Soviet Tank Corps, 1942–1945

Table of Organisation & Equipment

M3 scout car supplied to the Red Army under the Lend-Lease program. Scout cars may be used to motorize the SMG Battalion which was an integral part of the Tank Brigade. Non-elite formations were not usually equipped in this way and their infantry rode on the back of the tanks they were supporting.

Soviet Tank Corps

3 Tank Brigades
1 Mechanized Rifle Brigade

Soviet Tank Brigade 1942-1945

Brigade Headquarters:
- HQ Section of 2 T-34 tanks
- Reconnaissance Platoon
- Engineer Platoon
- Anti-tank Rifle Company
- Anti-tank Gun Company
- Heavy Machine Gun Company
- Trains
  - 5 recovery tanks
  - 12 maintenance trucks
  - 42 supply trucks

Tank Battalion: (organization same as below)
- Light Battalion using T-60 or T-70 tanks, 1942
- Medium Battalion using T-34/76 or T-34/85 tanks, 1942-1945

Medium Tank Battalion:
- Headquarters
  - 1 T-34/76 or T-34/85 tank
- Tank Company
  - 1 T-34/76 or T-34/85 HQ tank
  - 9 T-34/76 or T-34/85 tanks in 3 tank troops
- Tank Company
  - 1 T-34/76 or T-34/85 HQ tank
  - 9 T-34/76 or T-34/85 tanks in 3 tank troops

Tank Battalion: (organization same as above)
- Heavy Battalion using KV tanks, 1942
- Medium Battalion using T-34/76 or T-34/85 tanks, 1942-1945

SMG Battalion: (infantry, 403 all ranks)
- HQ Section
- Heavy Machine Gun Platoon of four HMG
- Anti-tank Rifle Platoon of six AT rifles
- Anti-tank Gun Platoon of four guns
- Mortar Platoon of six 82 mm mortars
- Motor Rifle Company
- Motor Rifle Company
- Motor Rifle Company

In 1942, tank brigades used a mixture of light, medium and heavy tanks, depending on what was available to them. As production of the T-34 increased, the brigades became more homogeneous. For wargaming purposes, the following combinations of tank battalions may be used:

1 Light Battalion, 1 Medium Battalion and 1 Heavy Battalion
1 Light Battalion and 2 Medium Battalions
2 Medium Battalions and 1 Heavy Battalion
3 Medium Battalions, of which one or more may be using T-34/85 tanks.

Distant Action Raiders

The Soviet Army differentiated certain tactical groups of tanks:

D.D. Tanks (T-35, T-28, KV-1, KV-85, IS) - Distant Action Raiding Tanks
N.P.P. Tanks (BT, T-46, T-34, etc.) - "Cavalry" Breakthrough and Flanking Tanks
D.P.P. Tanks (T-18, T-24, T-26, T-46, etc.) - Close Infantry Support Tanks

D.D. tanks operated without infantry support, and this explains why some KV-1 tanks counter-attacked and penetrated deeply behind German lines. As the war progressed, it was found that the T-35 was a practical D.P.P. tank, and the BT made a good Recce tank. Accordingly, these vehicle changed roles. The T-46 is a T-26 with BT wheels and tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Soviet Red Army Miniatures of World War Two