T-34 in Action

Having read several books about the Eastern Front from the point of view of German generals and soldiers, it was very interesting at last to get my hands on an account told from the Soviet point of view. This book is packed with detailed anecdotes, not only about tank actions, but also the whole experience of living through the dreadful "Great Patriotic War", especially as a Red Army soldier. Anyone familiar with the ways of the US, British, or German armies can immediately see the differences: less formal discipline, but seriously brutal command decisions. For instance, what British or German driver would yell at his tank commander, "God damn you, Lieutenant! Why did you fire? I didn't get to close my hatch! Now the gases have blinded me". Soviet tank commanders could be shot if they abandoned their tank, even if it was disabled. Officers took a very casual attitude to human life.

As other reviewers have noted, the interviews on which this book is based were obviously all with soldiers who survived - which automatically makes them very lucky. Tens of thousands of Soviet tankers burned in their T34s, largely because of inflexible tactics that sent them head-on against the dreaded German 88 mm cannon. Yet the T34, especially the T34-85 version, were excellent tanks in their way. I think it is wrong to discount stories of T34s that destroyed several German tanks - even Tigers - because this was perfectly feasible if they got a side or rear shot from close range. Indeed, in one famous incident a single T34-85 blew up three Royal Tigers and damaged others, when they drove past its concealed position in a corn field. (Ironically, sPzAbt.501's official records state that the Tigers ran into "massive anti-tank defences", which just goes to show how deceptive these things can be).

You have to think that it is strange for so much dialogue to be recalled word for word, after 50 or 60 years. Perhaps some of it really was burned into the men's brains, but confabulation is also a possibility. Whereas German, British and US accounts of the war are often confirmed by other sources, these stories mostly have to stand on their own. One example that struck me was Fadin's account of how two JS-2 tanks destroyed two Tigers, whereupon the other eight Tigers in the unit "decided to leave the battlefield" and "hid behind the monastery wall". That doesn't sound at all like the Tiger crews I have read about, which mowed down Soviet tanks by the dozen. With odds of eight against two - plus a faster rate of fire and better optics - you would think the Tigers would easily have avenged their comrades. The truth of the matter is that, in a fight between Tigers and JS-2s, any hits were likely to be fatal so it was mostly a matter of quick wits and tactics.

All in all, this is a very good book containing a wealth of fascinating details. You just need to read it with a slightly skeptical eye.

If you are into T-34s...buy this book first.

The editor/author has an introductory chapter that covers many of the technical changes in the T-34. Specific changes, like the quality of the vision blocks, the transmission or the radio. It's very interesting in that it gives connecting clues to the observations you might have seen from reading German tanker accounts.

The book then moves into the veterans telling their own accounts. They add their practical insights. Because of the early bad vision blocks, they had to ride with hatches open if they wanted to see anything, for instance. Some of the veterans get very specific on their training. How many seconds for a stop, fire and move excercise got them what grade, for instance. You are given details on how they reacted to combat situations. Lots of connecting info for a full picture of the technical limitations of the T-34 and the training limitations of the crews come together for the most interesting book I've read on these tanks and how they were used in combat on the tactical level.

This book on the famous Russian T-34 is an excellent compilation of facts, discriptions and combat narrative of operating the T-34 tank. The book written by
a retired tank officer, tells of the terrible initial mechanical problems and teething difficulties of the new tank to the point of where the later models became the scourge of the Wehrmacht. Many combat scenarios narrated blow by blow as well as good photos from the field. Highly reccomended to anyone intersted in armor.

Dry

The book arrived sooner than expected in good condition.
Great service.