During World War II, the Soviet Union suffered devastating losses in terms of tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored vehicles. The Soviet military was heavily reliant on these vehicles to wage war on the Eastern Front, and their losses significantly impacted the outcome of the war. Two thirds of Soviet armor was lost during the war.
According to data from Colonel General G.F. Krivosheev’s book, “Soviet Causalities and Combat Losses in the Twentieth Century,” the Soviet Union lost a staggering 134,100 tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored vehicles out of a total 204,400 units during the war. However, even with these great losses Soviet armor was key to driving back the German armies. Thus, proving Joseph Stalin’s maxim “Quantity has a quality all its own.”
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Annual Soviet Armor Losses
These losses were spread out over the course of the war, with the majority occurring between 1941 and 1944. In 1941, the Soviet Union lost 23,500 units, which was a significant blow to their military capabilities. This was due in part to the surprise German attack on the Soviet Union, which caught the Soviet military off guard and unprepared.
In 1942, the Soviet Union lost another 24,100 units, including a significant number of tanks. This was a difficult year for the Soviet Union, as they were still reeling from the losses suffered in 1941 and were struggling to repel the German advance.
In 1943, the Soviet Union lost another 36,000 units. However, this was also the year in which the Soviet Union began to turn the tide of the war, with significant victories at Stalingrad and Kursk. Despite these victories, the Soviet Union still suffered significant losses in terms of tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored vehicles.
In 1944, the Soviet Union lost another 36,200 units. This was the year in which the Soviet Union began to push the Germans back towards their own borders and marked a turning point in the war.
Finally, in 1945, the Soviet Union lost another 14,300 units as they pushed into Germany and brought the war to a close.
Tank Losses
In terms of specific types of Soviet armored vehicles, tanks made up most of the losses suffered by the Soviet Union. Of the 134,100 units lost, 83,500 were tanks. This includes a significant number of T-34 tanks, which were a mainstay of the Soviet armored forces during the war. Other types of armored vehicles that were lost by the Soviet Union included self-propelled guns, armored personnel carriers, armored tractors, and armored cars.
In conclusion, the Soviet Union suffered significant losses in terms of armored vehicles during World War II. These losses were spread out over the course of the war and had a significant impact on the Soviet Union’s military capabilities. Despite these losses, the Soviet Union was able to ultimately emerge victorious in the war thanks to the bravery and sacrifice of its soldiers and the resilience of its people.
Soviet Armor Losses Data
The above graph can be downloaded as an image.
To download the data shown below from which the graph was developed click on the icon below corresponding to you desired format. Note: to ensure all data is downloaded choose the ‘All’ selection in the Show Entries dropdown list. Otherwise only the data visible on the screen will download.
*Includes cars, tractors, other armoured vehicles
Source: Krivosheev, Colonel General G.F. “Soviet Causalities and Combat Losses in the Twentieth Century.” Greenhill Books, 1997, London, Page 253
Other Soviet Loss Data Links
Irrecoverable Losses for Red Army Navy versus Germany and Japan
Red Army and Navy Losses, 1941-45 by Rank, Year, Quarter
Red Army and Navy Losses, 1941-45, by Year
Note: Data is from last four sub columns under column labeled “During war as a whole”
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