The T-34 tank monument, located in Danube Park, is an emblematic landmark in Silistra. Erected in 1969, it marks the first entry of Soviet troops into the city in 1944.
In addition to the monumental sculptural ensemble depicting Soviet soldiers in attack, a real T-34 tank with battle number 313 – the first combat vehicle to set foot on Silistren soil on September 8, 1944 – was erected on the pedestal.
Although the monument has been visited by many people for 55 years, not many know the purpose of the welded plates in front of the driver’s hatch and under the tank turret.
T-34: Legendary tank
The T-34 is among the most recognizable symbols of World War II. The Soviet medium tank, mass-produced since 1940, is recognized as one of the best in its category.
Over the years of production, the T-34 underwent numerous improvements and modifications. One of them was the addition of welded protective strips, which appeared on the hull of the tank in May 1942.
What are welded strips for?
Initially, the tanks were built by riveting and bolting the armored plates. Over time, welding techniques became more common, offering cheaper, faster and stronger production.
Despite their advantages, welded structures also hide some weaknesses. Elements such as hatches and other openings, although necessary for the functioning of the tank, reduce its armor resistance.
In the case of the T-34, the hatch of the driver-mechanic is located in the most vulnerable place – the front sloping armor. Enemy gunners often target it precisely, aware of its potential consequences.
A breach through the hatch, in addition to being fatal to the driver, would immobilize the entire tank. Even without penetration, impacts from armor-piercing bullets could cause serious damage and injury.
The solution: Protective strips
To deal with this problem, Soviet engineers developed a simple but effective solution – welding protective steel strips in front of the hatch and under the tank’s turret.
These strips serve as a shield, absorbing the impact of bullets and shrapnel, protecting the hatch and crew from possible damage.
Additional protection
By the end of May 1943, similar protective strips also appeared under the tank’s turret ring. These strips are intended to protect the combat vehicle from piercing ricocheting projectiles and fragmentation damage.
Conclusion
The welded plates of the T-34 tank in Silistra are not just an aesthetic element. They are a testament to the wartime engineering solutions, simple but effective, used to improve the protection of one of the most iconic tanks of the Second World War.
