The T-34 Research Paper

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After viewing the German blitzkrieg strategy used in the invasion of Poland, Russia reevaluated its armory in fear of German aggression. Recognizing the German superior tank technology, the Russian authorities commissioned a design for a new tank. Mikhail Koshkin and his team of designers engineered a tank that surpassed expectations (Tucker-Jones). The Soviet engineers designed the T-34 tank to be one of the most versatile tanks of World War II, and its use enabled key victories that enhanced the Soviet Union’s ability to defeat the German aggression.
Koshkin and the designers packed the T-34 with many functional design features that made it a great all-round tank. The T-34-76 standard version’s 45mm thick frontal and 40mm thick side and rear …show more content…

In Kursk, the Germans attempted to surround the Russians in one of the largest tank engagements of World War II. The German forces consisted of more than 2,000 tanks and 1,000 assault guns (MacDonald 102). The German Panther tank made its first appearance in this battle, but was rushed to the battlefield and many were lost in transportation. The German Panther, based on the T-34, failed to imitate the maneuverability and reliability of the T-34 and was complicated to produce (MacDonald 104). Later in the Battle of Kursk, the most intense conflict occured when the Germans attempted to break through a seemingly weakened front at Prokhorovka. Around 1,500 tanks clashed in a field, and many engagements occurred at point blank range (Ziemke 37). This close quarters battle proved to be advantageous to the Russian T-34 because the T-34 lacked the ability to penetrate the Panther and Tiger I from long ranges, but having superior maneuverability, the T-34 flanked the German tanks with ease (Ziemke 38). Both sides lost around 300 tanks and their crews; however, the Russians easily and quickly replaced tanks and crew members while the Germans struggled to recuperate. The Russian T-34 influenced the outcome of this battle the most and halted the German offensive (MacDonald