I know that the British tested both T-34 and Kv-1 tanks, and were generally very pleased with their performance if this article is to be believed. Thing is, it seems that this testing occured in January 1944, so is it somehow possible to push that testing to a much earlier date, to 1942 if at all possible, thus increasing chances of British actually going forward with the production?
How to get T-34 in British hands much earlier then OTL, I do not know. Maybe greater cooperation between them on sharing the info on German vehicles and tactics, through some British observer or even some poor enterprising official who signs off on giving a T-34 to the British, and gets executed or sent to gulag/penal battalion for his trouble. It could be possible if the British really push for it, pointing out large quantities of weapons and other aid sent to the Soviets, and that they are only asking for a single tank, not hundreds of them, and if the Stalin has its back turned, perhaps that just may happen.
Would be a very interesting thing to see, if only for the photo of both British and Soviet T-34 tanks meeting up in Germany late in the war.
Thoughts?
How to get T-34 in British hands much earlier then OTL, I do not know. Maybe greater cooperation between them on sharing the info on German vehicles and tactics, through some British observer or even some poor enterprising official who signs off on giving a T-34 to the British, and gets executed or sent to gulag/penal battalion for his trouble. It could be possible if the British really push for it, pointing out large quantities of weapons and other aid sent to the Soviets, and that they are only asking for a single tank, not hundreds of them, and if the Stalin has its back turned, perhaps that just may happen.
Would be a very interesting thing to see, if only for the photo of both British and Soviet T-34 tanks meeting up in Germany late in the war.
Thoughts?