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Tank graveyards around the world....
- Thread starter Te Anau
- Start date
armoredman
New member
Very true, lots of re-usable metal.
In Great Britain I understand it is legal to own and drive an armored (armoured, of course) vehicle on public roads, not that I saw one while I was there. But I don't remember seeing any Bristols either.
More to the point, however, many Soviet made tanks in Iraq and probably other places are sitting and rusting away because of the unavailability of parts. The US Army supported the Iraqis for a few years, weapon and equipment wise, but there aren't any Soviet tank parts in the US supply system.
Tanks and other AFVs do become surplus because of the reduction in armed forces and either are destroyed or sold to other countries where they will probably remain in service until gasoline becomes too hard to get. Some WWII German tanks and other armored vehicles remained in service into the 1970s in some places, incredibly enough, but then, so did a lot of other WWII tanks.
More to the point, however, many Soviet made tanks in Iraq and probably other places are sitting and rusting away because of the unavailability of parts. The US Army supported the Iraqis for a few years, weapon and equipment wise, but there aren't any Soviet tank parts in the US supply system.
Tanks and other AFVs do become surplus because of the reduction in armed forces and either are destroyed or sold to other countries where they will probably remain in service until gasoline becomes too hard to get. Some WWII German tanks and other armored vehicles remained in service into the 1970s in some places, incredibly enough, but then, so did a lot of other WWII tanks.
I never gave any thought what happened to destroyed armor after a battle or when they were declared surplus.
When they burn, very often nothing can be done with them, short of cutting them apart with a torch, which costs more than the steel is worth .....
There was one from the late 50's/early 60's sitting on an disused tank trail on Graffenwoehr Training area - heat from the fire (accidental) fused the drive ..... so there it sat, at least thru '95, when I saw it last.
I recently stumbled across a video from a battle at the end of WWII on the Czech (?) border, taken by a tourist in the last decade ..... I just looked for it, and could not find it ...... but there are 1/2 dozen t-34/85s on this hillside, right where they were killed......
Dr. Strangelove
New member
BlueTrain said:Some WWII German tanks and other armored vehicles remained in service into the 1970s in some places, incredibly enough, but then, so did a lot of other WWII tanks.
Not all that surprising considering that the end of WWII was only 25 years before 1970. Especially considering that as the US and other countries upgraded to more advanced weapons, we sold our then surplus WWII era equipment to less advanced countries.
Very interesting pics. I never gave any thought what happened to destroyed armor after a battle or when they were declared surplus.
A lot of them get used as targets on firing ranges, for mortars and anti-tank rockets and such. Some get completely demilitarized (all weapons, electronics, and hazardous materials removed) and then dumped in the ocean to become the foundation of artificial reefs. Others, I suppose, get cut up as scrap metal.
Syria, as you may remember, was a French "mandate" before WWII. Local forces there, plus French forces stationed there were of course equipped with French weapons, including armored vehicles. When the French left, the new Syrian government inherited all the equipment left behind. When the state of Israel was established, Syria and other Arab countries immediately invaded. One Syrian tank, which was a pre-war French light tank, was destroyed in an attack and it sits there today, right where it was destroyed.
Likewise, the French (again) in Indochina had much American equipment, including M24 (I think it was) light tanks. A TV program featured some French army veteran describing his last action there. He was a tank crewman on an M24 (I think it was), which was knocked out by the VC. He returned to Vietnam (this I think within the last ten years) to find his old tank, sitting where it was destroyed.
Near where I live, over the river in Maryland actually, there was a Civil War period or slightly later gun emplacement on the banks of the Potomac River upriver from Ft. Washinton. The original gun, a huge muzzleloader, was still there when I visited it about 35 years ago, half buried in the dirt. However, it's probably gone by now. Not a tank but a virtual graveyard just the same.
Likewise, the French (again) in Indochina had much American equipment, including M24 (I think it was) light tanks. A TV program featured some French army veteran describing his last action there. He was a tank crewman on an M24 (I think it was), which was knocked out by the VC. He returned to Vietnam (this I think within the last ten years) to find his old tank, sitting where it was destroyed.
Near where I live, over the river in Maryland actually, there was a Civil War period or slightly later gun emplacement on the banks of the Potomac River upriver from Ft. Washinton. The original gun, a huge muzzleloader, was still there when I visited it about 35 years ago, half buried in the dirt. However, it's probably gone by now. Not a tank but a virtual graveyard just the same.
I liked the naked girl more than the rusty old tanks:
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-swimming-naked-beluga-whale
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-swimming-naked-beluga-whale
SPEMack618
New member
I guess I'm a little wierd in that I lot seeing lots of rusting armor sitting around around, especially Warsaw Pact stuff, because, to me, it signifies that we, being the Western powers, truly did win the Cold War.
I think all that rusting armor serves as a monument in and of itself.
Almost like turning your swords into ploughshares.
I think all that rusting armor serves as a monument in and of itself.
Almost like turning your swords into ploughshares.
bamaranger
New member
frames 33 & 34
In 33, is that what's left of a M3 Stuart?
In 34, an M4 Sherman to the rear left.
In 33, is that what's left of a M3 Stuart?
In 34, an M4 Sherman to the rear left.