5 samples from the Lend-Lease weapon that were especially liked by the fighters in the
From World War II to the present day, there has been a debate in the international community about how likely a Soviet victory would have been without U.S. Lend-Lease assistance.
As part of this program, the United States supplied its allies with food, medicines, military equipment and ammunition, as well as other types of strategic raw materials.
In fact, these were more food resources, and there were few weapons.
Sherman Tank
Nevertheless, among the types of weapons received, our fighters singled out those that turned out to be the most effective in the conditions of that war and made a certain contribution to the Victory.
Only 0.8% of the total deliveries were small arms. The Red Army considered the Thompson submachine gun to be the most popular type.
Why such a small percentage? It is believed that there was no particular shortage in analogue Soviet weapons.
But insignificant batches of these types of assault rifles, nevertheless, arrived in our country under the Lend-Lease program.
In the first batch, M1928A1 submachine guns were delivered.
They arrived as components of weapons for tanks and other armored vehicles. In its structure and purpose, such a weapon was similar to our PPSh-41.
This model had a mass of 4.9 kg, and 45 ACP caliber cartridges were used for shooting, while the rate of fire reached 900 rounds per minute.
Cartridges for submachine guns were in magazines designed for 20 or 30 rounds.
The next type of armament is Sherman tanks.
Thomson Submachine Gun
Various models of British-made armored vehicles were transferred to the USSR, including obsolete American-made models of the M3 General Lee.
Our fighters jokingly “christened” this technique “Grave for Seven”.
Some tanks were purchased by the USSR even before the start of Lend-Lease, which “fought” to our fighters.
In particular, we are talking about the American Sherman M4 tank.
At first, this model could be compared to the new T-34-76. The new model was inferior to domestic armored vehicles only in minor parameters, including:
1. Profile height;
2. Special location of the center of gravity;
3. Armoring of the side of the tank.
At the same time, the diameter of the barrel was comparable – 75 mm.
Our fighters had no complaints about the design and operation of the engine and descent system.
The heavyweight Churchill Tank was put into production at a time when Great Britain entered the war.
The Prime Minister joked that the tank had the same quarrelsome temperament – he smoked like a locomotive and drank too much.
In our country, the Churchill was appreciated, but there were only 253 of these tanks.
Unlike the Churchills, a lot of Shermans were delivered – 3,938 units.
However, British tanks were used until the end of the war, withstanding heavy loads.
Churchill tank
Our tankers liked this combat vehicle due to its reliable thickened armor protection.
Against the background of reliable armor, the disadvantages of a weak gun and poor cross-country ability in swampy terrain were not significant.
The Airacobra fighter, a popular aircraft model in this war, deserved a lot of positive reviews.
Handing over flight equipment to the allies, the Americans have already begun to produce new, more modern equipment.
Experts pointed out some shortcomings, although in general these aircraft could compete with the Messerschmitts.
A total of 4,952 P-39 fighters were delivered under the Allied assistance program.
On these planes, real “aces” took to the skies – these are Alexander Klubov, Alexander Pokryshkin, Nikolai Gulaev and other famous pilots.
R-39 Airacobra
About 3,000 Boston bombers as part of Lend-Lease.
Among the main drawbacks of the aircraft, our testers pointed out the weak armor, which did not allow the use of this aircraft in the form of an attack aircraft.
Soviet pilots used it similarly to the Pe-2, as a dive bombardier at the front.
The American aircraft showed its best properties in this purpose.
As you can see, among the Lend-Lease there were really worthwhile and high-quality pieces of equipment, which, of course, helped us in the fight against fascism.
But they only helped.
Contrary to the opinion of many modern “analysts” who believe that Lend-Lease made a major contribution to the turning point of the Second World War. Of course, we didn’t win because of Lend-Lease.
We won thanks to the heroism, courage and bravery of the Soviet soldier, first of all.