Captured Soviet Armor: Italian Forces and the T-34
During Operation Barbarossa, Italian troops fought alongside the German Wehrmacht and occasionally captured Soviet equipment, including the formidable T-34 medium tank. This video explores the rare footage and historical accounts of a captured T-34 bearing the insignia of Italy’s 120th Motorized Artillery Regiment of the 3rd Celere Division, offering a unique glimpse into Italy’s mechanized warfare efforts on the Eastern Front.
While Italy’s armored divisions were limited in logistics, supplies, and crew training, the capture of Soviet tanks was a symbol of military prowess. This possibly aided wartime propaganda efforts at the time. Many captured tanks were soon handed over to the German Wehrmacht, who integrated or studied them for technical insights.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
02:42 German Directives on Captured Soviet Tanks: Control and Compliance
05:54 Captured Soviet Tanks: Symbolism and Usage for the Italians
09:46 End Credits
Credit to : Armored Italia