TOLOCHINO -  THE T-34: On June 22, 1941, German forces invaded Russia. Confident in the superiority of their technology and training, the Germans believed they could defeat the Red Army in 6 months. However, when the 18th Panzer encountered Soviet T-34/76 tanks outside Tolochino on July 3rd, they were stunned. Unknown to German intelligence, the T-34 was vastly superior to any tank the Germans had. It was better armed, more mobile, and German 37 mm shells were ineffective against the T-34's armor. Only superior training and communications allowed the Germans to prevail against the T-34.


