Tank Archives
@tankarchives.bsky.social
Author, reenactor, film photographer, military historian specializing in 1930s and 1940s armoured warfare.
Pinned
Tank Archives
@tankarchives.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Tank Archives
A blog about World War II era archive documents, primarily dealing with armoured warfare.
www.tankarchives.com
Following the latest Twitter exodus here. For everyone who didn't come from there, I post daily tidbits from the history of tanks and other armoured vehicles. Check out my website at www.tankarchives.com
The first battle between American and German tankers took place #OTD in 1942. Elements of the 1st Armored Division armed with M3 Light tanks and M3 halftracks engaged Pz.Kpfw.III and IV medium tanks from the 90th Light Motorized Division near Tebourba. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The LT vz.38 was was superior to German light tanks and on par with their medium tanks. After occupation of Czechia, the Germans took control of ČKD and continued production for their needs. The first batch of 150 tanks built for Germany was completed #OTD in 1939 #tanks #history
November 26, 2025 at 5:02 AM
The Red Army hoped to compensate for its shortage of pickup trucks with British Bren Carriers. A program to test the carrier as a tractor for 45, 57, and 76 mm guns was signed #OTD in 1941. Unfortunately, the vehicle failed trials due to excessive pitching. #history #WW2 #WWII
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Starting #OTD in 1944, IS-2 tanks and SPGs on their chassis were equipped with 12.7 mm DShK AA machine guns. The mount allowed the commander to fire at both air and ground targets, which came in handy during the fighting in dense urban environments. #tanks #History #WW2 #WWII
November 25, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Assembly of the tank called 701-A finished #OTD in 1944. This tank was an upgrade to the IS-2 tank, radically increasing its protection at a weight increase of just 3 tons. The turret was reused on the Object 703 tank, which was later accepted into service as the IS-3. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Trials of the ISU-130 SPG began #OTD in 1944. The 130 mm S-26 gun was based on the B-13 naval gun. In the end, the gun was found to have no advantages over high velocity 122 mm gun projects, although a 130 mm gun was later used on the IS-7 tank. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 24, 2025 at 8:50 PM
It is often claimed that Christie tanks were exported to the USSR in secret. In reality, an American officer was posted to observe trials of Christie tanks #OTD in 1930. Export permission was explicitly granted as the US Army saw limited value in these tanks. #tanks #history
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
#OTD in 1939 members of the Special Vehicle Design Committee travelled to France to acquaint themselves with the latest in French tank building practice. This perhaps inspired some elements of the TOG tank mockups, such as a gun in the front hull. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 AM
The KV-8 project was officially approved #OTD in 1941. This tank had a flamethrower mounted in the turret. There was not enough space for the regular 76 mm gun, so a 45 mm gun with a sleeve to disguise it as the larger weapon was installed instead. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM
#OTD in 1945 the GAU made another inquiry about modifying the 122 mm D-25 gun to fire fixed ammunition, this time in the IS-3 tank. The answer was the same as before: the size and weight of the resulting round decreased the rate of fire instead of increasing it. #tanks #history
November 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Looked at my stats for the first time in ages, tanks are really popping off in 2025.
November 23, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Looked at my stats for the first time in ages, tanks are really popping off in 2025.
The T-44 tank was accepted into service #OTD in 1944. Factory #75 was chosen to produce them, where through no small effort 25 were built before the end of the year. 190 tanks were built by the time Germany surrendered, and none of them ever saw battle. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 23, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A massive bombing campaign on Berlin began #OTD in 1943. Alkett and Siemens factories were severely damaged, which put an end to their ability to produce Maus tank components. The two prototypes survived, but had to be relocated to complete assembly. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Convoy PQ-3 arrived in Arkhangelsk #OTD in 1941 with 50 Valentine II tanks, 70 Matilda III tanks, and 317 tons of spare parts to keep them running. These tanks did not make it to the front line in time to defend Moscow and only took part in later battles. #tanks #history #WW2 #WWII
November 23, 2025 at 12:04 AM