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Nomenclature Confusion
Some nuances in record keeping tend to introduce confusion into history. For instance, here we have reports from the 150th Tank Brigade of a tank called T-16 in their ranks. "1st Tank Battalion,...
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Small Arms Precision
In 1948, it was clear that the PPSh has served its time, and a new, more powerful automatic infantry weapon was necessary, using an intermediate 7.62x39 mm mod. 1943 cartridge. Several weapons were...
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The Tiger's Predecessors
The famous Tiger tank became a symbol of German military might. Germany, along with Great Britain and the USSR, was one of the few belligerents who not only mass produced heavy tanks, but used them in...
View ArticleKV-1S OP
"Conclusions regarding Engineer-Colonel comrade Barykov's proposalComrade Barykov proposed:The installation of 45 mm guns instead of 76 mm guns into some KV-1S tanks. The freed up space is to be used...
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Full Auto SVT
I already wrote about official trials of an SVT rifle modified for fully automatic fire. However, it turns out that the same thing was already tried in the field at least several months beforehand. A...
View ArticleIS-1 (Object 237) Characteristics
"Tactical-technical characteristics of the IS tankFull combat weight: 43-44 tonsCrew: 5ArmourFront: at least 120 mm thick, castSide: at least 90 mm thick, rolledFloor and roof: at least 20 mm thick,...
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High Capacity
I am sure that many of you have seen those comedic 100-round magazines for AK assault rifles that can barely feed 5 or 6 rounds without jamming up. What you probably didn't know is that the idea isn't...
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The Wasp and Its Sisters
Like other light tanks, the PzII chassis was actively used for the creation of SPGs. Thanks to larger dimensions than the PzI and a more powerful engine, it could mount a larger caliber gun. After...
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Pz.Kpfw.38(t) on This Side of the Front Lines
Pz38(t) tanks made an important contribution to the fighting on the Eastern Front in 1941. 772 vehicles of this type were spread out between five German tank divisions on June 22nd, 1941. It's not...
View ArticleHeavy Tank T1E1
Engineering directorateEngineering department of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Trade of the USSRMay 25th, 1942We received the following data on the Heavy Tank T1E1 from Washington.Mass: 57...
View ArticleThe One with the PPSh Shoots
"Order of the Stavka of the Supreme Command #46175 on rearmament of rifle units with submachinegunsMay 23rd, 1943In order to increase the strength of automatic fire of the rifle company, the Stavka of...
View ArticleFrench Defenses
"Translated from FrenchCommander of the Theatre of WarGeneral Staff, 3rd Department#1039 3/ET June 1st, 1940General instructionsBased on his inspection, the Supreme Commander came to the conclusion...
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Sturmgewehr Intel
Some of you may have wondered when the Soviets noticed that the Sturmgewehr has joined the arsenal of German infantry. Wonder no more! Via kris-reid:"To the People's Commissar of Defense, Marshal of...
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Don't Leave Well Enough Alone
On March 25th, 1936, the French cavalry accepted the Automitrailleuse de Combat modèle 1935 S into service. More commonly known as the SOMUA S 35, this tank was officially classified as an armoured...
View ArticleFerdinand Intel
"Report on new types of tanks and SPGs based on POW interrogations and intelligence reports as of July 20th, 19431) Ferdinand SPGMass: 67 tonsCrew: 6Hull length without gun: 7 metersHeight: 3...
View ArticleImproved ZIS-30
"Tactical-technical requirements for the design of anti-tank artillery1. The main purpose of anti-tank artillery is the escort of armoured units, combat against enemy tanks, enemy anti-tank artillery,...
View ArticleISO: G41(W)
"To the Chief of Staff of the 53rd Rifle CorpsRE: #0151 January 19th, 1944The new type of German Walther self-loading rifle has not been picked up by the 1312 Rifle Regiment trophy team, and none of...
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AK-74 Ballistic Tables
"Characteristics of dispersion for Kalashnikov assault rifles (AK-74 and AKS-74)Bullet with a steel coreShooting in short bursts, while prone"The table is split into two sections. The section on the...
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Overweight Showpiece
Dead ends in tank building are not uncommon. They are often caused by militaries who cannot make up their mind about requirements for prospective armoured vehicles. The end result is a tank that has...
View ArticleDP in Combat
"To the commander of the 74th Rifle CorpsThe use of the DP in modern battleIn all types of combat, the DP light machinegun was and remains the main automatic weapon of the infantry squad.During...
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