Soviet tanks in service in the Wehrmacht! (photo). Soviet weapons in the service of the Wehrmacht and the SS Only a breath of wind in the Russian steppes

The Germans got their biggest trophies during Operation Barbarossa. Suffice it to say that by August 22, 1941, they had knocked out and captured 14,079 Soviet tanks. However, attempts to use such rich trophies from the very beginning were fraught with great difficulties. A significant part of Soviet tanks were so destroyed in battle that they were only suitable for scrap metal. The majority of tanks that had no visible external damage, upon inspection, revealed breakdowns of engine units, transmission or chassis, which were impossible to repair due to the lack of spare parts.

The first Soviet T-26 tanks, captured as trophies, began to be used by the Wehrmacht in the summer of 1941. In the photo above - a T-26 tank model 1939 pulls out a 3-ton Mercedes-Benz truck stuck in the mud.

The same tank guards the rear park of one of the Wehrmacht infantry units

The main reason for the weak interest of the Germans in captured Soviet armored vehicles was the high German losses in their own combat vehicles and the associated enormous workload of repair, evacuation and restoration services. There was simply no time to deal with captured tanks. As a result, by October 1941, German troops had only about 100 Soviet tanks various types. The rest abandoned on the battlefield soviet armored vehicles, having stood in the open air during the winter of 1941/42, was no longer subject to restoration. During this period, the Wehrmacht received only a few T-26 (Pz.740(r), BT-7 (Pz.742(r) and T-60) from repair factories. Most of the vehicles, primarily T-34 (Pz. 747(r) and KB (Pz.753(r), used by front-line units, were captured in fully operational condition, immediately put into operation and operated until they were knocked out or failed for technical reasons.

Only in mid-1942 did units equipped with captured Soviet tanks begin to receive vehicles from German repair plants. The main one that specialized in our equipment was the repair plant in Riga. In addition, since 1943, individual T-34s have been restored at the factories of Daimber-Benz in Berlin and Wumag in Görlitz.

T-26 tanks in a German field workshop. In the foreground is a T-26 model 1933. with a red star and the inscription "Captured by the 15th Infantry Regiment." In the background is a T-26 mod. 1939 with cross, Tiger II title and 3rd tactical badge tank division SS "Death's Head"

Captured Soviet tank T-26 mod. 1939, used to practice combat training tasks in interaction with infantry, in one of the Wehrmacht units

After the second capture of Kharkov by the Germans in the spring of 1943, a repair shop was created in the workshops of the Kharkov Tractor Plant by the SS Reich Division, in which several dozen T-34 tanks were restored. In general, SS units were characterized by a more active use of captured Soviet tanks. Moreover, in a number of cases they were in service with tank units together with German tanks. A separate battalion was formed in the Reich division, which was armed with 25 T-34 tanks. Some of them were equipped with German commander's turrets.

Tank BT-7 mod. 1935 in the Wehrmacht. 1943 (or 1944) year. The combat vehicle is painted yellow

A Red Army soldier inspects a BT-7 tank, model 1937, dug into the ground, used by the Germans as a fixed firing point. 1943

Captured T-34 tank from the 98th infantry division Wehrmacht. Eastern front, 1942

T-34 tanks from the 3rd SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf". 1942

Individual T-34 tanks without turrets were used by the Germans as evacuation tractors.

As for the KB heavy tanks, judging by the available data, their number in German units was small and hardly exceeded 50 units. These were mainly Chelyabinsk-made KV-1 tanks with ZIS-5 guns. However, there is information about the use of a certain number, apparently very small, of KV-2 tanks in the Wehrmacht.

Instead of a large hatch on the roof of the turret of this T-34 tank, a commander's cupola was installed, borrowed from the Pz.lll tank

German commander's turrets were also installed on some captured T-34s of later modifications - with the so-called improved turret

Captured T-34 tank, converted by the Germans into an anti-aircraft gun self-propelled gun with a 20 mm quad automatic cannon. 1944

Judging by the photographs, on some KB, to improve visibility, commander's cupolas from German Pz.III and Pz.IV tanks were installed. The most creative approach to this issue was in the 22nd German Tank Division. The KV-1 tank, captured by this formation at the end of the summer of 1943, was equipped not only with a commander’s cupola, but also rearmed with a German 75-mm long-barreled gun.

Captured tanks T-34s are being repaired in the workshop of the Kharkov Locomotive Plant. Spring 1943. The work was carried out by a special enterprise created within the structure of the 1st SS Panzer Corps

The repaired T-34 tanks became part of the mixed tank company of the SS division "Reich", where they were used together with the German Pz.IV

One of the T-34 tanks of the motorized division "Gross Germany". In the foreground is an Sd.Kfz.252 armored personnel carrier. Eastern Front, 1943

In May 1942, during preparation German landing On the island of Malta (Operation Hercules), it was planned to form a company from captured heavy KV tanks. It was planned to entrust them with the fight against the British infantry tanks"Matilda", which were part of the island's garrison. However, the required number of serviceable KB tanks was not available and this idea could not be realized, especially since the landing on Malta itself never took place.

A number of captured light tanks T-70 and T-70M were used by Wehrmacht units under the designation Panzerkampfwagen T-70®. The exact number of these machines is unknown, but it is unlikely that there were more than 40 - 50 of them. Most often, these tanks were used in infantry divisions and police units (Ordnungspolizei), and in the latter (for example, in the 5th and 12th police tank companies) T-70s were used until the end of 1944. In addition, quite a few T-70s with their turrets removed were used to tow 50 and 75 mm anti-tank guns.

Another use case captured equipment- the upper part of the hull and the turret of the T-34 tank became the basis for the creation of an armored car - a tank destroyer (Panzerjagerwagen). 1944

Armored vehicles in the yard of a repair plant in East Prussia: Panther tanks, T-34 and double-turret T-26(!). 1945 (center)

Heavy tank KV-1, used by the 1st Panzer Division of the Wehrmacht. Eastern Front, 1942

Very rarely, captured Soviet tanks were converted by the Germans into self-propelled guns. In this regard, the most widespread episode can be considered the production episode at the end of 1943 of ten self-propelled guns based on the T-26 tank. Instead of turrets, they were equipped with 75-mm French cannons (7.5-st Pak 97/98 (f), covered with a shield. These vehicles entered service with the 3rd company of the 563rd anti-tank division. However, combat service their existence was short-lived - already on March 1, 1944, they were all replaced by the Marder III self-propelled guns.

There is a known case of converting a T-34 tank into a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The standard turret was dismantled, and a rotating, open-top special one was installed in its place. welded tower with a 20-mm quadruple Flakvierling 38 installation. In the spring of 1944, this vehicle was part of the 653rd heavy anti-tank division of the Ferdinand self-propelled gun.

Installation of a 75-mm KwK40 tank gun with a barrel length of 43 calibers in the turret of a captured Soviet KV-1 tank. 22nd Panzer Division of the Wehrmacht, 1943

"Stalin's Monster" - heavy tank KV-2 in Panzerwaffe service! War vehicles This type was used by the Germans in several copies, however, judging by the photo, at least one of them was equipped with a German commander's cupola

In general, the number of Soviet tanks used by German troops was very limited. Thus, according to official data, in May 1943 there were 63 Russian tanks in the Wehrmacht (of which 50 were T-34), and in December 1944 there were 53 Russian tanks (of which 49 were T-34).

A captured T-60 tank is towing a 75mm light infantry gun. Noteworthy is the fact that this vehicle, used as a tractor, retains the turret. 1942

Converted into a tractor light tank T-70 towing a 75 mm Rak 40 anti-tank gun

In total, during the period from June 1941 to May 1945, German troops commissioned and used more than 300 Soviet tanks in battles with the Red Army.

Soviet armored vehicles were used mainly in those parts of the Wehrmacht and SS troops that captured them, and even then to an extremely limited extent. Among the Soviet armored vehicles used by the Germans, we can mention the BA-20 - (Panzerspahwagen BA 202 (g), BA-6, BA-10 (Panzerspahwagen BA 203 (g) and BA-64. The Germans used captured semi-armored artillery tractors "Komsomolets" directly intended purpose - for towing light artillery pieces. There is a known case of a 37-mm tractor being installed on the roof of an armored cab. anti-tank gun Cancer 35/36 behind the standard shield.

The tractor - a captured Soviet T-70 tank without a turret - is towing a captured Soviet 76-mm ZIS-3 cannon. Rostov-on-Don, 1942

A German officer uses the turret of a captured BA-3 armored car as an observation post. 1942 On wheels rear axles"Overall" tracks are put on

Preventing an attack by their own aircraft, German soldiers rush to strengthen the swastika flag on a captured Soviet BA-10 armored car

The longer you defend your rights, the more unpleasant the aftertaste.

In 1941-1943, the German army captured a significant number of T-34/76s. According to the numbering of captured equipment adopted in the Wehrmacht, the thirty-four received the designation Pz.Kpfw.747 T-34(r). Modifications different years in German official documentation they carried the following designations: A (1940), B (1941), C (1942), D / E / F (1943). T-34(r) Ausf D (actually T-34 model 42) received the nickname "Mickey Mouse", two round landing hatches in the tower in the open state evoked such an association.

In the summer of 1941, the first captured T-34(r) entered the 1st, 8th and 11th tank divisions. But the TD did not dare to use them in the first line - the gunners were guided primarily by the silhouette of the tank, and not by the identification marks, which could lead to the T-34(r) being fired upon by their own artillery or tanks.
In the future, in order to avoid such cases, large identification marks or swastika. It was also common practice to use the T-34(r) in combat formations of infantry units, which eliminated the risk of the tank being fired upon by its own artillery.

In total, about 300 T-34/76 were used by the Wehrmacht and SS troops, both in combat and occupation units. You can name: 1st tank regiment of the 1st tank division (as of October 15, 1941 - 6 T-34), 2nd tank division, 33rd tank regiment, 9th tank division, 7th tank tank, 10th tank division, 11 -th TD, 21st TD, 20th TD, 23rd TD.
Formed in May 1942, Pz.Abt.zBV.66, intended for the invasion of Malta, received captured KV-1, KV-2 and T-34 as part of the 2nd company. After the battalion was disbanded, the T-34s were transferred to the 1st Ski Jager Division, which fought as part of Army Group Center.
Elite tank forces The Reich also did not disdain captured thirty-fours. The tank regiment TD Grossdeutschland (Grobdeutschland) used the T-34(r) until 1945.
After the battles for Kharkov in the spring of 1943 (Manstein’s counteroffensive near Kharkov) 2nd tank corps The SS captured about 50 T-34 mod. 41-42 25 tanks were received by the 2nd SS Panzer Division das Reich, 22 by the 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf.
In the summer of 1943, T-34(r) were used mainly in tank destroyer units. The 3rd tank destroyer battalion of the SS Reich (3 Panzer Jager Abteilung) has 25 tanks. According to the report, as of July 4, the SS Reich TD had 18 serviceable T-34(r) and 9 were under repair, while the SS Totenkopf TD had 22 vehicles.
During Kursk Bulge, in addition to the SS troops, as of July 10, in the 11th TP of the 6th TD there were 4 T-34(r), several tanks in the 128th tank destroyer battalion (128 Pz.Jg.Abt) of the 23rd TD. In total, according to the OKH report, in July 1943, 22 T-34(r) were used in Army Group Center, and 28 in GrA South.
In the 23rd Panzer Division, captured thirty-fours were used until the end of the war, in Slovakia and East Prussia; in the summer of 1943, several T-34(r) had Italian crews; in September 1943, 24 tanks as part of the Mieczyslaw Kaminski brigade were used in Belarus to fight with the partisans. At the end of 1943, the T-34/76 company became part of the ROA of General Vlasov.

A number of thirty-fours with significant damage chassis or transmission was installed on the platforms of armored trains as artillery installations, for example on the Michael and Blucher trains. Some of the tanks with their turrets removed were used as artillery tractors, ammunition and ammunition carriers, or ARVs.
In the battles of 1944-45, the German army captured a small number of T-34/85s. During the fierce battles near Warsaw, the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking managed to capture several tanks and use them against the Red Army. During the fighting in East Prussia, the 252nd Infantry Division captured one T-34/85 and put it into service.
In the spring of 1945, the 5th Guards Tank Brigade (18th Army, territory of Czechoslovakia) recaptured the T-34/85 from the Germans. At that time, the brigade was armed with medium tanks T-34/76 mod. 43 years old, light T-70 and captured Hungarian Toldi. “Twice Trophy” became the first thirty-four with an 85 mm gun in the brigade.
Officially, as of December 1944, 39 T-34(r) were used in Wehrmacht combat units, of which 29 were in the 1st Ski Jaeger Division (presented T-34 on skis), as of January 1945 - 49 T-34(r) and T-34(r)/85.

From the end of 1941, captured T-34s were sent to the Riga plant for repair and modernization. Since 1943, factories in Marienfeld (Mercedes-Benz) and Görlitz (Womag) have been connected to servicing the T-34(r). Factories were installed on the T-34/76 commander's cupola with hinged hatch doors (with Pz.Kpfw.III) and German radio equipment.
After the recapture of Kharkov in 1943, the Kharkov Tractor Plant was placed at the disposal of the Panzer-Werkstaff SS repair unit and repaired captured thirty-fours and KVs until the Russians entered the city in August 1943.

In 1941, T-34(r) were used in their original dark green livery and received only larger German markings. Later, the tanks began to be repainted in the standard dark gray Panzer Gray, and from 1943 - in the dirty yellow Dunkel Gelb. Thirty-fours used to guard airfields were painted in standard Luftwaffe Gray. In winter, the T-34(r) was painted with white adhesive paint.

However, this number has never been large. So in the summer and autumn of 1941, there were only about 100 Soviet tanks in the ranks of the German army. It was a motley fleet of equipment that was collected after the defeat of the first echelons Soviet army. It is noticeable that the figure is very modest compared to the potential number of trophies that could go to the Germans. This continued in the future - German troops did not seek to use Soviet equipment due to difficulties in operation due to the lack of spare parts, and the Red Army no longer lost tanks in such quantities as in 1941. Nevertheless, the samples of Soviet technology available to the Germans are still of some interest to many history buffs and military equipment, therefore, let's look at some types of combat vehicles that were used by the Germans more or less actively, if this word is generally applicable for an army that practically did not pay attention to captured armored vehicles.

Captured Soviet heavy tank KV-2 in service in the Wehrmacht.

The tank is equipped with a German commander's cupola, and racks for storing canisters with a supply of shells are installed at the stern. The vehicle was used as part of the 66th German Tank Battalion special purpose(Pz.Abt.zBV.66) and was intended for the invasion of Malta.

Captured Soviet heavy tank KV-2 in service in the Wehrmacht. This car was produced in May-June 1941.

Initially, the tank (serial number B-4673) belonged to the Leningrad Red Banner Armored Advanced Training Course for Command Staff of the Red Army (LKBTKUKS) and was delivered to Leningrad for repairs. During the repair, armor screens were welded to protect the turret ring and an armor strip to protect the hatch in the control compartment. Additional tanks for fuels and lubricants are installed on the fenders.

After repairs, this tank ended up in the 1st Tank Division of the Leningrad Front and was captured by units of the 269th Infantry Division in mid-September 1941 near the village of Taitsy Leningrad region, after which it was restored by the Germans and was used for some time as part of Pz.Kw.Zug 269 from the 269th Infantry Division of Army Group North. Recently, car wreckage was discovered in the Pogost area. The car got stuck in a swamp in February 1942 and was blown up.

Gr Enaders of the SS "Narva" battalion on the armor of a captured T-34 tank.

Soviet light tank T-60 captured near the city of Kholm.

Captured Soviet self-propelled guns SU-85 from the 23rd Tank Division of the Wehrmacht.

A captured Soviet KV-2 tank that was used by the Germans during the defense of Essen, a city in western Germany, and was recaptured - this time by the Americans.

Captured Soviet light tank T-70 with the turret removed, in use by German troops as a tractor for a captured 76.2 mm ZiS-3 divisional gun.

Captured Soviet tank BT-7 on the street of a Soviet city. The picture shows a BT-7 tank from 1937. Captured BT-7 tanks, adopted by the Wehrmacht, received the index Panzerkampfwagen BT 742(r).

A German officer and soldier stand next to a captured Soviet T-26 tank. By characteristic features vehicle model 1939 (turret box with inclined machines, conical tower with a stamped gun mantlet, commander's periscope PTK). Captured T-26 tanks of the 1939 model, adopted by the Wehrmacht, received the Panzerkampfwagen T-26C 740(r) index.

Three captured Soviet BT-7 tanks standing in a field. In the foreground is a BT-7 tank of the 1937 model with a P-40 anti-aircraft turret, a second BT-7 tank of the 1937 model (line tank), a long-range BT-7 tank of the 1935 model with a handrail antenna on the turret (command tank).

Soviet captured tanks were often used to train German tank crews. Captured BT-7 tanks, adopted by the Wehrmacht, received the index Panzerkampfwagen BT 742(r).

A captured Soviet T-26 tank follows the line German soldiers in a captured Soviet village. According to the characteristic features, the vehicle is of the 1939 model (turret box with inclined mounts, conical turret with a stamped gun mantlet, commander's periscope PTK). Captured T-26 tanks of the 1939 model, adopted by the Wehrmacht, received the Panzerkampfwagen T-26C 740(r) index.

A German repairman is servicing the battery of a captured Soviet T-26 tank in a repair shop. According to the characteristic features, the vehicle is of the 1939 model (turret box with inclined mounts, conical turret with a stamped gun mantlet, commander's periscope PTK). Captured T-26 tanks of the 1939 model, adopted by the Wehrmacht, received the Panzerkampfwagen T-26C 740(r) index.

A captured Soviet T-26 tank guarding the rear park of one of the Wehrmacht infantry units. According to the characteristic features, the vehicle is of the 1939 model (turret box with inclined mounts, conical turret with a stamped gun mantlet, commander's periscope PTK). Captured T-26 tanks of the 1939 model, adopted by the Wehrmacht, received the Panzerkampfwagen T-26C 740(r) index.

The captured Soviet T-26 tank is pulled out of the mud by a German Mercedes-Benz L 3000 truck. The characteristic features of the tank are from 1939 (turret box with inclined mounts, conical turret with a stamped gun mantlet, commander's periscope PTK). Captured T-26 tanks of the 1939 model, adopted by the Wehrmacht, received the index PanzerkampfwagenТ-26С 740(r).

The Germans are driving a captured Soviet KV-1 tank.

A German tanker applies German markings to the turret of a captured Soviet T-34-76 tank. On the side of the tower, in the center of the cross, a patch is clearly visible, most likely covering a hole in the armor.

Captured Soviet tank T-26 of the SS division "Totenkopf" bearing the name "Mistbiene"

Captured Soviet T-34 tanks produced in 1941 from an unidentified Wehrmacht tank unit.

The vehicles are marked with identification and tactical markings. Judging by the condition of the tanks, it is obvious that they are out of service.

Captured Soviet tanks T-34 and KV-2 from the 66th German special purpose tank battalion (PzAbt. z.b.V. 66) in Neuruppin, Germany. The vehicles are equipped with radio stations, blackout lights “Notek” and identification marks are applied.

Captured Soviet tank KV-2 in the Wehrmacht.

Modernized captured Soviet tank KV-1 from the 204th tank regiment of the 22nd tank division of the Wehrmacht. The Germans installed on it, instead of a 76.2 mm cannon, a German 75 mm KwK 40 L/48 cannon, as well as a commander’s cupola.

Captured Soviet tanks KV-1E (shielded) from the 8th Tank Division of the Wehrmacht. The tanks are equipped with radio stations and have German insignia; the division's tactical emblem is visible on the front plate of the first vehicle.

The KV-1 in the foreground, manufactured in June 1941, was received by the 6th Tank Regiment of the Soviet 3rd Tank Division on the evening of July 3, 1941. Most likely, it was unloaded at the Karamyshevo station near Pskov. The tank arrived with a factory crew and two rounds of ammunition. The crew was reinforced by the regiment's command staff and on the morning of July 5, 1941, they went into battle. The tank attacked the bridgehead of the German 1st Panzer Division in Ostrov. He was shot down at the bridge over the Vyazovnya river in the village of Karpovo, near the northern outskirts of the Island at the exit from the battle.

Soviet tank KV-1, captured by the Germans and used in the 8th Panzer Division of the Wehrmacht as a training tank. A radio station is installed on the vehicle and identification and tactical markings are applied.

Captured tank T-34-76 in the Wehrmacht. Winter 1941-1942. The characteristic German modification is clearly visible - the commander's cupola, as well as the box on board.

A captured T-34 on a forest road near Moscow. Late autumn 1941.

Not German sappers clear the road in front of a captured Soviet T-34 tank. Autumn 1941.

Tank KV-2 from Pz.Abt.zBV-66. As a result German modification received a commander's cupola, storage for additional ammunition at the rear of the vehicle, a Notek headlight and a number of other minor changes.

T rogue Soviet light tank T-26 in the service of the Wehrmacht.

The Soviet T-34-76 tanks captured by the Germans were put into service. It’s interesting that the Germans modernized the tanks: they installed commander’s cupolas from the Pz.III, improving visibility (one of the shortcomings of the original T-34), equipped the guns with a flame arrester, added a box on board, and installed headlights on the left. In addition, the second and third cars have non-original wings.

Panzerwaffe crew on the Soviet KV-1 tank (Klim Voroshilov)

The same KV-1. Captured? Or...

And these are our T-26s. They fought successfully even in Africa, like the Soviet ZIS-2 guns

And this is the Komsomolets tractor

Another Komsomolets pulls out the stuck headquarters Mercedes

Quite a curiosity. Red Army soldiers returned the Soviet BA from captivity.

Our T-26 again

And this is the legendary “thirty-four”

BT-7. Fast tank, created Soviet designers specifically for combat operations in Europe. It is clear that in Russia there was no place to accelerate. Just like now, however.

Do you recognize? This is our BA-10

Another T-26

The most popular and most reliable T-34 in the world. Long-living record holder. No tank has ever been in service for such a long time. The last car left the assembly line in 1958. It is still in service in some countries to this day.

Another Klim Voroshilov - 1

And again it’s him!

52-ton monster, pillbox killer Klim Voroshilov - 2

Another KV-1. A very popular car among the Krauts! And now we have: - “Black boomer, black boomer...”

And this BA is from the Waffen-SS stable

The legendary "Sushka" - self-propelled gun SU-85

This is simply a masterpiece! After tuning the T-26 is simply unrecognizable!

More KV-2

Strange cross on the T-34, are there any ambulance tanks?

T-34 again

And again he is born...

And it's him again!

It may seem that the Germans had very few tanks of their own!

And this is him. Obviously, the Germans did not use our technology just once, and this raises a lot of questions. It is clear even to a non-specialist that equipment requires maintenance and repair. Well, at least just an oil filter, where can I get it for the enemy’s equipment? In the store "Auto parts for foreign cars"? What about ammunition? Yes, even though the same tracks are caterpillar, they are required in order during operation. Has he really established the production of consumables and spare parts?

BT-7 again.

And printing houses in Germany produced do-it-yourself cardboard toys - copies of the KV-1. And the funny tankers themselves just got out of this tank and started doing nonsense. If only they sent them coloring books...

We study the materiel of the T-34

And the KV-1 glued toy was released. Somehow this doesn’t fit with reality.

Such normal German KV-1s. There is also information that our light mortars were produced in Germany. And they copied them so carefully that they even left the letter “F” in the markings on the barrel.

The KV-1 took a running start, wanted to jump over, but... didn’t jump enough.

And again T-26

Well, without the "thirty-four" there is nowhere... And what happened to captured aircraft?

Fine. Few aircraft were captured, but the Luftwaffe and our I-16s were in service.

And this is already thought-provoking. The caption under the illustration in Russian reads like this: “We have a swarm of such tanks.” So they were captured like this great amount? In principle, the number of losses in the first weeks of the war has been announced more than once. Yes, many were captured by our equipment. But the number of Panzerwaffe tanks commissioned is simply amazing. After all, it’s more logical to assume that it’s easy small arms was captured by an army of millions! Where is it? Eat. Eat. But a little.

And here, by the way, is a mortar crew next to the "thirty-four"

To summarize the first part, I will explain why the title contains a portrait of Joseph Vissarionovich. There really is a serious problem - the word Motherland is capitalized, but the essence is clear. The USSR earned money by importing finished products. Not with oil and gas, like our rulers, but with products created at high-tech enterprises. Now you will be surprised, but I will tell you. The Soviet car "Moskvich 408" was recognized as the car of the year in the UK and became a sales leader. Its production was established in Belgium, and it was the first people's car of the British. Do you still want to spit on the Soviet auto industry?
I am developing an idea. What do you think Russia could trade before 1941? There is no need to rush to “Google” right away. IN open information only grain, legumes, manganese, phosphates and all kinds of ores. And the volume of foreign trade is simply amazing. Who did you trade with? With Germany, naturally. What did you buy from them? Machine tools, pipes, high-grade steel, etc. I.e. It is quite obvious that the economies of our countries were simply interdependent. What about our equipment and weapons? You don't have to look. The data is classified to this day. What... didn't Russia sell arms? Have mercy! When did this happen? Only in troubled times broken Russian Empire, when the Deputy Minister of Defense was sent to lifelong hard labor, having sent carriages of “obsolete” rifles and revolvers for melting down on the eve of the First World War. Now the same thing is happening, like a carbon copy. Machine guns and rifles, revolvers and pistols are transported by the wagons to the press in Nizhny Novgorod. Only sergeant-major Taburetkin, instead of hanging on the gallows in the middle of Red Square, is moving to Latvia for permanent residence.
Now let's remember the military-technical cooperation between the USSR and Germany. Contrary to popular belief, I come to the conclusion that it was not Ferdinand Porsche who taught us to produce trucks and armored cars in Gorky. On the contrary, we raised the German auto industry. Who now remembers that general designer everyone car engines MAN and Daimler were Soviet engineers? But know this! Write down the name of the creator of the legend of the world automobile industry - Boris Grigorievich Lutsky.
In the meantime, take a look at how a German T-34 was pulled out of a lake in Estonia. Rumor has it that this tank is now on the move, in excellent condition, ready for battle!

Destroyed german tank"Somua" S 35 (Somua S35, Char 1935 S), turned starboard towards us. 400 of these tanks went to Germany as a trophy after the defeat of France in 1940. The tank was destroyed by Soviet partisans in 1943 in the Leningrad region.

Former Polish tank 7TP, captured by the Germans in 1939. Used by the Wehrmacht for its own needs, it was then sent to France, where it was captured by American troops in 1944.

The Soviet T-34-76 tanks captured by the Germans were put into service. It’s interesting that the Germans modernized the tanks: they installed commander’s cupolas from the Pz.III, improving visibility (one of the shortcomings of the original T-34), equipped the guns with a flame arrester, added a box on board, and installed headlights on the left. In addition, the tanks and machine guns seem to be German.

Tank KV-2 from Pz.Abt.zBV-66 in Neuruppin. As a result of the German modification, it received a commander's cupola, stowage for additional ammunition at the rear of the vehicle, a Notek headlight and a number of other minor changes.

This photo shows the same KV-2 and T-34.

German sappers clear the road in front of a captured Soviet T-34 tank. Autumn 1941.

A very famous car. Modernized captured Soviet tank KV-1 from the 204th tank regiment of the 22nd tank division of the Wehrmacht. The Germans installed on it, instead of a 76.2 mm cannon, a German 75 mm KwK 40 L/48 cannon, as well as a commander's cupola.

Captured Soviet light tank T-26 model 1939 in the service of the Wehrmacht.

Trophy KV-2

Captured French tank S35 from the 22nd Tank Division in Crimea. All french tanks In this division they belonged to the 204th Tank Regiment (Pz.Rgt.204).

Destroyed captured Soviet T-34 tanks produced in 1941 from an unidentified Wehrmacht tank unit.

Captured Soviet tank T-26 of the SS division "Totenkopf" bearing the name "Mistbiene".

The same tank captured Soviet troops in the Demyansk cauldron.

A rare photograph. Captured English tank M3 “Stuart”, shot down in battle on the night of October 8-9, 1944 near Tehumardi, on the island of Saaremaa (Ezel) (Estonia). One of the fiercest battles in Saaremaa. In the night battle, the 2nd battalion of the German 67th Potsdam Grenadier Regiment (360 people) and detachments of the 307th separate anti-tank fighter division and the 1st battalion of the 917th regiment of the Soviet 249th “Estonian” division (670 people in total) collided ). The losses of both sides amounted to 200 people.

German prisoners of war on their way to the railway station to be sent to the camp pass by a captured Soviet T-70 light tank with Wehrmacht insignia. Two high-ranking officers are visible in the first rank of the column of prisoners. Neighborhoods of Kyiv.

A German tanker applies German markings to the turret of a captured Soviet T-34-76 tank. On the side of the tower, in the center of the cross, a patch is clearly visible, most likely covering a hole in the armor. Tank with a stamped turret from the UZTM plant.

Residents of Belgrade and soldiers of the NOAU inspect a damaged German tank of French production Hotchkiss H35. Karageorgievich street.

German collection point faulty armored vehicles in the Königsberg area. 3rd Belorussian Front. In the picture, from left to right: captured Soviet tank T-34/85, light tank Pz.Kpfw.38(t) of Czech production, captured Soviet self-propelled guns SU-76, another T-34 tank is partially visible to the right. In the foreground are parts of the destroyed turret of a captured Soviet tank T-34/85.