Tuesday 21 July 2020

Mine Roller Trials

"Report on the use of PT-3 mine rollers in combat from July 12th to 16th, 1943
29th Guards Independent Tank Brigade

The use of two mine rollers was planned during the penetration of enemy defenses near the eastern forest clearing 1.5 km east of Dudino to the southeast outskirts of Seraya. As of July 11th the brigade only had one roller.

A roller was towed via tractor to initial positions before the operation.

The roller was attached to a T-34 tank that was a part of the first echelon of attack in front of the echelon of KV tanks with the task of making a path through the minefield in the first line of defense.

While crossing the first line of defense, the T-34 was disabled by mines that the roller did not explode.

As tanks penetrated deeper into enemy defenses, there was no longer a need for a mine roller. The tank was restored and took part in the breakthrough exploitation group.

Conclusions: the use of this mine roller in the penetration of the first line of enemy defenses did not give good results due to its design that does not reliably explode mines, as a result of which the tank was disabled.

Commander of the 29th Guards Independent Tank Brigade, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Zhukov
Chief of Staff of the 29th Guards Independent Tank Brigade, Guards Lieutenant Colonel Gashata"

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