picture 170133

One of the first vehicles to be seen on the streets of Prague were the PT-76 amphibious light tanks. Its designation was derived from the calibre of its main armament: the 76.2mm D-56T series rifled gun. The PT-76 – the hull of which was quite bulky to achieve buoyancy – was used as the standard reconnaissance tank of the WTO’s armies and although not part of the order of battle of the 7th and 103rd Guards Airborne Divisions was frequently seen in close support of the VDV troops on the streets of Prague during the intervention of 21 August 1968. As usual, all the vehicles were painted in dark olive green overall and wore white identification stripes down the front hull and turret sides. (Artwork by David Bocquelet)