The use of German armored vehicles in the postwar period

After the end of World War II, several hundred samples of serviceable German armored vehicles and up to one and a half thousand faulty and damaged vehicles suitable for restoration remained in the countries that participated in the war. In addition, at the enterprises of the Third Reich, not destroyed by bombing and artillery shelling, there were unfinished vehicles in varying degrees of readiness.

Use of captured German tanks and self-propelled guns in the USSR

As already mentioned in the previous parts of the cycle, at the final stage of the war in the Red Army there were several dozen trophy items suitable for use in battle. tanks and self-propelled guns.

Captured tanks and self-propelled guns at the collection point for emergency equipment

A significant number of non-working, but completely repairable armored vehicles of German production were concentrated in emergency equipment collection points (SPARM).

For example, as of July 20, 1945, the Red Army had 146 Panther tanks, of which 63 were serviceable, and the rest required repair. However, among the tanks and self-propelled guns repulsed from the enemy, there were often copies of American, British and Soviet production.

The state of affairs with captured armored vehicles can be judged by the report submitted on May 15, 1945 by the headquarters of the 2nd Ukrainian Front:

“In the 9th Guards Army, all 215 tanks were captured, 2 of them. Т-6 ("Royal Tiger") require medium repair, 2 units. SU T-3 require maintenance.

Of the 192 armored personnel carriers captured, 11 are operational, 7 require repair. The state of the rest is being investigated.

On the 6th Guards Tank Army - 47 tanks, 16 self-propelled guns, 47 armored personnel carriers were captured. The condition is being investigated.

For the 53rd Army, 30 tanks and self-propelled guns and 70 armored personnel carriers were found, the state is being investigated.

For the 1st Guards Cavalry-Mechanized Group - the number and condition of captured tanks has not been established, since the tanks are being evacuated to the German tank repair plant in Janowice. "

The Soviet command decided to use serviceable captured armored vehicles for training purposes, so most of the German tanks in good technical condition were supposed to be transferred to tank armies and corps. Thus, captured tanks and self-propelled guns used in the process of combat training made it possible to save the resource of Soviet tanks used by the troops.

For example, on June 5, 1945, Marshal Konev ordered:

The 40 trophy repaired armored units located in Nove Mesto and Zdirets, available in the 30th Army's band, should be transferred to the 3rd Guards Tank Army "for use in combat training."

In the first post-war years, the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces had a lot of German-made tanks converted into tractors and technical support vehicles.

The operation of these machines was facilitated by the fact that they had plenty of spare parts that could be dismantled from captured tanks and self-propelled guns located in SPARMs.

A number of captured armored vehicles ended up on the territory of the USSR during the withdrawal of Soviet troops from countries liberated from the Nazis.

Subsequently, the demilitarized armored vehicles were transferred to the national economy. But unlike light cars and trucks, German tanks, converted into tractors and repair vehicles, in most cases did not last long. Affected by the complex structure of German tracked vehicles and their often improper maintenance.

In addition, for the German carburetor engines, gasoline with a higher octane number and special oils were required, which were different from those used in our country. Frequent breakdowns and difficulties with the supply of consumables, spare parts and fuel and lubricants led to the fact that by the end of the 1940s, there were almost no vehicles based on German tanks in civilian organizations.

Until the mid-1950s, captured tanks and self-propelled guns were actively involved in various research and testing of new Soviet armored vehicles. German guns 7,5 cm Kw.K. 42, 8,8 cm Pak. 43 and 12,8 cm PaK. 44 were the standard of armor penetration. And in the process of testing promising Soviet tanks at the range, their armor was tested by firing from German tank guns.

In turn, many German "panzers" ended their lives at artillery and tank ranges as targets. Cemeteries of broken armored vehicles became a source of raw materials for the Soviet metallurgical industry for many years. The last German tanks went to open-hearth furnaces in the early 1960s.

German heavy tank destroyer Ferdinand, located in the Patriot park

The few surviving tanks and self-propelled guns that once belonged to the Panzerwaffe were used in the filming of feature films about the war. And now they are in museum collections.

Tanks and self-propelled guns of German production in Bulgaria

During World War II Bulgaria, an ally of Nazi Germany, received 61 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H tanks, 10 Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) tanks, 55 StuG.III Ausf self-propelled artillery mounts. G.

On September 8, 1944, when it became abundantly clear that the Germans were losing the war, Bulgaria officially declared war on Germany. And tanks and self-propelled guns of German production were involved in hostilities with units of the Wehrmacht and SS troops. During the battles in Yugoslavia, the Bulgarian tank brigade lost a significant part of the equipment. Irrecoverable losses amounted to 20 tanks and 4 self-propelled guns.

Bulgarian tank Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H

To maintain the combat effectiveness of the Bulgarian armored forces in early 1945, the command of the 3rd Ukrainian Front transferred a dozen captured tanks and self-propelled guns, including: one Pz.Kpfw.IV tank, as well as the StuG.III and Hetzer self-propelled guns.

Anti-tank self-propelled gun Jagd.Pz.IV at the National Military Museum stories in Sofia

Apparently, before the capitulation of Germany, Soviet troops regularly supplied the Bulgarian army with captured armored vehicles. After the end of World War II, at the beginning of 1946, the Bulgarian First Tank Brigade, in addition to vehicles of Czech, French and Italian production, had 57 German Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks, 15 Jagd.Pz.IV tank destroyers and 5 StuG.III self-propelled guns. There is also information that the Bulgarians briefly exploited at least one "panther".

In the late 1940s, German-made tanks and self-propelled guns in the Bulgarian armed forces began to be supplanted by the Soviet T-34-85 and SU-100. As of mid-1950, only 11 Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks remained in service. At the same time, a significant number of captured German tanks were in storage.

Subsequently, after the start of deliveries of T-55 tanks, German "troikas" and "fours", as well as their towers were used in the construction of long-term firing points on the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The exact number of such pillboxes is not known. But various sources say that there could have been more than 150 of them. Taking into account the fact that Bulgaria itself did not have such a number of tanks and tank turrets with weapons, they, most likely, received from the allies under the Warsaw Pact.

The rare tanks were remembered in December 2007. After the Bulgarian police arrested the thieves who stole a German-made tank on the Bulgarian-Turkish border and tried to take it to Germany.

After this incident, which received a wide response, the Bulgarian government took control of the restoration and trade in German tanks. In total, the Bulgarians managed to restore 55 units of German armored vehicles, which they put up for auction. The price of each tank was several million euros.

Tanks and self-propelled guns of German production in Romania

One of the main importers of German tanks during World War II was Romania, which received 11 PzKpfw.III, 142 Pz.Kpfw.IV and 10 StuG.III assault guns.

After Romania went over to the side of the anti-Hitler coalition, very few serviceable armored vehicles of German production remained in the Romanian army. In this regard, the 2nd Tank Regiment, which was attached to the Soviet 27th Tank Brigade (2nd Ukrainian Front) in February-March 1945, was reinforced with several captured Pz.Kpfw.IV, as well as the StuG.III, StuG self-propelled guns. IV and Hetzer. By the time the hostilities ended, the Romanian tank regiment had four capable Pz.Kpfw.IV.

Pz.Kpfw.V Panther tanks of the Tudor Vladimirescu division at the parade in Bucharest, May 10, 1946

In 1946, the Soviet Union handed over to Romania a batch of German-made tanks (an unknown number of Pz.Kpfw.IV and 13 "panthers"). The tanks entered service with the 1st Tank Brigade, which in 1947 was reorganized into the Tudor Vladimirescu Tank Division. These machines were in operation until 1950, after which they were decommissioned.

German tanks and self-propelled guns in the army of Czechoslovakia

During the Second World War, factories located in the Czech Republic were among the main manufacturers weapons for the Wehrmacht and SS troops. Firms "ČKD" and "Skoda" stopped producing armored vehicles only shortly before the surrender of Germany. Also, the Czechs had more than two hundred serviceable and suitable for restoration German tanks.

In July 1945, about 40 armored vehicles were assembled at a site in the vicinity of Milovice, about 400 km north of Prague. Taking into account the fact that Czechoslovakia had very good capabilities for the production and repair of tanks and self-propelled guns used in the armed forces of Nazi Germany, a significant amount of captured German armored vehicles entered service with the Czechoslovak army in the early post-war years. In 1946, about 300 medium tanks and self-propelled guns, as well as 65 "panthers" were transferred to the Czechs.

Czechoslovak tank T40 / 75

In the Czechoslovak army, the captured Pz.Kpfw.IV was designated T40 / 75. In total, about 50 "fours" of modifications J and H served in combat units. Operation of these machines continued until 1954.

As of May 9, 1945, about 250 Hetzer self-propelled guns were available at Czech factories and tank repair shops in varying degrees of readiness. It was this self-propelled gun in the first post-war years that became the most massive in the armed forces of Czechoslovakia. In November 1945, the Czechoslovak Headquarters of Tank Forces decided to accept the Hetzer into service under the designation St-Vz.38-I.

Among the "fours" and "panthers" in the armored forces of Czechoslovakia quite predictably prevailed the "Hetzers", which, together with the StuG.III assault guns, entered service with the 21st and 22nd tank brigades, which in 1948 were transformed into the 351st and 352 XNUMXst self-propelled artillery regiments.

However, already in the early 1950s, after licensed production of Soviet T-34-85 and SU-100 was launched in Czechoslovakia, the process of writing off captured German tanks and self-propelled guns began.

Swiss "Hetzers"

In the post-war period, Switzerland became the buyer of the Hetzer, whose armored fleet needed updating and consisted of 24 LTH light tanks - an export version of the LT vz. 38, which served as the base for the Hetzer. In August 1946, Skoda received a contract for eight vehicles. In Switzerland, this ACS received the designation Panzerjaeger G-13.

Tank destroyer Panzerjaeger G-13

Using the reserve left over from the Germans, the first batch of Hetzers was quickly delivered to the customer. However, another order for 1946 self-propelled guns, which followed in November 100, was on the verge of collapse, since there were no Rak 39/2 guns available.

But a solution was found, Czech engineers promptly revised the drawings. And self-propelled guns began to be armed with StuK.40 cannons, which were in sufficient numbers in warehouses.

In addition, instead of a carburetor engine, starting with the 65th car, a 148 hp Sauer-Arbon diesel engine was installed. with. The fuel consumption of a diesel engine was more than half that of a gasoline engine. The efficiency of the new power plant allowed the fuel tank to be reduced from 250 to 115 liters, which significantly increased the useful reserve volume. The speed of the G-13 on the dirt road remained at the level of 25-30 km / h, the cruising range also remained almost unchanged.

The combat weight of the Swiss "Hetzer" was one ton less than the German one. A 13-chamber muzzle brake appeared on the G-2 gun, the commander and loader changed places. A rotating observation device was installed on the roof. And the commander's observation device in an armored turret.

Panzerjaeger G-13 on display at the Tun tank museum

Visually, the Panzerjaeger G-13 can be easily distinguished from the original Hetzer by the muzzle brake and optical instruments. Unlike the Jagdpanzer 38 (t), which has bare sides of the wheelhouse, on the outer side of the armor of the Swiss tank destroyer are located: a box with spare parts, track links and a spare roller.

In general, the "Swiss" version turned out to be more successful than the original modification. And in 1947 another 50 self-propelled guns were ordered. The last 20 vehicles were delivered to the customer on February 16, 1950. These tank destroyers were in service with the Swiss army until 1972.

French "Panthers"

After the liberation of France from the Nazis, several hundred German tanks and self-propelled guns suitable for further use remained on the territory of this country. And in the future, some of these vehicles were adopted by the French national armored units.

French sources claim that in 1946 in a separate tank squadron "Benier" there were three dozen "fours". These were mainly tanks of the PzIV Ausf. H. About four dozen more medium tanks were in storage. And they were used as a source of spare parts.

Tanks Pz.Kpfw.IV of the separate squadron "Benier"

Against the background of "fours" and captured self-propelled guns in the French army stood out "panthers", which together with the American M4 Sherman served in the 501st and 503rd tank regiments, as well as in the 6th cuirassier regiment.

The first captured "panthers" were used by the resistance forces ("French Internal Forces") in the summer of 1944.

One of the "panthers" captured by the Resistance Movement

In the post-war period, the operation of these machines was facilitated by the fact that there were training centers in France where the Germans trained crews, tank repair enterprises and a significant amount of spare parts and consumables.

"Panthers" of the 503rd tank regiment in the same ranks with American-made armored personnel carriers, 1947

Although the "Panther" was very difficult and time-consuming to repair and made high demands on the qualifications of driver mechanics, the French were impressed by the security in the frontal projection and the firepower of this vehicle. As of 1949, there were about 70 serviceable "panthers".

Light tank AMX-13

"Panther" left a noticeable mark on French tank building. After the last Pz.Kpfw.V Panther was decommissioned, the AMX-13 light tank was produced in France, armed with the SA50 L / 57 gun, created on the basis of the German 75 mm KwK cannon. 42 L / 70.

German tanks in Turkey

In 1943, the Turkish government bought 56 ​​Pzkpfw.III Ausf tanks in Germany. J with 50 mm cannons and 15 Pz.kpfw.IV Ausf. G. These vehicles were used to form the 6th Armored Regiment stationed in Ankara.

Pzkpfw.III Ausf. J in the exposition of the tank museum Etimesgut

German-made tanks served in Turkey until the mid-1950s.

Then they were finally ousted by American and British armored vehicles.

German tanks and self-propelled guns in Spain

Another country that received the PzIV Ausf. H and ACS StuG.III Ausf. G, became Spain.

In 1943, twenty “fours” with long-barreled 75-mm guns and 10 self-propelled guns supplemented the hopelessly outdated Italian and German CV-1 and Pz.Kpfw.I tankettes in the 33st Brunete Panzer Division, as well as Soviet-made light tanks T- 26.

Spanish tank Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H

Tanks Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H served in the Spanish armed forces until 1956. Then they were replaced by American M24 Chaffee and M47 Patton, and went into storage. Seventeen "fours" in 1965 were sold to Syria. And 3 more tanks ended up in Spanish museums.

German tanks and self-propelled guns in Finland

In 1944, Finland received 29 StuG.III Ausf assault guns. G and 15 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. J.

In the military workshops, the Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks and the StuG.III self-propelled guns were modernized. They removed the side screens that hindered movement in wooded areas. And on the sides were hung tracks, rollers and boxes with spare parts. German MG.34 machine guns were replaced by Soviet DT-29. Armored vehicles of German production managed to take part in hostilities. And several damaged Pz.Kpfw.IV and StuG.III became a source of spare parts.

Finnish StuG.III

German-made tanks and self-propelled guns served in a tank division created on the basis of the 1st Jaeger Brigade. In the same division, in addition to German vehicles, there were Soviet T-26, T-28, T-34, T-38, T-50, KV-1.

The conclusion of a truce with the USSR led to clashes with German units stationed in Lapland, in which Finnish tanks took part.

Subsequently, the only Finnish tank division was disbanded, and its equipment was transferred to storage.

After the end of World War II, the tank fleet was reduced. And only T-34, Pz.Kpfw.IV and StuG.III remained in the Finnish armed forces.

However, due to the lack of spare parts, the combat effectiveness of German-made tanks and self-propelled guns was low.

The final decommissioning of the Pz.Kpfw.IV and StuG.III took place in the mid-1960s.

German tanks and self-propelled guns in Poland

The first two German "panthers" were captured by the Poles during the Warsaw Uprising in August 1944. After repairs, these vehicles were effectively used in combat, but were damaged in fire duels with German anti-tank artillery. And they were destroyed by Polish crews.

Polish Pz.Kpfw.IV, Poznan 1946

Soon after the surrender of Germany, the Polish armed forces were reinforced with captured armored vehicles. In June 1945, at the direction of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, it was ordered to transfer a large consignment of captured armored vehicles to the 1st Polish Army, which was under the operational subordination of the Commander-in-Chief of the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces.

The Poles received about fifty tracked armored vehicles: Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks, StuG.III and Hetzer self-propelled artillery mounts.

These vehicles remained in service until the early 1950s.

German tanks and self-propelled guns in the armed forces of Yugoslavia

During the fighting, the troops of Marshal Tito recaptured a significant number of tankettes, tanks and self-propelled guns from the Croats and Germans. Most of the trophies were hopelessly outdated Italian and French cars. Among them were also light tanks Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) and Pz.Kpfw.II, medium Pz.Kpfw.III, Pz.Kpfw.IV and ACS StuG.III.

Captured German light tank Pz.Kpfw. II during the exercises of the Yugoslav People's Army

The captured vehicles were operated in conjunction with American light tanks "Stuart" and Soviet "thirty-four". In the early post-war years, German-made tanks were actively used during exercises to designate the enemy. Subsequently, the remaining German vehicles on the move were transferred to the Tank Military School. In the late 1940s, the JNA had a self-propelled artillery division armed with the StuG.III self-propelled guns.

Yugoslav SPG StuG.III

In 1947, Yugoslavia received an additional 308 T-34-85 tanks and 52 SU-76M self-propelled guns.

And in the first half of the 1950s, all German tanks and self-propelled guns were decommissioned.

The use of German tanks and self-propelled guns in hostilities in the Middle East

After the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, in the countries on whose territory the hostilities were fought, a lot of German armored vehicles remained, suitable for further use.

In the first post-war years, Pz.Kpfw.V Panther tanks were used in the armed forces of some states. The armor penetration of the gun and the protection of the "Panther" in the frontal projection were at a very high level by the standards of the second half of the 1940s. However, insufficient service life, low reliability and poor maintainability led to the fact that by the beginning of the 1950s Pz.Kpfw.V tanks were removed from service everywhere.

Unlike the capricious "Panthers" in operation, the Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks and the StuG.III self-propelled guns were reliable and very unpretentious vehicles. Their operation lasted more than 20 years - this demonstrates that the designs developed by German engineers in the late 1930s turned out to be very successful.

The heavy Tigers and Panthers are often called the best German tanks. But it is fair to give this title to the middle Pz.Kpfw.IV - as the only German tank produced and used from the beginning to the end of World War II.

This machine had a great modernization potential, turned out to be the most massive and successful in terms of operation.

In one formation of the Syrian army, former opponents - the German PzIV Ausf. J and Soviet T-34-85, late 1950s

In the early 1950s, the Syrian government was concerned with increasing the combat capability of the armed forces.

To replace the outdated and exhausted light tanks Renault R35 in France, medium tanks Pz.Kpfw.IV were purchased. The exact number of purchased "fours" is unknown. But, apparently, there were no more than 40 of them.

Almost all of them, due to great wear and tear, were in a deplorable technical condition. Moreover, some tanks were previously used as donors. And they were dismantled. In this regard, the Syrians "discharged" 16 Maybach HL 120 TRM engines from Czechoslovakia.

In the spring of 1955, a contract was signed with Czechoslovakia for the supply of 45 Pz.Kpfw IV units.

In 1958, another batch of 15 vehicles was purchased.

The most valuable were 17 Spanish PzIV Ausf. H purchased in 1965. These machines were in very good technical condition and, with proper care, could serve for a long time.

Although in the mid-1960s German-made combat vehicles could no longer be considered modern, their guns were powerful enough to fight the Shermans, of which there were many in the Israeli army.

ACS Jagd.Pz.IV at the parade in Damascus

In addition to the Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks, the Syrians acquired about three dozen StuG.III and Jagd.Pz.IV self-propelled guns in Czechoslovakia, which were used as tank destroyers.

German tanks and self-propelled guns were distributed across three infantry brigades: the 8th, 11th and 19th.

Syrian SPG StuG.III

In Syria, German tanks and self-propelled guns were refined.

The vehicles received from France and Spain were armed with MG.34 machine guns, and those purchased in Czechoslovakia with Soviet DT-29s. Some of the tanks and self-propelled guns were equipped with turrets for anti-aircraft machine guns. Most of the tanks did not have a machine gun in the frontal plate - the ball mount was either empty or covered with an armor plate. At the same time, the position of the gunner-radio operator was abolished, and instead of the German radio station Fu 5, a modern analogue was installed at the commander.

Tank Pz.Kpfw.IV, abandoned in the Golan Heights

ACS Jagd.Pz.IV, abandoned in the Golan Heights

The Six Day War was the last use of German tanks in World War II.

Before the outbreak of hostilities, units equipped with German-made tanks were deployed in the Golan Heights.

In total, there were 201 armored vehicles in the defense in this direction. Of these, about three dozen are German tanks and self-propelled guns. By that time, the Syrian armored forces were a conglomerate of tanks and self-propelled guns of Soviet and German production.

One of the Pz.Kpfw.IV captured by the Israelis

During the 1967 Six Day War, almost all German-made tanks and self-propelled guns were destroyed or captured by the Israeli army.

For a short period of time, the captured “fours” were used by the Israelis as long-term firing points. Four captured vehicles became monuments and exhibits in museums. Two more vehicles were used to assess the effectiveness of anti-tank ammunition.

After this conflict, no more than two dozen Pz.Kpfw IVs remained in the Syrian army in a depressing state.

After the defeat of the Syrian army in the Six Day War, large-scale deliveries of Soviet tanks T-55, T-62, IS-3M and ACS SU-100 began.

And all the surviving German-made tanks and self-propelled guns were sent for disposal.

The ending should ...

Comments

[Hunter 2]

Very useful article ! The USSR generously endowed "situational allies" with trophy equipment! These "rarities" cost a lot of money now! It is a pity that a lot of armored vehicles (OUR and not only) were melted down ... Museum funds had to be replenished more seriously!

[The leader of the Redskins]

I subscribe to your words. Of the listed operators, he knew only about Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland and the fact that the "fours" took part in the Middle East.

[Mister X]

Bulgarian police arrested thieves who stole a German-made tank on the Bulgarian-Turkish border
Author: Linnik Sergey

There is a bike:
The stolen tank was allegedly a gift from Adolf Hitler to the Queen of Bulgaria, Giovanna of Savoy

[komuso]

Not Hitler, but Hermann Goering. According to the Barbara program, Bulgaria received Pkmpfw IV G, H, J tanks in 1943 to 1944-97. In 1945 from the 4th Ukrainian Front received 13 (other documents say about 15-18) Panther tanks ...

[Mister X]

Quote: komuso

Not Hitler, but Hermann Goering.

Reuters, citing stories in local media, claims that it was Hitler

[Mister X]

Quote: komuso

Under the Barbara program, Bulgaria received Pkmpfw IV G, H, J tanks from 1943 to 1944-97.

At VO, the author Roman Kuznetsov writes about 61 PzKpfw IV tanks

[komuso]

According to the Barbara plan, Bulgaria ordered 91 Panzer 4 tanks in Germany. According to documents from TsVIM Sofia, the first 3 tanks were received on 30/04/1943, then at 24/05/11, 10/07/15, September 15, 1, + September 15, 20 , in November-again 15, in January 1944-11, in February-1 and the last 3 in June 1944. As a result, Bulgaria received 88 Panzer 4, the remaining 3 were confiscated by Germany in September 1944 and were never sent.

[Mister X]

Quote: komuso

As a result, Bulgaria received 88 Panzer 4

Thanks for the information.
I counted and I got 89 tanks
Am I wrong anywhere?

[komuso]

Bulgarian Panthers

[Mister X]

German tanks on the Bulgarian-Turkish border, which were used as pillboxes.

Togava 75 german tanks and shurmovi hordia byah from the crawl of the katokutii beyond the kutii to the balgaro-turskat border.

Rebuilt tank for sale at auction in May 2008

[komuso]

Not for auction, out of all 70+ tanks and self-propelled guns from the Krali Marko line, 4 Pzkpw IV G / H / J were restored
3 Stug and one unique Jagdpanzer L48 (only 6 of them remained in the world). Now all of them are located in the Museum of Military Glory in the city of Yambol (in the area where Shhab 7MSD used to be)

[Mister X]

Quote: komuso

are in the Museum of Military Glory

Thank you, found confirmation.

The German tank is unique from the Vtorata Svetovna War, they started from Sliven, Yambol, from the Russian YAMZ engine.

Video for help

[pytar]

There is also information that the Bulgarians briefly exploited at least one "panther".

Bulgarian "Panthers"

At the beginning of 1945 year a tank battalion was formed with three brigades (two with medium tanks and one with heavy tanks), which became part of the 1st Bulgarian Army (part of the 3rd Ukrainian Front). All these vehicles are captured German equipment supplied by the USSR. The first Panther arrived on March 17, 1945. The crews of the 1st Tank Battalion arrived from Sofia in Hungary on April 11, 1945. Three days later, in Pana Deveger, they received their "Panthers" from the Soviet troops - a total of 15 tanks (including one delivered in March). The crews began training under the guidance of a Soviet instructor. The end of the war came before the Bulgarian crews completed their training and they never entered active service. At the end of May 1945, the Bulgarian Panthers were loaded onto a train to Sofia and handed over to the 2nd Tank Brigade. On March 1, 1946, 14 active and one "Panther" was in need of repair.

From 1945 to 1948, the USSR sent 738 armored combat vehicles to Bulgaria - 398 T-34/85 and 340 SU-76M self-propelled guns. Further use of "15 Panthers" becomes meaningless. They were dug on the Bulgarian-Turkish border as bunkers, and their Maybach engines were removed. It was planned to install them on locomotives, but this was not implemented.

The total number of "Panthers" delivered to Bulgaria is well known - 15, including early and late Ausf D, Ausf A and Ausf G. Bulgarian "Panthers" were painted in standard "Russian grass green" before being delivered to Bulgarians.

Bulgarian "Panther" Pz Kpfw. V Ausg.G

[Ivan Cholev]

What a queen. Actually, it was Tsar Boris III. After his death, the regents ruled, and the little heir Simeon emigrated to Spain. Giovanna Savoy - what a name. This is not a Bulgarian name - similar to Italian - well, yes - Italian Savoyard dynasty

[Mister X]

Quote: Ivan Cholev

What kind of queen

Said: Bulgarian

Quote: Ivan Cholev

Actually, it was Tsar Boris III

This is his wife

Quote: Ivan Cholev

This is not a Bulgarian name - it looks like an Italian

At birth, her name was Giovanna. She is the daughter of the King of Italy.
Married - Joanna of Bulgaria.

Quote: Ivan Cholev

well yes - Italian Savoyard dynasty

Maladets! And first look for information before writing a comment?
Religion does not allow?

[Ivan Cholev]

However, she is not a queen. In Bulgaria, the tsars are like in Russia. The king's wife is called. HZ. Definitely not a queen

[Mister X]

Quote: Ivan Cholev

In Bulgaria, the tsars are like in Russia. The king's wife is called.

Queen is the title of the wife of a king or a woman who leads the kingdom on her own.
Anastasia Romanovna was the wife of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, and was a queen.

Mariam Sursuvul was the wife of Simeon I the Great, and was the queen.
Yoanna Bulgarska was the wife of King Boris III the Unifier, and was the queen.

You do not agree?
Now the head of the Savoy dynasty is Victor Emmanuel of Savoy.
You can turn to him and ask: Did Yoanna Balgarska beat the kralitsata or not?

[Mister X]

Quote: Ivan Cholev

Nevertheless, she is not a queen ...
... definitely not a queen

The Bulgarian banknote depicts Queen Ioana (watermark).
That is, the country's main bank has officially confirmed its title.
Source: catalog of Balgarsk Narodna Bank.
Will you continue to deny?

[EvilLion]

Strictly speaking, the tsar is taller than the king, and the ruler of Bulgaria certainly does not pull the tsar.

[paul3390]

I agree. With the right approach, almost every large city could organize a pretty decent museum of armored vehicles. And not only - planes and other goodness also remained in bulk .. Now we would climb, see who and what our grandfathers beat. It’s interesting, and the youngsters are informative ..

In general, I would have given the decommissioned armored vehicles to be torn apart at tank courses, while at least somehow drives. Think about it - let's say for 5 pieces to steer a real tank! The peasants would cry with delight .. And if they also give a bang .. Well, as soon as they completely finish it, it can be done in open-hearth ...

[Kote Pan Kokhanka]

I don’t know, I hold my breath awaiting the appearance of a "similar tankodrome" in Verkhnyaya Pyshma to build up the Museum of Battle Glory of the Urals !. Conversations are going on, maybe it will work out.

[Hunter 2]

Greetings Vlad! In Tyumen, too, it would not hurt to place a similar "Museum in the open air"! Siberians - Exactly Deserved, how much technology did for the Victory! And we don't even have a Torpedo Boat (Komsomolets) - mass-produced at the Tyumen Shipyard 165 boats were made!

[Kote Pan Kokhanka]

And we have. True layout, but it was ordered in Tyumen in the 00s. So we also have a piece of your pride. I think we have nothing to share. The Museum of the Military Glory of the Urals is something more than the Urals or the Trans-Urals, or the Cis-Urals. In fact, from two guns in 2005, he grew into something that the whole country can be proud of !!! In terms of the number of units of military equipment, only the museum in Kubinka could compare with it, but after it and Monino were torn apart in favor of the Patriot Park, it is the largest in Russia and possibly in Eurasia.

[Undecim]

it is the largest in Russia and possibly in Eurasia.
Hello Vladislav. "Largest" do you mean by territory?

[Kote Pan Kokhanka]

By the number of exhibits of equipment of the Soviet Union and its allies in the anti-Hitler coalition. If I am not mistaken, over six hundred units.
I understand, VikNik, that every sandpiper “praises his own swamp,” but if we were small, but still mountains !!!

[Undecim]

Unfortunately, I don't have such a "swamp", so I have to praise someone else's. The UMMC Museum is very worthy, there is no arguing, but not the largest in Eurasia in terms of the number of military equipment. On the website of the museum, they say about five hundred units of military equipment.
There are about two thousand in Saumur, of which about eight hundred are in working order, moreover, all are original, there are no layouts.
There are more than three hundred tanks in the Bovington Tank Museum alone.

[Kote Pan Kokhanka]

In both of the examples you have given, Viktor Nikolaevich, a significant share is made up of German armored vehicles and its satellites.
The concept of the museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma does not recognize such an approach. In general, the championship in Russia and Asia is getting old! And so you are right a little I bent.
Although, to be honest, there should be such museums all over the post-Soviet space. Memory is selective, but in general it is worth learning from others than from your mistakes.

[Undecim]

In both of the examples you have given, Viktor Nikolaevich, a significant share is made up of German armored vehicles and its satellites.
Why did you decide so? In the same Bovington Tank Museum, tanks from thirty countries of the world.
And the German satellites with their own armored vehicles were tense. There really is nothing to expose.

[alpamys]

Quote: Hunter 2

Greetings Vlad! In Tyumen, too, it would not hurt to place a similar "Museum in the open air"! Siberians - Exactly Deserved, how much technology did for the Victory! And we don't even have a Torpedo Boat (Komsomolets) - mass-produced at the Tyumen Shipyard 165 boats were made!

you have cannons from the times of the war in the open air not far from the museum, one clearly fought well, all in splinter marks, even the rollback scale from the German gun is on it.

[Mister X]

on the Bulgarian-Turkish border.
The exact number of such pillboxes is not known
various sources say that there could have been more than 150 of them.
Author: Linnik Sergey

Reuters cites the following figures:
in 1944, along the border with Turkey, 75 German T3 and T4 tanks organized bunkers
in the 1970s, the 2nd line of defense was added, of 170 Soviet T-34 tanks

[Hunter 2]

Damn ... missed, Friend corrected, Boat - Installed, only instead of Central Square - put on a "dead-end" road near the Plant that produced it But this is also - Excellent! I will definitely bring My Kids, right Tomorrow!

[Kote Pan Kokhanka]

I was in Tyumen the year before last and did not know! Especially for Alexey and members of the forum Sibiryakov!

Found a photo on my phone! Museum of military glory of the Urals!
Below are photos from the city of Tyumen. My family went there, I liked it !!!

[Mister X]

Quote: Kote pane Kohanka

I hold my breath waiting for the appearance of a "similar tankodrome" in Verkhnyaya Pyshma

Isn't he created?
The prime minister's order was in 2018.
You have at least a full-fledged museum.



And in our park, between the trees and armored vehicles, and planes (
http://www.visit.md/tour/military-museum/

[Alexey Polyutkin]

Then, in 45, I think the men got sick of the 4 years of war. Most of course.

[Revolver]

Quote: Hunter 2

These "rarities" cost a lot of money now!

Such prices are only because there are so few of them left. And if then they were put on conservation instead of being melted down, then the price would be worth their weight as scrap metal.

[Pavel57]

Interesting article. There would be more photos.

[Bongo]

Quote: Pavel57

There would be more photos.

Excuse me, for 10 "Word" sheets of text 10 photos, is it really not enough?

[Mister X]

Quote: Pavel57

There would be more photos.

I counted 30 photos in the article.
How much does it take to be enough?

[antivirus]

Cemeteries of broken armored vehicles became a source of raw materials for the Soviet metallurgical industry for many years. The last German tanks went to open-hearth furnaces in the early 1960s.


Cemeteries of broken armored vehicles became a source of raw materials for the Soviet metallurgical industry for many years. The last German tanks went to open-hearth furnaces in the early 1960s.
Cemeteries of broken armored vehicles became a source of raw materials for the Soviet metallurgical industry for many years. The last German tanks went to open-hearth furnaces in the early 1960s.

[Niko]

It seems that the Israelis burned the iron deficiencies of the Third Reich with a special feeling ...

[Potter]

In one of the books I have on the history of the T-34, there was a Syrian photograph of former rivals in the same formation in service with the SAR army given in the article. Alas, the book is in the country, I'm at home, I don't remember the author. Thanks for the article, detailed and interesting.

[Catfish]

I remember this photo, colleague, there, between the T-34 and the T-IV, a British armored car "Humber" and our BTR-152, a direct museum of armored vehicles, wandered around, but everything was in order.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Potter

In one of the books I have on the history of the T-34, there was a Syrian photograph of former rivals in the same formation in service with the SAR army, given in the article. Alas, the book is in the country

no problem, the author brought this photo in the article:

))

[stroybat ZABVO]

B7 greetings from Argentina.
In ZABVO in the late 70s, early 80s, many former tanks worked as "skidders".
There were also German ones.
Once two soldiers from the construction battalion ... ... decided to "wrestle".
One was on a "skidder" from a T-34, the other in German .... just don't remember which "German" one ..... 3? 4?
Both reared on their hind legs.
In the Chita region, I was at that time at the metallurgical plant .... I do not remember which ..... There were still not melted "Tigers".

[Sergey M. Karasev]

In the Chita region, there was only one conversion metallurgical plant - in Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky.

[antivirus]

Cemeteries of broken armored vehicles became a source of raw materials for the Soviet metallurgical industry for many years. The last German tanks went to open-hearth furnaces in the early 1960s.

stupid editor from VO
tsytata -and note:
in 06g the native plant went bankrupt. a guy from Nakhodka arrived (in the Central Federal District): I buy machines no earlier than 64 g of production (- ?????????).
A week later, an acquaintance said that the Chinese began to modernize their tank troops, they were buying old machine tools, which were cast from previously melted slabs, those from all the trash of the captured and their own.
by 2015, everything was ready for the parade in Beijing ---- the armor steel of Krupp and NTagil with the molten brains of the Hans and Vanks (in wrecked tanks) defended the Celestial Empire

[UA3QHP]

Quote: antivirus

A week later, an acquaintance told - the Chinese began to modernize the tank troops, they buy old machine tools - the beds cast from previously melted slabs, those from all the trash captured and their own

Most likely gossip. machine beds are cast from cast iron. Armor steel is not suitable.

[Revolver]

Quote: antivirus

armor steel Krupp and NTagil

Armor steel differs from structural carbon steel only in alloying additives, and they tend to burn out during remelting, therefore alloying elements are introduced into the melt at a clearly defined moment towards the end of the melt. So, in this way, the Chinese could not acquire Krupp's armor steel in any way. And besides, the beds were usually cast from cast iron.

[antivirus]

GREAT MACHINE KNOWLEDGE - all made of cast iron. I am proud of our military-industrial complex and military experts, and VO-comments.
more honest and more beautiful than my mockery "10 pieces of 1000 00 VI"

[Cowbra]

Spanish tank Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H

"Pocket Rambo" on VLD standing - touched) It's easier to jump over than to get around

[Constanty]

In the photo of the Romanian "Panthers" of the Tudor Vladimirescu division "Hummel" is also visible on the back.!

[Alf]

And somewhere, Ali Baba's unlucky grandchildren still use the T-34 ...

[Alex013]

Yeah, I saw this picture from Yemen). But they are most likely post-war Czechoslovak assembly.

[Alf]

Quote: Alex013

Yeah, I saw this picture from Yemen). But they are most likely post-war Czechoslovak assembly.

Perhaps I do not argue, but they drive ...

[Aviator_]

Everything went into business. Summer 1953. A tractor based on the Lend-Lease Sherman at the construction of the Orenburg (then Chkalov) children's railway.

[Alf]

Quote: Aviator_

A tractor based on the Lend-Lease Sherman

And the Sherman with a "high" suspension.

[Alien From]

A very solid series of articles! The fattest plus to the author!

[BISMARCK94]

France kind of like

[Revolver]

Quote: BISMARCK94

France kind of like

Transferring the motor and control from the tank body to the slewing part of the crane, so that it meets all safety standards, is still an engineering task. Although, perhaps, the native Panther controls and the power unit were used to move, and separate ones for the crane. In theory, a crane with a load on a hook should not move.

[Michael]

The hydraulic pump works from the native engine, and on top, even an excavator, even a crane with a hydraulic drive. Don't stand or jump, sing, dance when construction is in progress or a load is being suspended.

[Revolver]

If you sprinkle the hydraulic pump to the native engine, then who and what will turn the native transmission? And where should this pump be placed? The engine compartment hardly has a lot of free space.

[Catfish]

Thanks to Sergey, everything is great as always!

[Bongo]

Quote: Sea Cat

Thanks to Sergey, everything is great as always!

Konstantin, welcome!
I am glad that once again adequate people are commenting. And many comments seriously supplement my publication. The final part of this very drawn-out song will be about the German artillery in the Red Army.

[Catfish]

Good day, Sergey!
Would you like to write about the captured ships from the Kriegsmarine and the Italians? During the war, of course, they were not used, but after it they served enough, and some were simply copied in our factories, I, of course, mean submarines.
Bows and best wishes to your spouse.

[Bongo]

Quote: Sea Cat

Would you like to write about the captured ships from the Kriegsmarine and the Italians? During the war, of course, they were not used, but after it they served enough, and some were simply copied in our factories, I, of course, mean submarines.

Thanks for the idea! If you start with the aircraft carrier "Graf Zeppelin" and the battleship "Giulio Cesare", and then reach the captured submarines, large landing ships and "schnelboats" - you get a cycle, as it were, no more than that. Most likely, I will do it later, but in the near future I will change the topic. I don't want to get hung up on trophies. To be honest, I'm a little tired myself. And the promises given to readers must be kept. I was recently reproached for not having the long-promised article about Japan's air defense.

Quote: Sea Cat

Bows and best wishes to your spouse.

Thanks! Olya, bows too!

[Catfish]

There is a lot to write about some submarines with Walter engines, we have boats of our own construction with this engine called "lighters". I heard that after a series of accidents, they were herded to Ladoga, where they died safely from old age.
I'm waiting for "real Japanese colonels who serve there in the air defense".

[Bongo]

Quote: Sea Cat

I'm waiting for "real Japanese colonels who serve there in the air defense".

In general, on good terms, it is worth starting with the Japanese air defense facility VM. Shortly before the surrender of Japan, in the Tokyo area, 150-mm Type 5 anti-aircraft guns shot down two American B-29s, which were considered invulnerable. Few people remember this now.
Without a doubt, my co-authors, who are now closely watching me, will take an active part in writing a cycle about Japan's air defense.

[Catfish]

... in the Tokyo area 150-mm anti-aircraft guns Type 5 shot down two American B-29

For the first time I hear about the downed "Fortresses", they bombed from a shave?
And this is ours, not a "co-author", but a bandit of local places known throughout the village, with a corresponding nickname - Lucky Luciano.

[Bongo]

Quote: Sea Cat

For the first time I hear about the downed "Fortresses", they bombed from a shave?

No, from a height inaccessible to other Japanese anti-aircraft guns. Shortly before the surrender, the Japanese managed to release several very advanced 150-mm Type 3 guns with radar guidance and a fire control system.

Quote: Sea Cat

And this is ours, not a "co-author", but a bandit of local places known throughout the village, with a corresponding nickname - Lucky Luciano.

Gorgeous beast! Only after it, probably "wool as a seasoning", in the sense that there is a lot of it and it is everywhere?

[Catfish]

Oddly enough, there are no problems with wool, for some reason everything settles on the floor, or sticks to the seat of the chair. And he does not climb the tables, does not enter the kitchen while eating and does not beg for anything. For a long time he lived as a savage in a nearby garbage dump, until I lured him with smoked sausage, so he is not accustomed to moan and scandal, but how, a viper, fights!

[Catfish]

Twice (!) Crashed "Four", not every tank is so "lucky".
(Armored Museum in Latrun, Israel.)

[Paranoid50]

Quote: Sea Cat

Twice (!) Crashed "Four",

During the Second World War there were enough of them, moreover, "from hand to hand" and back. But, of course, in a narrower time frame. True, it is worth highlighting the Su-76I, the "troika" converted by ours into an ACS - there were cases when this device was captured by the Fritzes after the "reincarnation".

[indy424]

it is a museum. in general, in Israel, in the Golan or nearby, there are at least three more fours, and one shtug in the fields. it seems like there is more, but so far I haven't found any

[Toucan]

I was frankly pleased not only with the article itself, but also with extremely interesting and informative comments to it!

[Alex013]

The article is gorgeous, like the whole cycle. By the way, the fours fought in the 90s in Yugoslavia.

[Bongo]

Quote: Alex013

The article is gorgeous, like the whole cycle.

Thanks for the kind words.

Quote: Alex013

By the way, the fours fought in the 90s in Yugoslavia.

Thirty-fours, as if they were at war. But I could not find documentary evidence of the participation of the Pz.Kpfw IV in the hostilities on the ruins of Yugoslavia.

[Mister X]

Quote: Bongo

Thirty-fours, as if they were at war.

I found several photos + videos of the T-34 during the war in Yugoslavia.

Damaged tank T-34-85 in Karlovac, 1991

Serbian T-34-85, damaged in a collision on the territory of Croatia, 1991

Croatian "thirty-four"

T-34-85 Bosnian Serbs in the Doboj area, 1996.

Serbian T-34-85 next to British MBT Challenger 1995

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Alex013

By the way, the fours fought in the 90s in Yugoslavia.

It is highly doubtful. Any evidence?

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

In my opinion, this is YAP-4 l / 48, not shtug-3

[Bongo]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

In my opinion, this is YAP-4 l / 48, not shtug-3

What is this beast YAP-4 l / 48?
The original car clearly did not have such a designation.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Bongo

What is this beast YAP-4 l / 48?

Fomagovsky Jagdpanzer IV L / 48

[Bongo]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

Fomagovsky Jagdpanzer IV L / 48

I apologize, but you probably did not read this publication very carefully.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Quote: Bongo

but you probably did not read this publication very carefully.

And this has to do with it? I wrote above that I doubt the correctness of the caption for this photo.

And no more.

[Bongo]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

And no more

You are right.
I have already sent a notification asking to fix the error.

[igor67]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

In my opinion, this is YAP-4 l / 48, not shtug-3

For a very long time I can not find this self-propelled gun and T4 in the Golan, there are a lot of other equipment

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

Sorry, the author, did not see the Syrian hummel (Sd.Kfz. 165)
Five were delivered in the 50s together with the YAP-4 from France.

And there are persistent rumors that the Egyptians used three buffaloes against the Jews in 1948 (Sturmpanzer 2). They say that these were DAK cars, abandoned in the Sahara and carefully restored by the Arabs. Personally, I doubt very much)

[Bongo]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

Sorry, the author, did not see the Syrian hummel (Sd.Kfz. 165)
Five were delivered in the 50s together with the YAP-4 from France.

It's okay, but let's stick to common conventions. I may not be a great connoisseur of armored vehicles and do not know what a YAP-4 is.
As for the ACS StuG III, then the Czechs supplied these machines under the designation SD 75-40N.

Photo from the parade in Damascus, 1956.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

I did not argue that the pieces were supplied to the Arabs. I only doubted the correctness of the caption under the given photo. It is clearly not StuG-3, but JagdPanzer 4.
Oh yes, sorry - not StuG III, but JagdPanzer IV.

[Bongo]

Quote: Paragraph Epitafievich Y.

I did not argue that the pieces were supplied to the Arabs. I only doubted the correctness of the caption under the given photo.

I have to admit that you are right.

[Paragraph Epitafievich Y.]

In the spring of 1955, a contract was signed with Czechoslovakia for the supply of 45 Pz.Kpfw IV units.

The Czechs demanded payment in pounds. Each "four" cost the Arabs £ 4500.
At current prices, this is about 86K pounds or somewhere around 115K dollars.

[flc9800]

Thanks to the author for the most interesting article and special thanks for the photos! I am closely following the author's articles, waiting for the continuation) I happened to see Stugi and Pz 4 in Parola (Finland))

[kytx]

My grandmother said that on their railway (Moscow region) until the end of the 50s, German tanks without towers were used as special equipment. She said that they were Panthers, but I think she was mistaken rather it was T4.

[English tarantas]

Thank you, Sergey, an interesting topic, I look forward to continuing.
It is quite logical that after the war German tanks did not go to ferrous metal, but were used by everyone. But I did not know that the French were armed with them after the war, I thought from the 45th it all went under the knife, and the American troops went to the troops.
Of all that we have seen, the fours painted in Arabic script look the most fun, like some kind of surreal, like a guest from another universe

[Dmitry Vladimirovich]

Cemeteries of broken armored vehicles became a source of raw materials for the Soviet metallurgical industry for many years. The last German tanks went to open-hearth furnaces in the early 1960s.

In the 70s, older boys said that at the Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant, there are old German tanks stored for remelting. The guys climbed in them, although the guards chased them
Where and what kind of tanks - I didn't know from my childhood.

[marat2016]

Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B, "Tiger II" in Sweden

[Golovorotko_Ivan-1987]

It turns out that the German fours and panthers after World War 2 dispersed around the world