T-70 - a tank that was intended to be a replacement for the T-60

The T-70 light tank owes its appearance to the T-60, since, in fact, it is an improved modification of it. The first T-60 vehicles were produced in Gorky and Kharkov in September 1941. Despite the fact that these vehicles were extremely necessary for the Soviet army, the military looked at them with a fair amount of skepticism. The military was especially dissatisfied with the installation on these tanks 20 mm automatic cannon.

However, at the same time, in September 1941, the creator of many Soviet light vehicles, including the T-60, Nikolai Astrov presented his developments to improve the armament and protection of the T-60. It was decided to place the 45-mm cannon in a cast turret, the dimensions of which were larger than the standard turret of its predecessor.

Due to the fact that the cast turret had more weight, the engine power from the T-60 was no longer enough. It was decided to equip the new car with a GAZ-203 engine, which was a pair of GAZ-202 engines. The dimensions of the engine did not allow it to be installed in the T-60, so the body was lengthened by one road wheel.

The improved T-60 project received the GAZ-70 index. Work on its creation proceeded at an accelerated pace. Already in February 1942, the first tests of the new vehicle took place, showing its absolute superiority over the T-60, after which the tank was put into mass production. During some modifications, it was necessary to abandon cast turrets in favor of welded ones, and also make a number of other changes to the design of the vehicle.

In combat conditions, the T-70 showed the greatest effectiveness when operating from an ambush, in open battle remaining easy prey for heavier and more powerful enemy tanks. Thus, the T-70, despite some shortcomings, became a completely adequate replacement for the T-60.

Comments

[your1970]

Some front-line soldiers praise "Naked Ferdinand" and some criticize it.
Apparently everything very much depended on the ability of the commanders to use the available equipment competently...
Most likely the same thing happened with the T-70. Infantry support and ambush operations - no more...

[lukash66]

Jr. Lieutenant Pegov in a T70, acting from an ambush, knocked out two panthers.

[your1970]

Quote from: lukash66

Jr. Lieutenant Pegov in a T70, acting from an ambush, knocked out two panthers.

this is exactly what I wrote about - competent actions always cause maximum harm to the enemy

[svp67]

Quote from: lukash66

Jr. Lieutenant Pegov in a T70, acting from an ambush, knocked out two panthers.

Well done. But how many of his comrades were knocked out and burned by the same “Panthers” on the T-70... The score here is clearly not in our favor

[svp67]

Quote: your1970

Apparently everything very much depended on the ability of the commanders to use the available equipment competently...

Not apparently, but for sure... The “skill” of some commanders was enough to use these “self-propelled guns” as tanks, which led to huge losses. Su-76 is a decent artillery mount for direct infantry support...

[Майло]

So isn't the main purpose of tanks to support infantry?

[carpenter]

The first T-60 vehicles were produced in Gorky and Kharkov in September 1941. -------- Already in February 1941, the first tests of the new vehicle took place, showing its absolute superiority over the T-60,

The dates are a bit inconsistent, most likely - “Already in February 1942, the first tests of the new machine took place.”

[RusGr]

Eh, the fate of a large number of tankers was bitter. On these "locusts". What could these pseudo-tanks do on the Kursk Bulge, against German medium and heavy tanks, self-propelled guns, in the forest-steppe zone, where the target is visible, kilometers away. Truly, Heroes are our grandfathers! It is not clear why it was necessary to produce so many light tanks, if at the beginning of the war it was clear that German light tanks were powerless against the KV and T-34.

[Майло]

The main purpose of tanks is to support infantry. The T-60 and T-70 corresponded to this.
It seems that these were not intended for oncoming battles.

[Dekabrist]

It was decided to equip the new car with a GAZ-203 engine

GAZ - 203 is not an engine, but a power unit consisting of two engines.

[svp67]

T-70 is a tank that...

... deprived us of his massive trucks, appeared too late and was definitely not needed in those quantities, especially in the summer of 1943 near Kursk and Orel.
But as a base for the Su-76, it was “in the right place.” And these “self-propelled guns”, when used correctly, made a great contribution to the Victory

[RusGr]

The question of the timely delivery of these SU-76 “mass graves” was late at the beginning of the war. When the Germans already had Stugas in service. There are big losses in them, of course, as you said, from improper use. However, in technology it is always the case that the unit commander sent a tank or self-propelled gun closer to the infantry.

[Glagol1]

One tank became the development of another. The 45mm cannon combined with maneuverability gave the T-70 new life. For German T-3/4 45 mm was terrible.

[your1970]

Quote: Glagol1

One tank became the development of another. The 45mm cannon combined with maneuverability gave the T-70 new life. For German T-3/4 45 mm was terrible.

At short distances, that’s the problem. And also the remains of defective shells - hitting the armor...

[Altmann]

The Czechoslovak tank battalion and T-70 tanks were also involved in the battles for Kyiv. For their services, our tank crews were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. After Kyiv, the battalion became a tank regiment, already armed with T-34 tanks. I am proud that Czechoslovakians fought with you against fascism.
From November 7, 1943 to March 8, 1944, the brigade took part in operations near Chernyakhov, the Chaika commune and the Petrovka slum, in the Vasilkov area, in the Zhitomir-Berdichev operation. She freed Ruda, White Church. He defended the northern bank of the Gornji Tikić river. She attacked the bridgehead near Ostrožanj. It was deployed in a key area of ​​defensive battles near Zhashkov as part of the Korun-Shevchenko operation. Czechoslovak soldiers showed their best side during the battle for Kyiv, as well as during subsequent battles. They were not only able to react flexibly to the situation, but also demonstrated excellent training and a good level of combat control. When taking Kyiv, according to the plan, the tanks of the Soviet Lieutenant General Kravchenko were supposed to occupy the center, but the Czechoslovaks were faster.

Honors
The Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the brigade the Order of Suvorov II. degree and Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 1st degree.

On December 21, 1943, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR appointed three Czechoslovak fighters. brigade of Heroes of the Soviet Union and awarded them the Order of Lenin: lieutenant Josef Bursik and second lieutenants Antonin Sochor and Richard Tesarzhik. He also awarded 139 Soviet orders and medals.

The Order of Lenin was awarded to the chief of staff of the tank battalion, senior lieutenant V. Yanko, and the commander of the machine gun platoon, second lieutenant S. Petras.

In addition, they were awarded 4 Orders of the Red Banner, 6 Orders of the Patriotic War, 16st degree, 27 Orders of the Patriotic War, 16nd degree. degrees, 31 Orders of the Red Star, 36 Orders of Glory III degree. degrees, XNUMX medals for valor and XNUMX medals for military merit.

In December 1943, in Moscow, President E. Benes decorated the brigade's battle flag with the 1939 battle cross and the Czechoslovakian medal for courage. In 1939 he awarded the Czechoslovak War Cross to 295 members of the brigade. 41 soldiers received memorable awards.

Brigade commander, Colonel. L. Svoboda received the Order of Suvorov II. degree and the Czech Combat Cross 1939.