"July 29th, 1944
#522883
Experience in combat showed that the amount of ammunition carried in the T-34-85 (56 rounds) and IS-2 (28 rounds) is insufficient.
The NIBT Proving Grounds determined that it is possible to extend the T-34-85's ammunition racks by 15 rounds and the IS-2's by 3 rounds.
To check the additional ammunition storage in battle, I ask you to instruct factory director #183 comrade Maksarev and Kirov factory director comrade Zaltsman to produce 150 T-34-85 and IS-2 tanks in July with additional ammunition according to the attached diagram.
I ask you to reply with your decision.
Attachment: diagrams on two pages
Deputy Chief of the GBTU, Lieutenant General of the Tank Engineering Service, Lebedev
[Attachment not reproduced]
Conclusions regarding the additional ammunition racks in the T-34-85 and IS-2 tanks proposed by the NIBT Proving Grounds
The NIBT Proving Grounds proposed increasing the ammunition storage on the T-34-85 by 15 rounds (from 56 to 71 rounds) and on the IS-2 by 3 rounds (from 28 to 31 rounds).
Additional ammunition in the T-34-85 tank is stored on the floor of the fighting compartment (on top of the ammunition crates).
In the IS-2 the additional ammunition is stored in the following way: 3 shells and one propellant casing are located on the floor of the fighting compartment (on top of the ammunition crates), one casing in the front left corner of the fighting compartment, one case in the rear pannier.
Additional ammunition stored as suggested by the NIBT Proving Grounds will not be protected from dirt, which can then cause a stoppage when loading and ruin the weapons. The NIBT Proving Grounds also didn't test the additional ammunition storage in a tank with the crew's personal belongings and a 5 day supply of rations.
We consider it necessary to test the ammunition racks proposed by the NIBT Proving Grounds on 150 T-34-85 tanks and 150 IS-2 tanks and make the decision on mass production as a result of these trials.
Equipment for these additional racks should be installed at the Kirov factory and factory #183.
Chief of the GBTU SPG Directorate, Major General of the Tank Engineering Service, Alymov
Chief of the GBTU Tank Directorate, Engineer-Colonel Muravich"
CAMD RF F.38 Op.11355 D.2218 L.72-73
Experience in combat showed that the amount of ammunition carried in the T-34-85 (56 rounds) and IS-2 (28 rounds) is insufficient.
ReplyDeleteThat goes against most of the things I have read previously, including combat reports (say, that of the 71st Guards Independent Heavy Tank regiment, which stated that the ammo supply was 'sufficient for one day's fighting'.
Personally, I've always wondered why you would want to fill your tank and its cramped interior space up with even more explosive stuff. Seems to me you'd only need lots of HE rounds to engage non-armored targets, as tank vs tank fights are often over pretty quickly (which is why the ratio of HE and "other" rounds to AT in a typical ammo load was 2:1 or 3:1, as I recall). Then again, the larger the caliber weapon you're using, the more effective the HE round and the fewer shots that probably will be required. The D-25T was tops in this regard, but the 85 mm was no slouch.
Maybe a big ammo load is desirable for deep penetration operations, but there again if you're burning through your ammo and outrunning ammo re-supply, you're also outrunning your fuel resupply and also your parts and maintenance re-supply.
It depends on each individual crew's preference, I suppose.
DeleteDuring the Second World War and partly the Cold War, it was extremely important to have as much ammunition in tanks as possible. This was critical in cases where tanks were surrounded without supplies. A large amount of ammunition allowed them to hold out until reinforcements arrived.
DeleteDuring the Second World War, Soviet IS-2 tanks and ISU-152 self-propelled guns usually did not complain about limited ammunition. In case the ammunition ran out, they could retreat and replenish the ammunition. But as a rule, there was enough ammunition to last for a short tank battle. In a situation when there was a lot of work ahead. For example, destroying enemy infantry or fighting with fortifications, tanks and self-propelled guns could take additional ammunition by simply placing shells on the floor of the tank. Or by placing additional boxes on the roof of the hull. This was unsafe and inconvenient for the crew. But if necessary, they did it. Although more often it was possible to simply fire all the shells, then retreat and replenish the ammunition and return to continue shooting. This could be done several times a day.