43 replies to this topic

[cmerry65]

Here is an article I found interesting that shows major WWII relics, in this case a Russian T-34/76 tank captured by the Germans and repainted with German markings, are still being uncovered. It is amazing how great of condition the tank was in when recovered. Enjoy!

The original article can be found at: http://blog.kaiserwi...-after-62-years


WWII Tank Found After 62 Years

WWII Russian tank with German markings uncovered after 62 years. WWII Buffs will find this interesting – Even after 62 years (and a little tinkering), they were able to fire up the Diesel engine!

A Komatsu D375A-2 bulldozer pulled the abandoned tank from its tomb under the boggy bank of a lake near Johvi, Estonia . The Soviet-built T34/76A tank had been resting at the bottom of the lake for 56 years. According to its specifications, it’s a 27-ton machine, with a top speed of 53km/hr.

From February to September 1944, heavy battles were fought in the narrow, 50 km-wide, Narva Front in the  northeastern part of Estonia . Over 100,000 men were killed and 300,000 men were wounded there. During battles in the summer of 1944, the tank was captured from the Soviet army and used by the German army. (This is the reason that there are German markings painted on the tank’s exterior.)

At that time, a local boy walking by the lake, Kurtna Matasjarv, 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’s bottom. A few years ago, he told the story to the leader of the local war history club ‘Otsing’. 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 7 meter they discovered the tank resting under a 3 meter layer of peat. Enthusiasts from the club, under Mr. Shedunov’s leadership, decided to pull the tank out.

In September of 2000, they turned to Mr. Aleksander Borovkovthe, manager of the Narva Open Pit company AS Eesti Polevkivi, to rent the company’s Komatsu D375A-2 bulldozer. (Currently used at the pit, the Komatsu dozer was manufactured in 1995 and has recorded 19,000 operating hours without major repairs.)

The pulling operation began at 09:00 and was concluded at 15:00, with several technical breaks. The weight of the tank, combined with the travel incline, made for a pulling operation that required significant muscle. The D375A-2 handled the operation with power and style. The weight of the fully-armed tank was around 30 tons, so the active force required to retrieve it was similar. A main requirement for the 68-ton dozer was to have enough weight to prevent slippage while moving up the hill.

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 Sinimaed (Blue Hills) 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. This is a very rare machine, especially considering that it fought both on the Russian and the German sides. Plans are underway to fully restore the tank. It will be displayed at a war history museum in the Gorodenko village on the left bank of the River Narv.Preparing to pull it out...

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[Reventer]

A T-34-76........thats unusual to find these mobile medium tanks in a pile of mud

[cmerry65]

A T-34-76........thats unusual to find these mobile medium tanks in a pile of mud

Yes, for sure; the Germans must have been in a hurry ditched the T-34 in the lake.

[Pikachu77]

Neat!

[cmerry65]

Neat!

I'm glad you liked it 'Chu!

[USMC Sniper]

Hum wonder what I could find by diving soo far only fish lol but neat story

[cmerry65]

Hum wonder what I could find by diving soo far only fish lol but neat story

You probably won't find any tanks, but if you go to the Great Lakes or the Florida coast, you might find some WWII aircraft...and some fish! It'd be nice to be able to find WWII tanks in your backyard! Lol

[Reventer]

Couldnt let the allies or soviet obtain it so they decided to ditch it. Classic plan when you are out of feul and ammo in tanks and the supply line is far

[SS commander]

Couldnt let the allies or soviet obtain it so they decided to ditch it. Classic plan when you are out of feul and ammo in tanks and the supply line is far

*Fuel*

[Sharks06]

I've heard there a tank shell from ww2 relating to war in britian and it was found in a airport in America someone smuggled it

[Sharks06]

Here is an article I found interesting that shows major WWII relics, in this case a Russian T-34/76 tank captured by the Germans and repainted with German markings, are still being uncovered. It is amazing how great of condition the tank was in when recovered. Enjoy!
The original article can be found at: http://blog.kaiserwi...-after-62-years
WWII Tank Found After 62 Years
WWII Russian tank with German markings uncovered after 62 years. WWII Buffs will find this interesting – Even after 62 years (and a little tinkering), they were able to fire up the Diesel engine!
A Komatsu D375A-2 bulldozer pulled the abandoned tank from its tomb under the boggy bank of a lake near Johvi, Estonia . The Soviet-built T34/76A tank had been resting at the bottom of the lake for 56 years. According to its specifications, it’s a 27-ton machine, with a top speed of 53km/hr.
From February to September 1944, heavy battles were fought in the narrow, 50 km-wide, Narva Front in the  northeastern part of Estonia . Over 100,000 men were killed and 300,000 men were wounded there. During battles in the summer of 1944, the tank was captured from the Soviet army and used by the German army. (This is the reason that there are German markings painted on the tank’s exterior.)
At that time, a local boy walking by the lake, Kurtna Matasjarv, 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’s bottom. A few years ago, he told the story to the leader of the local war history club ‘Otsing’. 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 7 meter they discovered the tank resting under a 3 meter layer of peat. Enthusiasts from the club, under Mr. Shedunov’s leadership, decided to pull the tank out.
In September of 2000, they turned to Mr. Aleksander Borovkovthe, manager of the Narva Open Pit company AS Eesti Polevkivi, to rent the company’s Komatsu D375A-2 bulldozer. (Currently used at the pit, the Komatsu dozer was manufactured in 1995 and has recorded 19,000 operating hours without major repairs.)
The pulling operation began at 09:00 and was concluded at 15:00, with several technical breaks. The weight of the tank, combined with the travel incline, made for a pulling operation that required significant muscle. The D375A-2 handled the operation with power and style. The weight of the fully-armed tank was around 30 tons, so the active force required to retrieve it was similar. A main requirement for the 68-ton dozer was to have enough weight to prevent slippage while moving up the hill.
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 Sinimaed (Blue Hills) 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. This is a very rare machine, especially considering that it fought both on the Russian and the German sides. Plans are underway to fully restore the tank. It will be displayed at a war history museum in the Gorodenko village on the left bank of the River Narv.Preparing to pull it out...

lol I cannot belive it was found after 62 years

[panzerfaüst1]

Very cool story :-)

[cmerry65]

Very cool story :-)

Thanks panzerfaust, I'm glad you liked it!

[Qnomei]

You probably won't find any tanks, but if you go to the Great Lakes or the Florida coast, you might find some WWII aircraft...and some fish! It'd be nice to be able to find WWII tanks in your backyard! Lol

I LIVE next to the Great Lakes. I could be at the shore of Lake Michigan right now if I took a two minute walk, but it's way too deep to find a sunken aircraft without a sub or scuba gear. There are some shipwrecks in the harbor where I live, though.

[cmerry65]

I LIVE next to the Great Lakes. I could be at the shore of Lake Michigan right now if I took a two minute walk, but it's way too deep to find a sunken aircraft without a sub or scuba gear. There are some shipwrecks in the harbor where I live, though.

I was at the Naval Museum on the Pensacola Naval Base in Pensacola, Florida, and they several recovered US Navy planes from the Great Lakes. I remember they had an F4F Wildcat and, I think , an Avenger torpedo bomber, and some others. Really cool stuff.

[Reventer]

Yes the AAA and fighter planes got em or mechanical failure or pilot error

[Sharks06]

Lol the tank underwater video that qnomei found seems to be a great home for underwater wildlife

[Reventer]

Lol

[Reventer]

Adds again......

[Sharks06]

Great your banned