Soviet Army

Stalins armies, advancing toward Germany through Nazi - dominated Eastern Europe, were as intent on asserting political dominance as they were on gaining military victory. Road signs and billboard slogans in German were quickly replaced by ones in Russian. And Soviet officers briefed their troops on the countries-from traditionally pro - Soviet Bulgaria to anti - Russian Poland-they were about to enter as friendly liberators and protectors.

Equipment of the Red Army:

T-40 light tank

In the battles in which the T40's were first used, Soviet commanders tried to use the T-40's as regular tanks (like the T26's,Bt's and so on). T-40's were never used in their intended reconnaissance role but were used for other, unintended tasks. Most of them were lost in battle without distinguishing themselves. The T-40 was used the most during the Moscow battles (winter 1941-1942).

T-50 light tank

The T-50 was well armed and heavily armored for a light tank. Moreover, it had good running characteristics, but it was very hard to manufacture mostly due to its engine. The T-50 required as much labor to build as the T-34, which was superior, especially in armament. That's why the fate of the T-50 was so short.

T-60 light tank

For the Red Army, the importance of this tank was so great that Stalin himself attended the trials of the second prototype (this prototype was armed with the TNSh). After that, all factories to be involved in the manufacturing the T-60 began preparations with frantic haste. Additionally, the Moscow automobile factory ZIS became involved in production of this tank.

T-28 Medium Tank

In general, the T-28 had quite a modern design for that time. However, at the same time, the tank had some serious shortcomings, especially in the engine and transmission. Despite the designers' efforts these defects persisted. These difficulties were the result of immature technology processes as well as the Red Army's lack of experience in maintaining such complex vehicles.

T-34 Medium Tank

The first mass production T-34 came to the tank formations of the Red Army late autumn 1940. However, the planned fighting training has begun only spring 1941. Unfortunately, much reorganization of the tank troops that were conducted last two pre-war years influenced negatively on the mastering the use of the new tanks.

T-44 Medium Tank

The T-44 medium tank wasn't in large-scale producing like the T-26 or so widespread in use like the T-34, also it wasn't the main battle tank for the post-war period like the T-54/55, but it took a worthy place in the history of Soviet tank development.

KV-1 Heavy Tank

This tank first appeared in the Winter War. It was a general test of this tank. Having excellent protection and a powerful diesel engine, it was heavily armed with a 76.2 mm gun and three machine-guns. This tank was a king of battlefields until the introduction of German 75 mm guns. It had a bow machine-gun, a coaxial machine-gun, and a rear machine-gun to prevent infantry assaults from the rear. The chassis of this tank was used for several of assault guns and tanks. Later, the KV-1 was upgraded to the much more common KV-1 modification.

KV-2 Heavy Assault Tank

On December 19, 1939, The KV-1 was accepted for the service. At that time, the KV-1 took part in combat tests on the Russian-Finnish War (the Winter War). During those battles, the Soviet High Command come to conclusion that the heavy tank with more powerful armament is highly needed to combat with enemy's bunkers, pillboxes and other fortifications.

KV-8S heavy flamethrower tank

The flamethrower tanks were intended for assaulting heavy entrenchments because of their great psychological effect. In November 1941, in Chelyabinsk, work on the KV-8 tank began. Under the Soviet pre-war tank theories, all flamethrower tanks were counted as a part of the Soviet Tank Army.

IS-2 heavy tank

In February of 1944 all existing heavy breakthrough tank regiments, which were equipped with KV tanks, were re-equipped according to the new TO&E. Simultaneously, some new units were formed. These units were equipped with the newest IS tanks.

IS-3 Heavy Tank

The IS-3 heavy tank (or its work "Object 703" designation), as approved, boasted a very good hull and turret, with excellent armor protection. The sloped armor on the turret and hull allowed better overall protection of the tank. The rear armor plate was tip-up. The centerline driver's station was fitted with a driver's hatch with a sight installed in it. Before opening the hatch the sight had to be removed.

Russian Infantry In Stalingrad

SU-85 Tank Destroyer

The SU-85 had 48 rounds for its gun, in addition it had 1500 rounds for the crew's sub-machine guns, 24 grenades F-1 ("pineapple") and 5 antitank grenades. The transmission, engine and most of other components were left unchanged (the same as in the T-34/76), allowing easy transition for new crews.

SU-122 Tank Destroyer

The SU-122 was protected with 45 mm of frontal armor. The elevation angles of the M-30 were -3° +26°, the horizontal (traversing) angle ±10°. Engine and transmission were left unchanged to increase the production capability and keep the cost price low. The maximum range of the vehicle was increased by adding some external fuel tanks.

SU-152 Heavy Assault Gun

On February 14, 1943, the GKO accepted for service a new assault gun under new signature SU-152. In 1 March 1943 the mass production of SU-152 has begun in Chelyabinsk. Up to end of 1943 there were built 704 of new assault guns. During the production a new turret device for 12.7 mm DShK AAMG has been designed

FAI Light Armored Car

Manufacturing of the FAI, one of the most mass-produced armored cars in Soviet history, began with a contract between the Soviet Government and Henry Ford's corporation. On May 31, 1929, according to that contract, Ford was to supply the plans for the "Ford-A", "Ford-AA" and "Ford-Timken" trucks.

BA-64 Armored Car

From the spring of 1943 up to 1946 mass production of the modernised BA-64B continued. In 1944, by a report of NKO, the monthly output of the BA-64B was 250 cars, yearly output of the radio-equipped BA-64Bs was 1404. Notwithstanding their weak armament, BA-64 armored cars were used successfully in most reconnaissance operations as well as for infantry support.

"Komintern" artillery tractor

Of course, "Komintern" inherited several disadvantages of T-24, but some of them were fixed by designers, some other, being important for tank, weren't so significant for tractor. It used widely for transporting all types of field artillery and howitzers, including 18-ton 203 mm howitzers B-4. From 1940, mass production of "Komintern" was cancelled and switched to more modern "Voroshilovets". From 1934 to 1940 about 1800 tractors were manufactured.

85 mm Field Gun D-44 Model 1944

By the end 1948, the self-propelled variant of D-44 was developed. It's ballistic ammo and thus its penetration capabilities were equal to D-44. In November 11, 1954, it was accepted for service under the name SD-44. Totally 697 SD-44 guns have been produced.

107 mm gun107 mm

107 mm gun

On July 27, 1912, the Orudijny (Artillery) factory in St.Peterburg signed the contract to manufacture 100 107-mm guns model 1910 not later October 1917. Factory had manufactured 12 guns by January 1916, and additional 15 guns by 1917. After that, the factory was relocated from St.Peterburg to Mytishi (a town near Moscow) and until 1925 it didn't produce any guns.

106.7 mm Corps Gun

The gun's limber could accept 42 rounds. Curiously, that the limber had shock-absorbers so it could be moved with 30-35 km/h. At the same time, the gun itself didn't have any shock-absorbers. The usage of old single loading 107-mm ammo was prohibited because a projectile always burst inside the barrel. Also, the shooting with full charge was prohibited if gun didn't have a muzzle brake. The usage of full charge together with HE, shrapnel and smoke D-422U projectiles.

107-mm M-60 gun

The M-60 has a separated loading ammo. As well as 122mm howitzer, the M-60 has a piston lock. Its recoil system consist of hydraulic recoil brake and hydro-pneumatic reflexive mechanism. Recoil brake put inside the gun-crandle. Elevation mechanism had one sector which mounted onto the gun-crandle.

The 106.del 1910