The “David of Sasun” tank column

The “David of Sasun” tank column was created during the Great Patriotic War with funds raised by the Armenian diaspora and the Armenian Church. It was named after the hero of the medieval Armenian national epic.

The fundraising began in January 1943 on the initiative of Gevorg Chorekchyan, deputy of the Catholicos of All Armenians. By February 1944 the money had been used to form the 119th Separate Tank Regiment, equipped with 21 new T-34-85 medium tanks. The tanks fought as part of the 1st Baltic Front, took part in Operation Bagration and ended their combat path in the Baltic region.

The winter photograph shows tanks lined up in a row, with “David of Sasun” written in Armenian on their turrets, and soldiers beside them.