-cumulative screens made of 5 mm sheets, mounted on the sides of the hull, and coating of vertical armor with "zimmerite" to protect against magnetic mines.

However, the patency and maneuverability of the tank, especially the latest modifications, the mass of which reached 25,7 t, with the same engine power became even worse.

With the appearance on the Pz.Kpfw.IV of a long-barreled 75-mm cannon with a barrel length 43 caliber firepower with the T-34-76 is almost equal, and with the installation of a gun with a barrel length 48 calibers, the firepower of the Pz.Kpfw.IV began to surpass the T-34-76. In addition, the appearance at the front in the summer 1943 years of tanks "Tiger" with 88-mm guns with a barrel length 56 calibers and reinforced frontal armor of the tank up to 100 mm and "Panther" with a 75-mm gun with a barrel length 70 calibers and frontal armor up to 80 mm made them invulnerable to the T-34-76 gun.

The Germans to the end 1940 75-mm Pak anti-tank guns appeared 40, penetrating armor thickness 80 mm distance 1000 m, that is, the T-34-76 was hit at the most probable battle distance, and the armor-piercing projectile of the 88-mm gun of the Tiger tank, having initial speed 890 m / s, pierced the frontal armor of the T-34 tank from a distance 1500 m.

The question arose of a serious modernization of the T-34-76 tank or the development of a new tank. A project was developed for a well-protected T-43 tank with an 85-mm gun, who solved many problems, but he demanded a stop and re-equipment of production, what was unacceptable during the war.

We settled on a radical modernization of the T-34-76 and looking for other solutions, aimed at the tactical security of the tank and the development of other tactics for the use of tank formations. A new turret was introduced with an increased turret ring, which made it possible to install an 85-mm cannon and increase the amount of ammunition for it to 100 pcs.

The tower was with an increased internal volume, improved the habitability of the crew and allowed to bring it to 5 human. A new crew member was introduced - the gunner, the commander got the opportunity to control the tank and search for targets. Visibility from the tank was also improved by installing new viewing devices and a commander's cupola.

It was possible to increase armor protection only in the tower, the thickness of the armor of the frontal part of the turret was increased to 90 mm, and the sides of the tower to 75 mm. In combination with the design angles of the turret sides, this thickness provided protection against armor-piercing shells of the 75-mm Pak gun. 40.

It was impossible to increase the protection of the frontal hull sheets due to the design features of the tank, the longitudinal placement of the engine did not make it possible to move the tower back. Body protection remains the same, only the thickness of the aft armor plate increased with 40 mm 45 mm and thickness of the bottom in the frontal part with 16 mm 20 mm. The tank received the T-34-85 index and in December 1943 began mass production.

T-34 in comparison with the German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV
Tank T-34-85 at the Museum of National Military History

Comparison of T-34-85 tanks with Pz.Kpfw.IV series F-J 1942-1945 years shows a completely different ratio of characteristics.

The guns of the tanks are close in their characteristics. With a larger gun caliber, the T-34-85 had a lower armor-piercing projectile launch speed (662 against 790 m / s), and the departure speeds of the armor-piercing projectile were close (930 against 950 m / s). That is, in terms of firepower, the T-34-85 and Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks were approximately equal.

In terms of security, the T-34-85 was higher than the Pz.Kpfw.IV, T-34-85 anti-shell armor provided protection against enemy anti-tank weapons and Pz.Kpfw.IV cannon fire, but was powerless against the fire of the guns of the tanks "Tiger" and "Panther".

The T-34-85 tank retained its high performance in terms of mobility and maneuverability, with an increase in the mass of the T-34-85, the specific power remained at the level 15,5 hp / ton, and in the Pz.Kpfw.IV, with an increase in the mass of the tank, the specific power fell to the level of 11.7 hp / t, and its mobility and maneuverability characteristics have become even worse.

Despite the installation of an 85 mm gun, The T-34-85 was on equal footing only with the Pz.Kpfw.IV in terms of firepower. Yielding to the German tanks "Tiger" and "Panther" in terms of firepower and security, he lost to them in a duel. At the same time, the T-34-85 was superior to German tanks in terms of maneuverability and had a very high level of operational-tactical mobility., which was successfully used in the development of new tactics for the use of tank formations.

The T-34-76 tank at the first stage of the war was seriously superior to the German mass tank Pz.Kpfw.IV in all respects, at the second stage, they were equal in firepower, but the T-34-85 began to yield in terms of firepower and security to the new German tanks T-VI "Tiger" and T-V "Panther". They refused to launch a new T-43 tank in a series, relying on new tactics for the use of existing and modernized tanks.

AT 1941 year, Soviet tank troops suffered heavy losses, while the German troops had only lightly armored tanks Pz.Kpfw.IV, but German tankers in their tactical skills, on the coherence of the work of the crews and the experience of command, received in battles with France and Poland, significantly outnumbered the Soviet tankers.

The large losses of tanks in the initial period of the war were explained by the poor mastery of new tanks by personnel., low reliability of tanks, tactically illiterate use of tanks and haste to enter battle without prior organization of interaction with other branches of the military, uninterrupted marches for distances up to 1000 km, incapacitating the undercarriage of tanks, insufficient organization of repair and evacuation services with the rapid movement of the front line, as well as the loss of command and control of troops by higher headquarters and weak command and control within tank formations.

An important role was played by the anti-tank defense well organized by the Germans.. Soviet tanks often rushed to break through a well-organized anti-tank defense of the enemy without preliminary processing by artillery and aircraft..

All this continued in 1943 year during the Battle of Kursk. There was no oncoming tank battle near Prokhorovka, this is a legend. The commander of the 5th Guards Tank Army, General Rotmistrov, threw the army into a counterattack on the well-organized anti-tank defense of the enemy and introduced it battalion-by-battalion on a narrow sector of the front, squeezed by the river and railway embankment. The Germans took turns destroying the battalions. Army losses were horrendous., was burned 340 tanks and 17 HEALTHY, army lost 53% Tanks and self-propelled guns, who took part in the counterstrike. Failed to break through enemy defenses.

As a result of this battle, Stalin created a commission, which understood the reasons for the unsuccessful use of tanks and their technical characteristics. Conclusions were drawn, the T-34-85 tank appeared, and the tactics of using tank formations was radically changed.

Tanks no longer rushed to break through the organized anti-tank defense of the enemy. This task was carried out by artillery and aviation.. Only after the defense was breached, tank units were introduced into the gap for large-scale encirclement operations.. The Soviet military leadership tried to avoid tank battles whenever possible..

In such operations, more than ever, the excellent characteristics of the T-34-85 in terms of maneuverability and mobility came in handy, and the increased technical reliability of the tank made it possible to carry out a number of fast and deep operations. It showed again, that not only technology wins the battle, and people, using it wisely.

T-34 in comparison with the German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV

Eventually, comparing tanks T-34 and Pz.Kpfw.IV, can say, what T-34 not only in terms of its technical characteristics, and, if possible, organize mass production during the war and, with competent tactics of its use, surpassed the German tank. And even the German generals, feel its power, recognized the T-34 as the best tank of World War II.

/Yuri Apukhtin, topwar.ru/

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