Treni blindati

[Ospite intruder]

Artillery wagons

 

"Danuta" had artillery wagons of the 'type II' designed by the KBPP in Poznan. They were built in Cegielski Works in Poznan in the early 1921, using long four-axle bogie type wagons of German origin (possibly SS type flatcars or mail wagons).

 

Each wagon was armed (in 1939) with one 100mm wz. 14/19P howitzer in the lower turret (a Czech Skoda gun, also built in Poland) and one 75mm wz. 02/26 field gun in the upper turret (modified in Poland Russian 76.2mm 3in Putilov guns, called "the orthodox" gun in mounted artillery). Their field of fire was 360°. The turrets were essentially the same as in the next 'type III' wagons, but without observation cupolas. The amount of artillery ammunition carried in one wagon was probably 240 rounds.

 

 

 

The 100mm wz. 14/19P howitzer details were: maximum range - 9,800 m; shell weight - 12-16 kg; barrel length - L/24; maximum rate of fire - 8 rds/min; crew - 7; maximum elevation - 48°.

The 75mm wz. 02/26 gun details were: maximum range - 10,700 m; shell weight - 5.3-8 kg; barrel length - L/30; maximum rate of fire - 10 rds/min; crew - 6 or 7; maximum elevation - 11°.

 

In the twenties, the artillery armament probably consisted of a Russian 122mm ("48-line 4.5in") howitzer and a 76.2mm wz.02 (M.1902 "3in") gun.

 

Other armament consisted of 8 x 7.92mm wz. 08 (Maxim) machine guns in wagon's sides and ends. In the early thirties, one 7.92mm wz. 08 anti-aircraft machine gun was added with a small turret on the roof (its maximum elevation was 90°). The ammunition was 3,750 rounds per MG (in 250-round belts).

 

The armour was made of double layered armour plates. The thickness varied from 12mm to 25mm (the floor was 5 - 8mm). The inside walls of the wagons were probably covered with oak planks. The wagon had one entrance with a two-leaf door on each side. It also had two hatches in both ends, which enabled the crew to pass from one wagon to another (in practice only between one artillery wagon and the assault wagon) - the open doors provided protection from enemy fire.

The wagon's length was 17.20 m (677 in), height - about 4.1 m (161 in). The bogie wheelbase was about 2 m (79 in) and the distance between the inner axles was about 8 m (314 in). The total weight was about 50 t, and the crew - about 35.

 

 

Flatcars

 

On both ends of the armoured section of the train, there were two flatcars. Their primary function was to protect the armoured train against mines or a derailment. They were also adapted to carry engineering materials (tools, rails and sleepers, logs, explosives etc.) and also bicycles and motorcycles (part of it was carried on the auxiliary train's flatcars).

 

The standard flatcar series Pdkz (type VIIIC or, less likely, VIIC) was two-axle. Weight - about 10 t, load capacity - 17.5 t, length - 13 m (511 in), wheelbase - 8 m (315 in).

 

 

Armoured draisines platoon

 

Each armoured train, mobilized in 1939, had a platoon of armoured draisines (scout rail vehicles). The trains nr.11 and nr.12 had standard platoons, consisting of:

- two "R" type armoured draisine (FT-17 tanks on rail chassis')

- four "TK" type armoured draisines (tankettes on rail chassis')

 

Draisines usually acted in two units TK-R-TK, consisting of: one "R" and two "TK" draisines. All the tanks could be easily detached from their rail chassis' and then used for ground reconnaissance tasks. The fifth TK tankette was in reserve.

 

 

Auxiliary train

 

Each armoured train, as a military unit, also included an unarmoured auxiliary section (Polish name: "skład gospodarczy" is difficult to translate exactly - maybe a "quartermaster section" would have similar meaning). The auxiliary section accompanied the armoured section in operational movements of the train and provided it with an accommodation and logistics support. It was manned by a platoon consisting of 1 officer, 21 NCO's and 26 soldiers. The length of the auxiliary section of the train was about 250 m (820 ft).

 

It consisted of: a locomotive, coaches for officers (2), NCO's (2) and soldiers (8), supply wagons, an ambulance coach, a kitchen coach, a workshop wagon, a coal wagon, a water tanker and flatcars (5) - up to 30 carriages.

 

It should also have two wz.34 half-tracked trucks, one light truck (Polski FIAT 618?) and four motorcycles with sidecars CWS M-111 - on three flatcars. Wz.34 half-tracks were from the repair patrol, and they could be equipped with a rail-riding device.

Modificato 10 Dicembre 2008 da intruder

[Montgomery]

bellissimo topic, molto interessante. Grazie a tutti per l'ottimo materiale trovato.

[Ospite intruder]

Amoured draisine R

 

When it showed, that armoured draisines Tatra are not satisfactory, Col. T. Kossakowski from Engineer Department came with an idea to adapt old tank Renault FT-17 to an armoured draisine role, by mounting it upon a special rail chassis. The main advantage of this revolutionary idea was, that the tank was driving the whole rail unit, and was still able to ride off of its rail chassis, and be used on the ground. The first prototype, built in 1932, was not entirely successful. The draisine wheels were driven by the tank's tracks, through special rollers and transmission. It could achieve the noteworthy speed of 38 km/h (23.6 mph), however.

 

 

 

 

In the next prototype of 1933, the wheels of the rail chassis were driven directly by the tank's engine, using a special drive shaft. During trials, it exceeded the speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), almost unbelievable for FT-17 tank! (...I am sure FT-17 tank never suspected, that it would ever run so quick...) This prototype was accepted, and in January 1938 the first series of 18 rail chassises, manufactured in Chorzow, were given to both Armoured Trains Units. In fact, it was probably the best usage of old, extremely slow FT-17 tanks, and a cheap way of obtaining armoured draisines. Until 1939 there were 38 rail chassises produced. Each armoured train mobilized in 1939 (apart from nr.15, and, possibly, nr.13) had two such vehicles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The light tank Renault FT-17 on the rail chassis was designated: medium rail-and-ground armoured draisine R ("R" for Renault). The tank could ride on rails as a rail vehicle, or leave the rail chassis on a track and operate as a regular tank. The FT-17 tanks used as a draisines were modified by fitting with a special drive shaft from a gearbox. After it rode onto the rail chassis, the crew was connecting the drive shaft to the rail chassis' drive gear. The whole operation of mounting the tank on rails was taking up to about 3 minutes. Riding off of the rail chassis was taking less than 3 minutes.

 

The rear axle of chassis was driven by the tank's engine. Top speed on rails was 45 km/h, in late series even 55-57 km/h (28 / 34-35 mph). The chassis had a reverse mechanism in its driving gear, so the draisine could ride backwards with the same speed. It could also tow some wagon.

 

The weight of the whole unit was 10.5 t, of the sole rail chassis - 3.4 t. Length /width/ height (with tank) - 8.11 /2.04 / 2.83 m (319.3/ 80.3/ 111.4 in); axle interval - 4.75 m (187 in).

 

 

 

 

Basic data of Renault FT-17 tank:

 

crew - 2; weight - 6.7 t; maximum speed on road - 7.8 km/h (4.9 mph). Engine: Renault - petrol, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder inline, capacity 4480 ccm, 35-39 HP at 1500 rpm, water cooled. Fuel tanks capacity - 95 l.

 

The armament of FT-17 tanks used as armoured draisines was one 37 mm SA-18 Puteaux L/21 gun in a turret.

Tank armour: front, sides and rear - 16 mm, top - 8 mm, turret - 22 mm (or 16mm with octagonal turret). The rail chassis was not armoured.

 

 

 

[Blue Sky]

 

Зенитно-минометная бронеплощадка БЕПО "Козьма Минин" с 25мм автоматическими пушками и реактивной установкой М-8

 

Se cortesemente Intruder potrebbe tradurre! :asd:

[Ospite Peppe]

La scritta dice che il treno aveva delle torrette aaa da 25 mm ( caspita! ) e lanciarazzi... l'ho fatta qua http://translate.google.it/translate_t#

Intruder correggimi se sbaglio...

 

[Ospite intruder]

Il correttore automatico dà, in genere, dei risultati piuttosto orripilanti, io lo uso talvolta per tradurre una singola parola (quello in genere lo fa correttamente), non parliamo di tradurre frasi o sigle (БЕПО è una qualche sigla russa che non riesco a trovare nemmeno nel vocabolario monolingua che ho a casa, probabilmente è in disuso). Per il resto, il traduttore automatico ha fornito una traduzione approssimativa ma, fondamentalmente corretta: vagone blindato con artgilieria contraerea del treno Kosma Minin armato con cannoni antiaerei da 25 e lanciarazzi M8. Resta il mistero di quel БЕПО.

 

 

 

Probabilmente, il vagone col lanciarazzi era di questo tipo.

Modificato 10 Dicembre 2008 da intruder

[Blue Sky]

[quote]vagone blindato con artgilieria contraerea del treno Kosma Minin armato con cannoni antiaerei da 25 e lanciarazzi M8. Resta il mistero di quel БЕПО.

 

Bene vedo che il nostro agente del KGB anche se vecio, se la cava ancora!

 

Soviet armored trains in WW2:

 

 

 

Armored train number 2 "For the Motherland" of BP-35 type with PL-37

Modificato 10 Dicembre 2008 da Blue Sky

[Ospite intruder]

Armoured draisine TK

 

The succes of mounting a tank FT-17 on the rails caused the work on using the tankettes (light reconnaissance tanks) TK (TK3) and TKS the same way. Polish designers did not copy an idea of a bigger draisine 'R', but worked it out the other way. The tankette did not use a complete rail chassis, as for FT-17, but only a kind of a rail "runner" (the Polish name prowadnica szynowa translates literally as: "rail runner"). It was a frame-shaped carriage, constructed to keep the tankette riding on rails directly with its own tracks. It was accepted and designated: light rail-and-ground armoured draisine TK (initially it was called: "Rail 'autotransport' of TK tank"). By 1939 there were about 50 rail "runners" built. Both tankette types, TK and TKS were used. Each armoured train (apart from trains nr.13 and nr.15) had four draisines TK (or TKS), the fifth reserve tankette was carried on a flat-car in an auxiliary section of the armoured train. Two of the tankettes were equipped with a short-range radio RKB/C, manned by the commander (it differed in having two additional boxes on a left fender).

 

 

Above: draisine TK. Its 'runner' may be a prototype, since it differs from the others. Below: draisine TKS.

 

 

The rail chassis ("runner") had a hydraulic lifting mechanism, so that the tank's crew could lower the ramp and ride off the rails in about one minute. The sources claim, that the crew was able to do this without leaving the tank, but it is not clear to me, if the crew could operate the lift mechanism from the inside. The available sources do not explain an operation of the lift either. Anyway, it was taking about two minutes to mount the tankette on the rail runner again. The mechanism also enabled lifting of the tankette (when the whole unit was towed) and turning tankette (or a rail runner?) backwards, which was essential in moving rearwards, because the reverse speed of the tankette was low (5 km/h).

 

Draisine TK, equipped with radio, destroyed by its crew. Behind it - a destroyed motorcycle.

 

The tankette was armed with one 7.92mm wz.25 Hotchkiss machine gun, in a front plate, with a horizontal angle of fire: 40 (TK) or 50 degrees (TKS). The ammunition was 1800 (TK) or 2000 (TKS). Apart from it, the tankette could carry one 7.92mm wz.28 Browning LMG (Polish BAR) inside, used to AA-defence when mounted on a special mount outside the vehicle.

 

Weight of the complete unit - 4.15 t. The height, with tankette on rails, was the same, as tankette's - only 1.33 m (52.3 in).

The basic data of tankettes TK / TKS: crew - 2; weight - 2,43 / 2,6 t; armour - 6-8 mm / 6-10 mm (the top and bottom were yet thinner); maximum speed - 46 / 40 km/h (28 /24 mph).

Engine:

- (TK): Ford A - petrol, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder inline, capacity 3285 ccm, 40 HP at 2200 rpm, water cooled. Fuel consumption - on rails up to about 28 l/100 km, fuel tank capacity - 60 l.

- (TKS): Polski Fiat 122AC - petrol, 4-stroke, 6-cylinder inline, capacity 2952 ccm, 44-46 HP at 2600 rpm, water cooled. Fuel consumption - on rails up to about 38 l/100 km, fuel tank capacity - 60 l.

 

The draisine's maximum speed was only a bit lower, than the tankette's - but the reverse speed was very low. That is why two draisines 'TK' were sometimes coupled together, creating TK-TK unit. One draisine was driving forward, while the other one, heading rearwards, was lifted up. But more frequently and efficiently they were used in TK-R-TK units:

Modificato 10 Dicembre 2008 da intruder

[Blue Sky]

Armored locomotive BR-35

 

 

107mm guns of the heavy armoured train

Modificato 10 Dicembre 2008 da Blue Sky

[Ospite intruder]

Vagone armato impiegato dai bolscevichi durante la guerra civile, è indicato semplicemente come Легкая бронедрезина "vagone ferroviario blindato leggero".

 

 

 

EDIT: ho trovato cos'era, un vagone protetto D2, usato dalle truppe dell'NKVD (in questo caso la 12^a Divisione, fronte ucraino, 1941). Niente a che vedere coi bolscevichi di cui parlava la prima foto he ho trovato, dunque.

 

 

Motorised Armored Carriage MBV-2. Leningrad Front

Upper image - 1942

Lower image - from the 14^th Separate Armored Train Battalion, Jan. 1944.

 

 

 

1 Rear machine-gun;

2 Door for machine-gunner boarding;

3 Turrets;

4 Cabin;

5 Tower with range-finder;

6 Door for crew boarding;

7 Headlight's jacket;

8 Hatch for access to engine;

9 Hatch with louvre for air intake;

10 Board "Maxim" machine-gun mounting;

11 Hatch over searchlight compartment;

12 Antenna;

13 Hatch over compartment with antiaircraft machine-gun mounting;

14 Grate of the hatch over radiator;

15 Hatch over stereotelescope;

16 Driving bogie;

17 Supporint bogie

 

 

Upper: MBV-2 after rearmament with L-11 guns

Lower: MBV-2 after rearmament with F-34 guns

 

 

Upper: MBV-2 after rearmament with L-11 guns

Lower: MBV-2 after rearmament with F-34 guns

 

 

MBV-2 equipped with KT-28 guns

 

MBV-2 after rearmament with F-34 guns

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modificato 11 Dicembre 2008 da intruder

[Ospite intruder]

Ed ecco il Kosma Minin, postato da Blue ieri sera.

 

 

 

Il vagone col lanciarazzi.

 

[Ospite galland]

 

 

 

ELENCO DELLE FOTO

 

1. Locomotiva e vagoni corazzati sovietici impiegati nella difesa di Stalingrado.

 

2. Treno italiano in azione contro siluranti nemiche nel corso della prima guerra mondiale, i serventi ai pezzi sono marinai.

 

3. Convoglio austriaco impiegato nel corso della “Strafexpedition” contro l’altopiano di Asiago, nel 1917.

 

4. Ancora un treno armato italiano, in primo piano un cannone da 76/40.

 

5. Carro prototipo delle Officine Ansaldo dotato di cannone da 381 mm., in pratica il massimo calibro montato sulle navi corazzate.

 

6. Treno armato italiano in azione lungo le coste liguri, i pezzi da 152 mm. sono allocati in torri di tipo navale, ai lati le riservette per le munizioni.

 

7. Prussia Orientale, ottobre 1944. Un carro armato Tigre è stato caricato su un vagone pianale.

 

8. Treno blindato sovietico impiegato durante la guerra di Finlandia, armato con pezzi di vario calibro , utilizzava elementi del carro pesante KV e torri del T.28.

 

9. Littorina armata: alle due estremità, in torri derivate dai carri “M”, due pezzi da 47/40. Completano l’armamento due mitragliatrici antiaeree da 20mm e un mortaio. Sui fianchi 4 mitragliatrici e 2 lanciafiamme.

[Ospite intruder]

Armoured draisine of SOK (Railway Protection Service)

 

 

This page is devoted to the draisines used by Polish paramilitary formation Railway Protection Service (Służba Ochrony Kolei - SOK) after the war. You can read more about the background and usage of SOK rail vehicles on SOK armoured trains page.

 

"Draisine" is a word of German origin, meaning a light auxiliary rail motor vehicle (trolley). Armoured draisines were light armoured rail motor vehicles, meant for a reconnaissance, scouting, track patrolling and other auxiliary combat tasks (in Polish: drezyna pancerna). You can read about Polish 1939 armoured draisines here.

 

In 1947 the SOK armoured train unit received one or two armoured draisines, repaired in railway workshops.

 

 

Armoured draisine Steyr

 

 

Ex-German armoured draisine Steyr. The first from the right is M. Jarosz - the commander of the SOK armoured train unit. The vehicle has a rod radio aerial.

 

The only known armoured draisine of SOK was ex-German armoured draisine (Panzerdraisine) type Steyr K 2670 (known also in German as: "leichte Schienenpanzer" - le.SP or "Panzersicherungswagen"). It was designed by the Austrian works Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG in 1943, and at least 40 were built. Such draisines were constituting German light armoured trains type "leichte Spähzug", consisting of 10 such draisines each and meant for anti-partisan service in Balkans. Due to light axle pressure (4.7 t) they could operate on worse tracks of those areas. The Germans formed four such trains in 1944: le. Sp. 301-304 (you can read more at: The Other Side of the Tracks).

It is not known, how such draisine was found in Poland after the war. It was used in the SOK armoured train unit in the late fourties, among others in Operation "Wisla". It remained in service until the fifties, in SOK, or maybe in KBW (Internal Security Corps) units.

 

Data: weight - 7.5 t, combat weight - 9.5 t; crew: 5 - 8; length /width - 569 /252 cm; height without / with aerial - 227 /253 cm; maximum speed - 70 km/h. The draisine was 2-axle, powered by an air-cooled engine Steyr 76 HP (or diesel engine?), placed centrally.

 

Armour: 14.5 mm. Armoured hull had sloped sides, with hatches on both sides and covered air intakes on one side. It had two hatches on a roof as well. The vehicle had no fixed weapons, the hull had 6 MG ports - two at the ends and one per each side. The original armament were 4 x 7.92mm MG-34 machine guns, in Polish service it consisted of 7.62mm DP LMG's of the crew. Each of Steyr Panzerdraisines had a rail aerial of a short-range radio on the roof, however in some period Polish vehicle had a simple rod radio aerial instead (probably of Soviet origin).

 

 

 

Luckilly, this draisine in Polish service was a subject of a photo essay by J. Fil in the late 40's or early 50's.

 

 

As is evident, the vehicle still has its rail aerial. The armament consists of 7.62mm DP light machine guns and rifles of the crew.

 

 

 

Other draisines

 

Unfortunately, nothing is known about the other draisines. It is only known, that the second draisine: "was supposed to be Czech Skoda" and bore the name "Baska" (= Barbara; "Baśka" - with Polish fonts). It was driven, among others, by the guard M. Slowik. It is not known if it was an armoured one.

 

regular draisine of the SOK in the late 40's or 50's, the details and the type are not known.

[Ospite intruder]

The origin of SOK armoured trains

 

After the World War II had ended, the warfare lasted still in the south eastern areas of Poland. Polish units of the Army, Internal Security Corps (KBW) and Citizen Militia (Milicja Obywatelska, MO - the name of Polish Police in 1944-89) were still fighting with Ukrainian nationalist partisans of the UPA - Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The UPA partisans were murding and terrorizing Polish inhabitants of these areas and fighting against Polish authorities, finding some support in inhabitants of Ukrainian nationality. At that time, the masses of people of Ukrainian nationality were being moved to Soviet Ukraine, while people of Polish nationality were being moved from Soviet area. Among others, UPA partisans were attacking the railways, stations, bridges and the transports of people. In order to protect the railways, the new armed security formation was created: Służba Ochrony Kolei (SOK) - the Railway Protection Service, subordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, not the Army (Ministry of Defence). To carry out its duties more efficiently, in the autumn of 1945 the SOK HQ started forming of the improvised armoured trains, with the Army's help. They were meant to patrol the tracks, and protect the transport trains on dangerous areas. Their crews were formed from the volunteers of SOK, as well as soldiers, officers and NCO's.

 

However the forming of the crews was not a problem, but the completing of the equipment was not so easy. Unfortunately, despite numerous armoured trains took part in the heavy warfare on Polish territory in 1939 and 1944-45, and the Germans had even an armoured trains' training base in Rembertowo near Warsaw, yet not much of the armoured rolling stock survived in Poland after the war. Most ex-German armoured wagons and locomotives were immediately carried away by the Soviet Army as a booty. Only few of armoured rolling stock survived, usually damaged or destroyed. After the repairing in railway workshops, they were used to create a few improvised trains. Some freight wagons were fitted with an improvised cover, like the concrete (like in the trains of 1918-20...). The forming of the new trains took place in Warsaw and Cracov mainly, most of them were sent to the south-east of Poland then.

 

 

Armoured train nr. 2 - the 76.2mm wz.43 gun on a flatcar

The first armoured train, nr. 1 "Szczecin", was formed probably in the end of 1945. In October 1945 the train nr. 2 was formed, probably bearing the name "Grom" later. A year later, in October 1946, another train nr. 3 "Huragan" went into service, and in December 1946 the last train nr. 4 "Błyskawica" was formed. In 1946-47 years, these trains were known by the numbers mainly, the names were officially given later. In the later period the names were used first of all. The armoured trains were re-organized during the service, and their composition was changing. Unfortunately, the information below as for the trains' composition and service is very partial and incomplete.

 

Armoured train nr. 2 - the 76.2mm wz.43 gun on a flatcar

 

In the early 1947 the existing four armoured trains formed the SOK armoured train unit (dywizjon pociagów pancernych SOK), commanded by Cpt. Marian Jarosz. The unit's base was a small railway station in Zagórz near Sanok town (south-east of Poland). The unit took part in combat against UPA in Bieszczady Mountains. Later the unit received also one or two armoured draisines. In April 1947 the unit was subordinated to Gen. Stefan Mossor, a commander of a newly-created Operational Group "Wisła" (Vistula). The armoured train unit, along with Group's units, took part in the Operation "Wisła", which aimed to displace all the inhabitants from Bieszczady Mountains and their neighbourhood to other parts of Poland, in order to cut UPA partisans off of supplies or shelter. It was a brutal mean, but it put an end to a terror of UPA partisans in Poland (in the Soviet Ukraine the fight of communist government with UPA lasted till the sixties). (It must be noted by the way, that Bieszczady Mountains are currently one of the most beautiful places in Poland). The Operational Group was disbanded on 31 July 1947, the armoured train unit was as well. Two armoured trains (probably Nos. 1 and 2) were moved to the Military District V HQ (DOK V - Cracov), and the other two (probably Nos. 3 and 4) were moved to the Military District VII HQ (DOK VII - Lublin). These Districts carried out further combat with the remainder of UPA, until 1948. The armoured trains were probably used in this further combat as well. Some of these armoured trains existed in SOK up to the late 40's. Due to the lack of serious threats of the railway transport, they were used mainly for training of the SOK guards. From time to time, however, they were used in raids against ...the thefts of a coal on stations. Most likely the armoured trains of the SOK were liquidated in the 50's.

 

Armoured train nr. 1 "Szczecin"

This improvised armoured train was formed as the first one, probably in the end of 1945. Most crew was completed of the SOK guards from Szczecin (Stettin) - hence the later name of the train. The train was formed in Jaroslaw near Przemysl, under direction of SOK district chief T. Kulak. Initially, it was a wide track gauge train (a gauge of 1524mm, used in Russia). The train was operating on wide gauge tracks in the area of Medyka (on Polish-Soviet border) - Lubaczow - Rawa Ruska. Due to a reconstruction of the railways in Poland, the train was later converted to a standard gauge of 1435mm (most probably the locomotive was changed).

In March 1946 the train was took over by the crew formed in Warsaw, commanded by 2nd Lt. J. Steinbock. In November its crew went to the railway workshops in Ostrow Wielkopolski to take over the new train (nr. 4 "Błyskawica"). The old train nr. 1, with a part of the crew, was handed over to Cpt. A. Wierzbicki.

 

Initial composition:

- unarmoured freight steam locomotive, 1524mm gauge, of Soviet series E (Rus: "Э"), the sub-series is not known. They were built in a few differing sub-series in 1916-36, an axle arrangement: E (0-5-0, wheel arrangement 0-10-0), 4-axle tender, power output - more than 1000 HP.

- three improvised armoured wagons (rebuilt freight wagons), protected with concrete.

 

There is no information as for the later composition, but it must have changed.

 

Armoured train nr. 2 "Grom"

The armoured train nr. 2 was formed in October 1945 in Warsaw. Soon after forming it was moved to Sanok and subordinated to the 8th Infantry Division. During the following months it cooperated with this division. The train was operating mainly on lines: Sanok - Łupków and Sanok - Ustianowa. It took part in a few skirmishes with UPA partisans, among others in Olszanica, Stefkowa, Komańcza and Osłanica stations. The first commander was Lt. Szumowski, the second: 2nd Lt. Marian Jarosz, the third: Lt. E. Tomalak. Most probably this train bore the name "Grom" (the Thunder) later.

 

The composition (approximate):

 

Fully armoured steam locomotive series Tw1 (ex-German). It was a standard locomotive of German armoured trains of the early stage of the WWII, of German series (Br) 5710-35 - the former Prussian series G10. The train used also unarmoured locomotives.

 

The freight locomotive series Tw1 (Br 5710-35) was a design of Robert Garbe, 2500 were built in 1910-25. Axle arrangement: E (0-5-0, wheel arrangement 0-10-0) with a 3-axle tender. Twin steam engine, working on superheated steam (E-h2).

Data of an unarmoured locomotive: length without a tender: 11.6 m, with tender - about 18.7 m; weight without a tender: 69.5t. These locomotives were used with different armour styles in early German armoured trains, since 1942 a standard armour pattern was introduced (a drawing).

 

 

 

 

2 - 3 infantry (assault) wagons, two-axle (probably armoured freight wagons?)

 

 

artillery wagon: a flat car with Soviet 76.2mm wz.43 (M.1943, OB-25) regimental infantry gun.

The data of the gun: weight - 600 kg; barrel's length - L/19.4; horizontal angle of fire +/-30° (without changing position); maximum elevation: -8° +25°; maximum rate of fire - 10-12 rds/min; maximum range of HE shell - 4200 m; produced in 1943-46.

 

 

2 flat cars (protecting the train against derailment)

it is possible, that armoured wagon nr 0870026 (Polish number) was used in this train as well. It was 4-axle artillery wagon of BP-44 standard, built by the Germans using the captured Soviet wagon. It might have belonged to armoured train Panzerzug 25, destroyed on 13 January 1945 near Kielce.

 

Armament in German service consisted of 2 howitzers 10.5cm (105mm) leFH-18/40 in rotating turrets (angle of fire: 360° and about 300°) and the crew's machine guns MG-34 (or MG-13) in 6 MG ports in the hull. It also had at least 4 rifle ports. Presumably in Polish service the wagon nad no artillery. Currently the wagon is preserved in Railway Museum in Warszawie (see a gallery at Forty Kraków - Panzertriebwagen 16, along with Panzertriebwagen 16) and is fitted with dummy guns. Probably the wagon's armament in Polish service consisted of machine guns and rifles only, and it was used as infantry wagon.

 

Total weight - about 60 t; length/ width/ height - about 1300/ 320/ 390 cm; fully armoured with 20-50mm armour.

 

[Ospite intruder]

 

 

(German armored rail car with tank cannon turret - a French officer who has written on armored trains in the past described this vehicle as a 'turreted self propelled rail car (Schienenpanzerspahwagen) built by the Steyr Company for use in the Balkans. '

In his response to album owner, Kim Fields, this officer further stated "Part of a set of only 4 that were built, none have survived. Apparently this photo is one of only a few photographs that exist of this machine.

 

In 1943 Germany introduced light armored scout cars to the Balkans to secure the railroad lines against partisan attacks. As a result of their deployment, cars with greater firepower were requested, these were fielded in the fall of 1944.

 

The concept was to permit an armored train consisting of 12 cars with varying armament (four cars with Panzer III N turret mounting a 75mm L/24 cannon, two cars carrying a quadruple 20mm anti-aircraft gun, and six cars armed with machine guns carrying infantry, command, communication, and medical sections. Since each car by powered by a 76h.p. Steyr motor, disabled units could be assisted by other operating cars, an improvement over other armored trains generally powered by a single steam engine.

 

Due to material shortages, only eight trains were operational, these contained only eight scout cars (two cars with Pz III turrets, two command cars with fixed antenna, and four infantry cars). Six other cars were also included: two flak cars carrying the quad 20mm guns on a flat car, two panzertragerwagens (tank carriers) with a Panzer 38t tank, and two flat cars carrying track maintenance equipment, which was used to detonate mines on the rail bed. Each train could be operated as two sections of four scout cars each, depending upon the mission."

Modificato 11 Dicembre 2008 da intruder

[Blue Sky]

Armoured railcar "Arrow"

 

Soviet armored trains in WW2:

 

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Un panzertrain della Wehrmacht. Sotto: BTD2 sovietico e armamento.

 

1 x 45mm 20K and 1 x DT (in T-26 turret) + 1 x DT + 3 x Maxim + 1 x flak dual Maxim

Modificato 11 Dicembre 2008 da intruder

[Blue Sky]

 

Waggon-2 Canone Waggon Ko

The Manchuria Railway 60t waggon "Chii" modified.

Armament :

Type14 100mm Anti-Aircraft Canone (This could be shot only horizontally.)

Type92 Heavy Machine Gun X 2

Equipment : Brake, Heating System, Hammocks, Trash Box

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Waggon-2 Canone Waggon Ko

The Manchuria Railway 60t waggon "Chii" modified.

Armament :

Type14 100mm Anti-Aircraft Canone (This could be shot only horizontally.)

Type92 Heavy Machine Gun X 2

Equipment : Brake, Heating System, Hammocks, Trash Box

 

 

Già postato al #5!

[Blue Sky]

Già postato al #5!

 

Touché

 

Russian TM-1 Railroad gun

 

 

 

 

The German armoured motor railcar Panzertriebwagen 16 (PT 16) at Chabówka Rolling-Stock Heritage Park, Poland [1] (temporary exhibition - owned by Museum of Railways in Warsaw

 

Modificato 11 Dicembre 2008 da Blue Sky

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Questo sgorbio dovrebbe essere "vergine": Бронепоезд N6 им. Ленина, treno blindato n. 6, "Lenin".

 

Modificato 12 Dicembre 2008 da intruder

[Blue Sky]

Russian Railway

 

 

 

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German Flaktrains

 

 

Modificato 14 Dicembre 2008 da Blue Sky

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Russian TM-3-12 1938 305mm Railroad gun in Poklonnaya Gora, Moscow