02-25-2008, 07:06 PM
| #1 |
| Senior Member  | The Russian Tank... This one is long, and not about Mosin, but about a Russian tank and since we all think that Mosins are built like tanks, I thought you'd like it like I did: Dave  WWII Russian tank with German markings found after 62 years. WW II Buffs will find this interesting...Even after 62 years (and a lit tle tinkering), they were able to fire up the Diesel Engine! A Komatsu D375A-2 pulled an abandon ed tank from its archival tomb under the bottom of a lake near Johvi, Estonia . The Soviet-built T34/76A tank had been resting at the bottom of the lake for 56 years. According to its specifications, it's a 27-tonne machine with a top speed of 53km/h. From February to September 1944, heavy battles were fought in the narrow, 50 km-wide, Narva front in the north-eastern part of Estonia . Over 100,000 men were killed, and 300,000 men were wounded there. During battles in the s ummer of 1944, the tank was captured from the Soviet army and used by the German army. (This is the reason that there are German markings painted on the tank's exterior.) On 19 September 1944, German troops began an organized retreat along the Narva front. It is suspected that the tank was then purposefully driven into the lake, abandoning it when its captors left the area. At that time, a local boy walking by the lake Kurtna Matasjarv noticed tank tracks leading into the lake but not coming out anywhere. For two months he saw air bubbles emerging from the lake. This gave him reason to believe that there must be an armored vehicle at the lake's bottom. A few years ago, he told the story to the leader of the local war history club 'Otsing'. Together w ith other club members, Mr. Igor Shedunov initiated diving expeditions to the bottom of the lake about a year ago. At the depth of 7 metres, they discovered the tank resting under a 3-metre layer of peat. Enthusiasts from the club, under Mr Shedunov's leadership, decided to pull the tank out. In September 2000 they turned to Mr Aleksander Borovkovthe, manager of the Narva open pit of the stock company AS Eesti Polevkivi, to rent the company's Komatsu D375A-2 bulldozer. Currently used at the pit, the Komatsu dozer was manufactured in 1995, and has 19,000 operating hours without major repairs. The pulling operation began at 09:00 and was concluded at 15:00, with several technical breaks. The weight of the tank, combined with the travel incline, made a pulling operation that required significant muscle. The D375A-2 handled the operation with power and style. The weight of the fully armed tank was around 30 tons, so the active force required to retrieve it was similar. A main requirement for the 68-tonne dozer was to have enough weight to prevent shoe-slip while moving up the hill. After the tank surfaced, it turned out to be a trophy tank that had been captured by the German army in the course of the battle at Sinimaed (Blue Hills) about six weeks before it was sunk in the lake. Altogether, 116 shells were found on board. Remarkably, the tank was in good condition, with NO RUST, and ALL SYSTEMS (except the engine) in working condition. This is a very rare machine, especially considering that it fought both on the Russian and the German sides. Plans are under way to full y restore the tank. It will be displayed at a war history museum that will be founded at the Gorodenko village on the left bank of the River Narv. Preparing to pull it out. People from the nearby village come to see how it would be done. Komatsu D375A-2 is ready to go.< /B> Here it comes... Through the muddy shore of the lake. Recovered in mint condition. Hosing off 62 years worth of "muck." After a small repair and service, they were able to start its diesel engine. They sure don't build 'em like they used to! |
|  |
|
02-25-2008, 10:43 PM
| #6 | |
| Senior Member | Try this link for the pix Quote:
Update On Recovered T-34 Tank With German Markings Of course, the article did say it was buried under ten feet of peat in that lake. Good for preserving things, peat. Archaeologists have recovered all sorts of things from peat beds in remarkable condition. And as far as that engine running after some minimal maintenance, we should not be too surprised. I remember reading somewhere that the 1950s-vintage T55s had engines that were so roughly machined at the factory, the pistons had to grind themselves in. After a few hours of operation, the mechanics would change the oil completely and clean out the oil sump. They'd end up with a pound of metal shavings in the oil, and an engine that wouldn't quit. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Russians don't build 'em pretty, but they sure do build 'em tough. | |
|
| |
|
02-26-2008, 06:17 AM
| #8 |
| Senior Member  | I would have left the German markings on the tank during restoration. They are just proof of the tank's very unique history.
__________________ If there's nothing worth dying for, there's nothing worth living for.  |
|
| |
wish the pics worked though.
