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"Order of the People's Commissar of Defense #005

On the refreshing of materiel of one tank battalion in each tank brigade in the Far Eastern Front with T-34 tanks

March 19th, 1945

In order to renew the materiel of the Far Eastern Front, I order that the following be carried out:

1. Re-arm the first tank battalion of each tank brigade on the Far Eastern Front with T-34 tanks according to TO&E #010/271 (21 T-34 tanks) or #010/346 (25 T-34 tanks).
2. Old tanks, left over from re-arming of the first battalion, are to be left in the brigade's reserve.
3. The Commander of the Armoured and Motorized Forces of the Red Army is to transfer 436 T-34 tanks with crews to the Commander of the Far Eastern Front with in order to perform re-armament. Of those:
1. For the 12 tank brigades of the Primorye army group: 264 tanks from April 1st to April 30th, 1945.
2. For the remaining 8 tank brigades: 172 tanks from April 15th to April 30th, 1945.
4. Give the Chief of the General Staff necessary directions for transferring tanks to the Far Eastern Front.

People's Commissar of Defense,

Marshal of the Soviet Union,

I. Stalin."

RGVA 4-11-83 p.159

T-64 Light Tank

"Calculations of hull and turret weights made to requirements of the GBTU TU

Report on the increase in mass of the T-64 tank as a result of increase of armour thickness

1. Armour thickness:
1. Front plate: 45 mm at 80 degrees
2. Lower front plate: 220 mm at 0 degrees (cast)
3. Side armour: 150 mm at 0 degrees
4. Rear: 75 mm at 10 degrees
5. Turret front: equivalent to 220 mm at 0 degrees
6. Turret side: equivalent to 220 mm at 0 degrees
7. Turret rear: equivalent to 150 mm at 0 degrees
2. Increasing the thickness of the turret armour by 80 mm (the turret shape is taken as a truncated cone for ease of calculations):
1. Side surfaces: (720+380)/2 * 70 = 38,500 cm²
2. Dimensions of the added plate: 38,500 * 8 = 308,000 cm³
3. Increase in mass: 308,000 * 8 = 2,464,000 grams or 2,464 kg
3. Increasing the thickness of the front armour by 15 mm:
1. 142 * 220 = 31,240 cm²
2. 31,240 * 1.5 = 46,860 cm³
3. 46,860 * 8 = 375,000 grams or 375 kg
4. Increasing the thickness of the hull armour by 25 mm
1. 220 * 110 = 24,200 cm²
2. 24,200 * 2.5 = 60,500 cm³
3. 60,500 * 8 = 484,000 grams or 480 kg

Total increase in mass is equal to 3,300 kg.

Assistant to the Chief of the 2nd Department of the GBTU TU, Engineer-Captain [signature]"

CAMD RF 38-11355-2816 p.187

SU-85 Organization

"Order of the People's Commissar of Defense #0032

On the inclusion of SU-85 self propelled gun regiments into independent tank destroyer artillery brigades in the Reserve of the Stavka of the Supreme Command

August 2nd, 1944

In order to increase the firepower and mobility of fire of independent tank destroyer artillery brigades in the Reserve of the Supreme Command, I order that:

1. In the 15 independent tank destroyer artillery brigades that are in the Reserve of the Stavka of the Supreme Command, a self propelled artillery regiment with 21 SU-85 SPGs is to be added.
   The overall counts of the brigade will include 1852 men.
2. The Commander of the Armoured and Mechanized Forces of the Red Army must form and transfer to the Commander of Artillery of the Red Army 15 SU-85 SPG regiments in the following timeline:
1. 5 regiments by July 20th 1944.
2. 5 regiments by August 5th, 1944.
3. 5 regiments by August 20th, 1944.
   Select 15 officers to fill the position of deputy commander of the technical branch.
3. Chiefs of the NKO Central Directorates are to fill the brigades with personnel, armament, transport, and materiel.

People's Commissar of Defense

Marshal of the Soviet Union

I. Stalin"

RGVA 4-11-83 pp. 67-68

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.

SPG and Fold-out AA Gun

Medium SPGs on the PzIV chassis designed by Krupp engineers were seemingly cursed. The Pz.Sfl.IVa "bunker buster" only had two prototypes built, and work on the Pz.Sfl.IVb ended after a pilot batch. Nevertheless, both vehicles made it to the front lines. The fate of the Pz.Sfl.IVc was similar. Initially, the vehicle was designed as a bunker buster, then as a medium SPAAG. In the end, only one prototype was built, which underwent conversion and was sent to the front.

Tank Killer Payouts

"Order of the People's Commissar of Defense #0387
On rewards for soldiers and commanders who destroy enemy tanks in combat
June 24th, 1943

In order to increase effectiveness in combat with enemy tanks and reward soldiers and commanders for their work in destroying enemy tanks, I order that the following be established:

1. A reward for each knocked out or burned up tank by anti-tank rifle crews in the amount of:
1. For the rifleman: 500 rubles
2. For the assistant: 250 rubles
2. A reward for each knocked out or destroyed enemy tank by tank crews: 500 rubles each to the commander, driver, and gun (turret) commander, 200 rubles each for others.
3. A reward for tanks knocked out by any type of artillery: 500 rubles for the gun commander and gunner, 200 rubles each to all other members of the crew.
4. A reward of 1000 rubles for every soldier or commander who individually knocks our or burns up a tank using individual measures.
   If a group of tank destroyers acted to destroy a tank, then the award is increased to 1500 rubles and is distributed among the group equally.
5. Instruct the Chief of the Financial Directorate of the NKO to create instructions for application of this order.
6. The order will enter effect on July 1st, 1943. Report by telegraph.

People's Commissar of Defense,

Marshal of the Soviet Union

I. Stalin."

RGVA 4-11-76 p. 387

More Firepower

"Order of the People's Commissar of Defense #020

On increasing the firepower of tank and mechanized units of the Red Army.

January 10th, 1943

In order to increase the firepower of tank and mechanized units and formations of the Red Army, I order that:

1. Introduce the following into the units:
1. Into each Guards Breakthrough Regiment: a platoon of submachinegunners, numbering 33 men and 32 PPSh.
2. Into each tank brigade: a company of anti-tank rifles following TO&E #010/375 numbering 61 men and 18 anti-tank rifles.
3. Into tank and mechanized corps: RGK mortar regiment following TO&E #08/106 and RGK self propelled artillery regiment following TO&E #08/158.
2. Starting with January 1st, raise the salary of personnel of units, formations, and individual groups armed with anti-tank rifles: 100% increase for enlisted men and junior officers, on average 25% to intermediate officers and higher.
   The salary increase will be determined for each position by the Chief of the Financial Directorate of the NKO after agreement with the Commander of the Armoured and Mechanized Forces of the Red Army.

People's Commissar of Defense,

I. Stalin"

RGVA 4-11-75 p.32

Kugelblitz Study

I previously wrote about a mysterious "German SPAAG" that was shipped to the USSR for study along with the Maus and Sturmtiger. This SPAAG was likely the Kugelblitz. Unfortunately, I have not found any detailed study of this vehicle. The article in the Tank Industry Herald is incredibly brief.

Personal Artillery for a Downed Pilot

Attempts to increase the firepower of an infantryman on the battlefield have been made since time immemorial. From time to time, various compact types of weapons were invented, well made or otherwise. They were often invented not only by professionals, but by people whose duties were far from invention: soldiers, commanders, civilians. The KMB, Baranov's Pocket Mortar, invented by Technician-Lieutenant of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet VVS, G.P. Baranov, belongs to this category.

Before telling the tale of this project, let us step back a little. The lieutenant did not propose something unique. The Germans created and used an analogous design, and a number of hints show that Baranov was inspired by a German sample.

Super T-50

"Calculations of mass of the hull and turret according to technical requirements of the GBTU TU for 1945

On the increase of mass of the T-50 due to thickening the armour (calculations are approximate, measurements were taken from photos of the cutaways of the hull in the proving grounds report).

Item	Thickness	Mass (kg)	Required thickness	Increase in mass (kg)
Turret	37 mm	2000	Comparable with the IS-3	4000
Sides (upper)	37 mm	2600	74 mm	2600
Sides (lower)	37 mm	850	92 mm	1275
Rear plates	37 mm	870	74 mm	870
Floor	15 mm	952	20 mm	315
Cannon	45 mm caliber	313	76 mm caliber	840
Total		7585		9900

The mass of the T-50 tank is 14,000 kg. When the armour is increased to the thicknesses in the table, the mass of the tank will be 23,900 kg. 

When designing the new tank, it is necessary to also take into account the increase of the mass of the engine by about 500 kg.

Assistant to the Chief of the 2nd Department of the GBTU TU, Engineer-Captain [signature]"

CAMD RF 38-11355-2816 p.186