[Would you like to see the Cypriot T-34-85 in-game?]
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In 1965, a secret shipment of 32 refurbished T-34-85 tanks, along with a substantial amount of other Soviet equipment, arrived to Cyprus from one of the Soviet satellite states via a Yugoslav port. These tanks were delivered with ample spare parts and in good working condition.
Unique Features:
What makes these Cypriot T-34-85s particularly unique is their planned modification to carry additional .50 cal Browning M2/M2HB or .30 cal M1919 machine guns, unlike the Serbian T-34Bs, which typically mounted these at the rear, the Cypriots opted to install them at the front of the turret, just in front of the commander’s hatch, although photographic evidence shows some Cypriot T-34s also mounting them at the rear.
Another unique feature of the Cypriot T-34-85s was the eclectic mix of road wheels they were equipped with. Delivered with a variety of Soviet-manufactured wheels, ranging from postwar T-54/55-style wheels to the bare steel types used during World War II, on some tanks these were mounted in an ununiform pattern. This gave the Cypriot T-34s a distinctive and somewhat patchwork appearance.
The Cypriot T-34-85s originally arrived in the standard Soviet green paint scheme, typical of Warsaw Pact equipment of the era. However, over time, efforts were made to adapt their appearance to the local environment and improve concealment. Some tanks were repainted in distinct camouflage patterns suited to the Cypriot terrain, while others were given much darker shades of green. In the field, crews often took a more improvised approach, covering their tanks with mud, sand and bushes to blend into their surroundings. Additionally, Cypriot T-34-85s bore Hellenic-style markings, with Greek Armed Forces tank insignia painted on both sides and the rear of the turret.
History:
The T-34s were assigned to the Cypriot National Guard’s 23 EMA, specifically equipping the 1st and 2nd Tank Companies.
By the 1970s, the Cypriot T-34-85s began showing first problems as spare parts became increasingly scarce and maintenance issues grew more severe. Every 8 to 10 years a tank had to be completely overhauled, a rule of thumb to keeping aging armor operational. However, Cyprus lacked both the facilities and resources for such comprehensive maintenance. As a result, the performance and reliability of the tanks steadily declined. By 1973 the tanks were in a terrible mechanical condition and 90% of their RM-31-T radios were out of order because of their age.
As a result, the use of the T-34-85s during the 1974 Turkish invasion was conservative and very hesitant, leading to poor overall results. Despite their age, the T-34s were, in theory, well-suited for the Cypriot environment, they could traverse the island without refueling and their wide tracks allowed them to move quickly across sandy beach terrain. However, the Cypriot National Guard dispersed their tanks rather than concentrating them, forfeiting one of the key advantages of armored warfare. Most of the T-34s were lost to Turkish aircraft and anti-tank weapons, while others were abandoned due to mechanical failures.
The T-34-85 managed to score a few enemy vehicles including several M113 armored personnel carriers, trucks and maybe a single Turkish M47 Patton. Ironically, a single captured Turkish M47 scored more kills against Turkish armor than the T-34-85s did. In total, the 23 EMA lost 21 T-34-85 tanks, with 6 men killed and 6 missing. They were left with 11 T-34-85 tanks that were withdrawn from service in 1984. Due to bureaucratic and political issues no efforts were made to refurbish the tanks. Ironically, the Turks had a special mission company equipped with 11 captured T-34-85s and some captured BTR-152V1s that were repaired and used until 1986. Today T-34-85s remain on Cyprus in various conditions. The National Guard might still have one in somewhat good condition that was delivered to a failed War Museum in Nicosia.
T-34-85 (Cyprus) — Specifications
Crew: 5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio Operator/MG)
Weight: ~32 tons
Length: 8.15 m (with gun forward)
Width: 3.00 m
Height: 2.45 m
Armor: 20–75 mm (frontal turret up to ~90 mm)
Main Armament: 85 mm ZiS-S-53 gun (56 rounds)
Secondary Armament:
2 × 7.62 mm DT machine guns
1 × externally mounted .50 cal M2/M2HB Browning or .30 cal M1919
Engine: V-2-34 12-cylinder diesel, 500 hp
Top Speed: ~55 km/h (road)
Range: ~300 km (road)
Fuel Capacity: ~540 liters (internal), plus optional external drums
Suspension: Christie
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Sources:
Mamounidakis, I. (2008). Armor on Cyprus: Evolution and Operations. Trojan Horse.
NO… has no tree to really go into and instead of cluttering some tree with yet another of the same T-34-85 dropped into a western tree i would rather see some other variants like the rage howitzer/field gun modifications in trees where it would fit or upgrades to existing ones like missing roof MGs
A fascinating take. Actually sounds like a solid idea. Attica is set in Greece, however a Cypriot specific map like Varosha/Famagusta for example could be an interesting one.
While if the Greek tree ever gets added it could go there as a playable vehicle.
https://inf.news/en/military/438df69d27f0679881453ace4196f060.html
There it says the tanks came from Egypt. Is there anything about where the tanks were manufactured and what model they were? Not that those extra 20hp from post-war engines would change much. Also have you found if the DT machine guns were retained or changed to M1919?
I’m pretty sure Cyprus vehicles would go to Italy (Aaah Roman Empire!!) like Hungary and Turkey, if they don’t suddenly want to make a whole new separate tree.
The book reports that they came from Eastern Bloc. T-55s were denied for political reasons.
Considering the shipment included refurbished T-34-85s and a number of other Soviet weapons I’d say that the DTs were retained or removed. I wouldn’t expect the Cypriots to bother with shaping metal and mechanisms to fit the M1919 instead of the DT.
These were most likely former Turkish ones (that they captured). They put them near the DMZ, in a village in the middle of nowhere, facing the Southern Greek side. The ground looked like it was a former ready defensive position with trenches. There was a Turkish observation post on an elevation to the other side of the village. While the yellow looking ones are in a museum near Kyrenia featuring destroyed Greek equipment.
Oh man, sweet find! Got to make sure I search for anything similar when I visit Cyprus again.
There’s a Greek military airfield near me, with lot’s of wrecks of old WW2 transporters mostly, stacked closely in a secluded part. If only Ι could snap some pics of them without being accused of espionage! The derelict looking ones were always very fascinating to me.
There are so many lanes. I see characteristics here from Normandy (large open sea, beach (though fairly thin) and an open area to the side, however there are a lot less lanes in Normandy.
There are other possible locations in Cyprus though. In the Famagusta district, we have Iskele. Though even this might be too small.
I have submitted this suggestion, I don’t know when it’ll be approved.
I have been there and there is enough space for tank combat, from narrow alleys to busy highstreets, to tall buildings and short buildings. I have taken a lot of pictures and I have submitted them with the suggestion. Although, you are somewhat right comparing this to Normandy, however Normandy is a world war 2 map, while this here is a cold war map that is arguably much more lively aesthetically even if they’ll add it as fully abandoned.
The old Nicosia airport could be an interesting location as well, as it featured the best organized Greek defenses. Cyprus as a whole can be added as an air battle map.
I’ve been there too, I think the main issue is that it is very CQB/FIBUA, where everything is really condensed into one area. You can have open areas on the side, but it has a lot of lanes compared to other maps. I’d love to see it though, as a larger map, as they’re too small as it stands.
Also Cyprus could definitely be an air map, using the Southern British bases as airfields, and maybe Ercan airport or Old Nicosia Airport.
