Some short info about combat use of medium tanks T-54 and T-55 in Soviet Army. Any additional info is very welcome!
T-54 were used by Soviets in Hungary in 1956. Soviet 2nd Guard mechanized division [equipped with those tanks] entered into revolted Budapest as the first unit [24.10.1956] and lost 4 tanks the same day. Hungarians used five T-34-85 [captured from the Hungarian Peoples Army] in the city combats against Soviet tanks. Near 290 Soviet tanks [mainly T-54 from 83rd and 37th tank regiments] entered Budapest 24.10.1956. In the end of October Soviet units were removed from Budapest according to request of Hungarian government, but the amount of units of Soviet Special corps in Hungary increased and 31st tank division equipped with T-54 was transferred to Hungary also.
04.11.1956 the Soviet operation "Vihr" ["Whirlwind"] began and uprising was suppressed till 11.11.1956. For example, 33rd mechanized division lost 14 tanks and SPGs in Hungary [destroyed by 85mm and 100 mm guns, "Molotov cocktails"]
T-54 and T-55 were used during the "correction of errors in building of socialism" in Czechoslovakia in August 1968 [operation "Danube"]. Soviet tank units [9th, 11th Guard, 13rd Guard, 15th Guard, 31st tank divisions], equipped with ~2000 T-54 and T-55 entered Czechoslovakia including Prague [in 5 h after crossing Czech border]. There were no big losses because Czechoslovakian Army didn't make resistance but several T-54/T-55 were lost/damaged in Prague by "Molotov cocktails".
http://battle-tank.by.ru/tank_t-54/t54_img/t54_09.jpg [Soviet T-54s in Prague]
T-54 and T-55 [mainly] were widely used in Afghanistan in 1979-1989 [by tank regiments of three Soviet motorized rifle divisions - 24th Guard, 285th and 234th tank regiments, also by tank battalions of motorized rifle regiments and brigades]. Relatively old medium tanks of the first postWWII generation were used in Afghanistan because of several reasons: modern tanks were sent to European divisions during the Cold war, also Afghans didn't have tanks and they had quite insignificant amount of modern anti-tank weapon. Soviet T-54-49, T-54A, T-54B, T-55A and T-55AM were used in Afghanistan by small units [platoons, companies] for support of motorized infantry, paratroopers and raiders, also for guard of outposts and roads. Also T-54 and T-55 were widely used for night offensives as Afghans didn't have night observation devices at first [all T-54 and T-55 were equipped with them]. As the example - successful capture of hard-to-hit bridge over Panjsher river by Soviet tank company of T-54B during the night time in December 1982.
T-54 and T-55 showed good combat properties [especially using their excellent 100mm guns for long-range target kills] during the war in Afghanistan, but their engines and transmissions suffered from badly dusty conditions of Afghan nature, also anti-tank mines destroyed quite many medium tanks of that type [50% of which needed in heavy repair after that or were scrapped even]. But combat losses of T-54/55 in Afghanistan were 20 times lower than technical losses. The combat experience in Afghanistan caused the improvement of T-55 - T-55M had better resistance to ground anti-tank mines and increased front armor protection.
T-54 and T-55 were used in local combats after collapse of USSR in 1991, for example, during Armenia-Azerbaijan war [one case is known when Azerbaijanian T-55 destroyed Armenian T-72 from 1200 m, using sub-caliber shell]. T-55s were used widely during the war in Abkhazia [Georgian Army had a lot of T-55, for example 108 T-55M from ex-Soviet 10th tank division of Transcaucasian military district - Russia gave those tanks to Georgia under the requirement not to use them during inside political conflicts, but Georgians forgot about this requirement immediately; Abkhazians captured 8 T-55 from Georgians].
As for foreign countries - Soviet, Polish, Czechoslovakian and Chinese T-54 and T-55 were sold to the huge amount of countries all over the world [40 countries used and use T-54/T-55] and participated in almost all wars and combats of the second half of XX century [being the very dangerous enemies for tanks M48A2 Patton and Centurion with 105mm gun even]. T-54 and T-55 are the most popular and the most "combat-participating" tanks in history.
Regards, BP
Post-WWII Soviet tanks
Modifications of medium tank T-54:
T-54-1 (T-54 mod. 1946, project 137) - was developed using weld hull [front armor was increased to 120mm and had no driving loophole, bottom was strengthen because of U-shape] and transmission of tank T-44. Chief designer - A.A. Morozov. Tank had new cast turret with bottom reverse bevel along the perimeter [front armor - 200mm], and powerful 100mm gun D-10T + 7.62mm MG SG-43. Two additional 7.62mm bow MGs were installed in armored boxes above tracks [ammunition - 4500 7.62mm cartridges]. Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1947-1949.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_11.jpg
T-54-2 (T-54 mod. 1949) - equipped with improved cast turret without front reverse bevel, gun porthole was more narrow. Improved ring mounting for 12.7mm AA MG DShK-M was used. One 7.62mm bow MG SG-43 was installed in driver's compartment instead of two MGs above tracks. New wider track was used [580mm width; ground pressure decreased to 0.81 kg/sq.cm]. Modernized T-54-2 were equipped with diplane gun gyrostabilizer "Cyclone", new communication equipment, diesel engine V-55 (580 hp), etc. Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1949-1951.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_10.jpg
T-54-3 (T-54 mod. 1951) - equipped with cast hemispheric turret without reverse bevels [turret had most advantageous shell-proof shape but gun replacement became more hard as turret should be lifted for this], had mounting for mine sweeper. Modernized T-54-3 were equipped with night sight and night observation devices, laser ranger KTD-1, radio station R-113, diplane gun gyrostabilizer "Cyclone", etc.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1952-1955.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_2.jpg
http://www.rusarmy.com/brone/images/tnk_t-54.jpg [T-54 equipped with night sight]
http://www.thetankmaster.com/images/AFV ... 951_01.jpg [T-54 in Central museum of Russian Army in Moscow]
T-54K - command tank with additional radio station, navigation equipment and battery charger; so gun ammunition load decreased to some degree.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in small series since 1958.
http://www.rustrana.ru/articles/710/t54k.jpg
OT-54 (project 481) - flame-throwing tank. Equipped with automatic powder flame thrower ATO-1 instead of 7.62mm coaxial MG in turret. Flame-trowing equipment located in fighting and driver's compartments, tank for 460 litres of burning mixture AP-7 was installed in nose part of the hull instead of ammunition stowage and fuel tank. Flame thrower could throw burning mixture for 160 m with the rate of fire 15-20 shots/min.
Produced by Kharkov locomotive works since 1954.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/OT54.jpg
T-54M - experimental tank (1954) with lighted road wheels, new running wheels and new powerful 100mm gun D-54T [ammunition 50 shells]. Equipped with night sight and night driver's observation device TVN-1. The elements of chassis of T-54M were used on T-55 later.
T-54A (project 137G) - modernized T-54 with improved gun D-10TG [equipped with gas ejector], electrohydraulic gun gyrostabilizer of vertical plane STP-1 "Horizon" and automatic electric drive of turret direction, new gun sight TSh-2A-22, night driver's observation device TVN-1, etc.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1955-1957.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_12.jpg
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_9.jpg
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_6.jpg [T-54A in Kubinka tank museum]
http://armoured.vif2.ru/t-54a_pt-55_shem.gif [T-54A with mine sweeper PT-55]
T-54AK - command tank, based on T-54A. Equipped with additional shortwave radio station R-112, navigation equipment TNA-2 and battery charger AB-1-P/30; so gun ammunition load decreased to some degree.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1958 [modification of T-54A]
T-54B (project 137G2) - based on T-54A; equipped with diplane gun gyrostabilizer, turret rotating floor, night sight and night observation devices with infrared light. Modernized T-54B were equipped with new diesel V-55 (580 hp), radio station R-123, road wheels from T-55, tracks with silentblocks, improved ammunition stowage, sight TSh2B-32 (since 1965), laser ranger KTD-1. Some T-54B were equipped with antitank guided missile "Malutka".
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1957-1959.
http://armoured.vif2.ru/t-54_shem1.gif
Medium tank T-54B with night sight [from http://panzermodelkit.valka.cz/2obrt54b.jpg
T-54BK - command tank, based on T-54B. Equipped with additional shortwave radio station R-112, navigation equipment TNA-2 and battery charger AB-1-P/30; so gun ammunition load decreased to some degree.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil since 1958.
T-54AM - modernized T-54A with new ammunition stowage (43 100mm shells instead of 34), 2x7.62mm MGs PKT instead of SG-43, diesel V-55 (580 hp), new communication equipment (radio station R-123), lighted road wheels from T-55, tracks with silentblocks, night sight and night observation devices, improved system of underwater driving.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1960s [modernization of T-54A].
T-54M (project 137M) - modernized T-54 with night sight TPN-1, laser ranger, new radio station R-123, diesel V-55, increased ammunition load (43 shells), improved system of underwater driving, improved air system, tracks with silentblocks.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1977 [modernization of T-54], the last tanks were retired in 1994.
T-54MK - command tank, based on T-54M. Equipped with additional shortwave radio station R-112, navigation equipment TNA-2 and battery charger; so gun ammunition load decreased from 43 shells to 37 shells.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1977 [modification of T-54M].
All T-54 had equipment for underwater driving [depth up to 5 m], automatic fire fighting equipment and equipmet for smoke screening; modernized T-54 and T-55 were equipped with system of nuclear defense.
Regards, BP
T-54-1 (T-54 mod. 1946, project 137) - was developed using weld hull [front armor was increased to 120mm and had no driving loophole, bottom was strengthen because of U-shape] and transmission of tank T-44. Chief designer - A.A. Morozov. Tank had new cast turret with bottom reverse bevel along the perimeter [front armor - 200mm], and powerful 100mm gun D-10T + 7.62mm MG SG-43. Two additional 7.62mm bow MGs were installed in armored boxes above tracks [ammunition - 4500 7.62mm cartridges]. Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1947-1949.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_11.jpg
T-54-2 (T-54 mod. 1949) - equipped with improved cast turret without front reverse bevel, gun porthole was more narrow. Improved ring mounting for 12.7mm AA MG DShK-M was used. One 7.62mm bow MG SG-43 was installed in driver's compartment instead of two MGs above tracks. New wider track was used [580mm width; ground pressure decreased to 0.81 kg/sq.cm]. Modernized T-54-2 were equipped with diplane gun gyrostabilizer "Cyclone", new communication equipment, diesel engine V-55 (580 hp), etc. Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1949-1951.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_10.jpg
T-54-3 (T-54 mod. 1951) - equipped with cast hemispheric turret without reverse bevels [turret had most advantageous shell-proof shape but gun replacement became more hard as turret should be lifted for this], had mounting for mine sweeper. Modernized T-54-3 were equipped with night sight and night observation devices, laser ranger KTD-1, radio station R-113, diplane gun gyrostabilizer "Cyclone", etc.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1952-1955.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_2.jpg
http://www.rusarmy.com/brone/images/tnk_t-54.jpg [T-54 equipped with night sight]
http://www.thetankmaster.com/images/AFV ... 951_01.jpg [T-54 in Central museum of Russian Army in Moscow]
T-54K - command tank with additional radio station, navigation equipment and battery charger; so gun ammunition load decreased to some degree.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in small series since 1958.
http://www.rustrana.ru/articles/710/t54k.jpg
OT-54 (project 481) - flame-throwing tank. Equipped with automatic powder flame thrower ATO-1 instead of 7.62mm coaxial MG in turret. Flame-trowing equipment located in fighting and driver's compartments, tank for 460 litres of burning mixture AP-7 was installed in nose part of the hull instead of ammunition stowage and fuel tank. Flame thrower could throw burning mixture for 160 m with the rate of fire 15-20 shots/min.
Produced by Kharkov locomotive works since 1954.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/OT54.jpg
T-54M - experimental tank (1954) with lighted road wheels, new running wheels and new powerful 100mm gun D-54T [ammunition 50 shells]. Equipped with night sight and night driver's observation device TVN-1. The elements of chassis of T-54M were used on T-55 later.
T-54A (project 137G) - modernized T-54 with improved gun D-10TG [equipped with gas ejector], electrohydraulic gun gyrostabilizer of vertical plane STP-1 "Horizon" and automatic electric drive of turret direction, new gun sight TSh-2A-22, night driver's observation device TVN-1, etc.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1955-1957.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_12.jpg
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_9.jpg
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T54/T54_6.jpg [T-54A in Kubinka tank museum]
http://armoured.vif2.ru/t-54a_pt-55_shem.gif [T-54A with mine sweeper PT-55]
T-54AK - command tank, based on T-54A. Equipped with additional shortwave radio station R-112, navigation equipment TNA-2 and battery charger AB-1-P/30; so gun ammunition load decreased to some degree.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1958 [modification of T-54A]
T-54B (project 137G2) - based on T-54A; equipped with diplane gun gyrostabilizer, turret rotating floor, night sight and night observation devices with infrared light. Modernized T-54B were equipped with new diesel V-55 (580 hp), radio station R-123, road wheels from T-55, tracks with silentblocks, improved ammunition stowage, sight TSh2B-32 (since 1965), laser ranger KTD-1. Some T-54B were equipped with antitank guided missile "Malutka".
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil in 1957-1959.
http://armoured.vif2.ru/t-54_shem1.gif
Medium tank T-54B with night sight [from http://panzermodelkit.valka.cz/2obrt54b.jpg
T-54BK - command tank, based on T-54B. Equipped with additional shortwave radio station R-112, navigation equipment TNA-2 and battery charger AB-1-P/30; so gun ammunition load decreased to some degree.
Produced by Ural tank factory No.183 in Nizhni Tagil since 1958.
T-54AM - modernized T-54A with new ammunition stowage (43 100mm shells instead of 34), 2x7.62mm MGs PKT instead of SG-43, diesel V-55 (580 hp), new communication equipment (radio station R-123), lighted road wheels from T-55, tracks with silentblocks, night sight and night observation devices, improved system of underwater driving.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1960s [modernization of T-54A].
T-54M (project 137M) - modernized T-54 with night sight TPN-1, laser ranger, new radio station R-123, diesel V-55, increased ammunition load (43 shells), improved system of underwater driving, improved air system, tracks with silentblocks.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1977 [modernization of T-54], the last tanks were retired in 1994.
T-54MK - command tank, based on T-54M. Equipped with additional shortwave radio station R-112, navigation equipment TNA-2 and battery charger; so gun ammunition load decreased from 43 shells to 37 shells.
Produced by maintenance works of Ministry of Defense since 1977 [modification of T-54M].
All T-54 had equipment for underwater driving [depth up to 5 m], automatic fire fighting equipment and equipmet for smoke screening; modernized T-54 and T-55 were equipped with system of nuclear defense.
Regards, BP