Mikhail Ilyich Koshkin, the man behind the T-34, the most iconic tank of World War II, represents a poignant story of brilliance, innovation, and sacrifice. His journey from a curious engineer to the creator of a war machine that would significantly impact the course of the war is both inspiring and tragic.
Born in 1898 in the Russian Empire, Koshkin's early fascination with mechanics set the stage for a career in engineering. His significant breakthrough came at the Kharkiv Locomotive Factory, which later evolved into a premier Soviet tank design hub. The late 1930s brought heightened military tensions, and with the looming threat of Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union was in dire need of a superior tank to counter German advancements.
