Captured Soviet T-34-76 Tank by Nazis — Early Model, Summer 1941

July 28, 2025 - Reading time: 7 minutes

A captured Soviet T-34-76 tank by the Nazis in the summer of 1941, showcasing an early model of the T-34 with missing machine gun and roadwheels.

This image captures a Soviet T-34-76 medium tank that was captured by the Nazis during the early days of Operation Barbarossa, likely in the summer of 1941. The T-34, an iconic Soviet tank, was one of the most formidable tanks of the early war. Featuring a 45mm 20K gun and sloped armor, it was nearly invulnerable to German anti-tank weapons at the time. However, the T-34 faced many issues, including mechanical failures, fuel shortages, and disorganization within the Soviet forces, which led to significant losses even outside of combat.

This particular T-34 is an early model, evident from the roadwheels, and it appears to have been abandoned by its crew, likely due to one of the aforementioned issues. The course machine gun is missing, a likely sign that it was removed by the Soviet tank crew during their retreat. Despite its initial advantages, the T-34 was often rendered ineffective by logistical problems, particularly in the early stages of the war.

By the time of the German capture, the T-34 was a symbol of the Soviet tank strength, but many of these tanks were lost not in battle but due to their operational shortcomings. The T-34 would later become a cornerstone of Soviet armored forces, but the early losses in 1941 were a major blow to the Red Army.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: Unknown
📍 Location: Western USSR
📅 Date of photo: Summer 1941
📷 Photographer: Unknown

• T-34 early model

• Captured Soviet tanks

• Soviet tank losses 1941

• T-34 mechanical failures

• Nazis capture T-34

• Soviet tank strengths and weaknesses

• German tanks vs T-34

• Operation Barbarossa Soviet tanks

• Eastern Front tank battles

• Red Army tank retreat

• Soviet tank warfare WWII