T-34 found in Volga River Bed

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Tank T-34 Salvaged from River Bed in Volgograd Region

Combat vehicle Ò-34 has been pulled out from the river in Surovikinsky District of the Volgograd Region.

The tank will be repaired and sent to a museum, and the history of its crew that defended Stalingrad will be restored.

Experts believe that the tank was assembled in some of the Ural factories already during World War II, and was sent to the front-line directly from the conveyor. The found vehicle, one of the ten tanks that held the line at the approaches to Stalingrad in this area, presumably finished its combat life in 1942. It is only now, 68 years later, right before the anniversary of releasing Stalingrad from fascists, that the fate of the crew can be established.

Remains of the perished soldiers will be honorably reburied in Mamaev Barrow on 9 May, the Victory Day. While historians find out details of the men’s history, the tank will be sent for reconstruction to the Volgograd Tractor Factory. Then the tank will be set up on the pedestal in the centre of Volgograd, by the museum-panorama Stalingrad Battle. It will be the museum’s first tank that really took part in the crucial battle on River Volga

[panzer224]

Very interesting. That T-34 looks like it took a beating! May those crew members rest in peace.

[EK-collector]

Interesting find, maybe it met some better German tank

[12thPanzer]

Awesome that they are Still to this day finding them. Im glad the crew members were recovered along with the tank so they can have a proper burial. RIP

[MG-Freak]

Was there nobody who filmed it? Or are there bigger pictures? Would love to see them.

[Napalm]

Here ya go Mr Freak,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=GwIrg0X_3nw

[MG-Freak]

Very nice! Thnx

[merdock]

Hi,
Do we know were it is now?
Years ago a old Hungarian guy told me about 3 German tanks that were attacked and left in a swamp near his village after the crews bailed out and were shot,the last time he went home the locals said they were still there ,this was 15-20 years ago i assume that they will have beenbrought up now.
mark

[Napalm]

Hi Merdock, its in The Volgograd Tractor Factory and should be ready for the victory parade if the restoration starts in the spring but I can\t see it been restored that soon myself. Crew were intered in Mamev Kugan Cemetary afaik...Hope this helps...

[JamesUS]

Quite a relic, hard to beleive that something that far gone can be restored.
May the crew RIP, looks like it must have been instant death for them.

[cossack1648]

T34

There is quite a number of T34's in Russia in a better shape I believe. In my opinion they should leave it as they found it as a relic of the battle. For parade and other purposes there are other T34's.

Jack

[KM-NZ]

There is quite a number of T34's in Russia in a better shape I believe. In my opinion they should leave it as they found it as a relic of the battle. For parade and other purposes there are other T34's.

Jack

I agree, treat it to preserve it and leave it be .... Other T-34's around ....

[JamesUS]

Well, this one is obviously special, as it actually participated in defense of Stalingrad.
No doubt, there are not plenty around which can say the same.

But to restore it to the point where 80% of it will be reconstructed and put it on a pedestal kind of takes away from the original point, and it seems to me that some compromise must be reached between having something presentable, and something that is a legitimate, historic relic.

[birdie]

Leave it alone

There is quite a number of T34's in Russia in a better shape I believe. In my opinion they should leave it as they found it as a relic of the battle. For parade and other purposes there are other T34's.

Jack

Couldn't agree more

[Jean-Loup]

Unfortunately most vehicle collectors and enthusiasts are much more fascinated by the fully functional/restaured aspect, then the historical aspect.

JL