Well, thanks to the Museum of Military Equipment in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, the turn has come to the T-35. Indeed, on the one hand, the car is epoch-making and remarkable, will not leave anyone indifferent who is nearby. On the other hand, not even being a specialist, you understand that if this monster is capable, then not much.
When I was next to this monster, I caught approximately the same feelings. It was still in Kubinka. There, the T-35 is generally pushed into a corner, you can't even get around it. But you can just take a picture. Which is what I actually did.
Well, I got a pack of emotions for free. The tank is really impressive in size.
And now the second meeting with the T-35, albeit not 100% consistent with history, but a running one. In general, in the museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, this T-35 is referred to as a "running model". That is, it corresponds externally, but not internally. But on the move. It can take part in parades, which, in fact, was the main task of this tank.
Next we have (as usual, however) - a detective! And the answer to the question: "Why would it be at all?"
To begin with, we spit on the tale of the Soviet penchant for gigantomania. It was not there in the mid-20s, believe it or not. There was nothing to gigantic about. For there was nothing in the young Land of the Soviets. No modern factories, no personnel.
There was a particularly shortage of engineers. Those that were, by no means all had time to leave for emigration, and those that remained … Well, some managed to regret it. But that doesn't change the problem.
The only thing the country lacked was ambition. And desires to realize, if not all, then almost all.
Naturally, the Soviet "specialists" were staring at Europe with all their eyes. And this is quite justified, given that we did not receive a single tank from the Tsar-Father, due to their complete absence.
And at that time almost everyone was engaged in the creation of multi-turret monsters. Fashion was such a global one, so there was no way to get such a trend. The fact that not everyone was able to realize is another matter.
In the tank classifications of almost all large countries of that time, there were heavy tanks, the task of which was to break through the heavily fortified defensive lines of the enemy. Such vehicles were supposed to have powerful protection (ideally anti-shell) and powerful weapons, they were supposed to directly accompany the infantry during an attack on enemy positions and methodically suppress enemy firing points.
In the late 1920s, the Red Army, at the very least, acquired its own light tank. We talked about it, it's a T-18 based on Renault.
But with a heavy tank something had to be done. And someone.
The development of the first Soviet heavy tank is closely related to the name of the German designer Edward Grotte. Someone calls him talented, personally I think he was even a genius. And, like all geniuses, there was a bit of that … on the verge of losing reality.
But nevertheless, at the beginning of 1930 Grotte with a group of engineers sat down to create a tank. It seems to be average, but … We know this masterpiece as the TG-1 or simply "the Grotte tank".
However, despite many really interesting technical solutions used to create the TG-1, it was never put into wide production.
Failed. And Grotte, in principle, has nothing to do with it. His tank was really difficult for our industry. And for the budget, that is, I translate: it turned out to be very complicated and very expensive.
And then it so happened that the upset Grotte was completely carried away. And this was expressed in the project of a heavy tank weighing 100 tons, with the number of towers from 3 to 5.
In general, Grotte was sent back to Germany, where he also continued to unsuccessfully produce monsters, and our engineers, who gained experience from Grotte, began to create their own heavy tank - the T-35.
To begin with, as was customary then, we took a ride to England. The British showed their own monster, the Independent tank, a prototype of which was built in 1929, but did not go into production.
How much this influenced the Soviet designers is unknown, but our T-35 is very much like the British.
In 1931, a prototype of the T-35-1 was created, which weighed 42 tons, was armed with three guns (one 76-mm and two 37-mm) and three machine guns.
The crew of the T-35-1 consisted of ten people, the car had an engine (aircraft M-11) of 500 liters. sec., which allowed her to reach speeds of up to 28 km / h. The maximum armor thickness reached 40 mm, and the power reserve was 150 km.
In 1933, the next modification of the tank was made - the T-35-2, he even managed to take part in the parade on Red Square. However, already at that moment, the designers were developing the T-35A - a new tank, which went into mass production.
The T-35A was very different from the prototypes, the length and shape of the hull changed, the turrets of a different design and size were installed on the tank, and there were also changes in the chassis. In fact, it was a different tank altogether.
In 1933, the T-35A was put into service. Production was established at the Kharkov steam locomotive plant, due to the appropriate size. In 1934, the T-35 began to enter the troops.
TTX heavy tank T-35
Main characteristics:
Combat weight, t: 54
Crew, people: 10
Dimensions, mm:
Length: 9720
Width: 3200
Height: 3740
Ground clearance: 570
Armor thickness, mm:
front inclined sheet: 70
upper inclined sheet: 20
frontal sheet: 20
hull sides, turret platform: 25
side of the big tower: 25
large tower roof: 15
side of the middle tower: 20
middle tower roof: 10
side of the small tower: 20
small tower roof: 10
Engine: M-11, 500 hp
Maximum speed, km / h:
on the highway: 28, 9
lane: 14
Cruising range, km:
on the highway: 120
lane: 80-90
Fuel tank capacity, l: 910
Overcoming obstacles:
rise, hail: 20
vertical wall, m: 1, 2
ford depth, m: 1
ditch, m: 3, 5
Armament
Cannon KT-28, pcs: 1
Caliber, mm: 76, 2
Angle of vertical guidance, degrees: -5 … + 25
Horizontal guidance angle, degrees: 360
Ammunition, pcs: 96
Cannon 20K, pcs: 2
Caliber, mm: 45
Angle of vertical guidance, degrees: -6 … + 22
Horizontal guidance angle, degrees: 94
Ammunition, pcs: 226
Machine gun DT, pcs: 5
Caliber, mm: 7, 62
Ammunition, pcs: 10 080
A total of 59 T-35 units were produced.
An interesting nuance in terms of the crew. In general, I think it would be appropriate to give a complete alignment of the T-35 crew, because some moments will amuse everyone.
1. The commander of the vehicle. Senior lieutenant. In general, the starley commanded a tank company at that time, but here almost everything is normal. In terms of the number of trunks and crew members, the T-35 did not reach the T-26 company just a little.
The commander sat in the main tower and in combination with the command of the tank and the issuance of target designations, loaded with the radio operator and fired from the main (76-mm) gun.
Would you like to be in his place? Honestly? I - for no price.
2. Deputy tank commander. Lieutenant. Was in tower number 2 (front with a 45-mm cannon) together with a machine gunner. He fired from a gun, was responsible for all the armament of the tank.
3. Tank technician. Military technician of the 2nd rank. He drove the tank in motion, was responsible for the technical condition of the vehicle.
4. Driver mechanic. Sergeant Major. Was in tower # 3 (front machine gun). He fired from a machine gun, if necessary replaced the equipment, as he was the deputy tank driver.
5. Commander of the main tower. Assistant platoon commander (this is a position or rank, in short, three triangles in the buttonhole). He fired from a 76-mm gun and was responsible for all the armament of the main turret.
6. Commander of tower # 2. Squad leader (two triangles in the buttonhole). He was responsible for the armament of the turret, was the loader of the 45-mm cannon under the deputy tank commander.
7. Commander of the tower # 4 (rear cannon). Part-commander. He fired from a 45-mm cannon, was the deputy commander of the main tower.
8. Junior driver-mechanic. Part-commander. He was in tower number 4, performed the functions of a loader. Responsibilities included caring for the engine-transmission group of the tank.
9. Commander of the machine gun turret # 5 (rear machine gun turret). Part-commander. He fired from a machine gun.
10. Radio operator-telegraph operator. Part-commander. He was in the main tower, was engaged in a radio station, in battle he performed the duties of a loading 76-mm gun.
And each tank had 2 more crew members who did not go into battle, but were in the crew.
11. Senior driver-mechanic. Assistant platoon commander. Provided care for the chassis and transmission. Deputy driver-mechanic.
12. Engineer. Junior technician. Served the engine.
In general, an interesting picture, isn't it? There were no privates in the carriage. But on the other hand, the T-35 from the heavy tank regiment of the VGK Reserve is not a regiment of tankettes for you. Other layouts.
What can be added by the car itself.
The main turret of the T-35 and the turret of the T-28 tank of the first issues were identical in design, and when the conical turrets went into action, the difference was that the main turret of the T-35 did not have a standard ball mount for the aft machine gun. The rest is complete identity.
The tower had a cylindrical shape and a developed aft niche. In the front part, a 76 mm gun was installed on the trunnions, and a machine gun was located to the right of it. For the convenience of the crew, the tower was equipped with a suspended floor.
The design of the middle turrets is identical to the turrets of the BT-5 tank, but without a stern niche so that the niche does not interfere with turning. The shape of the towers is cylindrical, with two hatches for crew access. A 45mm cannon and a machine gun paired with it were installed in its front.
The small machine-gun turrets had the same design as the machine-gun turrets of the T-28 tank, however, unlike them, they were equipped with annular eyelets used for dismantling.
If you count, the T-35 was armed as one T-28 medium tank and two T-26 light tanks. That was actually approaching the company of light tanks in terms of the mass of the volley.
However, 4 light tanks had significantly greater maneuverability and speed. This is indisputable, of course.
But even here there will be a mountain of nuances. Yes, of course, the first T-35s fully met the operational and technical requirements that were imposed on heavy tanks in the Red Army at that time.
Seriously though, the firepower of the T-35 was superior to that of any tank in the world. Five machine guns and three cannons provided all-round massive fire in all directions at the same time, which gave certain advantages when fighting enemy infantry in the depths of his defense.
However, it was unrealistic for the tank commander to actually manage such (I'm not afraid of this word) structure. He, the commander, simply could not effectively control the fire. Indeed, in addition to target designation, he also had to indicate to the mechanic where to go, shoot the cannon and tell everyone else where to fire. Nonsense, of course.
I would like to say a few words about the mechanic. He really had to manage, since he did not see a damn thing from his place. The caterpillars extended far forward simply blocked the entire side view and the mechanic drive could only look forward, in a very limited sector.
Plus, a breakthrough tank with such a low speed and no maneuverability is just an excellent target for the enemy. Although the armor even by 1941 had claims to be anti-cannon-proof.
Thus, the T-35 was morally obsolete by 1941, but it was not removed from service. Really "a suitcase without a handle." Heavy, uncomfortable, but a pity to throw it away. Everyone understood perfectly well that the times of this monster had ended long ago, but new tanks were still on the way, and they decided that the T-35 would still serve.
As of 1941-22-05, the Red Army had 48 T-35 tanks, which were in service with 67 and 68 tank regiments of the 34 tank division of the Kiev OVO.
The rest were scattered around test sites and educational institutions.
All T-35s, which were at the disposal of the 34th Panzer Division, were in the Rava-Russkaya area by the beginning of the war and were almost immediately lost. At the same time, only 7 vehicles were lost directly in battles, 6 were under repair at the time of the outbreak of hostilities, and the other 35 were out of order due to malfunctions, broke down during the march and were destroyed or abandoned by the crews.
The last use of two T-35s was recorded in the battle of Moscow.
Why did the tank that was honored to be featured on the medal "For Courage" end its career so sadly?
It's simple. The T-35 was not at all adapted initially for two things: for the march and the battle.
Interestingly, there is a large number of photographs of abandoned T-35 tanks, which were made by the Germans - the soldiers liked to be photographed near the "miracle of hostile technology."
There are practically no memories of the combat use of the T-35. Simply because the T-35 did not actually make it to the battlefield.
But there is also documentary evidence. And they are given in the book by Kolomiyts and Svirin about the T-35 heavy tank. The authors were fortunate enough to find a person who met the war on the T-35, and write down his memories. Guard Senior Lieutenant Vasily Vikentievich Sazonov told the following:
“On the night of June 22, the tanks of our 34th division were alerted from Sadovaya Vishnya. That's for sure. But not all came out, several cars remained under repair. As far as I remember, we took away the cartridges carried by the spare parts and went to Przemysl. Not reaching about halfway, they turned us to the East, and on the 23rd they again threw us to the West, and there - Lvov.
The first two days went slowly. They rushed from side to side and everyone was waiting for someone - either stragglers and lost, then broken and stood for repairs. But on the 25th, an order came out: "Do not wait for the stragglers," since we did not have time to concentrate anywhere on time. Well, they immediately went faster, and began to lose their tanks. Everyone joked that there would be nothing to fight with. We'll reach the German, and the tanks are all under repair. And so it happened.
On the first day, as they said, about twenty tanks were abandoned on the roads. The repairmen had to fix them, but it was a good wish. They didn't really have anything, not even tractors. And how much will you start on a "lorry" with a box of wrenches and brazing with copper? I doubt.
The next day, not a single repaired tank caught up with us, and we threw a dozen more. Well, by the end of the third day of the "five-tower" buildings there was nothing left.
Our last fight was stupid. First, they fired from the main towers across the river at some farm beyond Sitno, and then they attacked it with the remnants of the infantry.
We took part in that attack with about fifty Wan pekhotskys, three thirty-fifths and four BTs, or twenty-sixths, I don’t remember anymore.
The infantry, of course, fell behind as soon as the German bullets began to sing. I am completely silent about my artillery. That one, without shells and tractors, was stuck with us the day before yesterday. True, we did not see German tanks there at all, only rumors about them circulated - about "Reinmetals" there, about "Krupps" are different, each more terrible than the other. But in battle, I have not yet seen German tanks, and their infantry seems to be a little there.
We went to the attack on the farm, and on our left a German cannon opened fire. I turned the tower over there - I looked, I looked, I don't see anything! Up the tower - boom! And you can't lean out of the tower. Bullets are sprinkled like peas, and you can't do it in battle. Your main tower will rip the skin off your head for a jester, or maybe it will tear your head off. So I look into my periscope - I see nothing, only German trenches. And for us again: "Boom! Boom !!"
German shells hammer in 5 seconds each, and not only in the left side, but also in my tower. I saw a flash. Well, he aimed there, opened fire - he sent ten shells. It seems to have hit, or maybe not. They are hammering at us again.
We did not reach the farm about fifty meters - the caterpillar was cut off. What to do? Leave the tank? It seems to be useless. We shoot in all directions from everything that is! And again I don't see anything. Shooting into the white light while the shells are there. Ours have already crawled away. And it became even worse for us - they are hammering from all sides. The engine has stalled, the cannon is jammed, the main tower does not turn. Then German soldiers appeared. They run to the tank with some boxes, and I can only shoot at them with a revolver.
I realized that it was time to skedaddle. Crawled out of the tower, jumped from a height onto the road. It's good that their machine gun fell silent. My loader leaped after me, twisted his leg. I pulled him into a roadside hole with me. The minder followed us. They began to crawl away, then our tank gasped. It was the Germans who just tore him up. And we crawled into a ditch to the river.
Then three more came to us - the crew of the T-26. With them we went back to Sitno, but only a dozen of our own were found there - the remnants of different crews. Four of the "thirty-fifths" and all from different cars. One was jerked, like us, one was blown up by a mine, one burned down by itself. With them, we left the encirclement five days later.
This is how the tank battle near Dubno ended for me. And I have never seen "thirty-fifths" in battles anymore. I think that they could have fought normally in 1941. Tanks could. Tankers - not yet."
I draw your attention to the fact that all abandoned tanks are without machine guns. Filmed, took away the cartridges. They were going to fight with what they could. In terms of morale, everything was in order in those days.
Actually, this is the verdict for the multi-turret cumbersome scheme. But, I repeat, there was already an understanding of the changes in the situation and the need for new tanks. And there were KVs, which actually came to replace the T-35.
The T-35 was simply not a combat vehicle. Yes, participating in parades under the watchful eyes of foreign military personnel is one thing, war is quite another.
Although there was one "not such" parade … On November 7, 1941, two T-35 tanks took part in the TOM parade. True, they say that they did not get to the front, but were sent to the rear. Away from sin.
Painted white T-35, and behind the T-34 on the streets of Moscow.
The only shot of the T-35 in a combat situation. They say that the photo is staged. Quite possible.
And here is another photo. A snapshot of the T-35, which actually died in battle. Rarity…
What else can I say? Never mind. In order to judge, and even without being convicted, I recommend that everyone just look back. In 1917 we had no tanks at all. None. In 1933, the T-35 was adopted.
Applying a calculator? 16 years. For 16 years in the face of such a shake-up as a revolution, the loss of personnel who died or went abroad, on the enthusiasm and miserable single factories …
And such a monster. T-35.
Yes, the concept is outdated, yes, the car was not a fountain, but, excuse me, it was. Developed by domestic designers, assembled from its own metal, with its own engine and weapons. Not bought with gold. Own.
So, if we talk about the achievements of design thought and industry, then 2 prototypes and 59 battle tanks are probably still a victory.
Do not forget that there were other heavy tanks after the T-35. Which crushed half of Europe with caterpillars. But heavy tank building began with the T-35. The first pancake came out lumpy? Perhaps. But - he has the right to do so.
Source: Maxim Kolomiets, Mikhail Svirin. Heavy tank T-35. Land dreadnought of the Red Army.
