Russian Tank brigades

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KG_Cloghaun
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Russian Tank brigades

#1

Post by KG_Cloghaun » 24 Dec 2003, 08:56

Does anyone know how many tanks were in a typical winter(January)1944 russian tank brigade? In general or specifically one from the 29th tank corps?

If anyone also knows the OOB for one, that would be great. I really need the info, thankyou.

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Juha Hujanen
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#2

Post by Juha Hujanen » 24 Dec 2003, 11:08

It had 65 T-34 tanks.

OOB

HQ (1 tank for CO and 1 for Chief of Staf)

3 Tank Batailloins (21 tanks each)
-In Battalioin is two 10 tank Companies and command tank for battalion CO

Motorised infantry battalion with 3 companies

Recon company with T-70 tanks (10 tanks)

Supply units

Hope this helps

Cheers/juha


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#3

Post by KG_Cloghaun » 24 Dec 2003, 18:40

Thankyou very much for the quick and detailed response. I really need to get a Russian OOB book.

I trying to do a semi historical recreation of the assualt on Kapitanovka, during the initial phase of the Korsun Pocket. I have the plenty of information through the book, "Hell's Gate", and I have German OOB's, but not specific ones for the Russian side.

Thankyou again, this helps very much.

Frank

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David C. Clarke
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#4

Post by David C. Clarke » 27 Dec 2003, 09:48

Officially, 29th Tank Corps consisted of the:
25th Tank Brigade
31st Tank Brigade
32nd Tank Brigade
53rd Motorized Rifle Brigade
1446th SU Regiment (16 SUs)
108th Antitank Regiment (24 76mm Guns)
271st Mortar Regiment (36 120mm mortars)
747th Anti-tank Battalion (12 85mm Guns)
38th Armored Car Battalion
75th Motorcycle Battalion
193rd Sapper Battalion

But, 29th Tank Corps was in action from July of 1943 to March of 1944.
During this time, in September of 1943 the 1549th Heavy SU Regiment was added (SU-152s) and in October 1943, the 11th Guards Mortar Battalion was added ( BM-13 ) Launchers. The 1446 SU Regiment was re-equipped with SU-85s in late 43 and all the tank brigades were completely re-equipped with T-34s in 3 tank battalions of 65 tanks at the end of 43.
Tank Strength:
10/23/43--26 Serviceable tanks
12/15/43--22 tanks left
1/7/44--130 Tanks and SUs
1/21/44--42 Tanks and SUs

All of this information is from Sharp Volume II, page 43. I hope it helps.

Best Regards,
~D, the EviL Commmissar

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KG_Cloghaun
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#5

Post by KG_Cloghaun » 27 Dec 2003, 19:37

Thankyou very much for info.

One more question-

Were the tank brigades composed of the T-34/L42's or the T-34/85 varient?

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David C. Clarke
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#6

Post by David C. Clarke » 27 Dec 2003, 21:13

It would seem that they were composed of T-34/76s, as the first T-34/85s left the factories in January of 1944 and official acceptance of the T-34/85 as a type by the Red Army was on January 23, 1944.
However, one wonders what happened after January 21st 1944, when the Corps was down to 42 Tanks ans SUs.

Best Regards,
~D, the EviL

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Juha Hujanen
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#7

Post by Juha Hujanen » 28 Dec 2003, 00:19

According to Kantakoski book Punaiset Panssarit 29th Tank Corps was involved 25.1.44 in attack north of Kirovgrad as part of 5th Guards Tank Army.29th spearheaded attack.
In late January 29th Corps with 5th Guards cavalry Corps were in Svenigorodka,south of Korsun kessel,holding out the German relief attack.29th was again active on 17.2.44,when encircled Germans tried to break out from kessel.Their tanks were the ones that massacred Germans in Lyssjanka.

However the book make no mention if 29th Tank Corps was supplied to full strengt after 21.1.44.

Cheers/Juha

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David C. Clarke
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#8

Post by David C. Clarke » 28 Dec 2003, 06:44

Excellent information Juha!
Just to fill in, from Sharpe, the 29th Tank Corps was finally pulled out of the line in May 1944, after 9 month of almost continuous combat. Before it was committed in late June of 1944 (Operation Bagration (?)) it was re-equipped with T-34/85s.

Best Regards, David

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#9

Post by KG_Cloghaun » 30 Dec 2003, 01:37

Thankyou again for the detailed information, it was very helpful.

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#10

Post by KG_Cloghaun » 03 Jan 2004, 02:49

108th Antitank Regiment (24 76mm Guns)
Were these the "SU" variety?

Did the 29th tank Corps have any SU-76's or were they all converted to 85's and 152's?

Thankyou

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#11

Post by David C. Clarke » 03 Jan 2004, 08:27

KG, I'd read that as 76mm towed guns. Sharp is usually explicit in noting if a unit used SUs.

Best Regards, David

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