Myth T-34.

This is coolbert:

All thanks to the Christos Internet web site.

The T-34 Soviet World War Two tank. Rated by most as the best general tank of the Second World War.

NOT SO? Devoted readers to the blog and those merely perusing through in a casual manner I recommend the article without qualification or reservation.

"WWII Myths - T-34 Best Tank of the war"

"The Soviet T-34 tank is well known by anyone who has an interest in WWII history. Books, articles, documentaries present it in triumphant terms.  It was superior to everything the Germans had, it had revolutionary sloped armor, unprecedented mobility and was one of the reasons the Soviet side won in the Eastern front."

T-34! Best general-purpose tanks of WW2? A MYTH? MYTH?

Herewith categories [in bold under-lined] and sub-categories various of the T-34 performance questionable.

* The revolutionary design of the T-34.

   * Fuel tanks in the fighting compartment

   * Serious design flaws

* Armor spalling.

* Automotive performance.

   * Christie suspension

   * Problematic gearbox

   * Powerful gun?

* Lack of radio.

* Visibility problems.

* Reliability problems.

* The cheap T-34.

   * Price

   * Mass Production

* Quantity vs quality.

* The endless stream of T-34 tanks.

* Production and losses during the war.

* Comparison with German and Western tanks.

* Conclusion.

"The T-34 is the victim of Soviet and German wartime propaganda. The Russians had every reason to build it up as the best tank of WWII. The Germans also overstated its performance in order to explain their defeats."

Additionally and importantly:

* Effect in the design of postwar Soviet tanks.

The Christos Internet web site article a long-read but well worth it for the history buff and student of WW2.

Without question that appearance of the T-34 tank on the battlefield a very disagreeable encounter for the German soldier on the Eastern front of WW2 AND for the American\ soldier during the very earliest stages of the Korean War.

But hardly the T-34 the war-winning measure as generally thought to be so?

coolbert.