Trophy Battalion

In 1942, things were tough for the USSR in terms of tanks supplies. The following document illustrates the condition of many armoured units pretty well:

"To the Kalinin Front Military Council

The 29th Army includes the 143rd, 159th, and 129th Independent Tank Battalions. In reality, these units are not combat capable due to a lack of vehicles, and only exist in the army on paper. On February 16th, 1942, the condition of the aforementioned tank battalions was as follows:

Unit	Vehicle	Allotted	Claimed	Counted	Of those counted			Of those disabled
					Functional	Disabled	No contact	Medium repairs	Major repairs
143rd OTB	KV	5	4	4	-	2	2	2	-
	T-34	11	4	4	-	4	-	3	1
	T-60	20	2	2	-	1	1	1	-
	Total	36	10	10	-	7	3	6	1
159th OTB	KV	5	5	5	-	5	-	2	2
	T-34	11	6	6	-	5	1	3	-
	T-60	20	10	10	-	8	2	2	1
	Total	36	21	21	-	18	3	7	5
129th OTB	KV	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	T-34	11	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	T-60	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	Captured medium	-	2	2	-	2	-	2	-
	Captured light	-	10	10	-	10	-	10	-
	Total	36	12	12	-	12	-	12	-
	Total	108	43	43	-	37	6	25	6

The table paints a grim picture. The entire Army has lost its armoured forces, with the 129th OTB losing all domestic vehicle permanently. 6 vehicles are missing, likely lost. The battalions have kept their records well, not a single unclaimed vehicle is present or claimed vehicle lost. 37 vehicles are disabled, with most needing medium repairs, and a few needing major repairs. Damage to an additional 6 vehicles has not yet been evaluated.