A video still of original WWII footage Berlin 1945

Berlin 1945

In 1945 Soviet engineers attempted to rearm a T-34–85 with a 100 mm D-10–34 gun. At least two prototypes were built: the first one with a 100 mm gun mounted on a standard turret of the T-34–85; and the second one with a 100 mm gun mounted on a new, larger turret. To install this turret the hull was also slightly improved.

At least two prototypes existed: the T-34-100 with the standard turret of the T-34–85 and the T-34–100 with a new, larger turret. To install this turret the hull was also altered, for example, the turret ring was increased to 1700 mm and the bow machine-gun was removed. Proving ground trials however, revealed a big problems concerned with the extra load onto the running gear during the shooting.

Besides the ZiS-100, the 100 mm D-10–34 was tested with the T-34–100. In February-March 1945, this tank was tested on the Gorokhovetskij and the Sverdlovskij proving grounds. Triars revealed the low accuracy of the gun due to overloaded chassis of the vehicle. However, the Soviet military liked this tank anyway because they are always looked on the German 8,8 cm PaK 43. That's why works continued. However all attempts to reduce the recoil force and therefore to increase the gun accuracy failed.

T-34 ZiS-100

Soviet tankers inspecting some of the 6 Vickers tanks that Finns lost in the Battle of Honkaniemi, the only tank battle of the Winter War. February 1940.