Russian Goose

Since the North Koreans' Russian-made T-34 tank disappeared from the battle, allied armor in Korea has had nothing much to contend with except mortar and small-arms fire. U.N. armored columns thrust boldly into enemy territory, without the infantry screens which--according to the book--are needed to put hostile antitank gunners out of action. Early this month, a U.S. tank force probing toward the Reds' "iron triangle" suddenly ran into killing antitank fire. Ordnance officers quickly identified the source: Russia's highly effective 57-mm. antitank gun.

The Russian gun, nicknamed "the Goose" by G.I.s because of its long (13 ft.) barrel, fires a shell with an extra-heavy propellant charge, can drill a clean hole through 5 1/2 inches of armorplate at 500 yards. Mounted on wheels, it is light enough (about 2,500 Ibs.) to be moved about handily by its crew of five. U.S. tank commanders and crews took the Goose with professional calm. Said one tankman: "For months we have had it soft. Now we have to fight our tanks as tanks should be fought."

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