The Tank Museum

Throughout the Second World War, the German military relied heavily on captured enemy vehicles and equipment, the majority French and Czech. They also used a variety of Soviet equipment, including a small batch of captured T-34s.


Despite reliability issues and ergonomic shortcomings the T-34 was fast – capable of reaching 31mph – and decently armoured. It was a simple design that was easy to repair and replace, unlike most German tanks.


Like the Germans, the Finns also utilised captured Soviet equipment, watch our Tank Chat on the Finnish T-34 at the museum here: https://youtu.be/8dUAs40ymag

6 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 5,292



@S.e.e.t.e.u.f.e.l

The commander yelled, "Second gear!" The driver tugged. Nothing. The loader grabbed the hammer: CLOCK! "Now it's in, comrade!" Best regards from the clutch and gearbox.

6 days ago | 105

@xrayvision8081

My fav is the captured PzKpfw III that the russians put a 76mm in a casement like a Stug then the Germans recaptured it and added a cupola

5 days ago | 49  

@my_handle....

Dort darf man nicht parken, Kamerad.

6 days ago | 53

@Dalesmanable

In truth few captured tanks were used against their former owners as ammunition and spares were in short supply.

3 days ago | 1

@lordvetinari6057

The sovjets used Panthers, too. Using a T34 as Beutepanzer was a tricky job, because confronted with that guy German PAK-crews shot first and asked later. That's the reason why the Balkenkreuze were so huge painted on the vehicle.

6 days ago | 49

@raycheshire5581

An open door policy….the management tank.

6 days ago | 13  

@VickyHong1879

I find it interesting that they sometimes fitted salvaged commander cupolas to beutepanzers, gives them a unique look

6 days ago (edited) | 38

@gulfcitynd

That's why the Sherman tanks even if they were technically weaker were sought after cheap to maintain and mass production

4 days ago | 1

@makeitsonumberone1358

The T 34 was also a health and saftey nightmare for the crew

5 days ago | 4

@Altair885

Not sure I'd fancy being a crewman in a captured tank, you could find yourself in a position where both sides are firing at you😳

5 days ago | 4

@fishingthelist4017

There is a T34 at Fort Benming that was captuered by the Germans and the Americans. It was obviously built before the war because the fit and finish is much better than the T34-85 sitting nearby.

4 days ago | 2

@carroarmatoL3

Ah yes the T-34-88

5 days ago | 5

@HarrowsThoms

I love Finnish tanks, they're so interesting. Even when the design doesn't work out (BT-42), it's still innovative

6 days ago | 8  

@Lamentors3Co-x8x

Beute Panzer or spoils of war. FM Rommel used lots of it during his Africa Campaign. Had almost a whole company of Stuart and Crusader tanks plus artillery.

6 days ago | 29

@Agent-xX51Xx

In the middle of a war and the gunner is bird watching. You’re a tank not an AA gun! 🤦

5 days ago | 4  

@mikestanmore2614

The T34 had the potential to be quite fast, provided the driver had the strength to encourage its gearbox into top gear. The later models had the better gearbox, but one doesn't always get the choice when shopping for a beutepanzer.

6 days ago (edited) | 10

@marianniculae

They also used a number of T34 tanks assembled from the line of production in the factory who was captured in the first phase of invasion,but I do not remember which factory or town belongs that facility seized

4 days ago | 0

@asylumlover

GOOD TO KNOW, HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 days ago | 0  

@joonapousi3905

SUOMI MAINITTU, TORILLA TAVATAAN🇫

4 days ago | 0

@calebbrown6735

I almost thought this was a destroyed tank. But then I realized it aint like Warthunder.😂

5 days ago | 1