85 mm Gun for the KV-1

 "Order for  the People's Commissariat of Tank Production of the USSR
Chelyabinsk
November 11th, 1941

In order to widely use artillery systems that are being mass produced at the factories of the People's Commissariat of Tank Production, design and install the M-30 system and the 85 mm AA gun into the KV tank. To do this:

1. Director of the Izhora factory, comrade Muzrukov, must:
1. Provide detailed blueprints for mounting the M-30 gun in the KV tank no later than November 15th and produce a prototype, install it in a turret, and send it to the Kirov factory for trials no later than December 15th.
2. Develop a draft project for installing the 85 mm AA gun in a KV tank and send to me for approval by November 20th.
3. When developing detailed blueprints for the M-30 and draft blueprints for the 85 mm gun use components that are already being produced by the Izhora factory wherever possible.
2. Chief Engineer comrade Ryzhkov and Chief of the 5th Department comrade Bulyshev at the Izhora factory are responsible for the completion of this work.
3. Chief of the Ammunition Department comrade Levshin must resolve the issue of armour piercing ammunition for the M-30 and 85 mm gun by November 20th of this year.
4. Chief of the Ammunition Department comrade Levshin is responsible for ensuring the completion of this order.

Deputy People's Commissar of Tank Production, Kotin"

Via Yuri Pasholok

Panther Penetration

"Maximum penetration at which the armour of the German Panther tank is destroyed

Composed according to experimental firing data.

System	Ammunition type	Maximum distance in meters at which penetration was achieved  during experimental firing						Effect
		Front armour			Side armour
		Upper sloped plate (90 mm)	Lower sloped plate (50-65 mm)	Gun mantlet (100 mm cast)	Turret side (45-50 mm)	Upper side (45-50 mm)	Lower side (45 mm)
45 mm gun mod. 1942	APT BR-240	-	-	-	400	300	400	Complete penetration of the turret and hull side armour.
	APIT BZR-240	-	-	-	400	300	400
	APCR BR-240P	-	-	-	400	300	400
57 mm gun mod. 1941	APT BR-271	-	-	-	1200	1200	1200
	APIT BZR-271	-	-	-	1000	1000	1000
	APT BR-271 SP	-	-	-	1200	1200	1200
	APCR BR-271P	-	-	-	1200	1200	1200
76 mm regimental gun mod. 1927	HEAT BP-354A	-	-	-	600	600	600	Complete penetration of the sloped turret armour.
76 mm regimental gun mod. 1943	HEAT BP-344A	-	-	-	600	600	600
76 mm ZIS-3 mod. 1942	APT BR-350	300	300	-	1200	1200	1200	Penetrates the turret and the side of the hull.
	APCR BR-350P	300	300	-	1200	1200	1200
	HEAT BP-350	300	300	-	1200	1200	1200
SU-76	APIT BZR-354	300	300	-	1200	1200	1200
	APCR BR-354P	300	300	-	1200	1200	1200
SU-85	APT BR-365	1000	1000	1000	1500	1500	1500	Complete penetration of various parts of the hull.
	APT BR-365 SP	1000	1000	1000	1500	1500	1500
122 mm gun mod. 1938	HEAT BP-463	800	800	800	1000	1000	1000	Penetrates armour and detonate the ammunition.
KV-122	APT	1200	1200	1200	1500	1500	1500	A shot to the front destroys the tank.
152 mm gun mod. 1937	AP BP-545	800 m and closer						The front armour is penetrated.

Confirmed: Authorized representative of the Operational Department of Artillery of the 1st Belorussian Front, Colonel Levit

Confirmed: Colonel Utin"

HEAT and Tigers

"Experience using HEAT ammunition in the 305th Howitzer Artillery Regiment in the summer of 1944

The regiment only used HEAT in the summer of 1944 on August 30th near the city of Gorodisk, when engaging enemy tanks.

The optimal distance to fire HEAT is 400-600 meters. At 500 meters the front armour of a T-6 (Tiger) tank can be penetrated. At a range of 600 meters and more the front armour cannot be penetrated. If the turret is hit, it becomes jammed and the tank becomes unable to fight. The side armour of the T-6 tank can be penetrated from up to 800 meters, in this case the angle of impact needs to be large. At a range of 1000 meters it is only possible to fight Tiger tanks by firing at the tracks and the armament of the tank (the track can be destroyed at a range of up to 1200 meters). Firing at the Tiger's armour from over 1000 meters away is ineffective.

The front armour of a medium tank can be penetrated at 800-900 meters.

If the shell hits an APC from any distance, it will be disabled.

HEAT ammunition was not used to fire at fortifications.

To improve the shell, it is necessary to increase the muzzle velocity, which will increase its effective range.

Chief of Staff of the 305th Howitzer Artillery Regiment, Major Agamas

Assistant Chief of Staff of the 305th Howitzer Artillery Regiment, Guards Captain Kharitonov"

Via ivagkin.

King Tiger Penetration Trials

"ACT

Results of investigation of the T-6-B (King Tiger) tank to discover weak spots and penetration, carried out on September 2nd, 1944, near the city of Staszow (Poland) by a commission composed of:

1. Chair: 
1. Commander of Artillery of the 5th Guards Army, Guards Major General of Artillery V.I. Poluekov
2. Members:
1. Commander of the 31st Guards Rifle Corps, Hero of the Soviet Union, Guards Lieutenant General Rodimtsev
2. Commander of the 155th Novorossiysk Army Cannon Artillery Brigade, Colonel M.A. Tarasov
3. Commander of the 10th Tank Destroyer Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Bazirenko
4. Commander of the 31st Tank Corps, Guards Colonel Pleshanov

The results are composed into the following table:

Gold Rounds

"Results of experimental firing at a German King Tiger tank with a BP-460A HEAT shell from the 122 mm model 1938 howitzer

1. Firing against the side of the hull (at 89 degrees 28 minutes).
1.  Distance 200 meters. Results: 2 complete penetrations 45-50 mm in diameter. The edges of the breach were melted.
2. Firing at the side of the superstructure.
1. Distance: 200 meters. Result: 2 complete penetrations (#1 and #2) 45-50 mm in diameter.
2. Distance: 300 meters. Result: 1 complete penetration (#3) 50-60 mm in diameter.
   The angle was not calculated as the angle of the plate was not measured.

HEAT and APCR

"USSR NKO

Main Artillery Directorate of the Red Army #11794s

ArtKom

December 18th, 1943

#800360s

To commanders of Fronts and Armies

Copy for Leningrad Front only

RE: using subcaliber and armour burning (HEAT) ammunition

With the goal of increasing the effectiveness of artillery against modern enemy tanks, the Main Artillery Directorate produces and supplies the following new types of ammunition:

• 45 mm, 57 mm, and 76 mm subcaliber AP-tracer shot with a tungsten core
• 76 and 122 mm armour burning (HEAT) shells with a powerful explosive charge

Subcaliber shot penetrated armour with a pointed tungsten core and is most effective at close tactical ranges as due to the shape and light weight it quickly loses speed, and therefore penetrative power.

HEAT shells penetrate the armour via a directed explosion and allow the use of guns with low muzzle velocity as effective anti-tank weapons. The effectiveness of these shells remains at long ranges.

APCR and HEAT Instructions

"Artillery HQ of the 25th Rifle Corps

May 23rd, 1944

#[illegible]378

To artillery commanders of divisions. Copy personally for the 77th Guards Rifle Division

I send out a copy of instructions issued by the GAU KA regarding the use of 76 mm subcaliber ammunition, 76 mm HEAT, and 122 mm HEAT.

The Corps Artillery Commander orders that:

1. The instructions are to be taught to all artillery personnel of the units (for the appropriate caliber) before May 27th, 1944.
2. Personally check the knowledge of these instructions by officers on May 27th, 1944, and report on the results of the check.
3. Subcaliber and HEAT ammunition must always be stored with the guns and kept in reserve against tanks and SPGs. Do not permit firing at other targets.

Chief of the Artillery HQ of the 25th Rifle Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Solodilov"

Detailed Trials

"Approved by the Commander of Artillery of the 38th Army, Major-General of Artillery Likhachev

June 31st, 1944

Plan of firing trials demonstrating penetration ability against enemy T-4 and Panther tanks held by the 9th Guards Independent Kiev Order of Lenin Order of the Red Banner Tank Destroyer Artillery Brigade of the Supreme Command Reserve, as an element of the 38th Army

Held on June 4th, 5th, and 6th, 1944

Objective of the firing trials demonstration:

1. To illustrate to the NCO and private ranks the effectiveness of various types of shells fired from domestic weapons against enemy tanks.
2. To establish the penetration of weapons and the best distance from which to fire.
3. To inspire confidence in the power of our artillery against tanks.
4. To demonstrate the weak points of enemy tanks.
5. The demonstrate the effectiveness of dense fire of the small arms of an anti-tank battery against enemy submachinegunners that are advancing on the observation post.

Never Penetrated in Combat

Fans of German armoured vehicles often claim that the Tiger II was the ultimate in armoured vehicles of WWII. Particularly, one claim is often made: its upper front plate was never penetrated in combat (even though it was penetrated in testing by several types of guns). Indeed, as this vehicle is rather rare, few photos of them with battle damage exist at all, let alone ones with a visible hole in the UFP. There is one, however.

HEAT Issues

"TO: Commanders of Artillery of Rifle Corps, Rifle Divisions, and Artillery Regiments

29th Rifle Corps only

On the causes of premature detonation of 122 mm HEAT rounds

Several cases of premature detonation of HEAT (armour burning) ammunition in barrels of model 1938 122 mm howtizers with the subsequent destruction thereof have been recorded in 1944. Investigations show that in half of the cases firing was done with the full propellant charge instead of #4 charge as required by the firing tables for HEAT ammunition.

Turn up the HEAT

"Report on the actions of 122 mm howitzer model 1938 armour burning ammunition

Batteries of the 77th Howitzer Artillery Brigade used armour burning ammunition against enemy tanks near Gorodisk on August 30th, 1944 (305th Howitzer Artillery Regiment) and near height 107.5 o the Narva beachhead on October 4th, 1944 (229th Howitzer Artillery Regiment).

The best range of firing HEAT rounds is 400-600 meters. At 500 meters the armour of a German Tiger tank can be penetrated. At a range of over 600 meters the round ricochets and cannot penetrate the front hull or turret armour. If the turret is hit it becomes jammed and the tank is disabled.

Report on King Tigers

"HQ of the Commander of Artillery of the Red Army

1st Department

September 27th, 1944

#671654

Moscow

For the Commander of Artillery of the 2nd Ukrainian Front only

During battles of the 1st Ukrainian Front, it was determined that the enemy is using the new Tiger B "King Tiger" tank in infantry-tank counterattacks. Interrogations of prisoners and study of captured  Tiger B vehicles shows that this type of tank has the following characteristics:

• Mass: 68 tons
• Length:
• With gun: 10.4 meters
• Without gun: 7.5 meters
• Width: 3.75 meters
• Height with turret: 3.07 meters
• Primary track width: 800 mm
• Secondary track width: 660 mm
• Clearance (front): 490 mm
• Clearance (rear): 510 mm
• Rear and side armour: 80 mm
• Front armour: 180 mm
• Roof armour: 40 mm
• Armament: one 88 mm gun, two machineguns, one spare machinegun
• Ammunition carried: 48 rounds

Light SPGs with Big Guns

The SU-76M SPG, armed with the ZIS-3 76 mm gun, was the second most numerous vehicle in the Red Army. This gun was one of Grabin's best, and had very respectable characteristics. Nevertheless, the idea of installing a more powerful gun was persistent, and some variants, such as the SU-85B, came close to entering production. However, the Red Army never received its domestic Marder.

IS with a Heavy Gun

The tank that went into production under the name IS-85 was only a temporary solution. By the time GKO decree #4043 "On the production of IS tanks" was signed, the military already considered the 85 mm D-5T gun insufficiently powerful. Experience in fighting new German tanks at Kursk confirmed this. Because of this, the IS-85, also known as IS-1, was produced in limited quantities of just over 100 units. The role of the main heavy tank of the Red Army in the concluding period of the war fell to the IS-122, also known as the IS-2. Interestingly, work on this tank began long before Kursk.

Turn up the HEAT

"To the Commander of the Corps Artillery, Commanders of Artillery Units and Formations

April 12th, 1945

Immediately issue a general order to your units to use 122 mm howitzer HEAT rounds. In addition to armoured targets, use HEAT rounds against brick buildings.

Chief of Artillery of the 47th Army, Guards Lieutenant General of Artillery, Govin

Chief of Staff of Artillery of the Army, Guards Lieutenant-Colonel Boriskov"

Via Valeriy Lisyutin

122 mm HEAT Effectiveness

"October 20th, 1944

Report on the effectiveness of 122 mm howitzer HEAT shells

1. 122 mm HEAT rounds were fired at a range of 4000-4500 meters using the DT scale and the stock special charge.
   Firing showed that:
1. Calibration was performed against targets located on a hill pointed towards the battery and a flat horizontal clearing. 90-95% of the shells burst. The explosion is thermite type.
2. When shooting at targets positioned on reverse slopes, the shells ricochet and do not explode.
3. Firing at narrow targets from 4000-4500 meters is ineffective due to high dispersion.
   Firing at personnel is also ineffective. Compared to the HE-fragmentation grenade there are a lot fewer fragments, and thus a lot less damage is dealt.
2. Firing at dugouts, pillboxes, tanks, or armoured cars was not performed.

Conclusions: using HEAT shells fired from a 122 mm howitzer at a range of over 2 km against enemy personnel or MG nests is unreasonable due to low effectiveness.

Chief of Staff, Captain [signature]"

Via Valeriy Lisyutin.

Anti-tank Plans

"Directive of the Commander of Artillery of the 3rd Ukrainian Front #001931

RE: anti-tank defenses of footholds on the Dniester

May 10th, 1944

Commanders of artillery of the armies:

Temporary defensive positions of the Front demand that we take a number of measures to provide the defenses with artillery. All captured footholds on the right shore of the Dniester should be thoroughly and thoughtfully prepared for anti-tank defenses. To prevent the enemy from gathering resources, deflect attacks of infantry and tanks, and combat his artillery, it is necessary to prepare and negotiate the following systems of fire with combined arms commanders: long range attack, concentrated fire, immobile screening fire, anti-tank screening fire, both in front of our front line and in the enemy's depth. Pay special attention to the joints between the armies, corps, and divisions.

Firing at Ferdinands

"Characteristics of armour penetration of cannons and effectiveness of mines on enemy tanks

Based on experience of combat and trials

1. Trials against an 88 mm SPG "Ferdinand" show the following results:
1. Armour of the SPG: roof: 45 mm, rear: 80 mm, side: 80 mm, front: 200 mm, gun mantlet: 110 mm, front hull: 200 mm.
2. Effectiveness of firing:
1. Anti-tank rifles: firing at the side armour from 80-100 meters with the BS-41 bullet penetrates 50 mm of armour forming a 20-22 mm deep indentation. Firing at the tracks can break track pins and the track links. The rifle can penetrate observation periscopes and jam the gun ball mount.

Through Adversity to the SU-122

It was clear by the spring of 1942 that work on a medium SPG on the T-34 chassis with an 85 mm gun in a rotating turret hit a dead end. The result of this work, which started back in the summer of 1940, was the U-20, which the military considered unsatisfactory. The project didn't leave the drawing board. Later, development of Soviet SPGs took a different path. A significant influence was the study of a captured StuG III Ausf. B. Later, factory #592 built a Soviet version on its chassis, called SG-122. It was clear, however, that converting foreign vehicles was not the end.

SG-122: Assault Gun on a Foreign Chassis

Work on SPGs, especially heavy ones, stopped in the USSR after the start of the Great Patriotic War. This was largely caused by the fact that the factories were busy with other orders. In addition, many factories were evacuated eastward. Only light SPGs were put into production at the start of the war, and these were largely improvised.

Meanwhile, due to the number of factories that switched from making artillery tractors to tanks, the artillery branch was forced to revisit SPGs towards the end of 1941. Experience gained in battle and a number of other factors meant that the new generation of SPGs that was built in 1942 was radically different from pre-war designs. This is especially true for medium SPGs, which became assault guns instead of tank destroyers. The SG-122 was one such SPG, built on the chassis of a captured German SPG.