
The T-34/76 came as a surprise for the confident German troops in the fall of 1941. They performed well in the mud and snow with their large tracks, and they came with a perfect combination of thick and highly sloped armor, efficient gun, good speed, autonomy and, above all, extreme sturdiness, reliability, ease of manufacturing and maintenance. While the T-34 did have a number of deficiencies, its influence on future designs and the concept of the main battle tank is unquestionable.