Soviet tank recovered from lake after 62 years

Koopyetz · 02-09-2007, 05:24 PM

A Russian tank was pulled from the bottom of a lake in Estonia.The Soviet built T34/76A tank had been resting at the bottom of the lake for 62 years. According to its specifications its a 27 ton machine that had a top speed of 53km/h. From February to September 1944 heavy battles were fought on the Narva front in the north eastern part of Estonia. Over 100,000 men wer killed and 300,000 men were wounded there. During battles in the summer of 1944
the tank was capture from the Soviet army and used by the German army.
This is the reason that there are German markings painted on the tanks exterior. On 19 September 1944 german troops began an organized retreat along the Narva front and it is suspected that the tank was then purposefully driven into the lake.At that time a local boy walking by the lake noticed tank tracks leading into the lake but not coming out anywhere. For two months he saw air bubbles emerging from the lake. This gave him reason to believe that there must be an armored vehicle at the lake bottom. A few years ago he told
the story the the leader of the local war history club. Together with other club members Mr. Igor Shedunov initiated diving expeditions to the bottom of the lake about a year ago. At the depth of 23 feet they discovered the tank resting under 9 feet of peat. After the tank surfaced it turned out to be a trophy tank that had been captured by the German army in the course of the battle at Sinimae about six weeks before it was sunk in the lake. Altogether 116 shells were found on board. Remarkably the tank was in good condition with no rust and all systems except the engine in working condition.
Plans are under way to fully restore the tank. It will be displayed at a war history museum that will be founded at the Gorodenko village on the left bank of the River Narv.

Sergei · 02-09-2007, 05:33 PM

What a story!
But...How come there was no rust after 60+ years? Was it a peat lake (the one with yellowish water), a brand new tank (tank laundering?) or is the whole story a hoax?

Sergei

Koopyetz · 02-09-2007, 05:33 PM

a couple more photos

DougD · 02-09-2007, 05:41 PM

I do not think it was a hoax; the swamps around Narva are filled with stuff:

".....23 feet they discovered the tank resting under 9 feet of peat"

DD

Sergei · 02-09-2007, 05:42 PM

I am an idiot!

It does say in the write-up 'a peat lake', iron does not rust in this environment, too alcaline (I think).
Sergei

willie777 · 02-09-2007, 05:53 PM

How do you drive a tank into a lake without anybody driving it?

January · 02-09-2007, 06:21 PM

Lots more pictures on the club's website:
Militaarne Hiiumaa

Great story!

EricFG · 02-09-2007, 07:58 PM

I'm having trouble buying this story (if it's the same one I've seen for a while now (the T-34 with Wehrmacht markings)).
I've seen the story embelished to the point where they 'started up the tank and drove off in it'!

whatever

Kim · 02-10-2007, 02:27 PM

Here's a site with some videos of the t-34 being pulled out of the lake.

Ïîäúåì òàíêà (pulling tank) T-34.

/Kim

jefflgarrison · 02-10-2007, 02:34 PM

No, that was the Hungarian tank. ;-)

02-09-2007, 05:41 PM	#4
DougD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Age: 51 Posts: 2,060	Estonia I do not think it was a hoax; the swamps around Narva are filled with stuff: ".....23 feet they discovered the tank resting under 9 feet of peat" DD

02-09-2007, 06:21 PM	#7
January Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 63	Lots more pictures on the club's website: Militaarne Hiiumaa Great story! Last edited by January; 02-09-2007 at 06:22 PM. Reason: Sergei already saw that it was a peat bog

02-09-2007, 07:58 PM	#8
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	I'm having trouble buying this story (if it's the same one I've seen for a while now (the T-34 with Wehrmacht markings)). I've seen the story embelished to the point where they 'started up the tank and drove off in it'! whatever __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

02-10-2007, 02:34 PM	#10
jefflgarrison Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gdańsk, Poland Age: 59 Posts: 381	No, that was the Hungarian tank. ;-) __________________ "Who will come to us with a sword - will be killed by a sword. Who will come to us with a feather - will be tickled by a feather!" - citation of Alexander Nevski

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02-09-2007, 05:33 PM	#2
Sergei Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 199	What a story! But...How come there was no rust after 60+ years? Was it a peat lake (the one with yellowish water), a brand new tank (tank laundering?) or is the whole story a hoax? Sergei

02-09-2007, 05:42 PM	#5
Sergei Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 199	I am an idiot! It does say in the write-up 'a peat lake', iron does not rust in this environment, too alcaline (I think). Sergei

02-09-2007, 05:53 PM	#6
willie777 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 392	How do you drive a tank into a lake without anybody driving it?

02-10-2007, 02:27 PM	#9
Kim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 227	Here's a site with some videos of the t-34 being pulled out of the lake. Ïîäúåì òàíêà (pulling tank) T-34. /Kim

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