Today we decided to talk about the car, which can boast participation in defensive battles. About machine, that due «new historians technology from Wikipedia» often perceived as a mere assistant to the tank. A sort of ersatz tank, created is not clear why. But about a car, that it took Berlin! Although some features of the machine made its application in urban problematic.
so, heroine today ISU-122. HEALTHY, which is often in the exposition of the museum stands next to ISU-152 and tanks IS-2. AND, We will be honest with yourself, unfairly produces less intimidating, than neighbors. Impression complements the, ISU-122 that appears as ISU-152, a gun is the same, both on the tank IS-2. So the natural question: why do car, that firepower is not more than the power of the tank prototype?
Basically, most of the previously described self-propelled guns of the USSR and Germany, it was so. ACS almost always equipped with a more powerful tool. It is provided artillery support tank attacks. Self-propelled tankers allowed to reach the line of effective work of their own guns. For direct fire. Skip the same site out of reach of the enemy without significant losses.
Try to understand it with this decision, SAU designers.
But you need to start from afar. from distant 1942 of the year. It was in 1942, military experts of the Soviet Union, leading designers of armored vehicles were tasked to consider trends in the development of enemy tanks for subsequent years. At the end 1942 year even special commission in CRI-48 was created.
Conclusions on the development of the armored Germans were clear. To cite a phrase from the report of the Commission of CRI-48 (head, Professor, A doctor of technical sciences. FROM. Zavyalov):
«During the war, we can expect the enemy tanks of new designs, although the Germans, as it appears, avoids production complications, related industries to new models and reflected on the issue of weapons of mass character.
If these new models will be, it is unlikely we will meet them with the fact that a substantial thickening armor.
Likely, in accordance with the whole development of German tank types should be expected to increase tank artillery, one side, and larger tanks in off-road terrain and powerful snowpack, on the other hand«.
It is a fact, who somehow went unnoticed by the Soviet command, but which could turn design ideas into a completely different plane. On the Soviet-German front in the autumn-winter 1942 year pilot began to appear «Tigers».
Known historical fact capture tank type «Henschel» № 250004. That transcript route sheet of this tank 25 January 1943 of the year (translator Bresker) proves, that its first raid this machine is made more 21 September 1942 of the year (reconnaissance in force in 10 no 30 m in the region n. Mga Gora). Why is it gone unnoticed by the Soviet command, it is not clear so far.
We specifically focused on the fact, What were the main ideas of the beginning 1943 of the year. This will help to understand the logic of the appearance of the ISU-122.
so, 1943 year. Tank builders are actively engaged in the development of a new heavy tank IS-1. Developed in parallel, and two self-propelled guns. The decision was a classic. Tank with a cannon caliber 85 mm (D-5T), SAU fire support tanks (tank Destroyer) with a gun 122 mm (A-19) based on the KV-14 and self-propelled guns with gun-howitzer 152 mm (ML-20S) on the same basis.
Work on the creation of the tank was completed in November 1943 of the year. And on the basis of EC-1 was built by the ISU-152 (an object 241). The next step was and the object 242 with a gun 122 mm. The prototype was built in a month after the object 241.
And then the work of the military stepped in. The thing is, EC-1, for all its virtues are no longer satisfied his gunners instrument. 85-mm gun was not too much for a heavy tank. The machine did not have the advantages of fighting in front of other tanks. It is a tool more appropriate medium T-34, what happened.
weapon, designed for ACS, It was installed on the new development of the tank - the object 240 (IS-2). It happened, that to the test object 240 (IS-2) He came even before, than the object 241 (ISU-152). An object 242 thus did not fit. It is because of the same type of gun with a tank. The series went the ISU-152. practically, December 1943 to April 1944 CTZ year produced only ISU-152.
And again it came about by accident. more precisely, labor exploits workers CTZ. The plant produced armored housing for ACS in large quantities. By April, it became clear, that for the production of ACS ISU-152 is just not enough guns ML-20S. And at the same time, in storage tank has accumulated a sufficient amount of A-19 (from the beginning of production of the IS-2 was named D-25T).
Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant began to produce just two ACS: ISU-152 and ISU-122. But this is not the end of the history of this car. It has been successful continuation! And it continued, we can also see today. it ISU-122S. This is not a whim of designers restless SAU, and the need.
Tasks, to be performed by self-propelled guns, even with identical tanks guns, It has not been canceled. On the SU-122's designers were able to achieve a slight increase in rate of fire (from 2 to 3 rounds per minute) due to more free cutting and the fifth member of the crew. But the gun itself could not give more. Meshal interrupted screw.
Artillery designers undertook improvement shutter. And in the end 1943 semi-automatic weapon got wedges. Cannon received the name D-25S. It almost immediately began to set on the IS-2. ISU-122 such guns were not.
But in the second half 1944 , the designers still managed to create a new prototype - the object 249. The car even looks different from the ISU-122. The new gun was equipped with a muzzle brake. The mask has become smaller due to the decrease recoil device implements. by the way, this reduction is allowed to increase traverse guns.
The machine is like. like so, that since September, 1944 CTZ year began publishing just three production machines! ISU-152, ISU-122 and ISU-122S!
We proceed to the inspection of the machine in detail. First, you need to tell, that is a classic Soviet machine of the time. Branch control and combat compartment located in front of. Transmission and engine compartment behind.
Hull of armor rolled was made of varying thicknesses: 90, 75, 60, 30 and 20 mm. Bronelisty installed at rational angles. In general, this book provided good protection protivosnaryadnym. Forehead machines of different time of production of armored differently. The first cars were armored casting. Later - welded forehead.
The gun is not located on the axial line of the housing, and a little shifted to the right from the axis of the machine. Mounted on a frame-type setting, virtually identical ISU-152. Recoil device reserved fixed and movable molded casing molded mask. by the way, mask, besides the main function, It serves as a balancing device.
Crew housed follows. The driver in front, left. for nim, left of the gun, I was the gunner. Right from the gun - commander. For the gunner position loader. The commander of the castle place. Sometimes the crews were formed from 4 people. In this case, the castle served as more and obligations of the loader.
On the roof of the cabin had two hatches. But intended only right for embarkation and disembarkation. Left hatch is designed to output extension panoramic sight. The main hatch for planting crew-landing was a rectangular two-folding hatch at the junction kryshevogo and backsheets armored cabin.
Provided in the ISU and the escape hatch for the crew evacuated. Located in the bottom of the machine. The rest of the hatches designed for access to sites and aggregates machines, refueling and ammunition.
On the ISU-122 used guns A-19C. Moreover, different tools. The first machines are equipped with 122-mm gun mod. 1931/37 gg. Modification «FROM» It touches the transfer instrument controls on one side for easy guidance, equipment his breech-receiver tray for easy loading and installation of electric trigger. shutter piston, identical to the towed instrument.
From May 1944 year at ACS installed 122-mm self-propelled gun arr. 1931/44 gg. The barrel of the gun is already different from the A-19. For firing a cannon A-19 or D-25S, the following types of ammunition:
- high-explosive fragmentation grenade gun RP-471N with privintnoy head;
- high-explosive fragmentation grenade solidbody short gun RP-471N;
- high-explosive fragmentation grenade solidbody long gun RP-471;
- high-explosive fragmentation grenade steel howitzer RP-462;
- armor-piercing tracer projectile ostrogolovy of BR-471;
- armor-piercing tracer with a ballistic tip BR-471B;
- concrete-gun projectile G-471.
For firing at ACS installed two devices at once: panorama of Hertz and telescopic sight ST-18 (direct fire).
true, should say, that the unit PT-18 reduced the number of firing range. The thing is, that the grading device was designed only 1500 m. therefore, over longer distances to use it was impossible. Who saved panorama Hertz.
The crew except sighting devices have enough monitoring devices. All landing hatches were provided with landing-periscopes Mk IV.
Now, logically material, We need to talk about chassis, engine compartment, chassis. Today, however, we decided not to do so. Just because, which described in detail all the materials of the tank IS-2.
Therefore, the next part will be about the combat use of the machine. Let's start with a fairly well-known interview, which gave a war correspondent commander 309 th SAP Colonel Kobrin. Simply quote the passage of this material:
«…Just imagine the following scene… I remember: height 559,6. Rybalko commander with us. Self-propelled Klimenkova immediately necessary - in the protection of staff. It is a business conversation. And then on the left are the German tanks. eighteen pieces! go pillar… What will happen?
Rybalko little has changed in the face - cheeks went nodules. commanded Klimenkova, who stood: «Prohibit the way German tanks fire!» — «there ban!» - Klimenkov responsible and - to the car.
And what do you think? First shell with eighteen hundred meters lit a head tank, the second started because of him crawl - he knocked it, He reached the third - and he broke it, and then a fourth… I stopped still Nazis, they moved back, thinking, that the whole battery here.
unbelievable? meet Rybalko, ask him, how it happened, he confirms. Then immediately, Field paint, Klimenkova screwed to the overalls Order of the Patriotic War of the first degree...»
Now there must exist a skeptic, who will talk about personal courage and readiness of the crew. It is the quality of the machine component? Let us say at once - yes, This indicator is the quality of the machine.
ISU-122 at the beginning of their use in the armed forces had almost the same problem, as ISU-152. combat use tactics were identical. But that, that good on paper, It does not mean good in life.
Remember the soldier's nickname «tutsan», ACS is received ISU-152? He won deservedly. Nor did the Nazis machines, that would stand the hit projectile of ML-20. But the problem was not in the power of the gun, but in the possibility of falling into the tank. Short barrel gave a guaranteed hit.
ISU-122 had the same gun with a long barrel. And the number of shells in the ACS was one and a half times more. even enough, as compared to 152 mm, lightweight projectile shot at an appropriate initial speed, was not only punched, but also a great stopping power.
Even "Elephanta" stopped from hitting the projectile ISU-122! Not stopped by armor penetration, it, Alas, 122-mm gun could not, but on, that after the strike broke suspension, transmission or engine. by the way, for lovers of statistics. those data, which are listed in various sources, booking of German heavy machinery at the end of the war, not take into account one important detail. Armor of the Germans in the 45th and 43rd respectively vary greatly in quality.
But back to the lieutenant Klimenkova. Nothing new Klimenkov not offered in battle tactics. The actions of the ISU-122 from ambushes at a great distance were provided for by the establishing documents of the Red Army. Another thing, that the machine worked on the Hertz panorama, judging by the range.
To be objective, IS-2 and ISU-122 at that time were the only Germans equivalent machines. Only they could destroy German heavy tanks and self-propelled guns at a distance fight.
Remember the dispute between the commander of the SU-85 and the tank colonel from the movie «In war as in war»? About the place of ACS in the battle formations of the attacking? 200-300 meters behind the tanks. The same applies to the ISU-122.. Machines simply shot the enemy tanks with short stops.
Quite another matter, when the attack choked and tanks began to recede. Here then displayed heroism gunners. SAU became a long-range guns, that direct fire destroyed the advancing tanks or those objects, which impeded further progress. retreat (or the continuation of offensive) in this case it was carried out only after, both tanks loss danger has passed.
I want to tell about one more episode of the war. more precisely, a small war one tank regiment. Yes, namely tank! 81-th separate Guards Heavy Tank Regiment. war, which together in 12 days in March 1945… We wrote about the wonders of the war many times. Today the miracle of instant retraining.
8 Martha 81 OGvTTP received 20 ISU-122 four propulsion batteries (at that time it remained 1 defective tank IS-2) and engaged the surrounded in the area south-west of Konigsberg opponent. for 12 days of fighting the regiment lost in killed 7 officers and 8 soldier, wounded 11 officers and 13 soldiers and sergeants. During battles Fired 10 ISU-122 and more 5 were damaged.
tankers, turned-gunners, captured towns Eisenberg, Waltersdorf, Birknau, Grunau and reached the coast of the Baltic Sea. regiment destroyed 5 tanks, 3 assault gun, 65 anti-tank guns, 8 BTR, 9 tractors and captured serviceable 18 guns and one «panther». The regiment remained at the same tank!
And another battle of the Hero of the Soviet Union in. Guschina, fought in the 387 SAP on the fight 20 January 1945 of the year. And again, just quoting. Better still do not write:
«the first city, Inoros, It was particularly heavily fortified. Our attempts to break into the city did not lead to success. We had to retreat. The regiment commander gave the order for my car and another car to approach the approaches to the city and break into the city. Having received this order, We felt great joy and pride for our responsibility.
We started to implement. At this time there was heavy fog, Apparently so it was very bad. Our battalion commander and crew members had to open hatches, to get a better look, where is the enemy. At the approach to the city there was a small farm. When we came to the hamlet, the enemy suddenly opened fire on us, as a result, he was killed the battalion commander, the head of the machine, and the second car was damaged.
Then take command of themselves. I order you to do a few shots on the fortified farmstead, then, making, that the enemy is destroyed, I decided to break into the city.
approaching, I saw, that the right and left are the German tanks… I accept an immediate solution - move to the shelter, and then engage in battle with the enemy. A second car and he took with him.
first car, in which I was, put on the left, towards the enemy. And put the second car on the right side. Not having been in this position for an hour, I saw, that German tanks are on the road for two hundred meters. At this point, I opened fire on them. The first shell hit the front part of the tank. The tank is not lit. After letting it on 100 m, again opened fire on him. From the second tank shell fired up. From the tank began to run out, and the Germans to scatter in different directions.
Wasting no time, I translate the fire at other tanks. They went after each other. The second tank also burst into flames, then the third. The fourth tank spotted us and began to direct fire at me. I immediately give the order: «full throttle, to the side!» As soon as I managed to drive off, both on the spot, where I stood, began firing. I, Using this time, navozhu immediately fire the next tank and burn it. In the same way, I knocked 8 German tanks…»
Performance characteristics of ISU-122:
combat weight, t: 46,0.
Length with gun, mm: 9850.
Width, mm: 3070.
Height, mm: 2480.
Clearance, mm: 470.
Engine: V-2-IS, 4-stroke diesel engine, 12 cylinders.
Power, HP: 520.
fuel capacity, l:
- the main tank: 500;
- additional tanks: 360.
Speed, kmh:
- maximum: 35—37;
- mean the lane: 16.
Power reserve, km: 145—220.
obstacles:
- rise, degrees: 32;
- roll, degrees: 30;
- ditch, m : 2,5;
- a wall, m: 1,0;
- ship, m: 1,3.
booking, mm (tilt angle, degrees):
- forehead top housing: 90 (60);
- side of the hull: 90 (0);
- feed body: 60 (41, 49);
- cutting the forehead: 90 (30);
- chopping board: 60 (15);
- feed cutting: 60 (0);
- mask: 120;
- the roof: 30 (90);
- bottom: 20 (90).
Crew, people: 5.
artillery armament: 1 A rifle-19S (E-25C).
Caliber, mm: 121.92.
type of loading: separate-case.
firing range, m:
- maximum: 14300 (14700);
- direct fire: 5000;
- direct shot: 975.
The mass of the projectile, kg: 25.
ammunition, shots: 30.
additional armament:
- anti-aircraft gun 12.7mm DShK with ammunition 250 rounds;
- sub-machine guns PCA (2 PC) ammunition 420 rounds.
/Alexander Staver, Roman Skomorokhov, topwar.ru/
