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10 Second War Stories brings military history to life through stories, veteran profile, force profiles, and equipment guides across all nations and conflicts.

What kind of tank was the T-34?

The T-34 was a famous medium battle tank created by the Soviet Union. It was first introduced in 1940 right before the war began. It became the most important tank used by the Soviet army to fight against Germany.

What made the T-34 tank so strong?

This tank had special metal sides that were tilted at an angle. This design helped enemy shells bounce off the tank instead of punching through it. It also had very wide tracks that let it drive over deep mud and thick snow without getting stuck.

How did the Soviet Union use the T-34 in the war?

The Soviet army built tens of thousands of these tanks to fight the German army. The tanks acted as the main power for the Soviet soldiers as they moved across Eastern Europe. They eventually led the way all the way to the city of Berlin.

Why was the T-34 easy to keep in the fight?

Factories made the tanks in a very simple way. This made them fast to build and easy to repair. If a tank broke down, the soldiers could often fix it themselves right on the battlefield.

What is the legacy of the T-34 tank?

The T-34 is remembered today as one of the most important tanks ever built. After the war, the Soviet Union gave these tanks to other countries to use. North Korea even used them at the start of the Korean War to push across the border.

Home Library Soviet UnionT-34

Medium Tank

T-34

The T-34 was a tough Soviet tank with sloped armor that helped defeat German forces in World War II.

Soviet Union Introduced 1940 Kharkiv Factory No. 183Role: Medium battle tank

Specifications

Weight

29 to 35 tons

Main Armament

76.2 mm or 85 mm tank gun

Top Speed

33 mph

Crew

4 to 5 soldiers

History

The Soviet Union designed the T-34 right before Nazi Germany invaded in 1941. It surprised enemy troops because its angled armor made enemy shells bounce off easily. It also carried a powerful gun and wide tracks that moved smoothly over thick mud and deep snow.

Soviet factories built tens of thousands of T-34 tanks during the war. Workers built them quickly, often keeping them simple so soldiers could fix them easily in the field. It became the backbone of the Red Army as they pushed across Eastern Europe all the way to Berlin.

After World War II, the Soviet Union supplied T-34 tanks to allied nations. North Korea used them during the Korean War to spearhead early invasions. It remains one of the most famous and influential military vehicles ever built.