Hi, can anyone give me any data on the armoured forces used by the Baltic states please. the only data I have is what I have written below.
Latvia
Vickers 4-Ton Tank (m.1933)
Estonia
M.1927/28 Armoured car
Lithuania
Landsverk 181 Armoured car
Vickers 4-Ton Tank (m.1933)
I know that they did not have a large amount of these vehicles, but they did have some which could have been used in action so we are after data for our WW2 wargame rules, when I googled the Vickers 4-Ton it came up with 6-Ton ?. and the M.1927/28 Armoured car was unly used by Estonia, so that will be worth seeking data for.
Thanks Yan.
Baltic AFVs
Re: Baltic AFVs
Check here:
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/
-
David Reasoner
- Member
- Posts: 196
- Joined: 10 May 2009, 04:15
Re: Baltic AFVs
The following articles have been on my computer for more than 10 years and were copied from a now defunct website on the Baltic states' AFVs and armored trains. Unfortunately I did not record the name(s) of the original author(s):
"ESTONIAN ARMOR 1918-40
In November 1918, 9 months after that Estonia had declared itself independent, the Bolsheviks invaded Estonia and the Estonians could do nothing. However, Estonia quickly formed an army and found a very competent commander in General Johan Laidoner. Great Britain and Finland provided them with arms, and volunteer soldiers arrived from Sweden (Swedish Estonian Corp), Denmark and Finland. In early 1919 the Estonians managed to throw back the Russians and continued the war on Russian land. Johan Pitka, who later became an admiral and chief for the Estonian Navy, formed the Estonian armored forces during November/December of 1918, when Estonia were near to be defeated by the Bolsheviks.
Armored Trains
Pitka equipped the 3 first armored trains, which later played a decisive role in the Estonian victory over the Bolsheviks in January of 1919. During the war, a further 10 armored trains were built, and a few were also captured from the Bolsheviks. 4 of the armored trains were small-track trains and could only be used against partisans in the western areas of Estonia. The other 6 trains which were wide-track trains, was reinforced with 3 elite infantry battalions and they together formed the Armored Train Division. This was the most powerful weapon of the Estonian army at that time, and it saw action in every major operation
of the war.
First Armored Cars 1918/19
Johan Pitka headed the production of 6 armored cars, which was built during 1918-19. 5 of those were built on 3-ton AEG heavy truck chassis and they had a crew of 11 men (7 in combat); Officer, 2 drivers, 1 artillery man, 1 reserve artillery man, 2 MG gunners, 2 reserve MG gunners, 1 Madsen gunner and a reserve Madsen gunner. Armament consisted of a 37mm Maxim gun in a fully traversal turret, 2 Maxim MGs and a Madsen-cannon. Ammo load was approx. 250 shells for the 37mm gun. They were named; "Estonia", "Kalewipoeg", "Toonela", "Vibuane" and "Wahur". All of them remained in service until 1940 (!). The 6th armored car - "Tasuja" - was a lighter vehicle, and it was lost in action in March of 1919. Estonia captured 3 Russian Putilov-Austin and 1 Putilov-Garford (this was armed with a short 76mm gun) armored cars during the war. With this, Estonia had 9 armored cars when the war ended. However, the quality of the armored cars was poor, and its usability limited. All of them were built on 4x2 trucks and were only lightly armored. They could only drive on roads, and due to this they often played a minor role in the battle.
However, there are some combat articles with "Kalewipoeg", "Toonela" and "Vibuane" in action, which are very interesting to read as they describe how powerful (especially for the morale) the armored cars were in the right conditions. A Swede - Einar Lundborg -commanded the "Kalewipoeg", and he was later called "The King of Pskov" due to a famous action just outside Pskov when Lundborg and the rest of his crew on the "Kalewipoeg" totally cleared the way for the following Estonian infantry who then took Pskov. Otherwise those armored cars were mostly used in "clean-ups", anti-partisan service and guard duties. They were organized into an Armored Car Squadron, commanded by August Nieländer.
General Yudenitch and Tanks, 1919 -1920
In August of 1919 a British tanksquad arrived to Tallinn, consisting of 6 Mk V "Composite" tanks. These were provided to support General Yudenitch attack on Petrograd. The left sponson was armed with a machine gun, and the right sponson with a 57mm gun on all 6 tanks. The tanks were named; "Brown Bear", "Brown Bear II", "Capt. Cromie", "Deliverance", "First Aid" and "White Soldier". The training of White Russian tank crews had begun, but when the tanks entered combat in September/October of 1919 they had British crews. The British tanks played an important role in General Yudenitch offensive on Petrograd and saw intensive combat; however they were often abandoned by the following White-Russian infantry supporting them.
Some Swedish volunteers replaced the White Russian infantry and performed very well. On October 25th of 1919, Yudenitch offensive on Petrograd collapsed and the white guardist troops fled. As the offensive failed, the tanks were quickly transported back into Estonia by rail. Estonia was later allowed to keep 4 tanks, while the 2 remaining vehicles were handed over to Latvia. General Yudenitch had borrowed 3 Renault FT-17 tanks from Finland, but they never saw any combat, and they were later returned to Finland in April of 1920.
Renault FT-17 tanks, 1920
In 1920, Estonia bought 12 light Renault FT-17 tanks, 4 of these were armed with a 37mm Hotchkiss gun and the 8 remaining were armed with a single MG. The FT-17 tanks were used to halt a commie uprising in Tallinn on December 1st of 1924.
Crossley Armored Cars, 1927-1928
During 1927-28, 13 armored cars were built, based upon the 4x2 Crossley truck chassis. These armored cars could only drive on roads, and not in terrain which was a major drawback. 4 of them were armed with a 37mm gun and weighed 6 tons, whilst the other 9 were armed with a 7.7mm Madsen-MG and only weighed 5 tons. All of them had a crew of 5 men. The three 37mm gun armored cars were issued to the home guard (Kaitseliit), and the MG armored cars were issued to the army.
Polish TKS tankettes, 1934/35
The only tracked vehicles purchased in the 1930s were 6 Polish MG-armed TKS tankettes that was bought from Poland in 1934. They were delivered in February of 1935 and were used by "Autotankirugement". On 17th of June 1940, Estonia was occupied by Soviet Union and the Estonian army became a part of the Red Army as the 22nd Territorial Corp. The TKS tankettes were then used in reconnaissance battalions.
Landsverk L-180 armored car, 1936/37
Estonia's most modern armored vehicle was bought by the police force in Tallinn in 1936, and was a L-180 armored car built by AB Landsverk in Landskrona, Sweden. It was marked with Landsverknumber #108 and was delivered in 1937. It was armed with a 20mm Madsen automatic-cannon and two MGs, and it gave an extra edge to the (mounted) police force in Tallinn. Its main purpose was to halt communist uprisings.
Anti-tank guns, 1940
No other purchase of tanks and armored cars was planned further on, and the anti-tank arm was expanded. As of early 1940, 3 anti-tank companies had been organized, and each one of them were equipped with 12 x 37mm Rheinmetall PAK anti-tank guns from Germany. Estonia had built another 4 wide-track armored trains during the 1920s as a replacement to the older ones. In 1939-40, 3 of them together with a battery of railroad artillery were organized into an Armored Train Regiment in Tapa. However ideas were laid down to replace the armored trains with railroad artillery as the Estonians had found out that armored trains were obsolete.
Organization in 1939/40
1st Armored Company, Tallinn
9 x armored cars (Model 1918/19).
2nd Armored Company, Dorpat (Tartu)
3 x Renault FT-17, 9 x Crossley (MG) armored cars
3rd Armored Company, Tallinn
9 x Renault FT-17, 6 x TKS tankettes
An attempt to list the name of most armored vehicles and armored trains in Estonian service 1918-1940:
3 first armored trains: #1 ?, #2 ?, #3 ?
4 small-track trains built after the war: #1 "Suur Tõll", #2 ?, #3 ?, #4
6 wide-track trains built after the war:
#1 "Pisuhãnd", (Captain Irv, 120mm main gun),
#2 ?,
#3 "Onu Tom" ("Uncle Tom"),
#4 ?,
#5 ?,
#6 ?
Captured armored trains: ?
6 armored cars 1918/19: "Tasuja", "Estonia", "Kalewipoeg", "Toonela", "Vibuane", "Wahur"
4 captured Russian armored cars: ?
6 Mk V Composite: "Brown Bear", "Brown Bear II", "Capt. Cromie", "Deliverance", "First Aid" and "White Soldier"
(Estonia) 4 Mk V Composite: "Vathula", ?, ?, ?
Finnish Renault FT-17: 37mm - "2928", 37mm-?, MG - ?
12 Renault FT-17: ?
3 Crossley 37mm pansarbilar: ?, ?, ?
9 Crossley MG pansarbilar: "Kou", "Pikker", ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
6 TKS tanketter: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
1 Landsverk L-180: ?
Some sources:
Swedish "PANSAR" Magazine articles from 1985 (J.C.M Probst), 1986 and 1987.
Chamberlain P. - Pictorial history of Tanks of the World 1915-1945
Ledwoch J. - The Eastern Front 1941-1945
Various Polish magazine articles
Militaria etc"
"LATVIAN ARMOR 1918-40
On November 25th of 1918 Latvia declared itself independent from Russia, and a few days later Latvia was invaded by the Bolsheviks and Latvia didn't have the possibility to form a national army as Estonia did to defend the country. This resulted in that the major part of the country, including the capitol of Riga, fell into the Bolsheviks hands in January of 1919. The only area that could withstand the attacking Bolsheviks was the southwest area of Liepaja. The Latvian government made a deal with Germany, who then sent strong forces of volunteers in support. Among them was the German "Baltische Landwehr" and "Eiserne Division". With their support, the Latvians managed to recapture southern Latvia (Kurland) and Riga in April/May of 1919. The Estonian army was also sent in as support, and during May of 1919, northern areas of Latvia (Livland) was also recaptured. During January of 1920 the newly formed
Latvian national army, together with Polish forces, also recaptured the eastern areas from the Bolsheviks. An armistice was signed by Soviet Union and Latvia February 1st of 1920, and this was soon followed by a peace treaty. The independence of Latvia was secured.
Armored Trains
The armored trains played an important role during the fight for independence in 1919-20. The German volunteer forces used several armored trains such as "Panzerzug 5". When the war ended in 1920, Latvia possessed 5 armored trains, of which 2 had been captured from the Germans, and 2 from the Bolsheviks, and the 5th had been built in Latvia. Between 1925 and 1930 an additional 6 trains were built, meant to replace the armored trains from the war. All 6 armored trains along with 5 Cante 6-inch railroad guns, were organized into an Armored Train Regiment in Riga.
First Armored Cars
Armored cars were only used in a very small scale in the Latvian fight for freedom. In May 1919 a Bolshevik armored car unit, equipped with 2 Austin-Garford and 1 Putilov-Garford armored cars deserted and linked up with the Latvian army. By the end of the war in 1920 Latvia only possessed 5 + 1 armored cars, all of them being of Russian origin;
2 x Austin armored cars ("Imanta" and "Zemgaleetis")
1 x Izhorski-Fiat armored car ("Staburags")
1 x Pierce-Arrow armored car ("Viesturs")
1 x Putilov-Garford armored car ("Lacplesis")
In addition there was a light armored car;
1 x Fiat-chassis armored car (built by Latvia, named ("Sargs")
All 6 armored cars were still in service in Riga as an Armored Car Regiment when Soviet Union occupied Latvia on 17th of June 1940.
The First Tanks
After the collapse of General Judenitsj offensive on Petrograd (see Estonian section), 2 of the British Mk V
Composite tanks were sent to Latvia. Shortly thereafter, Latvia was provided with another Mk V and 2 Medium B tanks. This was in late 1919. None of them saw any action in the freedom fight. Later on, a Tank Department was established and training of crews began. When the Tank Department was formed, it was commanded by Captain Sirokome-Vasilevich. The tanks were named as follows:
Mk V Composite #9116 "Minstr. Pres. Ulmanis"
Mk V Composite #9369 "Generalis Balodis"
Mk V Composite #9147 "Generalis Burt's"
Medium Mk B #1209 "Latgalietis"
Medium Mk B #1615 "Vidzemnieks"
Fiat 3000 A from Italy, 1926
In mid-March of 1926 Latvia ordered 6 Fiat 3000 A tanks from Italy, two of the being armed with a 37mm SA-18 L/33 Puteaux gun, and the rest with .303 Vickers-MGs. The Fiat tanks was delivered in September 1927, and were issued to the Auto-Tank Regiment in Riga in two troops. The Latvian
national home guard ("Aiszargu") bought a Carden-Lloyd Mk VI tankette in 1930, and this was later used on the streets of Riga in May of 1934, when President Ulmanis made himself dictator of Latvia.
Vickers 4-tonners, 1935
18 Vickers 4-ton tanks were purchased from Great Britain in March of 1935, 6 of them being armed with a 40mm (2-Pounder) QF anti-tank gun, and the rest with .303 Vickers MGs. The MG-armed Vickers tanks was delivered in 1936, but the delivery of the 40mm gun-tanks was delayed as they didn't reach Latvia until May of 1938. The 6 gun-armed tanks was Latvia's most powerful anti-tank weapon in 1938.
Anti-tank Philosophies of the late 1930s
Later on, Latvia followed Estonia's philosophy and purchased 96 x 47mm Bohler anti-tank guns from Germany in 1939. When Latvia was occupied by Soviet Union in June 1940, and parts of the Latvian army was incorporated in the Red Army as the 24th Territorial Corp.
Organization in 1939-40
1st Armored Car Company - 6 x armored cars from 1918-20, Riga
1st Tank Company - 6 x Fiat 3000, 2 x Mk V Composite, 1 x Medium B, Riga
2nd Tank Company - 9 x Vickers (3 with 40mm gun), Riga
3rd Tank Company - 9 x Vickers (3 with 40mm gun), Daugavpils"
"LITHUANIAN ARMOR 1918-40
Lithuania declared its independence from Russia on February 16th of 1918. Lithuania was still occupied by German troops at this time, but when the Germans retreated in November 1918, the Bolsheviks quickly took advantage of it and invaded Lithuania. With some support from the retreating Germans, and quickly trained Lithuanian soldiers, the invasion was halted, but even if they managed to stop the offensive, 2/3 of the country, including the capitol of Vilnius, had been occupied by the Bolsheviks. Later on, a counteroffensive threw the Bolsheviks out of Lithuania, but Vilnius was in the same time conquered by Poland, and Kaunas became the new capitol in Lithuania. The newly formed Lithuanian national army fought the German white-guardists in late 1919, and later against the Poles in 1920. However, a
Peace-treaty signed by Soviet Union and Lithuania in July 1920, stopped the war, and Vilnius remained in Polish hands.
In January 1923, Lithuania occupied the German town of Memel (Klaipeda) to have access to Baltic Sea harbors. Therefore, Lithuania had a very strained relationship with Germany and Poland between the World Wars.
Armored Trains
Armored trains were just as important for Lithuania in the war of 1919-20, as they had been for Estonia and Latvia. The German volunteer forces fought with "Panzerzug 7" and a few others, while Lithuania equipped its own armored train "Gedyminas" in 1920, but this was later captured by the Poles later that year. After the war, Lithuania built 3 new armored trains; "Gedyminas", "Gelezininku Vilkas" (Iron Wolf)and "Kestutis". They were organized into an Armored Train Regiment, but this was dissolved in 1935, since the Lithuanian army found them to be obsolete.
First Armored Car "Zaibas"
Lithuania's first armored car was captured by the Bolsheviks in May 1919, and was an Izhorsky-Fiat armed with 2 MGs. It was named "Zaibas" by the Lithuanians. "Zaibas" served in Memel (Klaipeda) when Hitler's troops occupied this city in March of 1939, and was then captured.
English/French Support
In late 1919, Lithuania received 5 Daimler-Behelftswagens, captured by the English and French troops. These were armed with 4 Maxim 7.92mm machine-guns. They were named: "Aras", "Perkunas", "Pragaras", "Sarunas" and "Savanoris". They were used in combat against the Poles outside Vilnius in 1920. They remained in service until 1940, but they were totally obsolete by that time.
First Tanks in 1923
12 Renault FT-17 tanks were bought from France in 1923. In Kaunas, these were armed with a single 7.92mm Maxim machine-gun in the turret. 1st Tank Company were formed in Radvilikis in 1924, divided into 3 platoons of 4 tanks in each. In 1927, the company was reorganized into a company with 2 platoons with 6 tanks in each. The tanks were named: "Audra", "Drasutis", "Galiunas", "Giltine", "Grianstinus", "Karzygis", "Kerstas", "Kovas", "Pagieza", "Pykoulis", "Slibinas" and "Smugis".
Vickers 4-ton Tanks in 1933
In December 1933 16 Vickers 4-ton tanks with leaf spring suspension were bought. They were armed with a single 7.92mm Vickers machine-gun. They were organized into the 2nd Tank Company and were stationed in Radvilikis and Kaunas. They were divided into 3 platoons with 5 tanks in each, and their registration plates were marked KAM 50, 1st Platoon: KAM 51-55, 2nd Platoon: KAM 61-65 and 3rd Platoon: KAM 71-75. 4 tanks were equipped with a radio: KAM 50, 51, 61 and 71. (KAM = Krasto Aqsaugos Ministerija, defense ministry).
Swedish Landsverk Armored Car L-181 in Lithuanian Service 1934-1940
In 1933 Lithuania ordered 6 L-181 armored cars from AB Landsverk in Landskrona, Sweden. These were delivered during 1934. They were marked with Landsverk numbers 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34. They were built on Daimler-Benz chassis and was powered by a 6 cylinder petrol engine with 75hp. They weighed 6.2 tons each, and had a maximum speed of 70 km/h. With a maximum range of 325km, its armor thickness varied from 5mm to 9mm. Armament consisted of a 20mm Oerlikon BW automatic-cannon and 2 x 7.92mm Maxim machine-guns. Ammo load was 300 x 20mm rounds, and 3,000 rounds for the machine-guns. It measured 5.56m in length, 2.00m in width and 2.45m in height. Crew was 4-5 men.
Their registrations plate in the lower front was marked with KAM 6-11. They were organized into an Armored Car Company, divided into 3 platoons with 2 L-181s in each, and they were stationed in Radvilikis, Kaunas and Taurage.
Further Purchase of Vickers 4-tonners in 1936
In May 1936 a further 16 Vickers 4-ton tanks were bought. They were equipped with the same Vickers 7.92mm machine-gun as the first tanks, but the new tanks had a new coil spring suspension. 3rd Tank Company was formed in Alytus and Taurage, and this was like the 2nd Tank Company divided into 3 platoons with 5 tanks in each. Their registration plates were marked: KAM 100, 1st Platoon: KAM 101-105, 2nd Platoon: KAM 111-115, 3rd Platoon: KAM 121-125. 4 of them were equipped with a radio: KAM 100, 101, 111 and 121.
On 29th of October 1939, 10 Vickers 4-tonners took part in Lithuanians entry in Vilnius, after that Soviet Union had conquered the city from the Poles and returned it to Lithuania. The tanks taking part were KAM 51-55 (2nd Tank Company, 1st Platoon) and KAM 111-115 (3rd Tank Company, 2nd Platoon).
Czech Replacements
Plans were made to replace the 12 Renault tanks, and 21 7.5 ton CKD LLT (Litva Lehky Tank) tanks were ordered from Czechoslovakia. These were to be armed with a 20mm Oerlikon automatic-cannon and 2 7.92mm Maxim machine-guns. These had not yet been delivered on the 17th of June 1940 when Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and incorporated its army into the Red Army as the 29th Territorial Corp.
Organization in 1939/40
1st Armored Car Company, 1st Platoon, 2 x L-181, Radvilikis
2nd Platoon, 2 x L-181, Kaunas
3rd Platoon, 2 x L-181, Taurage
1st Tank Company, 1st Platoon, 6 x Renault FT-17, Radvilikis
2nd Platoon, 6 x Renault FT-17, Radvilikis
2nd Tank Company, 1st Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Radvilikis/Kaunas)
2nd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Radvilikis/Kaunas)
3rd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Radvilikis/Kaunas)
3rd Tank Company, 1st Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Alytus/Taurage)
2nd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Alytus/Taurage)
3rd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Alytus/Taurage)"
David
"ESTONIAN ARMOR 1918-40
In November 1918, 9 months after that Estonia had declared itself independent, the Bolsheviks invaded Estonia and the Estonians could do nothing. However, Estonia quickly formed an army and found a very competent commander in General Johan Laidoner. Great Britain and Finland provided them with arms, and volunteer soldiers arrived from Sweden (Swedish Estonian Corp), Denmark and Finland. In early 1919 the Estonians managed to throw back the Russians and continued the war on Russian land. Johan Pitka, who later became an admiral and chief for the Estonian Navy, formed the Estonian armored forces during November/December of 1918, when Estonia were near to be defeated by the Bolsheviks.
Armored Trains
Pitka equipped the 3 first armored trains, which later played a decisive role in the Estonian victory over the Bolsheviks in January of 1919. During the war, a further 10 armored trains were built, and a few were also captured from the Bolsheviks. 4 of the armored trains were small-track trains and could only be used against partisans in the western areas of Estonia. The other 6 trains which were wide-track trains, was reinforced with 3 elite infantry battalions and they together formed the Armored Train Division. This was the most powerful weapon of the Estonian army at that time, and it saw action in every major operation
of the war.
First Armored Cars 1918/19
Johan Pitka headed the production of 6 armored cars, which was built during 1918-19. 5 of those were built on 3-ton AEG heavy truck chassis and they had a crew of 11 men (7 in combat); Officer, 2 drivers, 1 artillery man, 1 reserve artillery man, 2 MG gunners, 2 reserve MG gunners, 1 Madsen gunner and a reserve Madsen gunner. Armament consisted of a 37mm Maxim gun in a fully traversal turret, 2 Maxim MGs and a Madsen-cannon. Ammo load was approx. 250 shells for the 37mm gun. They were named; "Estonia", "Kalewipoeg", "Toonela", "Vibuane" and "Wahur". All of them remained in service until 1940 (!). The 6th armored car - "Tasuja" - was a lighter vehicle, and it was lost in action in March of 1919. Estonia captured 3 Russian Putilov-Austin and 1 Putilov-Garford (this was armed with a short 76mm gun) armored cars during the war. With this, Estonia had 9 armored cars when the war ended. However, the quality of the armored cars was poor, and its usability limited. All of them were built on 4x2 trucks and were only lightly armored. They could only drive on roads, and due to this they often played a minor role in the battle.
However, there are some combat articles with "Kalewipoeg", "Toonela" and "Vibuane" in action, which are very interesting to read as they describe how powerful (especially for the morale) the armored cars were in the right conditions. A Swede - Einar Lundborg -commanded the "Kalewipoeg", and he was later called "The King of Pskov" due to a famous action just outside Pskov when Lundborg and the rest of his crew on the "Kalewipoeg" totally cleared the way for the following Estonian infantry who then took Pskov. Otherwise those armored cars were mostly used in "clean-ups", anti-partisan service and guard duties. They were organized into an Armored Car Squadron, commanded by August Nieländer.
General Yudenitch and Tanks, 1919 -1920
In August of 1919 a British tanksquad arrived to Tallinn, consisting of 6 Mk V "Composite" tanks. These were provided to support General Yudenitch attack on Petrograd. The left sponson was armed with a machine gun, and the right sponson with a 57mm gun on all 6 tanks. The tanks were named; "Brown Bear", "Brown Bear II", "Capt. Cromie", "Deliverance", "First Aid" and "White Soldier". The training of White Russian tank crews had begun, but when the tanks entered combat in September/October of 1919 they had British crews. The British tanks played an important role in General Yudenitch offensive on Petrograd and saw intensive combat; however they were often abandoned by the following White-Russian infantry supporting them.
Some Swedish volunteers replaced the White Russian infantry and performed very well. On October 25th of 1919, Yudenitch offensive on Petrograd collapsed and the white guardist troops fled. As the offensive failed, the tanks were quickly transported back into Estonia by rail. Estonia was later allowed to keep 4 tanks, while the 2 remaining vehicles were handed over to Latvia. General Yudenitch had borrowed 3 Renault FT-17 tanks from Finland, but they never saw any combat, and they were later returned to Finland in April of 1920.
Renault FT-17 tanks, 1920
In 1920, Estonia bought 12 light Renault FT-17 tanks, 4 of these were armed with a 37mm Hotchkiss gun and the 8 remaining were armed with a single MG. The FT-17 tanks were used to halt a commie uprising in Tallinn on December 1st of 1924.
Crossley Armored Cars, 1927-1928
During 1927-28, 13 armored cars were built, based upon the 4x2 Crossley truck chassis. These armored cars could only drive on roads, and not in terrain which was a major drawback. 4 of them were armed with a 37mm gun and weighed 6 tons, whilst the other 9 were armed with a 7.7mm Madsen-MG and only weighed 5 tons. All of them had a crew of 5 men. The three 37mm gun armored cars were issued to the home guard (Kaitseliit), and the MG armored cars were issued to the army.
Polish TKS tankettes, 1934/35
The only tracked vehicles purchased in the 1930s were 6 Polish MG-armed TKS tankettes that was bought from Poland in 1934. They were delivered in February of 1935 and were used by "Autotankirugement". On 17th of June 1940, Estonia was occupied by Soviet Union and the Estonian army became a part of the Red Army as the 22nd Territorial Corp. The TKS tankettes were then used in reconnaissance battalions.
Landsverk L-180 armored car, 1936/37
Estonia's most modern armored vehicle was bought by the police force in Tallinn in 1936, and was a L-180 armored car built by AB Landsverk in Landskrona, Sweden. It was marked with Landsverknumber #108 and was delivered in 1937. It was armed with a 20mm Madsen automatic-cannon and two MGs, and it gave an extra edge to the (mounted) police force in Tallinn. Its main purpose was to halt communist uprisings.
Anti-tank guns, 1940
No other purchase of tanks and armored cars was planned further on, and the anti-tank arm was expanded. As of early 1940, 3 anti-tank companies had been organized, and each one of them were equipped with 12 x 37mm Rheinmetall PAK anti-tank guns from Germany. Estonia had built another 4 wide-track armored trains during the 1920s as a replacement to the older ones. In 1939-40, 3 of them together with a battery of railroad artillery were organized into an Armored Train Regiment in Tapa. However ideas were laid down to replace the armored trains with railroad artillery as the Estonians had found out that armored trains were obsolete.
Organization in 1939/40
1st Armored Company, Tallinn
9 x armored cars (Model 1918/19).
2nd Armored Company, Dorpat (Tartu)
3 x Renault FT-17, 9 x Crossley (MG) armored cars
3rd Armored Company, Tallinn
9 x Renault FT-17, 6 x TKS tankettes
An attempt to list the name of most armored vehicles and armored trains in Estonian service 1918-1940:
3 first armored trains: #1 ?, #2 ?, #3 ?
4 small-track trains built after the war: #1 "Suur Tõll", #2 ?, #3 ?, #4
6 wide-track trains built after the war:
#1 "Pisuhãnd", (Captain Irv, 120mm main gun),
#2 ?,
#3 "Onu Tom" ("Uncle Tom"),
#4 ?,
#5 ?,
#6 ?
Captured armored trains: ?
6 armored cars 1918/19: "Tasuja", "Estonia", "Kalewipoeg", "Toonela", "Vibuane", "Wahur"
4 captured Russian armored cars: ?
6 Mk V Composite: "Brown Bear", "Brown Bear II", "Capt. Cromie", "Deliverance", "First Aid" and "White Soldier"
(Estonia) 4 Mk V Composite: "Vathula", ?, ?, ?
Finnish Renault FT-17: 37mm - "2928", 37mm-?, MG - ?
12 Renault FT-17: ?
3 Crossley 37mm pansarbilar: ?, ?, ?
9 Crossley MG pansarbilar: "Kou", "Pikker", ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
6 TKS tanketter: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
1 Landsverk L-180: ?
Some sources:
Swedish "PANSAR" Magazine articles from 1985 (J.C.M Probst), 1986 and 1987.
Chamberlain P. - Pictorial history of Tanks of the World 1915-1945
Ledwoch J. - The Eastern Front 1941-1945
Various Polish magazine articles
Militaria etc"
"LATVIAN ARMOR 1918-40
On November 25th of 1918 Latvia declared itself independent from Russia, and a few days later Latvia was invaded by the Bolsheviks and Latvia didn't have the possibility to form a national army as Estonia did to defend the country. This resulted in that the major part of the country, including the capitol of Riga, fell into the Bolsheviks hands in January of 1919. The only area that could withstand the attacking Bolsheviks was the southwest area of Liepaja. The Latvian government made a deal with Germany, who then sent strong forces of volunteers in support. Among them was the German "Baltische Landwehr" and "Eiserne Division". With their support, the Latvians managed to recapture southern Latvia (Kurland) and Riga in April/May of 1919. The Estonian army was also sent in as support, and during May of 1919, northern areas of Latvia (Livland) was also recaptured. During January of 1920 the newly formed
Latvian national army, together with Polish forces, also recaptured the eastern areas from the Bolsheviks. An armistice was signed by Soviet Union and Latvia February 1st of 1920, and this was soon followed by a peace treaty. The independence of Latvia was secured.
Armored Trains
The armored trains played an important role during the fight for independence in 1919-20. The German volunteer forces used several armored trains such as "Panzerzug 5". When the war ended in 1920, Latvia possessed 5 armored trains, of which 2 had been captured from the Germans, and 2 from the Bolsheviks, and the 5th had been built in Latvia. Between 1925 and 1930 an additional 6 trains were built, meant to replace the armored trains from the war. All 6 armored trains along with 5 Cante 6-inch railroad guns, were organized into an Armored Train Regiment in Riga.
First Armored Cars
Armored cars were only used in a very small scale in the Latvian fight for freedom. In May 1919 a Bolshevik armored car unit, equipped with 2 Austin-Garford and 1 Putilov-Garford armored cars deserted and linked up with the Latvian army. By the end of the war in 1920 Latvia only possessed 5 + 1 armored cars, all of them being of Russian origin;
2 x Austin armored cars ("Imanta" and "Zemgaleetis")
1 x Izhorski-Fiat armored car ("Staburags")
1 x Pierce-Arrow armored car ("Viesturs")
1 x Putilov-Garford armored car ("Lacplesis")
In addition there was a light armored car;
1 x Fiat-chassis armored car (built by Latvia, named ("Sargs")
All 6 armored cars were still in service in Riga as an Armored Car Regiment when Soviet Union occupied Latvia on 17th of June 1940.
The First Tanks
After the collapse of General Judenitsj offensive on Petrograd (see Estonian section), 2 of the British Mk V
Composite tanks were sent to Latvia. Shortly thereafter, Latvia was provided with another Mk V and 2 Medium B tanks. This was in late 1919. None of them saw any action in the freedom fight. Later on, a Tank Department was established and training of crews began. When the Tank Department was formed, it was commanded by Captain Sirokome-Vasilevich. The tanks were named as follows:
Mk V Composite #9116 "Minstr. Pres. Ulmanis"
Mk V Composite #9369 "Generalis Balodis"
Mk V Composite #9147 "Generalis Burt's"
Medium Mk B #1209 "Latgalietis"
Medium Mk B #1615 "Vidzemnieks"
Fiat 3000 A from Italy, 1926
In mid-March of 1926 Latvia ordered 6 Fiat 3000 A tanks from Italy, two of the being armed with a 37mm SA-18 L/33 Puteaux gun, and the rest with .303 Vickers-MGs. The Fiat tanks was delivered in September 1927, and were issued to the Auto-Tank Regiment in Riga in two troops. The Latvian
national home guard ("Aiszargu") bought a Carden-Lloyd Mk VI tankette in 1930, and this was later used on the streets of Riga in May of 1934, when President Ulmanis made himself dictator of Latvia.
Vickers 4-tonners, 1935
18 Vickers 4-ton tanks were purchased from Great Britain in March of 1935, 6 of them being armed with a 40mm (2-Pounder) QF anti-tank gun, and the rest with .303 Vickers MGs. The MG-armed Vickers tanks was delivered in 1936, but the delivery of the 40mm gun-tanks was delayed as they didn't reach Latvia until May of 1938. The 6 gun-armed tanks was Latvia's most powerful anti-tank weapon in 1938.
Anti-tank Philosophies of the late 1930s
Later on, Latvia followed Estonia's philosophy and purchased 96 x 47mm Bohler anti-tank guns from Germany in 1939. When Latvia was occupied by Soviet Union in June 1940, and parts of the Latvian army was incorporated in the Red Army as the 24th Territorial Corp.
Organization in 1939-40
1st Armored Car Company - 6 x armored cars from 1918-20, Riga
1st Tank Company - 6 x Fiat 3000, 2 x Mk V Composite, 1 x Medium B, Riga
2nd Tank Company - 9 x Vickers (3 with 40mm gun), Riga
3rd Tank Company - 9 x Vickers (3 with 40mm gun), Daugavpils"
"LITHUANIAN ARMOR 1918-40
Lithuania declared its independence from Russia on February 16th of 1918. Lithuania was still occupied by German troops at this time, but when the Germans retreated in November 1918, the Bolsheviks quickly took advantage of it and invaded Lithuania. With some support from the retreating Germans, and quickly trained Lithuanian soldiers, the invasion was halted, but even if they managed to stop the offensive, 2/3 of the country, including the capitol of Vilnius, had been occupied by the Bolsheviks. Later on, a counteroffensive threw the Bolsheviks out of Lithuania, but Vilnius was in the same time conquered by Poland, and Kaunas became the new capitol in Lithuania. The newly formed Lithuanian national army fought the German white-guardists in late 1919, and later against the Poles in 1920. However, a
Peace-treaty signed by Soviet Union and Lithuania in July 1920, stopped the war, and Vilnius remained in Polish hands.
In January 1923, Lithuania occupied the German town of Memel (Klaipeda) to have access to Baltic Sea harbors. Therefore, Lithuania had a very strained relationship with Germany and Poland between the World Wars.
Armored Trains
Armored trains were just as important for Lithuania in the war of 1919-20, as they had been for Estonia and Latvia. The German volunteer forces fought with "Panzerzug 7" and a few others, while Lithuania equipped its own armored train "Gedyminas" in 1920, but this was later captured by the Poles later that year. After the war, Lithuania built 3 new armored trains; "Gedyminas", "Gelezininku Vilkas" (Iron Wolf)and "Kestutis". They were organized into an Armored Train Regiment, but this was dissolved in 1935, since the Lithuanian army found them to be obsolete.
First Armored Car "Zaibas"
Lithuania's first armored car was captured by the Bolsheviks in May 1919, and was an Izhorsky-Fiat armed with 2 MGs. It was named "Zaibas" by the Lithuanians. "Zaibas" served in Memel (Klaipeda) when Hitler's troops occupied this city in March of 1939, and was then captured.
English/French Support
In late 1919, Lithuania received 5 Daimler-Behelftswagens, captured by the English and French troops. These were armed with 4 Maxim 7.92mm machine-guns. They were named: "Aras", "Perkunas", "Pragaras", "Sarunas" and "Savanoris". They were used in combat against the Poles outside Vilnius in 1920. They remained in service until 1940, but they were totally obsolete by that time.
First Tanks in 1923
12 Renault FT-17 tanks were bought from France in 1923. In Kaunas, these were armed with a single 7.92mm Maxim machine-gun in the turret. 1st Tank Company were formed in Radvilikis in 1924, divided into 3 platoons of 4 tanks in each. In 1927, the company was reorganized into a company with 2 platoons with 6 tanks in each. The tanks were named: "Audra", "Drasutis", "Galiunas", "Giltine", "Grianstinus", "Karzygis", "Kerstas", "Kovas", "Pagieza", "Pykoulis", "Slibinas" and "Smugis".
Vickers 4-ton Tanks in 1933
In December 1933 16 Vickers 4-ton tanks with leaf spring suspension were bought. They were armed with a single 7.92mm Vickers machine-gun. They were organized into the 2nd Tank Company and were stationed in Radvilikis and Kaunas. They were divided into 3 platoons with 5 tanks in each, and their registration plates were marked KAM 50, 1st Platoon: KAM 51-55, 2nd Platoon: KAM 61-65 and 3rd Platoon: KAM 71-75. 4 tanks were equipped with a radio: KAM 50, 51, 61 and 71. (KAM = Krasto Aqsaugos Ministerija, defense ministry).
Swedish Landsverk Armored Car L-181 in Lithuanian Service 1934-1940
In 1933 Lithuania ordered 6 L-181 armored cars from AB Landsverk in Landskrona, Sweden. These were delivered during 1934. They were marked with Landsverk numbers 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34. They were built on Daimler-Benz chassis and was powered by a 6 cylinder petrol engine with 75hp. They weighed 6.2 tons each, and had a maximum speed of 70 km/h. With a maximum range of 325km, its armor thickness varied from 5mm to 9mm. Armament consisted of a 20mm Oerlikon BW automatic-cannon and 2 x 7.92mm Maxim machine-guns. Ammo load was 300 x 20mm rounds, and 3,000 rounds for the machine-guns. It measured 5.56m in length, 2.00m in width and 2.45m in height. Crew was 4-5 men.
Their registrations plate in the lower front was marked with KAM 6-11. They were organized into an Armored Car Company, divided into 3 platoons with 2 L-181s in each, and they were stationed in Radvilikis, Kaunas and Taurage.
Further Purchase of Vickers 4-tonners in 1936
In May 1936 a further 16 Vickers 4-ton tanks were bought. They were equipped with the same Vickers 7.92mm machine-gun as the first tanks, but the new tanks had a new coil spring suspension. 3rd Tank Company was formed in Alytus and Taurage, and this was like the 2nd Tank Company divided into 3 platoons with 5 tanks in each. Their registration plates were marked: KAM 100, 1st Platoon: KAM 101-105, 2nd Platoon: KAM 111-115, 3rd Platoon: KAM 121-125. 4 of them were equipped with a radio: KAM 100, 101, 111 and 121.
On 29th of October 1939, 10 Vickers 4-tonners took part in Lithuanians entry in Vilnius, after that Soviet Union had conquered the city from the Poles and returned it to Lithuania. The tanks taking part were KAM 51-55 (2nd Tank Company, 1st Platoon) and KAM 111-115 (3rd Tank Company, 2nd Platoon).
Czech Replacements
Plans were made to replace the 12 Renault tanks, and 21 7.5 ton CKD LLT (Litva Lehky Tank) tanks were ordered from Czechoslovakia. These were to be armed with a 20mm Oerlikon automatic-cannon and 2 7.92mm Maxim machine-guns. These had not yet been delivered on the 17th of June 1940 when Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and incorporated its army into the Red Army as the 29th Territorial Corp.
Organization in 1939/40
1st Armored Car Company, 1st Platoon, 2 x L-181, Radvilikis
2nd Platoon, 2 x L-181, Kaunas
3rd Platoon, 2 x L-181, Taurage
1st Tank Company, 1st Platoon, 6 x Renault FT-17, Radvilikis
2nd Platoon, 6 x Renault FT-17, Radvilikis
2nd Tank Company, 1st Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Radvilikis/Kaunas)
2nd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Radvilikis/Kaunas)
3rd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Radvilikis/Kaunas)
3rd Tank Company, 1st Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Alytus/Taurage)
2nd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Alytus/Taurage)
3rd Platoon, 5 x Vickers 4-ton, (Alytus/Taurage)"
David
Re: Baltic AFVs
Thanks David, that was a very enjoyable read along with a lot of info, I will chase up some info on the Vickers 4-ton tank, every time I tried to find advice on the net it comes up with the Vickers 6-ton tank and nothing about the 4-tonner.
Yan.
Yan.
-
Landsverk180
- Member
- Posts: 22
- Joined: 15 May 2008, 11:05
- Location: Sweden
Re: Baltic AFVs
Hello! It was I who used to run the website known as Baltic AFVs & Armoured Trains 1918-1940.
I still have my materials in the shelf, and some of it concerns the Latvian and Lithuanian Vickers 4-ton tanks.
Some saw action in the east in the summer of 1941, and one of them is actually preserved yet today at the Tank Museum in Kubinka, it's a Latvian Vickers 4-ton tank, one of the few that was armed with a 40mm QF gun.
I'm not at home right now, so I'll have to get back later with any answers to possible questions.
Cheers,
Thorleif
PS. One baltic AFV can be found here, it is the Lithuanian Landsverk L-181 armoured car amongst others.
http://www.thorleifolsson.com/landsverk.html
I still have my materials in the shelf, and some of it concerns the Latvian and Lithuanian Vickers 4-ton tanks.
Some saw action in the east in the summer of 1941, and one of them is actually preserved yet today at the Tank Museum in Kubinka, it's a Latvian Vickers 4-ton tank, one of the few that was armed with a 40mm QF gun.
I'm not at home right now, so I'll have to get back later with any answers to possible questions.
Cheers,
Thorleif
PS. One baltic AFV can be found here, it is the Lithuanian Landsverk L-181 armoured car amongst others.
http://www.thorleifolsson.com/landsverk.html
Re: Baltic AFVs
@Landsverk180
I'm missing you great site!
(I was the guy who provided the picture of latvian AC "Lacplesis".)
I'm missing you great site!
(I was the guy who provided the picture of latvian AC "Lacplesis".)
Re: Baltic AFVs
Thanks for the reply Thorleif, I was just going to add another post about the Baltic states, it was concerning rifle grenades ane hand grenades. I have seen info on the Lithuanian army having both German stick grenades (ww1) and French or German rifle grenade launchers (ww1) but did not supply them to the troops.
Yan.
Yan.
-
David Reasoner
- Member
- Posts: 196
- Joined: 10 May 2009, 04:15
Re: Baltic AFVs
Thorleif, thank you for posting the material. I will amend my copies of your articles accordingly. Many of the former Baltic AFVs ended up in the Soviet 12th Mechanized Corps in 1941:Landsverk180 wrote:Hello! It was I who used to run the website known as Baltic AFVs & Armoured Trains 1918-1940.
I still have my materials in the shelf, and some of it concerns the Latvian and Lithuanian Vickers 4-ton tanks.
Some saw action in the east in the summer of 1941, and one of them is actually preserved yet today at the Tank Museum in Kubinka, it's a Latvian Vickers 4-ton tank, one of the few that was armed with a 40mm QF gun.
I'm not at home right now, so I'll have to get back later with any answers to possible questions.
Cheers,
Thorleif
PS. One baltic AFV can be found here, it is the Lithuanian Landsverk L-181 armoured car amongst others.
http://www.thorleifolsson.com/landsverk.html
http://rkkaww2.armchairgeneral.com/form ... s/12mk.htm
David
Re: Baltic AFVs
Instead of looking for the Vickers 4 tonner try searching for the
Vickers Light Tank Model 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938
Various versions of these vehicles were sold to Latvia and Lithuania. The model 1937 was designed to take a 2pdr (40mm) gun.
Vickers Light Tank Model 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938
Various versions of these vehicles were sold to Latvia and Lithuania. The model 1937 was designed to take a 2pdr (40mm) gun.
Re: Baltic AFVs
Thanks Daveh, I have took your advice and it came up right.
Yan.
Yan.
Re: Baltic AFVs
If interested, there is some photos of Estonian armour in this link-
http://www.eag.unicweb.ee/ewarmee.html
http://www.eag.unicweb.ee/ewarmee.html
Re: Baltic AFVs
Great shots Tony, are all the vehicles Estonian, if so what were the moble AA guns, they look like either Germany or France had sold them on after ww1.
Yan.
Yan.
Re: Baltic AFVs
Yes YAN, those are all Estonian army vehicles on those photos.YAN wrote:Great shots Tony, are all the vehicles Estonian, if so what were the moble AA guns, they look like either Germany or France had sold them on after ww1.
Yan.
By mobile AA guns, you mean these? -
http://www.eag.unicweb.ee/EW/KV/kvsvaSo ... _rae02.jpg
If yes, then those were actualy just mobile gun platforms "made in Estonia" to 5-ton White chassis and named "Sorts" and "Puuk"("Warlock" and "Tick" in English).
Few more Estonian armoured vehicles can be seen in here-
http://wabariik.wehrmacht.pri.ee/6/3/3.html
Re: Baltic AFVs
Do you know what type of gun it is,Tony is it a French 75mm.
Yan.
Yan.