T-34-85 (Austria)

Savage_Virus_R6 · April 21, 2025, 2:00pm

[Would you like to see the Bundesheer T-34-85 in-game?]

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Bundesheer T-34-85

The Austrian T-34-85 represents one of the more unusual post-war operators of Soviet armor within Western-aligned Europe. Following the end of World War II, the Austrian Army (Bundesheer), newly reestablished in the mid-1950s, received a small number of T-34-85s from the Soviet Union as part of the post-occupation military balance. Though their service was limited and symbolic, Austrian T-34-85s served primarily for training and internal defense purposes before being phased out in favor of Western equipment by the 1960s. Their presence in Austria offers a unique glimpse into Cold War neutrality and the early formation of a post-war European military identity.

Austria After World War II

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Following the end of World War II in 1945, Austria, like Germany, was occupied by the Allied powers and divided into four zones controlled by the United States, United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. Vienna, the capital, was also divided among the four powers. Much like Berlin, the city became a focal point of Cold War tensions. From 1945 to 1955, Austria existed under this four-power occupation, during which its sovereignty was significantly limited.

While Austria had been part of Nazi Germany since the Anschluss in 1938, the Allied powers agreed to treat Austria as the first victim of Nazi aggression, which gave the country a somewhat different postwar status compared to Germany.

Why Were Soviet T-34-85s Left in Austria?

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The Soviet Union, like the other Allied powers, stationed military units in its occupation zone, which included parts of eastern and northeastern Austria. As part of its forces, the Soviets deployed T-34-85 tanks, which were standard frontline equipment for Red Army units at the time.

Photograph depicts Soviet forces in Austria with a land-leased Sherman. Interestingly, the T-34-85 in the photograph is missing its left fuel tank, something often seen on Austrian T-34-85s.

When the Austrian State Treaty was signed in 1955, ending the occupation and restoring Austria’s independence, one of the key conditions was that Austria would adopt a policy of permanent neutrality—meaning it would not join NATO or the Warsaw Pact. As the Soviets withdrew their forces in accordance with the treaty, they left behind several pieces of military hardware, including T-34-85 tanks. The rationale for leaving them was practical: it was easier and more cost-effective to hand over surplus or second-line equipment to friendly local forces than to transport it back to the Soviet Union. However, this gesture may have also served as a symbolic act of goodwill, reflecting the USSR’s willingness to support Austria’s re-establishment as a neutral and independent state. By leaving behind functional military assets like the T-34-85, the Soviets likely intended to contribute to the foundation of Austria’s new defense forces, while also reinforcing diplomatic ties during a sensitive period of geopolitical transition.

These tanks were likely intended to form the nucleus of the newly re-established Austrian military, the Bundesheer, which was founded in 1955. These Soviet-supplied T-34-85s offered an immediately available armored capability for the newly formed Austrian military, complementing other surplus equipment left behind by various occupying powers. This mix of hardware allowed Austria to quickly establish a functional defense force without relying on new foreign military aid, aligning with its policy of strict neutrality.

In Service

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After their active service until 1959, Austria’s T-34-85 tanks were transitioned to reserve units. In the 1960s, recognizing the evolving nature of armored warfare and the obsolescence of these tanks in frontline roles, Austrian military authorities repurposed several T-34-85s into static defensive positions. This involved embedding the tanks, either whole or by utilizing their turrets, into concrete fortifications to serve as pillboxes at strategic locations. Notably, some of these turret bunkers were maintained and remained part of Austria’s defensive infrastructure until as late as 2000.

The Austrian T-34-85s were wartime veterans, that were used in active combat during World War II. However, unlike other nations that modernized their T-34-85 fleets, the Austrian tanks did not receive any post-war upgrades, not even the modifications introduced in the 1945 version, such as the improved commander’s cupola or electric turret traverse. These tanks retained the standard wartime configuration with the ZiS-S-53 gun. They were marked with a roundel, representing the national colors of Austria. This roundel was typically painted on the sides of the turret, usually positioned alongside the designation numbers, creating a clean and distinctive national identifier while maintaining standard military formatting.

The T-34-85 proved to be surprisingly well-suited for mountainous warfare, which made it a practical fit for a country like Austria, with its rugged alpine terrain. One of the key advantages was the tank’s ability to elevate its main gun significantly higher than many of its contemporaries, allowing it to engage targets on elevated slopes and ridgelines, an essential trait for combat in mountainous environments. This capability was not just theoretical; it was proven in practice by the Soviet Union’s decision to deploy T-34-85s in Afghanistan, not merely as equipment handed over to local forces, but for direct use by Soviet troops themselves.

Implementation

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In War Thunder, this vehicle would effectively be a standard T-34-85 (1944) but distinguished by the older-style road wheels seen on the T-34-85 (D-5T), making that its only notable visual difference. Some photographs show the tank with the left-side fuel tank and front mud guards missing, which may suggest field removal or damage. In addition, it appears that some Austrian T-34-85s lacked the left hull-mounted headlight, while others retained it.

By the 1950s, the Soviets had introduced HEAT ammunition for the ZiS-S-53, making it theoretically possible for Austrian-operated T-34-85s to use such rounds. There is no specific evidence confirming that the Bundesheer ever stocked or fielded them. As such, it’s safest to assume their loadouts remained consistent with standard leftover late-war ammunition.

The only reason why I am suggesting this addition is because, at the time of writing, the German tech tree lacks a T-34-85 in any form. The Austrian T-34-85, could serve as an excellent solution to fill this gap. It would be a great candidate for inclusion as a premium, squadron or event vehicle, offering a unique addition to the German tree while also honoring a lesser-known but legitimate chapter of postwar armored history.

Disclaimer: All aspects of this suggestion are ultimately up to Gaijin’s discretion to decide and implement. This includes the vehicle’s battle rating (BR) , nation, available ammunition types, and visual features.