Popski's Private Army The Tank Museum It had heavy armour and

It had heavy armour and a long chassis that enabled it to climb steep slopes

The vehicle was sent to United States Army Europe to replace the mechanised infantry's M59 APCs from 1961

the T34 boasted efficiency and mobility

The "Lang" (German for "long") in its name was added to distinguish it from its predecessor with a shorter L/48 7

chain smoking

Popski's Private Army The Tank Museum It had heavy armour andBy Vladimir Peniakoff 'A story of adventure which has no rival in the literature of any war' In October 1942, with the sanction of the army, Vladimir Peniakoff (nicknamed Popski) formed his own elite fighting force. By befriending and enlisting desert Arabs, he was able to penetrate deep into German territory without being detected over the next year, 'Popski's Private Army' carried out a series of raids behind the German lines that were truly