T-34

The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank introduced in 1940 and produced in large numbers during World War II. Its sloped armor, wide tracks, and later 85 mm gun shaped its battlefield reputation.

Sloped armor: Armor angled away from vertical, increasing effective thickness and encouraging incoming projectiles to deflect. The T-34’s sharply angled hull plates improved protection without requiring equally thick armor.
BT tank: A Soviet fast tank series of the 1930s, built around Christie-type suspension. Experience with BT tanks informed the mobility and suspension choices carried into the T-34.
Battle of Moscow: A 1941–1942 campaign in which Soviet forces stopped and pushed back the German advance on Moscow. T-34s entered combat during this campaign as Soviet forces fought to halt the German offensive.
Panzer IV: A German medium tank used throughout World War II, repeatedly upgraded in armor and armament. It was a principal German tank opponent and a useful comparison of upgrade paths and battlefield roles.
Soviet armored warfare: The Soviet Union’s use of tanks and other armored forces in land warfare. The T-34 became a central vehicle in Soviet armored operations from 1941 onward.
V-2 engine: A Soviet V-12 diesel engine used in the T-34 and other armored vehicles. Its diesel power gave the tank strong performance and reduced the fire risk associated with gasoline.
A-32 tank: A Soviet prototype tank that led to the development of the T-34. The A-32’s design was strengthened and accepted for production as the T-34.
Battle of Kursk: A 1943 battle on the Eastern Front, known for large-scale armored operations around the Kursk salient. T-34s formed a major part of the Soviet armored forces committed to the battle.
Panther tank: A German medium tank introduced in 1943, with sloped armor and a powerful high-velocity gun. The Panther shared sloped armor but was more complex and costly to manufacture than the T-34.
Tank warfare in World War II: The use of armored fighting vehicles in the campaigns and battles of World War II. The T-34’s combat record became part of the wider transformation of armored warfare.

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