NEW-TYPE TANKS AT KRAMPNITZ

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006300490007-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Sequence Number: 7
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/03/31 : CIA-RDP80-00810A006300490007-5
CENTRAL Ian. r_rvWJ
INFO
COUNTRY East Germany.
and was provided with two
SUBJECT Iiwr--Type Tanks ' at wramod'Is
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
4
"
DATE D1STR'
31 March 1955
NO.OF RAGES
2
NQ OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS ,,UNEVALUATED JNFOAMATION
1< ..'ter 26 January 19-,5, up to 12 tanks of thh new type were seen together
with T-34/85 tanks at field training in the tz inir1g area northwest of
the Kat+a3ldi-l S (2161)' in frampnita.
Description of-the Tank: . ?"
a,. Ch ia~r-?3 bogie-wheels, drive' sprocket and guide roller; similar to
P 4 ia.eeis The distance from the first bogie wheel to the other
four was, however, cons iderab'19 -larger but the bo.-ie wheels appeared
to be fitted more ul?osely to each othero
b? Hull: The hull bet*een ch d turret was 20 am lower than the
T-34 hull, which affected the, total } e}ght correspondingly,
c., Tuhrei.s The semi-circular turret waefltted in the center of the tank
., -
practice driving,` a submachirf' ' gait was Hunted at the edge of the
forward cupola; the cupola to 'the ? reat'wss closed. A 'small vertical
slit, probably- a vision slit, was seen in the forward section-of the
left side of thet'ttrret, ?
c Gun tube:-The-tube had a length of t'least 4.,50 meters, a caliber of
about 100 mm and no muzzle brake. The tube had a square projection 8.1,
the turret similar to the T-34 tank with a 76-ram Bun.
e, Driver's hatch: No hatch was seen in the front Plate of the tarts the
drivers hatch was immediately left of the turret and co;_ld be closed by
a round plate,
Capacity: The new..type tark had more speed than the T-34/85? On sandy
ground, the speed was estimated at 45 km/ho
Noise of motor: The noise of the engine was lower and muffled compared to
that of the other tanks.
Length and width of the :.ank vere'abou- the same as that of the T-34? The
tracks wei-e rc (iffezeiit i'rom ttk T-34.
CLASSIFICATION
ST:1 i E I PIAVV NSRa
...
=so I.
Approved For Release 2008/03/31 : CIA-RDP80-00810A006300490007-5
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2. Or. 3 and 4. February 1955, five tanks of the ne-,,' 'toe trere Goon a { ( r
practice in the tra sin;; area of Krar^_pnitz.
a ., Genera.; impression: Steel parts were h ghl Ii ~:C vec (even :3:,'+33..
compared to the T-34.
b., E Mine: The engine made a singin_ g not :e arc! L3 l ovrer. than that of he
T-34.
c. Measurements% The ta':k had a total hei8ht of 2 50 to 2,7() meters,
measured from the ground to the hc;hest point of the turret,,
d. Chassis: Tha tank had five bogie -,heels without track_ support rolle ?s,
1 toothed drive sprocket and 1 idler sprocket. The two sprockets we-,,e
suspended somewhat higher than those on the T-34,
e. Hulls The hull rtes somewhat higher than that of the T-34; the grounc:
clearance was about 7C cm,, A sgr;.are-edged a).op ne front plate extended uo
to the turret. The driver'Ts hat%;hwnr in the a,e:1ter.
f. Turret: The semi' cireular tu.rrot Vnsv ei,~ f about 20 to 90 cirt hi, lip
and flush with the side walls of the hrtll, he rotating periseo -
(Drehschlitz ?) was abacit 1 cr, ;ride. Several -1.ron handles of various
size were fii.ted at the sides of the turret.. The turret hatch was
hinged to the rear A small vision slit is on the right silo above
the Stir: on the front side of the turret,
g? Guns about 85 mrn caiiber, rrith a barrel of about 4.5 ineters? no muz;,le
brake; the muzzle was reinforced by a ring abou ; t,/2 cm thick, The
mantlet was co rered by a leather cover..
Ii. Contrary .o he T034 tank, the exhaust cold not be seen. No fuel
containers or tanks were eon or. the side of tie hlu11 .
Coameri. .
The dif"erer ;es in tz?.e: c:r:.r c.rl..y, iora o1 'i.h3
ation of tkie vision Slit pre#?ur?;a.o'y 2asuited ..:'o' he fact fl it th3 'i? rmn
"right and left" were useE, in an opposite sent by t h2 twwC repo:,tin" sc .,ccs
The one related his'?a.ta, to the ao ing tank, tho c:thc.- to position in road
of the tank. Available information 3o far indict :rr3 :''ic tt the Q:";.V'T9 hc -1h
is i. ediately left in front o_" thF turret (seer, ,a, t .nnk) o
ground clearance of the new type tank (T-54, ?) ha:,! so ^--r been 'sport-el?
to be 40 cn ., It is nr c :cra than '>O cu
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Approved For Release 2008/03/31 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006300490007-5