Far East Conversions

"To the Chief of the Tank Directorate of the GBTU, Major-General of the Tank Engineering Service, comrade Afonin

RE: your letter #822338 written on May 23rd, 1944

I report that:

1. As of June 1st, 1944, the Armoured and Motorized Forces of the Far East Front have applied applique armour to 128 BT-7 tanks, 113 of which were converted in 1942-43 and 13 in 1944.
   Since no proper quality armour was available, applique armour is only installed at factories during refurbishing. Armour of written-off tanks was used. Contoured armour for turrets is not available.
2. As of June 1st, 1944, 130 T-37/T-38 tanks have been converted to ShVAK guns. Further work to re-arm T-37 and T-38 tanks ceased due to an absence of ShVAK guns.
3. Repair factories #405 and #77 are converting two-turreted T-26 tanks into single turreted. As of June 1st, 1944, 35 tanks have been converted.
4. The following is necessary to continue work on rearming and adding applique armour:
1. Contoured armour for BT-7 turrets.
2. ShVAK guns.
3. TMFP-1 sights.
4. Equipment to convert two-turreted T-26es to single turreted (turrets, turret platforms, turret rings, etc).
5. Rearmament and installation of applique armour is not being planned due to a lack of aforementioned armament and parts.
   All BT-7s refurbished by the repair factories are being equipped with applique armour.