Panzer T-34/85 is a German Tank unit in Steel Division II.
Background[ | ]
The T-34 was one of the most influential, effective, and efficient tank designs of World War II, created by the Kharkov Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau between 1937 and 1940. Utilizing lessons learned at Lake Khasan and Khalkin Gol, when Soviet Union's T-26 and BT series tanks engaged Japanese forces, it was envisioned as a universal tank that could replace older Soviet tanks in service and finally put into production after the experiences of the Winter War in Finland highlighted the need for a new tank. Although initially unpopular, the designer's persistence and quality of the design he first envisioned in 1934, confirmed by a grueling 2000 km test ride from Kharkov to Moscow, to the Mannerheim Line in Finland, and back to Kharkov. Mikhail Koshkin, the designer, passed away of pneumonia contracted during the test, not living to see the design win the war.
It was the most advanced tank in the world at the time of its introduction, combining a powerful multipurpose tank gun with thick armor, a powerful engine with excellent maneuverability in the field, and overall mechanical reliability, all at a reasonable price tag. Although initial performance was hampered by a lack of trained crews, radios, and immature manufacturing technologies, the Soviet Union swiftly eliminated these flaws while gradually halving both the cost and production time of the tank. The first encounters with the T-34 were a shock for Nazi Germany and its allies, leading to the development of the Panther and Tiger tanks as direct counters.
Upgrades and modifications also ensured the tank remained competitive against German panzers old and new, until the end of the war, and then against the enemies of the Union for nearly two decades afterwards.
The 85 model was the ultimate expression of Soviet efficiency and pragmatism in warfare. Where the Nazis responded by creating entire new breeds of tanks, like the Tiger or Panther, the Soviets countered them by simply adding more gun to the T-34. The 85mm D-5T tank gun was a derivative of the M1939 (52-K) anti-aircraft gun, bridging the firepower gap. More importantly, it was mounted in a new, three man turret, greatly improving the battlefield performance of the T-34. The resulting tank would continue to serve well beyond the end of the war in all armies of the Communist bloc, until the introduction of next-generation Soviet armor.
The 1943 model mounts the D-5T gun and was the first 85 model, produced between January 1943 and March 1944, before production switched to the simpler ZiS-S-53 gun and introduced minor internal changes.
Division data[ | ]
1. Skijäger's 4.(Pz.)Kp./schw.Ski.Btl.1. had a mixture of different types of T-34. Along these were five T-34/85. The schwere-Ski-Abteilung 1's tanks and Sturmpanzer KV-2(r) came from elements of Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V. 66. Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V. 66 was originally planned for the invasion of Malta.
5. SS-Panzer "Wiking" were equipped with captured T-34.
Panzerverband Strachwitz after overrunning the Tukum garrison were able to capture T-34s.