Armoured Trains

[Pips]

It seems that both the Germans and the Russians made much use of heavily armoured trains. To what purpose?

Were they for offensive use? Or for simple transit protection in occupied territory?

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

They were largely for protection. A train is very vulnerable in a combat situation, having only forwards and rearwards movement, and very slow acceleration. Self-defense in areas close to the front, or where partisans operated, was therefore important.

[Pips]

Thanks.

[bronk7]

used as AA defense at Ploesti

[Felix C]

I think the Germans use is straightforward due to the partisan activity behind the lines. I mean these type of armored trains as opposed to trains armored and outfitted for AA protection.

The Soviets used armored trains extensively in their Civil War and I presume it was still part of doctrine to use armored trains to support units behind the lines were artillery was not established.

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

The Germans used armored trains before partisan activity became a problem, and indeed before the Second World War. As I recall, the first usage was in the late 19th century.

[Paterson23]

As I recall the Polish made use of Armoured Trains in the opening stages of the Invasion of Poland. I think the effective use of these trains encourage Nazi Germany to use more of their own. An Armoured train is a powerful thing, however the tracks are highly vulnerable and could be damaged easily.

[bronk7]

of course railroads were the mode of land transportation then

[Ironmachine]

As I recall the Polish made use of Armoured Trains in the opening stages of the Invasion of Poland.

About the Polish armoured trains, including the details of their combat use in 1939, just look here:
http://derela.republika.pl/armtrain.htm
It also includes details about the use of Polish captured trains (or parts of them) by the Germans.
Regards.

[Maxschnauzer]

Fascinating website, Ironmachine. Thanks for the link.

[KACKO]

Slovaks built 3 armored trains in September 1944 and used them to much satisfaction to support infantry in defense against Germans. Of course at the time Luftwaffe didn't had total superiority over the area of operations as 1st Czechoslovak Fighter Regiment keep it a bit busy.