...ordered them to concentrate automatic fire on the tracks of the advancing T-34s. Nobody was optimistic as to the likely outcome, but there remained little else they could do. ... They held their fire until the tanks had approached to within 200m. A burst of fire smashed the track of the leading T-34, which began to turn helplessly around on the same spot. Guns were then ordered to concentrate fire on the turret. Even before the first magazine emptied, the turret lid flipped open and a white flag appeared. The Russian crew clambored out and were taken prisoner. Meanwhile the cone of 20mm fire was switched to the left and another T-34 similiarly disabled.
Instead of surrendering, the crew of this vehicle chose to fight with small arms as they emerged. They were cut to pieces by multiple impacts of 20mm cannon explosions which sparked and spluttered around the hull. Other tanks met the same fate. Crews were scythed down at any sign of resistance. The rest of the T-34s turned back. It was inconcievable ...that their insignificant calibre cannon could have triumphed against tanks considered the heaviest of their type.
...They moved forward curiously to examine the results of their handiwork and discovered that, apart from cut caterpillar treads and damage to drive and sprocket wheels, there was nothing to explain the abrupt abandonment of the tanks. 'not until the prisoners were questioned did the riddle become clear'.... The answer lay in the resonant ding produced by multiple 20mm strikes on cast steel turrets, which had the effect of transforming them into 'huge bells'.
'Continuous explosions on the turret had produced a hellish noise which had grown louder from explosion to explosion. The sound had swollen beyond the realms of tolerance and had virtually driven the crews insane.'
... claimed his battery had disabled 32 T-34s tanks before the end of the year [1941], employing similiar tactics.
![[Rest In Peace] Panzerklein](/data/avatars/m/245/245380.jpg?1410517359){kind=avatar}
