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Tank Squadrons of WWII
Tank Squadrons of WWII
When people talk about the aces of World War II, they usually mean the pilots, but the role of armored vehicles and armored forces in the conflict also not be underestimated. Were aces among soldiers.
Kurt Knipsel considered the most effective tank ace of World War II. On account of his nearly 170 tanks, but not all of his victories so far been confirmed. During the war he had destroyed 126 tanks as a gunner (20 unconfirmed), as commander of the heavy tank - 42 enemy tanks (10 unconfirmed). Knipsel four times was introduced to the Knight's Cross, but never received this award. Tankman biographers attribute this to his difficult character. Historian Franz Kurowski in his book on Knipsele writes about several incidents in which the show is not the best discipline. In particular - stood up for the battered Soviet soldier and fought with a German officer. Knipsel also differed passion for wine. Air filters of his "Tiger" he took a train to steal from the protected parts of the "SS", schnapps and provisions. In general, Knipsel was not perfect soldier of the Reich. Some believe that his style of behavior was more like a style of rock and rollers, not the military. Kurt Knipsel died April 28, 1945, after a wound received in battle with Soviet troops near the Czech town Vostits. In this battle Knipsel destroyed his 168th officially registered tank.
Michael Wittmann, unlike Kurt Knipselya, it was convenient to make a hero of the Reich, despite the fact that not all of his "heroic" biography was clean. Thus, he argued that during the winter battles in the Ukraine in 1943-1944 destroyed 70 Soviet tanks. During this January 14, 1944 he received the title of extraordinary and was awarded the Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves to him, but after some time it became clear that in this sector of the Red Army did not have all the tanks and Wittmann destroyed two "Thirty", captured by the Germans and in the service of the Wehrmacht. Crew Wittmann in the dark could not see markings on the turret, and took them for Soviet. Nevertheless, the German command had decided not to publicize this story. Wittmann took part in the battles of Kursk, where, according to him, destroyed 28 Soviet self-propelled guns and about 30 tanks. According to German sources, as of August 8, 1944, on account of Michael Wittmann number of destroyed 138 enemy tanks and self-propelled artillery pieces and 132.
Feat tankman Zinovii Kolobanova entered the Guinness Book of Records. August 20, 1941 5 tank company lieutenant Kolobanova destroyed 43 German tanks, 22 of them were destroyed during the hour. Battle your way Zinovii Kolobanov began as early as the Winter War, fought in the middle of the T-28. Three times he was burning in the tank, but again returned to the system. According to the results of the Soviet-Finnish War Zinovii Kolobanov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, but the award did not take place. For the reason that the company Kolobanova fighters were seen after the end of hostilities in fraternization with the Finns. As a result, Kolobanov as commander, was punished and was in the camp. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, when the position of the Soviet troops left much to be desired, and the army was in need of experienced personnel, Kolobanov was released and restored to the rank. He was sent to serve in the 1st Panzer Division. In the second half of August company of Lieutenant Kolobanova equipped with tanks KV, received orders to the commander of the 1st Armored Division -perekryt crossroad leading Meadow and Kingisepp. The task was very important because it was a strategic direction. Kolobanov competently built a defensive position. Camouflaged tanks Kolobanova met German tank column volleys. Were immediately stopped 3 head tank, then commander of the gun Usov suffered a fire on the rear of the column. The Germans were unable to maneuver and could not leave the Gaza shelling. Tank Kolobanova undergone massive bombardment. During the fight he endured more than 150 direct hits, but strong armor KV-1 survived. For his feat Kolobanova crew members were presented to the Hero of the Soviet Union, but the rewards are again found no hero. September 15, 1941 Zinovii Kalabanov was seriously wounded (were damaged spine and head) when the tank during refueling and loading ammunition near the KV-1 German shell exploded. However, the summer of 1945 Kolobanov again returned to service and served in the Soviet army 13 more years.
Dmitry Lavrinenko was the most productive of the Soviet tank ace of World War II. Total for 2, 5 months, from October to December 1941, he has destroyed or knocked out 52 two German tanks. The success can be attributed to Lavrynenko his determination and fighting acumen. Fighting in the minority against the superior forces of the enemy, Lavrynenko able to leave the almost hopeless situations. All he had to participate in the 28 tank battles, it burned three times in the tank. Hero of the Soviet Union Army General Dmitry Lelyushenko in his book "Dawn of Victory" said one of the methods that applied Lt. Dmitry Lavrinenko in the battles of Mtsensk "I remember as Lt. Dmitry Lavrinenko carefully disguise their tanks to position logs , resembled the trunks of tank shells. And not in vain: the Nazis opened fire on false targets. After letting the Nazis on favorable distance Lavrynenko brought them down withering fire from ambush and killed 9 tanks, 2 guns and a lot of the Nazis. " October 19 1941 tank Lavrynenko defended by the German invasion of Serpukhov. His T-34 alone destroyed motorized column of the enemy, but which occurred on the highway from Maloyaroslavets Serpukhov. In that fight Lavrynenko than trophies, and managed to get important documents. December 5, 1941 a Soviet tank ace was promoted to the rank of Hero of the Soviet Union. Even then, to his credit including 47 tanks destroyed. But tankman only awarded the Order of Lenin. However, by the time the award was to be held, he was no longer alive. Hero of the Soviet Union Dmitry Lavrinenko was given only in 1990.
Creighton Abrams fairness, it must be said that the master tank battle was not only in German and Soviet troops. Had their "aces" and the Allies. Of them can be noted Creighton Abrams. His name is preserved in the history of the famous American tank M1 is named after him. Not the most successful military academy student, Abrams, however, differed from classmates will power. After graduating from the military academy and the Cavalry School, Creighton is the first in the 1st Cavalry Division, after the transfer of the 1st Armored Division US. In September 1942, Abrams was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. During the Normandy landings Creighton Abrams commanded a battalion of the 4th Armored Division. Abrams was the one who organized the tank breakthrough from the Normandy coast to the river Moselle. Creighton Abrams tank units reached the Rhine, with the support of infantry rescued surrounded by Germans amphibious group in the German rear. On account of parts Abrams about 300 pieces of equipment, however, for the most part are not tanks and supply trucks, armored personnel carriers and other auxiliary equipment. The number of destroyed tanks among the "trophies" Abrams small pieces - about 15, 6 of them for the number of personal commander. Abrams main merit was that it managed to cut parts of the enemy's communications on a large section of the front, which greatly complicated the situation of the German troops, leaving them without supplies. during the offensive under the command of the Abrams could cut communication Germans on a sufficiently wide section of the front, putting German troops ostavschihsya without supply, in a very difficult position. General George S. Patton, Jr. named the best commander Creighton Abrams tank forces in the US Army. Abram and known aphorism "The army is not of the people, the army - this is the people».
Source: Tank Squadrons of WWII
© Russian Seven russian7.ru
Everything!
When people talk about the aces of World War II, they usually mean the pilots, but the role of armored vehicles and armored forces in the conflict also not be underestimated. Were aces among soldiers.
Kurt Knipsel considered the most effective tank ace of World War II. On account of his nearly 170 tanks, but not all of his victories so far been confirmed. During the war he had destroyed 126 tanks as a gunner (20 unconfirmed), as commander of the heavy tank - 42 enemy tanks (10 unconfirmed). Knipsel four times was introduced to the Knight's Cross, but never received this award. Tankman biographers attribute this to his difficult character. Historian Franz Kurowski in his book on Knipsele writes about several incidents in which the show is not the best discipline. In particular - stood up for the battered Soviet soldier and fought with a German officer. Knipsel also differed passion for wine. Air filters of his "Tiger" he took a train to steal from the protected parts of the "SS", schnapps and provisions. In general, Knipsel was not perfect soldier of the Reich. Some believe that his style of behavior was more like a style of rock and rollers, not the military. Kurt Knipsel died April 28, 1945, after a wound received in battle with Soviet troops near the Czech town Vostits. In this battle Knipsel destroyed his 168th officially registered tank.
Michael Wittmann, unlike Kurt Knipselya, it was convenient to make a hero of the Reich, despite the fact that not all of his "heroic" biography was clean. Thus, he argued that during the winter battles in the Ukraine in 1943-1944 destroyed 70 Soviet tanks. During this January 14, 1944 he received the title of extraordinary and was awarded the Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves to him, but after some time it became clear that in this sector of the Red Army did not have all the tanks and Wittmann destroyed two "Thirty", captured by the Germans and in the service of the Wehrmacht. Crew Wittmann in the dark could not see markings on the turret, and took them for Soviet. Nevertheless, the German command had decided not to publicize this story. Wittmann took part in the battles of Kursk, where, according to him, destroyed 28 Soviet self-propelled guns and about 30 tanks. According to German sources, as of August 8, 1944, on account of Michael Wittmann number of destroyed 138 enemy tanks and self-propelled artillery pieces and 132.
Feat tankman Zinovii Kolobanova entered the Guinness Book of Records. August 20, 1941 5 tank company lieutenant Kolobanova destroyed 43 German tanks, 22 of them were destroyed during the hour. Battle your way Zinovii Kolobanov began as early as the Winter War, fought in the middle of the T-28. Three times he was burning in the tank, but again returned to the system. According to the results of the Soviet-Finnish War Zinovii Kolobanov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, but the award did not take place. For the reason that the company Kolobanova fighters were seen after the end of hostilities in fraternization with the Finns. As a result, Kolobanov as commander, was punished and was in the camp. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, when the position of the Soviet troops left much to be desired, and the army was in need of experienced personnel, Kolobanov was released and restored to the rank. He was sent to serve in the 1st Panzer Division. In the second half of August company of Lieutenant Kolobanova equipped with tanks KV, received orders to the commander of the 1st Armored Division -perekryt crossroad leading Meadow and Kingisepp. The task was very important because it was a strategic direction. Kolobanov competently built a defensive position. Camouflaged tanks Kolobanova met German tank column volleys. Were immediately stopped 3 head tank, then commander of the gun Usov suffered a fire on the rear of the column. The Germans were unable to maneuver and could not leave the Gaza shelling. Tank Kolobanova undergone massive bombardment. During the fight he endured more than 150 direct hits, but strong armor KV-1 survived. For his feat Kolobanova crew members were presented to the Hero of the Soviet Union, but the rewards are again found no hero. September 15, 1941 Zinovii Kalabanov was seriously wounded (were damaged spine and head) when the tank during refueling and loading ammunition near the KV-1 German shell exploded. However, the summer of 1945 Kolobanov again returned to service and served in the Soviet army 13 more years.
Dmitry Lavrinenko was the most productive of the Soviet tank ace of World War II. Total for 2, 5 months, from October to December 1941, he has destroyed or knocked out 52 two German tanks. The success can be attributed to Lavrynenko his determination and fighting acumen. Fighting in the minority against the superior forces of the enemy, Lavrynenko able to leave the almost hopeless situations. All he had to participate in the 28 tank battles, it burned three times in the tank. Hero of the Soviet Union Army General Dmitry Lelyushenko in his book "Dawn of Victory" said one of the methods that applied Lt. Dmitry Lavrinenko in the battles of Mtsensk "I remember as Lt. Dmitry Lavrinenko carefully disguise their tanks to position logs , resembled the trunks of tank shells. And not in vain: the Nazis opened fire on false targets. After letting the Nazis on favorable distance Lavrynenko brought them down withering fire from ambush and killed 9 tanks, 2 guns and a lot of the Nazis. " October 19 1941 tank Lavrynenko defended by the German invasion of Serpukhov. His T-34 alone destroyed motorized column of the enemy, but which occurred on the highway from Maloyaroslavets Serpukhov. In that fight Lavrynenko than trophies, and managed to get important documents. December 5, 1941 a Soviet tank ace was promoted to the rank of Hero of the Soviet Union. Even then, to his credit including 47 tanks destroyed. But tankman only awarded the Order of Lenin. However, by the time the award was to be held, he was no longer alive. Hero of the Soviet Union Dmitry Lavrinenko was given only in 1990.
Creighton Abrams fairness, it must be said that the master tank battle was not only in German and Soviet troops. Had their "aces" and the Allies. Of them can be noted Creighton Abrams. His name is preserved in the history of the famous American tank M1 is named after him. Not the most successful military academy student, Abrams, however, differed from classmates will power. After graduating from the military academy and the Cavalry School, Creighton is the first in the 1st Cavalry Division, after the transfer of the 1st Armored Division US. In September 1942, Abrams was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. During the Normandy landings Creighton Abrams commanded a battalion of the 4th Armored Division. Abrams was the one who organized the tank breakthrough from the Normandy coast to the river Moselle. Creighton Abrams tank units reached the Rhine, with the support of infantry rescued surrounded by Germans amphibious group in the German rear. On account of parts Abrams about 300 pieces of equipment, however, for the most part are not tanks and supply trucks, armored personnel carriers and other auxiliary equipment. The number of destroyed tanks among the "trophies" Abrams small pieces - about 15, 6 of them for the number of personal commander. Abrams main merit was that it managed to cut parts of the enemy's communications on a large section of the front, which greatly complicated the situation of the German troops, leaving them without supplies. during the offensive under the command of the Abrams could cut communication Germans on a sufficiently wide section of the front, putting German troops ostavschihsya without supply, in a very difficult position. General George S. Patton, Jr. named the best commander Creighton Abrams tank forces in the US Army. Abram and known aphorism "The army is not of the people, the army - this is the people».
Source: Tank Squadrons of WWII
© Russian Seven russian7.ru
Everything!
