The T-34 medium tank of the 1941 model. Weight – 26.5 tons. Armor – 45-52 mm. Armament: 1 gun (76 mm), 2 machine guns (7.62 mm). The speed is 55 km / h. Crew – 4 people.

Museum of the Soviet Army, Moscow

The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank from World War II. When introduced, its 76.2 mm (3 in) tank gun was more powerful than its contemporaries, and its 60-degree sloped armour provided good protection against anti-tank weapons. The T-34 had a profound effect on the conflict on the Eastern Front, and had a long-lasting impact on tank design. The tank was praised by multiple German generals when encountered during Operation Barbarossa, although its armour and armament were surpassed later in the war. Though, its main strength was its cost and production time, meaning that German panzers would often fight against forces several times its size. The T-34 is also a critical part of the mechanized divisions that form the backbone of the Deep Battle Strategy.

Read more: Tanks and fighting vehicles with Andrew Pantele ...