The story tells that the names of the tanks appeared depending on the events that took place. Some received the name due to their characteristics, others - the names of the commanders. As you know, the Second World War became a catalyst for the development of tank building. Therefore, these machines began to be widely produced in Germany and the Soviet Union.
Historical Foundation
Before we figure out what tank names existed, let's turn to history. For the first time tracked vehicles appeared during the First World War. Now they are little recognizable and have only indirect features with modern designs. The very concept of "tank" has English roots. It means "cistern". Appeared during the British counterintelligence. When England decided to send the first machines to the front, she had to hide this fact. Then intelligence started a rumor that the railway was occupied by tanks sent by the Russian government. Therefore, the British hid their armored vehicles withwarning label and sent them on the rails.
For the first time, a tank prototype appeared in the Middle Ages, and there were many variations on this theme. Various designs (on wheels, with shields and crossbows) were used in the field during the battle. The first armored vehicles appeared already at the beginning of the 20th century and became something taken for granted. Therefore, the Germans, French and British were ready to create combat vehicles on their basis. Already in 1915, it was simultaneously decided to design tanks in several countries at once.
First attempts
Together with the French and the British, Russia also began to design a tracked vehicle. The son of the world-famous Dmitri Mendeleev was the initiator of this business. Vasily Dmitrievich developed a project for a land combat vehicle. The next attempt was interesting designs. The names of Russian tanks of this time were particularly original: "Russian all-terrain vehicle" and "Tsar-tank". These machines appeared only in one copy, as they were several unsuccessful attempts. The government tried to track the projects of other countries in order to create its own, more advanced, military transport.
Besides unsuccessful decisions, since 1917, better machines from the Rybinsk plant began to be produced. In most cases, the names of Soviet tanks began to appear thanks to the founders of the vehicles. So, Gulkevich's armored tractor was released. In order not to slow down the process of improving the army, Russiadecided to ask for help from France, from which she acquired several combat vehicles.
Legendary light tank
Over time, the names of the tanks began to change to shorter ones. So, the first combat transport, which began to be widely distributed, had the name MS-1. This abbreviation meant "small escort tank". It was first heard in the late 20s of the XX century. In total, this LT consisted of 960 copies. Appeared in combat in 1929. Then the tank managed to scare away all the Chinese infantry. There is a possibility that MS-1 served in the army during the Great Patriotic War.
Fast as lightning
Another, no less legendary, tank - BT-7. It is also an abbreviation. It means "fast tank". He made his debut on the battlefield against Japan in 1938. He gained fame and success a year later in Mongolia. Then, in the steppe, the BT-7 was able to prove itself to the fullest, and its speed played into the hands of the soldiers. Until 1942, this machine was not inferior to its opponents and was used in the war. From that moment on, the armored tank was used much less, as stronger models appeared.
Mass production
The names of the tanks of the Second World War were not particularly fancy, especially when it comes to Soviet vehicles. So, in 1940, they began to operate the T-34, probably the most popular option. Its combat effectiveness was used until 1942, when opponents began to release stronger ones on the battlefield.tanks. Therefore, the following year, the T-34 was modernized, armor was improved, and space was added for one more crew member. They also changed the weapon. In history, this tank has become one of the most famous. And although it was not powerful enough, it was still very simple in design and operation.
Fear for the Germans
But the name of the tanks of the KV series was associated with the famous Klim Voroshilov, who became famous for his political activities. In 1941, the KV-1 became a real monster for the German troops. He held off the division for two days, and the documents found indicated that the vehicle received 14 direct hits from a 50-millimeter gun. However, it did not show any damage - only small dents. And yet, two days later, the Nazis cunningly damaged the armored vehicle and destroyed the KV-1. Their number during World War II was not large due to the fact that the state could not find funds for fuel and repairs.
Combat "Joseph Stalin"
The world knows another victorious powerful series of tracked vehicles. The names of Russian IS tanks were dedicated to Joseph Stalin. TT was created specifically to break through enemy positions. Therefore, everyone coped with the task. The IS-2 was the most popular among all the ISs. In a couple of days, he was able to defeat 17 enemy vehicles and successfully broke through the defenses to Koenigsberg and Berlin. The tracked vehicle served the Russian armament right up to 1995.
Modern exhibits
Already after the Second World War, the designers analyzed the experience of military operations and began to develop even more powerful and durable machines. The first of these attempts was the T-54. He served in the second half of the 20th century. And a few years later it was upgraded to version 55. This tracked vehicle was so popular that it served until the beginning of the 21st century.
The names of Russian tanks have never been distinguished by special variants. Each of them had only a serial number. T-72 became a later project. The tank was designed in 1973 and began to be actively used 10 years later. He served in Lebanon and the Middle East, and in 2008 he conducted a successful operation in Tskhinvali. In the early 90s, it was improved - the T-90 was released.
German experience
The names of German tanks have always been distinguished by bright and memorable names. So, during the Second World War, the Panther and the Tiger, the most popular tracked vehicles, were in service with Germany. They appeared in 1943, a little later they were joined by a modified tank "King Tiger". In general, initially the Germans gave very long names to their armored vehicles. But in practice, they simplified them. For example, Pz. Kpfw. - This is an abbreviated word Panzerkampfwagen, which could be translated as "tank" or "armored fighting vehicle." Ausf is Ausfuhrung, translated from German as "modification". To such long names, the letter designations of the prototypes were usually added. In addition to the Panther and the Tiger, the Lion and Leopard-1 were in German service.
DuringThe second world world also saw the first radio-controlled tanks, which were called "Goliaths". They were produced in an edition of more than 2500 pieces. They were used to pass through a minefield and destroy defensive structures. Special mention deserves the legendary "Maus", which was supposed to demolish everything in its path. Its armor protection was maximum, and according to Hitler's plans, it was a "breakthrough tank" project. In 1944, two prototypes were created that could serve in combat operations. But Hitler suspended production due to lack of funds. The machine was never destined to participate in a real battle.
Mouse didn't look like a mouse at all. It was a 180-ton monster that could not pass over bridges, but easily moved along the bottom of the river. When the Red Army launched an offensive, the Germans could not quickly evacuate the two prototypes and destroyed them. From the parts of the destroyed tracked vehicles, one was assembled, which was sent to Kubinka. Here he stayed forever - in the Military History Museum.
Original names
The names of tanks during and after World War II were interesting. They usually popularized military leaders and other famous personalities. The American M4 Sherman has become the most popular in the United States and its allies. He glorified the famous General William Sherman. But in England, the Comet tank was considered famous, which effectively fought German vehicles and had many similarities with the Sherman and Firefly.
The post-war period introduced us to improvedAmericans: M26 "Pershing", named after General John Pershing, and M46 "Patton", he was also called "General Patton". The British introduced a medium tank with the original name "Centurion". This tracked vehicle was replaced by the Chieftain in 1960 (translated from English as "leader").
Over time, the designers began to try to make each tank specialized. Therefore, one of the reconnaissance vehicles was the M41 Walker Bulldog, also named after the general. It was designed after the war to replace the famous "Chaffick" or "General Chaffee". As practice shows, in most cases, tanks during the Second World War and after it were named after the great generals and those who made a huge contribution to the fighting. This trend was especially popular with the British.
