The Birth of the Great Soviet Tank Industry | Russian Renault

On the morning of March 19, 1919, the stage was set for a clash of White and Red forces near the German colony of Worms, nowadays Vynohradne in the Berezivka district of Odessa. The interventionist troops unleashed a ferocious artillery barrage upon the advancing 15th Regiment and elements of the 2nd Ukrainian Soviet Army. Amidst the thundering fire, tanks of the 303rd Assault Gun Regiment emerged, threatening to blunt the Communist attack. Sensing the danger, Soviet command swiftly devised a plan to outmaneuver the opposing forces and turn the tide of battle once more. Initially, a breakthrough was achieved near the Berezivka station, followed by a daring assault from the Red sailors of the 15th regiment on the White artillery battery, causing the gunners to scatter. With the loss of artillery support, the demoralized infantry supporting the tanks began retreating without orders, causing a rout. Amidst the chaos, soldiers of the 15th regiment leaped upon the now unsupported tanks and the battle was won.

Among the acquired spoils of war, four Renault FT-17 tanks stood out. There was an immediate temptation to turn these captured weapons against their former owners. However, operating such weaponry demanded proper training and expertise, which surpassed the immediate capabilities of surrounding soldiers. Thus, three of the tanks were dispatched to Kharkov to be consolidated into the ambitiously named “Special Purpose Armored Division”. Meanwhile, one tank was sent to Moscow as a gift to be presented to Lenin himself.

Lenin took a liking to this "French novelty" and commanded its inclusion in the upcoming May Day parade. However, the tank arrived in an incomplete state, rendering it incapable of moving under its own power. In response, another tank was swiftly dispatched from Kharkov to serve as a replacement. As the tank paraded through the streets, few could have assumed the real importance of the captured machine which would go on to become the foundation of the illustrious Soviet tank building school, shaping the future of armored warfare for decades to come.

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Sources:
M. Fatyanov. Tank Renault-Russian. Higher Military Editorial Council, 1927
M. Svirin. The armor is strong. History of the Soviet tank. 1919-1937
M. Svirin, A. Beskurnikov. The first Soviet tanks 1995.
M. Kolomiets, I. Moshchansky, S. Romadin. Tanks of the Civil War.
M. Kolomiets, S. Fedoseev. Light tank Renault FT-17
https://www.tankarchives.ca
https://warspot.ru/11105-sovetskiy-pervenets
http://skoblin.blogspot.com/2009/02/russian-renault-ks-10-m-tank.html

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An article by @BattlehammerWoT
Narrated by Anne Vynnada
Edited by @BattlehammerWoT
Sound edited by Anne Vynnada

Видео The Birth of the Great Soviet Tank Industry | Russian Renault канала Tank Encyclopedia